Building permits will reach $1B, but affordable housing is still lacking

New building permit numbers show that Hamilton's building boom appears to be for the long haul. But the city is still lacking growth where it's desperately needed affordable housing.

The city is on track to crack $1 billion in construction again this year, as they have since 2013,new data shows.The city had issued $541,033,193 in building permits as of the end of June.

Most of thatactivity was residential. In June,single-family homes far outpaced row houses and apartments, which housing advocates say is badly needed.

Residential permits accounted for 432 of the 791 building permits in June. Single-family homes were 127 of those. Row houses and apartments only accounted for 11.

Commercial activity, meanwhile, accounted for 70 permits, with industrial and government/institutional making up the balance.

Here's a breakdown of the numbers:

Year-to-date ending in June (construction value)

• 2011: $338,199,690
• 2012: $562,711,342
• 2013: $532,353,483
• 2014: $518,985,355
• 2015: $541,033,193

Types of residential building in June 2015

• New one and two-family dwellings: $47,487,994
• New row dwellings or apartments: $11,977,789
• New garages or carports: $37,000