Fact Check: New Zealand permitted 37,000 new housing units last year, outpacing Bay Area and LA.

Fact Check: "New Zealand permitted 37,000 new housing units last year, outpacing Bay Area and LA."

What We Know

The claim states that New Zealand permitted 37,000 new housing units in the last year, surpassing the combined totals of the Bay Area and Los Angeles. According to a report from Apricitas, New Zealand did indeed permit approximately 37,000 housing units in 2023, which is noted to be more than the combined total for the San Francisco and Los Angeles metro areas, which have a significantly larger population (source-7).

Additionally, the Building and Construction Sector Trends report indicates that New Zealand has been experiencing a high demand for residential building activity, with record numbers of new dwelling consents issued in recent years (source-3). This trend aligns with the claim regarding the number of housing units permitted.

However, specific data on the number of housing units permitted in the Bay Area and Los Angeles for the same year is not readily available in the sources provided. Therefore, while the claim about New Zealand's housing permits is substantiated, the comparison to the Bay Area and LA lacks direct evidence.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim about New Zealand's housing permits comes from a credible source that provides specific figures and context regarding the housing market in New Zealand (source-7). The report highlights the significant growth in housing permits, which is consistent with broader trends in the construction sector, as noted in the Building and Construction Sector Trends report (source-3).

However, the reliability of the comparison to the Bay Area and Los Angeles is questionable due to the lack of available data on their respective housing permits for the same timeframe. While it is mentioned that New Zealand's figures outpace those of these regions, without specific numbers or a reliable source for the Bay Area and LA, this part of the claim remains unverified.

Moreover, the context of the housing market in New Zealand is influenced by various factors, including population growth and housing demand, which may not directly correlate with the situations in the Bay Area or LA. Thus, while the claim about New Zealand's housing permits is credible, the comparative aspect requires further investigation.

Conclusion

Needs Research. The claim that New Zealand permitted 37,000 new housing units last year is supported by credible data. However, the assertion that this figure outpaces the combined totals of the Bay Area and Los Angeles lacks sufficient evidence. Without specific numbers from these regions, the comparison cannot be verified, indicating that further research is necessary to fully substantiate the claim.

Fact Check: New Zealand permitted 37,000 new housing units last year, outpacing Bay Area and LA.