Washington, D.C., April 3, 2020 – More than half of respondents (55%) to a new survey on multifamily construction by the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) said that they were experiencing construction delays in the jurisdictions where they operate.
The NMHC Construction Survey is intended to gauge the magnitude of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak on multifamily construction. The survey, which had 135 respondents, also determined that:
- Of the 55% experiencing delays, 76% were dealing with delays in permitting and 59% in starts
- About a quarter (24%) of respondents said a lack of materials was affecting their construction operations
- 41% of respondents said that COVID-19 outbreak-related labor constraints were affecting construction operations
The NMHC found that the majority of the 135 multifamily contractors surveyed had experienced delays with apartment or condominium projects due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than three-fifths (62%) of respondents said they had been delayed due to construction moritoriums.
MULTIFAMILY CONTRACTORS TRYING NEW STRATEGIES TO COPE WITH COVID-19 IMPACT
The NMHC Construction Survey also found that nearly three-fourths (73%) of construction firm respondents said that they have implemented new strategies to deal with the hurdles caused by the pandemic. These include sourcing materials from alternative locations (43%), staggering shifts to reduce on-site exposure (52%), and using technology to replace in-person transactions like inspections and approvals (67%).
The NMHC survey found that multifamily contractors had adopted many new strategies for coping with delays in work due to the coronavirus pandemic. Note: Respondents could check multiple items for this question.
NMHC will conduct this survey on a bi-weekly basis to provide an estimation of the impact of COVID-19 on multifamily construction. Additional NMHC-produced resources focused on the COVID-19 outbreak can be found here.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL MULTIFAMILY HOUSING COUNCIL
Based in Washington, D.C., the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) brings together the prominent apartment owners, managers, and developers in the trillion-dollar apartment industry who provide apartment homes for 40 million Americans. For more information: 202/974-2300, e-mail the Council at info@nmhc.org, or visit NMHC's website: https://www.nmhc.org/.
Related Stories
Coronavirus | Aug 25, 2020
Video: 5 building sectors to watch amid COVID-19
RCLCO's Brad Hunter reveals the winners and non-winners of the U.S. real estate market during the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus | Aug 25, 2020
6 must reads for the AEC industry today: August 26, 2020
Big-box retailers’ profits surge, and rent payment tracker finds 90% of apartment households paying rent.
Coronavirus | Aug 25, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: August 25, 2020
Medical office buildings get a boost by demand and capital, and why the COVID-19 pandemic is increasing the need for telemedicine.
University Buildings | Aug 20, 2020
Student housing in the COVID-19 era
Student housing remains a vital part of the student and campus experience.
Coronavirus | Aug 17, 2020
Covid-19 and campus life: Where do we go from here?
Campus communities include international, intergenerational, and varied health-risk populations.
Coronavirus | Aug 10, 2020
Reimagining multifamily spaces in the COVID era
Multifamily developments pose unique challenges and opportunities.
Coronavirus | Aug 3, 2020
Exploring the airborne transmission of the coronavirus and strategies for mitigating risk
Health authorities say it’s important to understand the dangers of microdroplets. How might indoor ventilation need to change?
Coronavirus | Jul 31, 2020
The Weekly show: Microhospitals, mass timber, and the outlook for 5 key building sectors
The July 30 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
University Buildings | Jul 24, 2020
A hybrid learning approach could redefine higher education
Universities reassess current assets to determine growth strategies.
