Conn. permits for new houses drop by half

Connecticut economic officials say the number of housing permits issued in the first three months of the year is down by more than 50 percent.

The state Department of Economic and Community Development also says there was a nearly 50 percent drop in permits issued for last month.

The agency says towns and cities issued 500 permits for single-family houses, condominiums and apartment units in the first quarter. Last year, they issued 1,091 permits for the same period.

In March, the number of permits issued was 208, a 46 percent drop from the same month a year ago.

Connecticut saw its fourth consecutive year of residential construction declines in 2008. (AP)