Fewer permits for new homes in 2023, second year of decline

Almost 55,000 permits for new homes were handed out last year, down 15% on 2022 and a further sign of the current problems facing the housing market, national statistics agency CBS said on Thursday. In particular, the number of permits for owner-occupier housing fell by 23% to their lowest level for 10 years. Rental property permits fell by 6% to 28,400. 2023 was the second year in a row that the number of issued permits fell sharply and the last...