More than half (53%) of multifamily developer respondents reported construction delays in the jurisdictions where they operate, according to the third edition of the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) COVID-19 Construction Survey. Of this group, 85% reported delays in permitting due to COVID-19, up from 77% in round two (conducted April 9-14) and 76% in the initial survey (conducted March 27-April 1).
Getting permits is a major problem for multifamily developers and construction firms, says the NMHC in its latest survey.
Survey respondents reporting construction delays also indicated a significant pause in starts, with 78% reporting delays, up 8 percentage points from the end of last month, and 19 percentage points from the first round.
More than three-quarters of multifamily developers said continue to face delays in starts, says the latest NMHC survey.
The NMHC Construction Survey is intended to gauge the magnitude of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak on multifamily construction. Additional findings include:
• 53% of developers reported a delay in construction. Of those developers, the percentage experiencing a delay in construction because of construction moratorium dropped from 62% in round one to 37% in round three, indicating that construction activity is resuming as states relax pandemic-related restrictions.
• Only 29% of respondents reported being impacted by a lack of materials, but the percentage of respondents experiencing price increases in materials jumped to 17%, from 5% in round one and 4% in round two. Despite this jump, 78% still report no price impact, and 24% of those implementing new strategies report they are sourcing alternative building materials, up 8 percentage points from the first survey.
Labor availability seems to be less of a problem for multifamily construction firms, says the NMHC survey.
• Labor availability has also improved over the course of the three surveys. Seventy percent of respondents said they were not impacted by labor shortages, up from 54% in round one and 57% in round two. This may be due in part to the fact that 24% of those implementing new strategies said they were offering workforce incentives or other benefits, up from 16% in round two.
Firms continue to innovate in the face of challenges posed by the outbreak. Fifty-nine percent of respondents indicated they have implemented new strategies to deal with the hurdles established by the virus’s continued presence. This is down from 75% in the last round and 73% in the first round. Many firms said they have implemented more than one strategy.
View the full survey results here and a comprehensive overview of the results here.
Additional resources, data, and materials from NMHC can be found here.
Related Stories
Coronavirus | Jun 30, 2020
The great reset and our new work life
As many countries begin to return to the office, it’s a chance to ask ourselves: what do we truly value?
Coronavirus | Jun 26, 2020
Infection control in buildings in the age of the coronavirus
Controlling future infection spreads could become job one for most buildings and spaces.
Coronavirus | Jun 26, 2020
ICYMI The Weekly show: The hotel sector's 'competition for cleanliness' and workplace design amid COVID-19
This week on The Weekly (June 25 episode), BD+C editors spoke with leaders from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Henderson Engineers, and Shawmut Design & Construction on three timely topics.
Coronavirus | Jun 23, 2020
A look back at design standard shifts: ADA vs. COVID-19
The short story is official design guidelines are slow to be developed and made into law.
Coronavirus | Jun 23, 2020
WATG designs solution for isolating without sacrificing social connectivity
The design was inspired by oriel bay windows.
Coronavirus | Jun 22, 2020
Boldt creates an innovation task force to speed up safe opening of jobsites, 14 offices
Boldt creates an innovation task force to speed up safe opening of jobsites, 14 offices
Coronavirus | Jun 19, 2020
Experts address COVID-19's impact on nursing homes and schools on The Weekly
The June 18 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
Coronavirus | Jun 18, 2020
Brown University tops off first housing building in three decades
The facility, scheduled for completion next April, will combine a residence hall with student health services.
Coronavirus | Jun 17, 2020
HOK and Germfree partner to design mobile COVID-19 testing lab
Access to quick, reliable, and repeated testing has been one of the greatest challenges for businesses, institutions and individuals during the COVID-19 crisis.
Coronavirus | Jun 17, 2020
Guiding changes in the workplace: Past, present, and future
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies are managing sudden change as they assess the impact on workplace design and how people use spaces.