Housing construction rises

<p>Housing construction in Sonoma County rose during the first four months of the year, led by new apartment projects, according to a report issued Tuesday.</p><p>Builders pulled permits for 179 houses and apartment units from January through April, a 7.2 percent increase from the same period a year ago, according to the Construction Industry Research Board.</p><p>Driving the increase was a four-fold gain in apartments, which accounted for 40 percent of the new housing units. Construction of single-family houses fell 28 percent during the period, compared to a year ago.</p><p>Construction of new houses is expected to remain near record lows this year because houses are still selling for less than they cost to build.</p><p>Statewide, new home and apartment construction fell 51.4 percent during the first four months of this year, compared with a year ago.</p>