There were 40 single-family housing permits issued countywide in October, slightly up from 38 in September, but down from 72 permits in October last year.
So far this year, there have been 473 permits approved in the county, down from 876 permits through October last year.
Mike Shina, president of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association Cherokee Chapter, said the resale market continues to hold up construction of new homes.
"Things are getting better, but it is going to be a slow recovery," he said, adding he hopes to see the resale market knocked down by the end of next year.
He said the rising unemployment rate also is stalling the construction of new homes.
"Nobody is buying a house if they are afraid of losing their job," he said.
Renee McCormick, office manager for McCormick Build Group in Woodstock, said the company is changing its focus from designing and building to remodeling, home maintenance and other home services.
"I think people are very hesitant to make a major investment right now," she said about the slowdown.
The county building department, which covers unincorporated Cherokee as well as the city of Waleska, issued 20 permits last month, up from 17 in September but down from 47 in October last year. The county office has approved 242 permits so far this year, down from 494 at this time last year.
Canton filled 10 single-family building permit requests last month, down from 13 in September and 11 in October last year. This year, the city has issued 64 permits, a drop from 123 through October last year.
Woodstock approved five permits last month, down just slightly from six in September and six in October last year. So far this year, the city has issued 69 permits, down from 100 at this time last year.
Holly Springs issued four housing permits last month, an increase from just two in September but down from seven issued in October last year. This year, the city has approved 72 permits, sliding from 136 through October last year.
Brantley Day, community development director for Holly Springs, said there are 1,200 lots in the city ready for a house to be built.
"Banks are sitting on their assets," he said, adding at least 900 of the lots are bank owned. He said he could see those lots becoming available by the spring if not sooner. "2010 is going to be better than we thought."
Ball Ground issued just one permit in October. The city approved no permits in September and none in October last year. Ball Ground has filled 26 permit requests this year, up from 23 at this time last year.
Nelson has not issued any permits in Cherokee County this year nor did it last year.
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