New homes cropping up in ABQ

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The long dark economic tunnel in the housing industry may finally be coming to an end, as the Duke City is seeing housing activity for the first time in more than a year.

Records show that there has been an explosive growth in the number of building permits issued by the city in the past two months.

Harry Dempsey, the city's chief building official, said D.R. Horton's new subdivision is something they haven’t seen in nearly two years. More than 100 homes are expected to be built in the division.

Builders are working again in part because the city has waived certain fees and because lenders are lending again, according to Dempsey.

Along with jobs, the new developments are pumping money back into the local economy.

"This development on the West Side is kind of the springing board for the construction industry, so it will get everybody moving," Dempsey said.

The New Mexico Housing Industry is also welcoming the return of builder KB Homes. KB left the area in 2008 because of the sluggish economy.