Only 24 'new home' permits OK'd in Hall in Jan.

GAINESVILLE - Only 24 permits were approved in Hall County last month for new, single-family homes - compared to 94 a year ago.

It's a continued reflection in the housing slowdown which began in the Gainesville area late last spring.

As AccessNorthGa.com reported a month ago, the county ended 2007 with 500 fewer homes permitted than in 2006.

Additions and repairs to existing homes are also off. Sixteen permits were issued last month compared to 32 last January.