By Leslie Shaer | Construction Dive
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans began to work remotely. Others left their jobs altogether. And many migrated to the Sun Belt, sparking a development boom.
These trends have converged to create problems in short-staffed zoning and planning offices around the country. Apartment developers say that backlogs at the local government level are presenting an obstacle to getting projects out of the ground on time.
The situation has forced both builders and municipalities to adjust. Governments are relying on outsourcing and investing in technology, while developers may need to readjust their priorities.