German construction booms on refugee homes

The number of residential building permits granted in Germany jumped by nearly a third to over 84,000 in the first three months of 2016, latest figures showed, boosting expectations construction will continue to support growth in Europe’s largest economy.

The authorities issued permits for 72,335 new residential buildings and approved construction work at 12,454 existing buildings.

Approvals for the ‘hostel residences’ sub-category of homes, which also includes shelters for refugees and asylum seekers, more than doubled to 5,149.