Sign On San Diego - "Housing market a bust despite boom conditions" (1-27-07)

"For years, new-home construction was the engine that drove the growth of the San Diego economy. But since the housing industry hit the brakes, regional growth has slowed to a crawl, local economists said at a forum yesterday."

"Hiring for real estate-related jobs has declined steadily over the past year in San Diego County, Gin said. The local industry began to shed jobs in November, and roughly 6,000 jobs were eliminated during the last two months of 2006. Citing data from the California Department of Finance, Schuerman said only 900 people moved to San Diego County over the past two years, while more than 28,500 residents moved out."