Manteca is in target to have its best year for new housing unit starts since 2007.

Builders have sold or started 291 residential units so far this year through June 30.

There were 553 new housing units built in Manteca during 2007. That was the year the mortgage meltdown started.

The housing starts this year includes 138 single family homes and the 153-unit Junipero Apartments now under construction on Atherton Drive east of Van Ryn Avenue south of the 120 Bypass.

There were 365 new housing starts in Manteca in 2010. That included the 55-unit senior housing complex on Grant Avenue behind Dribbles Car Wash.

There were 236 building permits approved by the City of Manteca in June valued at $9.6 million.

The biggest was a commercial remodeling permit for work valued at $750,000 issued to Target for its Spreckels Avenue store. The retailer also received two permits allowing it to proceed with $130,000 worth of storage rack improvements.

There were also five commercial tenant infill permits issued during June for improvements valued at $633,000. The biggest was $425,000 for the Social Security to complete interior work at a stand-alone building under construction at 530 Commerce Court behind Home Depot. When it is completed, Social Security will move their operations from their current location on South Main Street adjacent to Big 5 Sporting Goods.

There were 33 single family homes started in Manteca during June including two custom homes. They had a combined construction value of $5.8 million.

Construction permits at $14.8 million were issued in May for the Junipero apartment complex.

The apartment complex is being funded in part with a $12.5 million redevelopment agency loan that is payable with residual cash receipts after the developer pays whatever development fees are deferred. That loan was wedded with tax-exempt bonds to allow the complex to be rented to qualified low- to moderate-income households. Unlike other subsidized programs, this is aimed at providing workforce housing with those qualifying to rent must be working and earn a household income of 120 percent of the county median with a sliding scale based on the number in the household.

Junipero Apartments will consist of a tot lot, BBQ area, community room with kitchen, fitness room, computer room, and laundry facilities. Each unit will have blinds, carpeting, patios, and appliances.

It will have architecture similar to the nearby Paseo Villas.

Another 150 apartments will eventually be built on a vacant parcel between Junipero Apartments and Paseo Villa.