DAYTON — Residential permits jumped 22.5 percent in March, the Home Builders Association of Dayton said.

Residential permits — a mix that includes apartments, condos and single-family homes — reached 185 last month versus 151 a year ago, HBA officials said Thursday, April 29.

Last month’s total included 159 single-family homes, six apartments and 20 condos, association officials said.

Walt Hibner, the HBA’s executive director, in a statement said the tax credit program that expires today, April 30, has benefited the entry-level housing market.

Going forward low interest rates and an improving housing market should benefit help the market for higher-priced homes, Hibner said, adding that many builders remain “subtly optimistic and cautious about the remainder of the year.”