Badly needed housing construction in Germany is not gaining ground, as the number of building permits for new construction and apartment conversions fell in April to well below the level seen a year ago, data released on Tuesday showed. The Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden said new construction permits amounted to 14,300 in April – 17% less than a year earlier. Including apartment conversions, building permits amounted to 17,600 – also an annual drop of 17%. Housing has become a major political issue as residents in major German cities complain about the lack of affordable housing. Far-…