The National Association of Home Builders is debuting a new economic index that highlights metro areas that are seeing the most improvement in their housing markets. The First American Improving Markets Index reveals 12 metro areas that have seen a turnaround for at least six months in three core economic areas — housing permits, employment, and housing prices.

"Despite the challenging conditions in the national economy and housing sector, there are areas throughout the country where we are seeing pockets of improvement," Bob Nielsen, chairman of NAHB, said in a statement. "We created this new index to shine a light on those housing markets across the country that have stabilized and have begun to show signs of recovery."

Here are the 12 cities that have seen the biggest improvements, according to NAHB’s new index:

Alexandria, La.
Anchorage, Alaska
Bangor, ME
Bismarck, N.D.
Casper, Wyo.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fayetteville, N.C.
Houma, La.
Midland, Texas
New Orleans, La.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Waco, Texas