Modular Homes: A Growing Solution to housing Challenges
Modular construction is gaining recognition as a viable solution to address affordability,speed of construction,and sustainability issues within the U.S. housing market. Built in controlled indoor environments,these homes adhere to the same building codes as traditionally constructed homes,including those set by the International Building Code,as well as state and local regulations,according to Tom Hardiman,executive director of the Modular Building Institute (MBI) and the Modular Homebuilders Association (MHA). MBI represents manufacturers of multi-family and commercial buildings,while MHA focuses on single-family dwellings.
While currently representing a smaller portion of overall homebuilding, modular construction offers significant advantages over conventional “stick-built” methods. These include increased affordability,faster build times,reduced material waste (nearly 25%),and minimized weather-related damage. Jordan Rogove, a partner and co-founder of DXA studio, asserts this results in “a more sustainable, less expensive, better-built product.”
Research from the Urban Institute supports this view. Michael Neal, a principal research associate and equity scholar there, notes that customary on-site construction has seen limited productivity gains in recent decades. His research indicates modular builders can cut production time by as much as 50%, factoring in the often complex permitting processes.
Furthermore, modular construction addresses the challenges of labor shortages faced by traditional builders. modular factories maintain a full-time, local, and well-compensated workforce, shielded from the disruptions of inclement weather. Neal suggests that modular construction “might potentially be how affordable housing is reached.”
Companies like Fading West are actively pursuing this potential. while initially focused on disaster relief, notably in Hawaii, they are expanding their scope to include housing for essential workers like teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Fading West is currently undertaking projects in Wyoming, Utah, Montana, Texas, and New mexico.
The company is also demonstrating the versatility of the modular model through a partnership with Home/Town Developments in Los Angeles, providing housing options for victims of wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. These range from multi-million-dollar, 3,000-square-foot homes with five bedrooms to more affordable 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom models.
Fading West’s founder, Schaefer, describes the modular approach as akin to building with “Lego blocks,” highlighting the ability to customize homes to meet diverse homeowner needs and budgets.
