Modular construction is gaining momentum as a solution to the affordable housing gap. The method, which involves prefabricating building components off-site before assembling them on location, offers significant cost savings and faster project completion compared to traditional construction. This approach can reduce building costs by up to 20 percent and accelerate construction timelines by 40 percent.
Cities like San Francisco and Oakland are increasingly adopting modular construction for affordable housing projects. For instance, San Francisco has committed $100 million to modular housing to create quicker and more cost-effective solutions to its housing shortage. The city estimates that modular construction could reduce the cost of each affordable unit by about $50,000.
Modular construction is being embraced for larger projects, including multifamily and high-rise buildings. In Minneapolis, a notable public housing project is utilizing modular construction to build 84 affordable units across 16 locations. This project is seen as a potential model for other cities, demonstrating how modular techniques can help meet the urgent demand for affordable housing.
These developments highlight modular construction’s potential to reshape the housing landscape, making it a critical tool in addressing housing affordability across the U.S. Learn more from Next City.
