Achieving Modular Multifamily Affordable Housing

As construction costs soar, funding for multifamily affordable housing remains relatively stagnant. The result is that multifamily affordable housing developers are increasingly pinched, forced to find creative ways to reduce already-tight construction budgets. Too often this causes delays and adversely affects the quality of the end-product. Meanwhile, the factory-built modular housing market is growing more sophisticated and efficient. It is estimated that the average modular multifamily project can save anywhere from 5% to 10% of overall construction cost relative to a traditionally framed building, not to mention the time savings of up to 40%. Yet, to-date, the modular industry has primarily served market-rate developers. The fact is that there are a number of financing, logistical, and permitting challenges that make modular affordable housing more difficult to achieve than modular market rate housing. Addressing these challenges has the opportunity to increase the affordable housing pipeline and address the affordability crisis. Learning Objectives: 1. Learn about the cost and time saving opportunities for affordable housing associated with prefabricated construction. 2. Learn how to navigate the regulatory hurdles associated with prefabrication. 3. Learn about design constraints and opportunities associated with prefabrication. 4. Learn how construction documentation techniques may vary for prefabrication. Speakers: Brad Leibin, AIA Associate, David Baker Architects Sharon Christen Senior Housing Developer, Mercy Housing California Larry Pace Chief Operating Officer, Factory OS, Founder and President, Cannon Constructors North This session was hosted by the AIA Housing and Community Development Knowledge Community in partnership with the Open Architecture Collaborative on May 6th, 2019.