A new mayors task force has been formed to support the development of standardized, factory-built modular homes in an effort to address the housing crisis in British Columbia.
The initiative, announced Friday, Nov. 22 in Kelowna, is a collaboration between Modular BC and and municipal leaders, including Prince George Mayor Simon Yu, who was present at the launch. The goal is to increase the adoption of modular construction across the province.
Yu emphasized the importance of this initiative for both addressing the housing crisis and supporting local manufacturing. "Expanding the factory-built modular housing sector will create high-paying jobs in communities across B.C.," Yu said. "This initiative not only tackles the housing shortage but also provides stable employment opportunities, contributing to the economic growth of our province."
The task force will work on streamlining the construction and approval processes for modular housing, which offers a quick, affordable solution to the growing demand for housing across the province.
"Municipalities across B.C. are facing increasing pressure to provide affordable housing," said Paul Binotto, spokesperson for Modular BC. "Through the B.C. Mayors Task Force, we aim to make B.C. a leader in delivering high-quality, fast, and affordable modular housing."
Unlike traditional houses, which are constructed entirely onsite, modular homes are prefabricated to be built in sections or modules in a controlled-environment factory setting, then taken to the owner's property and assembled.
The task force, which also includes Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield, Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog and Williams Lake Mayor Surinderpal Rathor, will advise Modular BC on the creation of new provincial standards for multi-family and infill modular homes.
The modular housing model is praised for its environmental benefits, including a reduction in construction waste by 50 to 70 per cent and a decrease in emissions by up to 43 per cent. Additionally, the standardization of factory-built homes promises to streamline municipal permitting processes and minimize disruptions to local infrastructure.
"The standardization of factory-built modular homes presents an exciting opportunity for municipalities like Burnaby to provide more housing solutions at the neighborhood level," said Hurley, chair of the task force. "I look forward to working with my fellow mayors and Modular BC to get more homes built quickly and efficiently."
