A partnership between B.C.'s modular housing industry and a new mayors task force is set to streamline the production of factory-built homes -- an effort to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing across the province.
Modular BC and Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley announced the creation of the Mayors Task Force on Standardized Modular Factory-Built Homes during a media event at SRI Homes in 琉璃神社 on Friday (Nov. 22) -- National Housing Day.
The task force includes Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield, Prince George Mayor Simon Yu, Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog, and Williams Lake Mayor Surinderpal Rathor.
鈥淢unicipalities across British Columbia are increasingly being called upon to deliver critical housing supply at prices people can afford,鈥� said Paul Binotto, spokesperson for Modular BC. 鈥淲ith the mayors task force, we are ready to support the province and make B.C. a North American leader in delivering a high-quality, fast, affordable modular housing program in communities across the province.鈥�
The group will collaborate with Modular BC to establish provincial standards for multi-family and infill modular homes. They will also work to increase the adoption of modular housing across B.C.
鈥淚 look forward to working with my mayoral colleagues and Modular BC to streamline municipal approvals processes and get more housing built fast,鈥� said Mayor Hurley, who chairs the task force.
Darren Bassett, general manager of SRI Homes and Moduline Penticton, outlined the benefits of expanding the factory modular industry in B.C.
"Create stable, high-earning manufacturing jobs in communities across the province,鈥� he added. 鈥淏uilding more homes quickly in factories across the province adds value to our natural resources and provides increased manufacturing opportunities for all British Columbians.鈥�
Quick Facts:
- Modular BC is a non-profit organization with the sole mission of increasing Factor Built industry for B.C.;
- Factory built modular housing can reduce construction waste by 50 - 70 per cent and reduce emissions by up to per cent;
- The mayors task force will help B.C.鈥檚 modular industry secures a consistent demand chain through new provincially adopted standardized designs.
