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City to consider modular housing pilot

City councillors will receive a motion next week that calls for the exploration of modular housing projects as a way of addressing Vancouver’s affordable housing needs.

Introduced by Councillor Kerry Jang, the motion requests that the city manager carry out an expression of interest to assess the possibilities and potential partnerships for a pilot modular housing project in Vancouver.

“We’ve had a lot of these proposals come forward to us in the last year or so,” said Coun. Jang. “And it became clear to us that the city’s role is as an enabler and how we can let the private sector do its thing.”

Modular housing is an increasingly popular method of construction worldwide. Buildings are constructed onsite using a variety of already-made materials such as shipping containers and joining.

In a series run by The Tyee, investigative editor Monte Paulsenexamines modular housing’s possibilities and applicability to the Vancouver landscape. Stackable shipping containers are quicker, cheaper and greener living option for Vancouver, Paulsen’s articles note.

And while the motion has yet to be discussed by council, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has already expressed interest in modular housing as a way to address homelessness and affordable housing issues in the city.

"Modular housing can be built much more quickly and for a lower cost than permanent housing, which makes it a good tool for easing the affordable housing crisis in Vancouver," Robertson said in a July 15 press release. "We have a shortage of affordable market rentals, there is a lack of family and workforce housing, and seniors and students are being priced out of Vancouver."

For Art Space Action’s Derek Simons, modular housing could also help to fill the void of affordable studio and living space for Vancouver’s artist communities.

"There’s a serious crisis of affordability right now and that’s hitting artists with particular force," Simons said. "This possibility of affordable construction techniques could provide purpose-built spaces that will meet the needs of artists in really interesting kinds of ways."

Simons noted that modular buildings provide artists greater opportunities to experiment with architectural design, while saving money on construction costs.

"You could … put in translucent glass, projecting [an] artist’s work onto the glass so people passing by can see examples of the artwork produced inside the building," he said.

But the city must not jump to conclusions about modular housing’s effectiveness in Vancouver, said executive director ATIRA Women’s Resource Society Janice Abbott.

For Abbott, whose community organization deals with supportive housing for women and children, modular housing’s potential to provide more affordable dwellings seems promising.

But asked whether the alternative housing scheme can solve Vancouver’s homelessness, Abbott remained unconvinced.

"The questions about container or modular housing are about what are the actually costs when the dust settles?" she said. "Is it any cheaper? Is it better to spend the money on temporary modular housing or on permanent housing?"

"I don’t think we know the answer to that question until we do a pilot project," she added.

Vancouver councillors will hear the motion at a city council meeting next week. If passed, the city manager will undertake the expression of interest to gauge support for potential pilot projects in the future.

"This motion is very important for me," Coun. Jang said. "It would allow us the opportunity for the public to see [modular housing projects] and say whether they are acceptable as building units and places for people to live."

Niamh Scallan is completing a practicum at The Tyee

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