New York City is taking a new approach to alleviate the increasingly severe housing shortage by adopting modular homes. The city government has selected Staten Island as a trial site for the construction of multiple modular homes, which are prefabricated in factories and then transported to designated locations for installation. This method significantly reduces construction time and costs.
The project is a collaboration between the New York City Housing Preservation and Development Department (HPD) and the real estate development company Urban Ecospaces. On October 15, HPD officials invited the media to inspect the construction site on Staten Island.
Tamia Perry, the CEO of Urban Ecospaces, mentioned that a single house can be completed in the factory in about seven to eight days, saving 10% to 20% in costs compared to traditional on-site construction. She pointed out that the foundation work for the homes takes about two weeks, with on-site installation and completion taking an additional six weeks.
Due to the short construction period and reduced noise and dust, Perry emphasized the minimal impact of this method on the community. She stated, “Traditional housing construction often takes two to three years, while modular construction significantly reduces the long-term disruption to residents’ lives.”
Matt Rauschenbach, a spokesperson for HPD, stated that these homes are part of the city’s “Open Door Program,” which provides loan subsidies to support development projects aimed at assisting low- and middle-income families in purchasing homes, allowing hardworking New Yorkers to own their own homes.
Rauschenbach explained that these homes will be available for application through the “Housing Connect” affordable housing lottery platform, subject to qualification review and loan procedures like other affordable rental or ownership units in the city.
Everett Perry, the president of Urban Ecospaces, introduced that there are 15 modular homes under construction on Staten Island, with an expected completion in the first half of 2026 and public marketing starting in the middle of the year.
In addition to addressing the housing shortage, developers have incorporated designs for elevated homes to prevent future flooding. The new homes have open spaces underneath to allow water to flow through in the event of storms or floods. The ground will be covered with grass and gravel to facilitate drainage.