Will NYC’s Modular Construction for Affordable Housing Set a Trend?

The Grand, in the South Bronx, developed by Thorobird Companies

NEW YORK CITY—Modular homes are sometimes referred to as “manufactured” instead of “constructed.” Now, New York City is funding a modular affordable housing project at 581 Grant Ave. in East New York, Brooklyn. The development will be one of the first in the state to use the method of stacking factory-produced apartment units to lower construction costs and increase efficiency. The city estimates this will reduce construction time 25% to 30%.

The city awarded a $70 million contract to Thorobird Companies in partnership with Bangladeshi American Community Development & Youth Services to develop the new, 167-unit affordable housing complex. The city funds are partially coming from the Department of Housing and Preservation’s Extremely Low and Low-income Affordability (ELLA) program.