September 16, 2005 (Arlington, VA) – Over the past two weeks the response of the country to assist the hurricane victims has been incredible. While much of the housing industry focus has been on providing immediate temporary and interim housing, there will be a need to focus on the rebuilding of cities and providing permanent housing for tens of thousands left without homes.

A preliminary estimate of 160,000 homes will be rendered uninhabitable due to severe flood and wind damage. These structures are beyond repair. The National Modular Housing Council has already been in contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other government and business entities to examine the role the modular housing industry can play in the rebuilding efforts.

One of the fastest growing segments of the housing industry, modular homes are built in a factory controlled setting off-site, and meet the state or local building codes. The factory-built process allows the homes to be produced for less cost and in less time. This shortened time to completion will be a key element in getting a city and region up and running again quickly. “The design flexibility of modular housing enables companies to construct homes to meet all architectural types, which will be important for a historic city like New Orleans,” according to Thayer Long of the National Modular Housing Council. He also notes that prior to Hurricane Katrina, a number of modular homes were scheduled to be built in a historic district of New Orleans, and would be architecturally compatible with homes built over 150 years ago.

Modular homes are financed using conventional mortgage products, and are viewed exactly the same as site-built homes in construction codes and zoning laws. In addition, all aspects of construction are continually inspected by not one, but several, inspectors, and modular homes come with all the modern features and amenities found in site-built housing.

If you have questions regarding the hurricane relief effort, please contact the NMHC at (703) 558-0678 or info@modularcouncil.org.