The city council of Vancouver is supporting the creation of 550 temporary homes, including some prefab, to house the area's homeless.
"The modular housing component was based on proposals from architect Gregory Henriquez and real estate consultant Michael Geller, who suggested the idea during Geller's unsuccessful council bid in last fall's municipal election.
The province asked Geller to study the feasibility of the modular concept and he concluded that the idea was a practical one. Geller said capital costs would vary between $37,000 and $46,000 per unit, compared to $302,000 for permanent units already announced by the province.
'One of the true benefits of this approach is that we can have people housed in a matter of months rather than a matter of years,' said Geller.
'While some may be concerned that this housing will not be attractive, I think the plans produced to date clearly demonstrate that a great concern may be that it's too attractive and hence will become permanent.'"
FULL STORY: City council backs plan for prefab housing
Commentary: New Bill Holds Key to Solving US Housing Crisis. We Just Have to Pass It.
Two bills currently moving through Congress could make mass production of prefabricated, affordable housing possible on a large scale.
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Camping Bans, but Challenges of Addressing Homelessness Remain
In Grants Pass v. Johnson, the Supreme Court upheld an Oregon city’s ban on camping in public places, paving the way for similar bans in cities across the country but doing nothing to solve the cause of homelessness.
Colorado Cities Seek to Address Housing Crisis With Modular Housing, STR Rules
Cities are incentivizing more affordable housing types and limiting permits for short-term rentals in an effort to keep housing affordable for residents.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?
HSR Reaches Key Settlement in Northern California City
The state’s high-speed rail authority reached an agreement with Millbrae, a key city on the train’s proposed route to San Francisco.
Washington State Legislature Passes Parking Reform Bill
A bill that would limit parking requirements for new developments is headed to the governor’s desk.
Missouri Law Would Ban Protections for Housing Voucher Users
A state law seeks to overturn source-of-income discrimination bans passed by several Missouri cities.
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