Modular building steps up to tackle social housing supply crisis
Australia has set itself the task of building millions of new homes over the course of five years, including thousands of much-needed social and affordable dwellings.
The governments tasked with that mammoth effort are searching for efficient and scalable solutions to meet those goals.
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NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said in an interview with Sydney’s Channel 7 that with the state readying to build its share of 1.2 million dwellings – which amounts to 377,000 new homes – modular construction would have to pay a significant part of the solution.
Fleetwood Australia, an ASX-listed modular construction company, said it was ready to enlist in the cause, noting that its construction methods can cut down on home building times by 50 per cent compared to traditional methods.
The company’s CEO, Bruce Nicholson, highlighted a number of factors that make modular building a reliable, efficient and cost-effective option for dwelling construction. He’s hoping that governments looking for social housing solutions take note.
“Our build times are measured in weeks and months rather than years, which is of vital importance for people who are doing it tough,” Mr Nicholson said, noting that the list of people waiting for social housing has blown up to 50,000 in NSW.
“The factory-controlled builds also mean on-time delivery is more guaranteed as we are not subject to onsite and environmental factors that often cause lengthy delays and can’t always be predicted,” he added.
In addition the time needed in the design process can also be greatly condensed, with modular builders offering a range of dwelling options that are customisable, but otherwise ready to be fabricated.
“Our 2023 housing designs are ready to go. The new range meets new Livable Housing Design Guidelines and the National Construction Code, with the quality homes rivalling traditionally constructed design.”
“Fleetwood’s factories also reduce construction waste, providing the opportunity to recycle materials easily and seamlessly,” he noted.
Mr Nicholson admitted that some might have preconceived ideas that turn them off the idea of a modular build, but challenged Australians to keep an open mind and see for themselves.
“Anyone who still equates modular construction with tin sheds really needs to come down and have a look at our display homes. Fleetwood’s focus is on providing high-quality and great-looking solutions for people to call home,” he said.
As one of the larger modular builders, Mr Nicholson estimated that the firm could produce 1,500 dwellings per year. He’s hopeful that governments will continue to embrace Fleetwood’s offerings, as well as that of other modular builders, to make good on their promises to increase much-needed social housing.
“Now, given the synergies between our expertise and community need, we are focused on vastly increasing the amount of community and social housing stock in New South Wales. This continues the delivery of social housing for the Department of Communities in WA and QBuild in Queensland.
“Fleetwood Australia and modular construction can’t address all of the issues associated with the housing crisis, but I am certain we can be an important part of the solution,” he said.