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Committee files modular housing report; staff to issue RFP this fall for pilot locations
Summary
After public comments in support from the Realtor Alliance, the Equitable Growth and Housing Committee filed a staff report on modular housing and was told staff intends to issue a request for proposals no later than this fall to pilot modular housing at one or more city sites. The RFP will consider locations, financing tools and city incentives.
The Equitable Growth and Housing Committee filed a city staff report on modular (prefabricated) housing and heard public comments urging the committee to pursue modular pilot projects to expand housing supply.
Two representatives of the Realtor Alliance of Greater Cincinnati — Ellie Reiser and Heather Koff — addressed the committee during public comment, saying their organization “express[es] our strong support for the modular housing pilot project” and describing modular construction as a way to “reduce costs, shorten construction timelines, and provide high quality homes.” Reiser noted the Realtor Alliance hopes to serve as a resource to “bring developers and financial institutions in the neighborhoods together” for a pilot program.
Director Carter (City staff) told the committee the city had completed an extensive review of modular housing and is preparing an RFP to be issued “no later than this fall.” Carter said key considerations for the RFP include potential locations, manufacturers/fabricators, types of modular units, financing and possible city incentives or gap financing. Carter described the likely focus as a multifamily approach rather than single‑family detached units but said single‑family modular options exist and would be treated like any other single‑family site if pursued.
Committee members and staff discussed implementation considerations. Chair Mark Jeffreys emphasized that design choices matter and said modular projects can be built to fit neighborhood architectural character, countering concerns that modular means “ugly boxes.” Questions by council members included site size needs (Carter said sites up to an acre may be appropriate depending on unit type and density) and financing implications; Carter said modular projects can change underwriting and insurance considerations but generally remain treated as commercial development with construction and financing requirements.
As requested by the chair, Carter and staff will identify candidate sites and work through financing mechanisms in the coming months. The committee then moved to file the modular housing presentation and report.
