Santa Monica’s Community Corporation has welcomed crowds to watch as 13 prefabricated units were added to its innovative modular affordable housing development, Berkeley Station. The project marks the city’s first-ever modular affordable housing development and will provide homes for low-income families, at-risk youth, and the community.
Developed in partnership with Plant Prefab, Berkeley Station is set to be completed six months ahead of traditional site construction timelines. This pioneering development utilizes Plant Prefab’s advanced building system, which has been praised for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
The Community Corporation aims to provide affordable housing solutions for those in need, having built or restored over 95 properties throughout Santa Monica and Los Angeles since its founding in 1982. Berkeley Station’s design incorporates the ‘Nest Toolkit,’ a prefabricated kit of parts system designed to address regional housing shortages by reducing construction time.
“We’re proud to be part of this innovative project,” said Tara Barauskas, Executive Director of Community Corporation. “Berkeley Station is a critical step in providing at-risk youth and low-income families with dignified housing and a path to a better future.”
Mayor Lana Negrete also praised the development, stating that it’s an example of forward-thinking solutions to the region’s affordable housing crisis. The project’s use of prefabricated units and ‘Nest Toolkit’ design has won several awards, including a $1 million grant from the Los Angeles County Housing Innovation Challenge.
Plant Prefab CEO Steve Glenn expressed his gratitude for the partnership with Community Corporation and Brooks + Scarpa, the architect behind the project’s innovative design. Once completed, Plant Prefab will move on to another 60-unit affordable housing project in Koreatown.
Source: https://smdp.com/business/development/community-corporation-celebrates-santa-monicas-first-modular-affordable-housing-development