OHCS TOURS INNOVATIVE BUILDER SHAPING THE FUTURE OF MODULAR HOUSING IN OREGON
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Executive Director Andrea Bell visited a modular home production facility in Aumsville, Oregon to get a firsthand look at how state investments are being put to work to accelerate housing solutions. The company, Blazer Industries, is one of four recipients of OHCS’ Modular Housing Development Fund (MHDF), created through House Bill 2001 (2023).
“We have a governor and a legislature that championed these investments and see modular as an important part of our state’s housing continuum,” Executive Director Bell said. “Oregon is a national leader in housing innovation. OHCS is investing in modular construction for its potential to reduce costs, shorten development timelines, and expand access to affordable housing – all without compromising safety or quality.”
During last week’s tour, Blazer Industries leaders and Executive Director Bell discussed several topics, including:
- Strengthening the modular construction workforce
- Leveraging technology to improve building efficiency
- Expanding affordable housing options across the state
“The MHDF grant has enabled Blazer to assemble a team of experts in design, construction, systems development and technology to focus on increasing capacity to produce housing,” said Kendra Cox, owner and business development manager at Blazer Industries. “The residential product line will include ADUs, cottage clusters, small multifamily, and main street live-work designs along with off the shelf emergency replacement models and a smoother procurement process.”
With a $5 million grant from OHCS, Blazer Industries is upgrading its technology and software systems, creating off-the-shelf home designs, and streamlining production operations. Blazer Industries projects they can produce 100 to 200 additional homes per year…