The City of Cleveland is taking bold steps to address the significant need for affordable housing by implementing innovative construction methods that prioritize speed, efficiency, and quality. Among these efforts is a new initiative focused on modular housing which involves constructing major components of homes in a controlled factory setting, then assembling them on-site.
Modular housing offers a faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional construction methods—without compromising on quality. According to a report from the National Housing Crisis Task Force (NHCTF), a bipartisan coalition working to identify and scale innovations in housing production and preservation, modular construction has the potential to reduce residential construction costs by up to 30 percent and accelerate construction timelines by up to half.
In December 2024, the City of Cleveland, in collaboration with the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund (SRF), issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to modular home manufacturers from across the country and around the world. The goal of the RFP was to attract a manufacturer to establish a modular housing facility right here in Cleveland.
“Every Clevelander deserves access to safe, affordable housing—and we're not going to let a tough development environment slow us down,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “By embracing modular construction and working hand-in-hand with our residents, we’re creating a faster, smarter way to deliver homes and strengthen neighborhoods. This is about building homes and building community at the same time.”
As part of the ongoing RFP process, the City is partnering with Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity to install six homes this fall in the Buckeye and Clark-Fulton neighborhoods. Some of the homes will be modular, and some will be built with another innovative technology- structural panels that are constructed in a factory and assembled onsite. These pilot placements will help city officials evaluate which modular or panelized designs and processes best serve Cleveland’s specific housing needs.
Community engagement has been a driving force behind this initiative. In addition to funding the construction of these pilot homes with ARPA funding, Ward 14 Councilwoman Jasmin Santana has played a key leadership role, creating meaningful opportunities for residents to actively shape the project. Through consistent outreach and collaboration, she has ensured that community voices are not only heard but directly influence the planning and design of the modular homes coming to Clark-Fulton this fall.
“The response from residents has been very positive. People are excited not just about the new homes, but about being part of the process,” said Councilwoman Santana. “This pilot shows what’s possible when we engage the community early and often—when neighbors feel heard, they feel ownership, and that’s how we build stronger, more connected neighborhoods.”
The City expects to select a modular or panelized home manufacturer by the end of 2025 with production scaling up in the first quarter of 2026. This initiative not only addresses urgent housing needs but also supports economic development by activating thousands of vacant residential lots and creating new manufacturing jobs.
Cleveland’s investment in modular housing marks a significant step forward in reimagining how the city builds—and sustains—affordable, high-quality housing for the future.
