by Gary Fleisher, the Modcoach
Across the United States, there’s a huge need for affordable places for people to live, as well as better shelters for those who are homeless or hit by disasters like wildfires, tornadoes, floods, and snowstorms. We’re talking about real homes and shelters that offer safety and comfort, not just something that looks like it was once a garden shed.
But despite this pressing need, for years, the construction industry—both the folks who build on-site and those who create homes off-site—hasn’t been able to catch up.
I decided to dive into why this is happening.
Money Talks
One of the biggest hurdles is money. Building affordable housing and proper shelters requires a lot of it, and finding the funds can be tough. Governments, charities, and other organizations do their best, but there’s often not enough to go around. And since building anything costs money—for the land, materials, and paying workers—it’s a big challenge to make these projects affordable.
Land, Land, Everywhere, But Not a Spot to Build
Even if you have the money, finding a good spot to build is another story. In many cities and towns, the best places are already taken, or the land is super expensive. This makes it really hard to find suitable locations for affordable housing or shelters that are close to where people work, go to school, or can easily get the help they need.
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Rules and Red Tape
Building anything comes with a lot of rules. There are permits to get, standards to meet, and a lot of paperwork. While these rules are there for good reasons, like making sure homes are safe and well-built, they can also slow things down and make everything more expensive. This can be especially tough for projects trying to keep costs low, like affordable housing and emergency shelters.
Not In My Backyard (NIMBY)
Sometimes, even when the money and land are sorted out, and the rules are navigated, local communities don’t want new affordable housing or shelters near them. This “Not In My Backyard” attitude can lead to protests or demands for endless changes to plans, causing delays and driving up costs.
The Construction Crunch
Finally, there’s the simple fact that the construction industry is stretched thin. There are so many buildings to build and not enough people to build them. Plus, with more natural disasters, there’s even more demand for quick builds and repairs, making it harder to focus on long-term needs like affordable housing and durable shelters.
What Can We Do?
The situation might look tough, but it’s not hopeless. By understanding these challenges, we can start looking for solutions. This might mean finding more innovative ways to fund these projects, making the process of getting permits simpler, or working harder to bring communities on board. It also means training more people to work in construction and exploring new building techniques that are faster and more cost-effective.
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Gary Fleisher is a renowned blogger and commentator on construction and housing trends, known for his insightful analysis of the industry.
