Allowing workers to sleep overnight at the jobsite isn’t new. I saw it first hand in Delaware about 20 years ago when finish crews were allowed to sleep overnight inside and even cook on the decks of new modular homes being installed in a community.
Fast-forward to today and we find the City of Hillsboro, OR Council giving their blessing to having workers stay in RV’s at the jobsite to help keep workers on the job and also make it more inviting for them.
Hillsboro residents will likely start to see more RVs and workforce housing around construction sites starting this year, part of an effort by the city to support the large influx of construction workers.
The Hillsboro City Council hopes that by amending the municipal code to allow temporary camping vehicles and shelters for construction workers, the move will ease the strain on the entire housing market.
A city staff report noted that as an influx of new construction projects hits the area, local housing options are often strapped due to the added demand. The city code doesn’t currently allow for this kind of camping in construction zones.
Not only are construction projects naturally ramping up as warmer weather comes, but many projects were put on hold during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Migrant worker employers and large construction companies will be watching what Hillsboro, OR does and approaching town and city councils in other parts of the country with huge backlogs of work to allow this type of temporary housing for workers.
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Gary Fleisher is the Editor in Chief of Modular Home Source and Offsite Builder. Email at [email protected]
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