Greens propose prefab housing to ease homelessness

Australian Greens housing spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam says modern, pre-fabricated homes should play a part in solving the national housing and homelessness crisis, by delivering new homes that are cheaper and faster to build and more energy efficient than conventionally-built homes.

"Modern, modular housing offers a significant opportunity to deliver new and affordable housing in a fraction of the time of traditionally-built homes, as well as being a more environmentally sustainable product," Senator Ludlam said.

"Modern prefabricated homes look like a conventional home and can be built to any design, making them suited to infill and regeneration developments - in other words, in areas with existing services.

"Another major advantage is that modular housing is far more affordable to run: its high level of insulation means the house uses just 10 per cent of the energy of a five star home, so is much cheaper to heat in winter and cool in summer.

"They can be built up to half the cost of conventional 'brick and tile' homes. For under $100,000, a two bedroom house can be manufactured and installed. A modern prefabricated house in suburban Perth was recently delivered in just 14 weeks, from the time of order to manufacture and delivery on site.

"The on-site installation of the house itself can take just 10 hours by four people.

"The Greens have set a target of 7000 homes to be built nationally to address housing shortages, and we are calling for 50 per cent of these to be modular homes.

"This plan will provide local construction and manufacturing jobs, as prefabricated modular homes can be made here in Australia."

The Greens' homelessness Initiative 'Leaving No-one Behind':
http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/the_greens_home...

Campaign page: http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/homeless