IndieDwell, based in Boise, ID, has opened their newest factory in Pueblo, CO converting shipping containers into affordable modular housing.
IndieDwell has a plan to open more “shipping containers” to modular affordable housing factories near cities that currently are facing an affordable housing shortage.
Unlike other modular factories that only have one or two locations, indieDwell’s expansion plans call for developing an employee owned/joint venture approach to partnering with local communities.
Their homes will be priced in the $40K-125K range depending on the model and the location.
Another unique part of their plan to open factories across the US is they have no builder network and actually don’t want them. They partner with local housing agencies and affordable housing developers.
They look for low income communities located less than 200 miles from major metro areas that need affordable housing. These communities usually have a good supply of unskilled labor.
Then teaming up with a Community College, they train the unskilled laborers to work in the conversion and production of shipping containers into fully functionally affordable modular homes.
IndieDwell will try to lease the factories. Wages should average more than $38,000 a year according to company officials.
Congrats on the new factory and hope to see many more opening to serve the affordable housing markets.
Gary Fleisher is a housing veteran, editor/writer of the ModcoachNews blog and Modular Construction Industry Observer and Information Gatherer
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