Each years CES is overrun by concept TVs that are destined to either remain prototypes for years to come or be released with such high price tags that they might as well not have come out at all. And look, Im not going to try to claim that CES 2020 was much different. Samsung had a weird rotating 4K TV meant to show off vertical videos, 8K TVs were still just as pointless as ever, and LG Display showed up with another rollable TV that descends downward rather than rising upward.

But if you look a little closer, youll see some real progress among the TVs people might actually buy. The more important story from each years show is in the often-overlooked midrange, and that happened in a big way at CES 2020. High-end technologies trickled down after years of being unaffordable or impractical for most people, while the slow emergence of the new HDMI 2.1 standard is beginning to open up a lot of functionality that was previously exclusive to niche sections of the market.

OLED TVs are a good example of high-end tech entering the midrange. Just a few years ago, they were unaffordable for the vast majority of people, but last year, we started to see LGs sets getting discounted to that all-important $1,000 mark, which is the upper price limit for 90 percent of buyers, according to NPD sales data. Even then, OLED TVs were still only available in bigger TV sizes, presenting another barrier to entry for many households.

At CES 2020, however, we saw signs of change. Vizio, which has a strength in affordable TVs, announced that it will be releasing an OLED model this year, while Chinese manufacturer Skyworth said it plans to enter the US market for the first time with an OLED TV in tow. Meanwhile, LG and Sony, which have been producing OLED TVs for years, announced 48-inch versions, making it the first time weve seen 4K OLED TVs under 55 inches in size. Pricing for all three models is yet to be announced, but all the signs point toward the technology inching toward mass-market affordability and accessibility.

Also continuing to emerge at this years show is the HDMI 2.1 standard, which is important not so much because of its topline specs (such as support for 4K at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz), but because of the new features it brings to the table. Features like variable refresh rate technology will be a massive benefit for gamers once game consoles catch up, while others, like support for Dynamic HDR, will deliver picture quality improvements for TV and film content.

These features arent completely new. Variable refresh rate tech has been available on PC monitors for a few years, while Dynamic HDR is available via the dynamic metadata baked into the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ standards. But HDMI 2.1 has the potential to one day turn these into basic, standardized TV features. In theory, you wont have to make sure you buy certain models of Samsung TVs to pair with your Xbox One or LG TVs to pair with your Nvidia-equipped gaming PC to get variable refresh rates. Instead, you should eventually just be able to mix and match HDMI 2.1 devices to get these benefits as standard.

Thats the theoretical future, and at CES 2020, were seeing TV manufacturers inch toward it. Vizio says its made the upgrade across its lineup, while LG and Sony have confirmed support in their 8K models. But weve still got a long way to go before you can take all of HDMI 2.1s features for granted. TV manufacturers are allowed to pick and choose which of the standards features they support, and a lot of them are currently doing exactly that. In a rundown of Sonys A8H 4K OLED, for example, HDTVTest notes that Sonys latest 4K OLED will support just one of the HDMI 2.1 standards many features: eARC. Weve still got a long way to go before HDMI 2.1s benefits become ubiquitous.

Beyond the devices coming this year, CES is also a show where you get a glimpse of what TVs might look like in a few years time. Samsungs 8K Q950 (aka its bezel-less 8K TV) is a prime example. Thats not because it has an 8K resolution, but because the idea of a TV with barely there bezels seems both highly desirable and almost inevitable, given the way TV designs have been going. Not to mention the fact that manufacturers have already gotten very good at almost eliminating screen bezels on smartphones to the delight of consumers. Throughout the week, the worst thing Ive heard people say about the Q950 is that they wish its bezel-less design was available on a 4K TV, which feels like a good sign for its wider demand.

8K TVs made yet another appearance at this years show. The jurys still out on whether the new resolution is the future of TVs, but everyone can agree its definitely not the present. That was true last year, and its still the case today where 8K content is more or less nonexistent, not to mention very bandwidth-intensive to stream. In fact, with LG and Samsung now involved in a minor proxy battle over how exactly to measure 8Ks roughly 30 million pixels, it almost feels like weve taken a step backward over the past 12 months.

Personally, Im still unconvinced that 8K is even necessary in the first place. 4K has already given us a massive resolution bump over 1080p, and even then the more important improvements were less about the resolution itself, and more about the technologies it bundled together like HDR, a wider color gamut, and increased color bit depth. Maybe one day 8K will find its own collection of picture performance enhancements, but Im skeptical that the resolution justifies the upgrade by itself.

But that hasnt stopped manufacturers from announcing 8K TVs that youll be able to buy this year. LG had a grand total of eight of its Real 8K models to show off, ranging in size from 65 to 88 inches, Samsung has three 8K series that range in size from 55 inches to a massive 98 inches, which includes the aforementioned bezel-less Q950, Sony has the Z8H (75 or 85 inches), and even TCL reiterated its plans to launch the 8K TV it originally announced last year. Impressive feats of engineering these TVs may be, but ultimately, its still not time to buy one.

The final TV technology that sits in this maybe its the future, but at this point, its hard to say category is microLED. Samsung announced new sizes of its microLED TVs this year, but they didnt make as much of a splash at CES 2020 as they have previously. It might have something to do with the fact that this is the third year weve been able to gawp at The Walls modular panels on the show floor and the first since they actually went on sale. We know the technology works, and we know the tech could theoretically offer a best-of-both-worlds compromise between OLED and LCD, but Samsung is yet to prove that it can manufacture these TVs and sell them for the kinds of prices that mortals can afford, not to mention at the sizes that actually fit in most peoples homes.

Finally, I suppose its only fair to mention the rolling and rotating TVs of CES 2020. Bezel-less, 8K, and microLED TVs have a chance of one day actually becoming mainstream devices, but Id be very surprised if the same thing happens to a TV like Samsungs Sero, which has a mechanical stand that can rotate its display 90 degrees to better show off the kinds of vertical videos that youll find on Instagram or TikTok.

Cast aside the fact that the TV is limited to being just 43-inches big to give itself enough room to rotate, and try and forget that it currently retails for a 1.95 million won (around $1,600) in South Korea, and just think about how long your typical vertically shot video is. Theyre made for mobile, theyre super short, and the idea of cozying up in front of your TV to watch them feels bizarre to me. I like the creativity, but I just cant see the design being useful.

Contrast that with LGs rollable TVs, which I really want to work but feel completely out of reach right now. LG is, once again, promising to release its rollable TV this year, but remember that it made a similar claim last year before going completely silent for 12 months. If and when it does release, there are also reports that it could cost as much as $60,000, which doesnt do much to shift the perception that this is a consumer release in name only.

CES is a show filled with press events and keynotes that are, almost to a fault, obsessed with the future of technology. But away from the flashy concepts and presentations, the TV industrys high-end past is slowly but surely merging into its mainstream present. When manufacturers start announcing firm pricing over the coming months, well see how much progress theyve made.

Correction: A previous version of this article said that dynamic metadata is a feature of the Dolby Atmos standard. Its actually a feature of the Dolby Vision standard. We regret the error.

Read the original:
TVs at CES 2020: a year for the mass-market - The Verge

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (PRWEB) December 04, 2019

The Casita is a uniquely designed 1,070 square foot 2-Story home that features a spacious open first floor layout with living room, kitchen, nook and powder room. On the second floor there can be 1 to 2 bedrooms with a full bathroom and a laundry area.

To complement the exceptional design of The Casita, the home features airy 9 first floor ceilings with large casement windows and transom windows above for lots of natural light. The energy efficient tankless gas water heater doesnt eat of valuable space, and along with the recessed LED lights, helps reduce monthly utility bills. The recessed front entry and 14/12 gable peak adds dimension and curb appeal to the exterior of the home that would fit into any community or neighborhood. The kitchen is modern and well-appointed with a center island, tall pantry cabinet, 42 wall cabinets and modern stainless-steel appliances.

The second-floor master bedroom is spacious and perfectly sized with a large closet, as well as private entry to the bathroom. The bathroom features a full tub/shower combo with a large double bowl bath vanity and separate door to the hallway. The homebuyer has the choice of doing one or two bedrooms on the second floor and both options provide space for a second-floor laundry area.

For more information The Casita from Manorwood Homes, visit: https://www.manorwoodhomes.com/casita.

About the Modular Home Builders Association:The MHBA is the only national non-profit trade association exclusively serving the modular home industry. Each month the association selects a home from its members to highlight the advantages of modular construction. For more information on MHBA, modular homes, and the monthly contest, please visit http://www.modularhome.org.

Share article on social media or email:

Go here to read the rest:

The Casita by Manorwood Homes wins Modular Home of the Month - PR Web

The recent study, Modular Homes market forecasts the business performance of the Modular Homes market for the forecast period, 2019 to 2026. The study considers the estimated period as the base duration and brings to light the important information associated with the market size, share and growth rate of the Modular Homes market. Apart from this, the research closely examines the market share occupied by some of the prominent market players in the Modular Homes market for the forecast period, 2019 to 2026. Researchers behind the research unmask vital statistics on market segmentation including product types, application, sale and geography.

This study relies on the evolution of the industry to derive the trends that are observed. A significant increase in the global market is visible, which promises the expansion of the market in the coming years.

Click To get FREE SAMPLE PDF (Including Full TOC, Table & Figures) @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/sample-enquiry-form/67568

The major manufacturers covered in this report:

Bouygues ConstructionLendlease CorporationLaing OrourkeSeikisui HouseClayton HomesChampionModular Space CorporationDaiwa HouseCavco Industries, Inc.Algeco ScotsmanRed Sea HousingRedman HomesFleetwood AustraliaKwikspace Modular BuildingsHorizon North LogisticsKleusberg GmbH & Co. KgKEE KaterraPleasant Valley HomesAlta-Fab StructuresArts Way ManufacturingNRB Inc.Wernick GroupWestchester Modular HomesModscapePratt Construction IncorporatedKoma ModularNew Era HomesGuerdon Enterprises LLCHickory GroupLebanon Valley Homes

The study on the Modular Homes market further blends in the best of both primary and secondary research to estimate and verify the current status of import and export, demand and supply, consumption power, spending capacity and distribution channel worldwide. The report examines the market standing of prominent manufacturers and evaluates the strategies they have adopted to stay competitive. The study also applies qualitative and quantitative techniques to assess the annual and financial performance of the top vendors and insights from market leaders.

Comprehensive coverage of the recent developments including joint ventures, collaborations, investments, product launches and acquisitions and mergers form an important part of the research on the Modular Homes market for the forecast period, 2019 to 2026.

Most important Products of Modular Homes study covered in this report are:

RanchCape CodTwo-story homesCabin/Chalet

Most important Application of Modular Homes study covered in this report are:

999 sq ft Floor1000 sq ft 1499 sq ft Floor1500 sq ft 1999 sq ft Floor2000 sq ft 2499 sq ft FloorMore than 2500 sq ft Floor

!!! Limited Time DISCOUNT Available!!! Get Your Copy at Discounted [emailprotected] https://www.marketexpertz.com/discount-enquiry-form/67568

This report strategically examines the micro-markets and brings to light the impact of technology upgrades on the performance of the Modular Homes market. Researchers conducting the research also carry out a comprehensive analysis of the recent amendments in the government regulation and their impact on the competitive landscape of the industry.

The research assesses the recent progress in the competitive landscape including collaborations, joint ventures, product launches, acquisitions and mergers as well as investments in the sector for research and development.

The authors of the study also offer a holistic view of the global Modular Homes market based on the earnings, volume, and sales recorded. The research report furnishes clear guidelines for players to intensify their market position in the global Modular Homes market. It prepares them to deal with potential challenges and optimize profitable opportunities by providing an extensive analysis of the market scenario.

It also guides them to recognize new business goals simultaneously keeping track of the changes in the customer preferences, needs, and the vendor landscape of the global Modular Homes market.

Key Coverage of the Report

Region and country-wise assessment from the period 2016-2026. For the study, 2016-2017 has been utilized as historical data, 2018 as the base year, and 2019-2026, has been derived as forecasts for the Modular Homes market.

Regional Competitors pipeline analysis.

Demand and Supply GAP Analysis.

Market share analysis of the key industry players.

Strategic recommendations for the new entrants.

Market forecasts for a minimum of 6 years of all the mentioned segments, and the regional markets.

Industry Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, and recommendations).

Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations.

Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends.

Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments.

For further information on this research report, Please [emailprotected] https://www.marketexpertz.com/industry-overview/global-modular-homes-market

Create an everlasting reputation:

The report on global Modular Homes market is intended to offer business owners, stakeholders and field marketing executives a broad overview of the business they should be focussing on for the estimated period. The research further holds vital information on the size of market and data on the prominent leaders product owners have to compete with, in the coming years. Assessments of the broad strengths, as well as weaknesses too, add value to the overall research. Products details not only cover the popular applications and its performance, but it also unveils certain trends and value of specific products within specific regions.

Key points from Table of Content:

Chapter 1. Market Synopsis

Chapter 2. Executive Summary

Chapter 3. Indicative Metrics

Chapter 4. Modular Homes Segmentation & Impact Analysis

Chapter 5. Modular Homes Market By Product Type Insights & Trends

Chapter 6. Modular Homes Market By Application Insights & Trends

Chapter 7. Modular Homes Market By End Use Insights & Trends

Chapter 8. Modular Homes Market Regional Outlook

Chapter 9. Competitive Landscape

Chapter 10. Company Profiles

Chapter 11. Modular Homes Market Dynamics

Chapter 12. Modular Homes Market Effect Factors Analysis

Chapter 13. Modular Homes Market Research Finding/Conclusion

Chapter 14. Modular Homes Market Appendix

Chapter 15. Methodology

Chapter 16. Analyst Introduction

Chapter 17. Data Source

Chapter 18. List of Tables and Figures

Request customized copy of Modular Homes report

We are grateful to you for reading our report. If you wish to find more details of the report or want a customization, contact us. You can get a detailed information of the entire research here. If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.

Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/discount-enquiry-form/67568

Read more here:

Modular Homes Market Research Report And Predictive Business Strategy by 2026 | Market Expertz - The Bay State Herald

Willie Gadbois knows a thing or two about designing and building houses for a climate most Canadians would find too harsh to bear.

Gadbois is president and co-founder of Nunavik Building Inc., a company that constructs houses for Canadas north in communities like Kuujjuaq, the largest of 14 Inuit villages in the Nunavik region of northern Quebec.

On the edge of the tree line near Ungava Bay, Kuujjuaq is about 1,500 kilometres north of Montreal. Winter winds blow up to 100 kph and temperatures drop well below minus 40 C for extended periods.

Its not a climate for poorly designed or under-insulated homes but Gadbois, a plumber and heating mechanic by trade, says many homes in the north dont meet standards they should. Chilly interiors, frozen water lines and exterior building envelopes unable to withstand the harsh environment are common.

That is why Gadbois decided about a dozen years ago to research house designs better suited to northern climates. His investigation led him to Montreal and Claude Jannelle, a modular home builder who improved energy performance through a building envelope with injected foam insulation. The pair founded Nunavik Building and built their first house last year for the president of the Nunavik government.

Gadbois, who says it was very expensive to complete because the company had to send up a crew from the south for assembly, decided to cut costs by building the houses in a 200 x 100-foot factory in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Its kind of a plug and play operation, he says, noting the first house was shipped to Kuujjuaq in September to be on show for residents.

It was ready for occupancy about three hours after being placed on site on a foundation of steel tripods. In the future, Gadbois and Jannelle plan to use ground screws drilled into the rocky terrain of the north as foundations.

It cost about $40,000 to ship a prefabricated house from the port of Montreal to Kuujjuaq but Gadbois says that price and the cost of materials and labor is still a lot less than the tab for constructing a house in the village.

He says one of his small houses (roughly 600 square feet) will cost a buyer about $220,000, while larger two- or three-bedroom homes go for about $100,000 more. By comparison constructing a conventional house from scratch on site will run $500,000 to $1 million in the region.

While the companys first houses are 26 wood frame, Gadbois says the company is looking into a light steel gauge frame design.

The houses come with a non-toxic and inflammable injected foam insulation comprised of 70 percent agricultural soy and 30 percent water. The walls are R-48 while floors and ceilings are insulated to an R-52 rating. Windows are triple-pane and siding and roofing consists of durable steel panelling that stands up to high winds and cold temperatures.

Nunavik Companys houses feature water-proof wood flooring, pine panelled walls and LED lighting. All the homes come with radiant floor heating and wall-mounted radiators.

Gadbois keeps the heating/plumbing systems as simple as possible for easy repair even by homeowners, in instances where he cant be on hand quickly.

Gadbois, who says the company has the capacity to prefabricate 15-20 homes at a factory in Sherbrooke, adds that since the show home was installed in September in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik Building has received three orders for residences.

Homes are built in the factory in about a month. Shipping time by sealift is about a week, he says, noting the shipping window is June to October.

If we start building enough houses up here, I would like to set up my own factory in Kuujjuaq, he says.

Gadbois says the companys market is widespread and includes the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, Labrador and even overseas.

Read this article:

Nunavik Building sets foundation for Canadian north homes construction - Daily Commercial News

Housing activists in Vancouver marked another anniversary in the ongoing sagato rebuild social housing at a prominent, mostly empty site in the city.

In 2009, more than 200 social housing units were dismantled and taken away from the Little Mountain public housing complex at Main Street and E37th Avenue.

Residents who were forced to move were told they would be allowed to come back once a new development was completed. But since then, very little of what was promised has been built at the site.

Norm Dooley with a citizens advisory group says the project is a failure.

"We think the deal that was signed ... with a private developer has been a disaster.It's a disaster because as you can see, there's nothing here," he said motioning to the six-hectare site, which has one completed building but looks mostly like a neglected greenspace.

Little Mountain became home to Vancouver's first large-scale modern social housing project in 1954 and was initially managed by the federal government and then passed onto the province in 2007 before it was sold that year to developer Holborn Holdings Ltd.

Its proposal was to build three 12-storey mostly residential buildings, which would include around 1,400 market value homes, but also 234 social housing units, childcare, and a new community plaza and public park, but company didn't make publicwhat it would all look like until 2015.

According to a statement from the City, council approved rezoning for the site in 2016 and currently, five development permit applications have been submitted, which include 164 social housing units.

A building was completed in 2015 prior to the rezoning and has53 units, but asfor the others, they remain part of applications, which are at various stages of approval.

Temporary modular housinghas been constructed at the site, which the city says will not delay the completion of permanent housing at Little Mountain.

Holburn did not initially respond to CBC News requests on Saturday about when it expects buildings to be completed, but in the past has maintained the project is proceeding.

Vancouver-based architect Michael Geller was part of a team that bid on the property back in 2007 but lost out to Holborn.

He says the province should have done more to make deadlines part of the sale.

"The real problem I think is the nature of the deal that was struck between provincial government and the developer that didn't put in place the normal time restrictionsrequiring a pace of development that everybody hoped would happen," he said.

People at the rally on Saturday said they want the province to step in take the site back over from Holborn so that housing can be more permanently built.

"We think it's time to act and to call off the deal," said Dooley. "This land is incredibly valuable, it could be used for many purposes, many forms of housing."

Housing minister Selina Robinson did not say if expropriating the property is something the province could do.

Instead, she criticized the former provincial government, the B.C. Liberals in a statement.

"It's disgraceful that the old government threw away the potential this site represented," said in the statement. "Instead of a vacant lot, we could today be building hundreds of affordable homes."

She said her government is making "different choices" in responding to the housing crisis by investing in affordable housing.

Read this article:

Activists mark 10 years since housing demolished at Vancouver's Little Mountain - CBC.ca

The premiers of Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick have committed to collaborate on developing nuclear reactor technology in Canada.

Doug Ford, Scott Moe and Blaine Higgs made the announcement and signed a memorandum of understanding on Sunday in advance of a meeting of all the premiers.

They will be working on the research, development and building of small modular reactors as a way to help their individual provinces reduce carbon emissions and move away from non-renewable energy sources like coal.

Small modular reactors are easy to construct, are safer than large reactors and are regarded as cleaner energy than coal, the premiers say. They can be small enough to fit in a school gym.

SMRs are actually not very close to entering operation in Canada. Natural Resources Canada released an"SMR roadmap"last year, with a series of recommendations about regulation readiness and waste management for SMRs.

In Canada, about a dozen companies are currently in pre-licensing with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, which is reviewing their designs.

"Canadians working together, like we are here today, from coast to coast, can play aneven larger role in addressing climate change in Canada and around the world," Moesaid.

Canada's Paris targets areto lower total emissions 30 per centbelow 2005 levels by 2030.Moe says the reactors would helpSaskatchewan reach a 70 per centreduction by that year.

The provinces' three energy ministries will meet in the new year to discuss how to move forward andby the fall a fully-fledged strategy for the reactors is expected to be ready.

However, don't expect to see them popping up in a nearby field anytime soon. It's estimated itwill take five to 10 years before they're built.

The provincial leaderssaid it could be an opportunity for economic growth, estimating the Canadian market for this energy at $10 billion and the global market at $150 billion.

Ford called it an"opportunity for Canada to be a true leader." At a time when Ottawa and the provinces areat odds, Higgs said it's the perfect time to show unity.

"It's showing how provinces come together on issues of the future."

No other premiers have signed on to the deal at this point, but Ford said all are welcome and "the more, the merrier."

But developing new energy technologies is a daunting task.Higgs admitted the project will need national support of some kind, though he didn't specify what.The agreement signed by the premiers is also not binding.

About 8.6 per cent of Canada's electricity comes from coal-fired generation. In New Brunswick that figure is much higher 15.8 per cent and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has said he worries about his province's energy producers being hit by the federal carbon tax.

Ontario has no coal-fired power plants. In Saskatchewan, burning coal generates 46.6 per cent of the province's electricity.

The federal governmentdescribessmall modular reactors (SMRs) as the "next wave of innovation" in nuclear energy technology and an "important technology opportunity for Canada."

Traditional nuclear reactors used in Canada typically generate about 800 megawatts of electricity, orenough to power about 600,000 homes at once (assuming that 1 megawatt can power about 750 homes).

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN organization for nuclear co-operation, considers a nuclear reactor to be "small" if it generates under 300 megawatts.

Designs for small reactors ranging from just 3 megawatts to 300 megawatts have been submitted to Canada's nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, for review as part of a pre-licensing process.

Such reactors are considered "modular" because they're designed to work either independently or as modules in a bigger complex (as is already the case with traditional, larger reactors at most Canadian nuclear power plants).A power plant could be expanded incrementally by adding additional modules.

Modules are generally designed to be small enough to make in a factory and be transported easily for example, via a standard shipping container.

In Canada, there are three main areas where SMRs could be used:

See more here:

Group of premiers band together to develop nuclear reactor technology - CBC.ca

November 25, 2019 | David Kennedy | Senior Architect, Bailey Edward

The American Dream as we have known it is no longer part of the American success story. With a shortage of six million homes to house our families, the United States is facing a housing attainability crisis.

Today, only 18 percent of the Americans earning the medium income can afford a home in their communities, a number that inflates to 30 percent in urban areas. By taking advantage of existing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), the government and the private development community can work together to increase the supply of affordable housing to minimize the current crisis.

Based on the Low-Income Housing Act of 1989, corporations and investors can receive tax credits for investments in building low-income housing across the country. These tax credits are a popular tool to provide millions of dollars to developers for the design and construction of low-income housing. There are two primary vehicles for LIHTC: 4 percent bonds and 9 percent investment credits. While both provide funding for low-income housing projects, the type you chose will depend on your project.

Although some of the 4 percent projects are new developments, most are acquisition/rehabilitation projects. These renovation projects typically prove to be less costly per unit but also are common in areas where low-income housing is not in as much demand. The more lucrative 9 percent investment credits are more ideal for new construction as they cover a larger percentage of development costs.

Unfortunately, these tax credits are severely underfunded. The current federal budget allocates around $9 billion nationally for these tax credits. Because these funds are so limited, the guidelines and applications for all LIHTC projects are comprehensive and onerous. Its important to ensure what little funding there is goes to projects that are built efficiently, both for cost and energy. But knowing why others have been turned away can give great insight to fine-tune a potential project and better your chances of receiving these tax credits.

Private developers can increase their opportunity to receive LIHTC credits and thus increase the supply of low-income housing by reducing costs. Perhaps the best route for a developer to take is to lower construction costs through thoughtful construction management and design. One such way to decrease construction costs is by minimizing the number of trades used to build a housing project, therefore increasing efficiency. Most housing developments take a minimum of fifteen separate trades to complete a home or apartment building and this inefficiency adds cost to the project. While it may be difficult to modify the traditional trade skills, by self-performing a few of the trades, general contractors can reduce some of the cost.

Developers should also consider modular construction as an opportunity to decrease construction costs as well as delivery time. While this technique is not new and is used in many areas of the country, the wide-spread use of modular construction is hampered by a lack of production companies. Going this route means committing to a contractor well in advance of the construction start to get in their production schedules. But the ability to construct wall and floor panels in an enclosed factory setting allows progress to continue during inclement weather. The precision of factory construction should save some time in the field. The walls and floors can even be pre-fabricated with electrical and plumbing rough-ins, thus saving additional time.

Developers should request energy efficient design in all their projects. The current codes require tight building envelopes, but do not require net-zero energy or use of renewable energy for the buildings power source. The overall cost of maintaining and managing the new affordable developments would decrease if this were the case.

Mixed-use developments, primarily consisting of retail below housing, is a great solution for affordable housing developments because the retail uses in the building will most likely be beneficial to the residents. This could reduce transportation cost and energy usage. The retail portion of the development is not typically funded by the LIHTC. However, if the project is large enough (over $5 million on the commercial uses), they could qualify for New Market tax credits, another government-sponsored funding source.

Of course, the best way to ensure affordable housing projects receive funding is to ensure the right people are in office to increase budgets to these programs. When it comes time to cast your vote, be sure to investigate the candidates stance on affordable housing and zoning. But in the meantime, these energy- and cost-effective solutions can help developers navigate the current LIHTC situation and improve their chances of receiving these credits, thus chipping away at the current affordable housing crisis.

About the Author

David Kennedy has nearly 40 years of experience working on a variety of project types, including multi-family, healthcare, office and retail. Projects have included affordable housing units, mixed-income developments and high-rise apartments. As a Senior Architect at Bailey Edward, David has led design teams, business development efforts, client management and staff development on projects. He is a thoughtful architect of the highest integrity who invests his time and vision greatly into the projects he leads.

Read more here:

Solving the housing attainability crisis - REjournals.com

ELKHART, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII) (the Company) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lippert Components, Inc. (LCI), a supplier of a broad array of highly engineered components for the leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the recreation and transportation product markets, and the related aftermarkets of those industries, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CURT Group (CURT), a leading manufacturer and distributor of branded towing products and truck accessories for the aftermarket, for approximately $340 million. The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2019, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.

With a strong reputation for product innovation, engineering, and brand excellence, we look forward to welcoming CURT President Rock Lambert and his team to the LCI family. Culturally, CURT is a strong fit, with a deep focus on delivering innovative products and an unwavering commitment to quality and superior customer service. Its highly complementary portfolio, combined with its strong brands and extensive distribution network, will significantly expand our addressable market. With a track record of delivering remarkable financial performance and strong cash flow generation, we believe that the addition of CURT will further advance our long-term growth strategy to bring our core competencies to new, attractive markets and diversify our business to drive outperformance throughout the cycle, said Jason Lippert, CEO and President of LCI.

CURT, headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, maintains a robust product portfolio comprised of thousands of SKUs across various product lines, including hitches, towing electricals, ball mounts, and cargo management. CURT boasts a significant market position, owning and operating a stable of leading brands, including CURT, Aries, Luverne, Retrac, and UWS. Leveraging a multi-channel model, CURT serves customers across e-commerce, direct-to-installer, and distribution channels. In addition, CURT has a wide distribution network, with centers strategically located throughout the U.S. to serve its North American customers. For the 12-month period ended September 30, 2019, CURT delivered approximately $255 million of revenue.

With its proven track record of building high-quality products and successfully sourcing and integrating companies, LCI is an ideal partner for us. Both LCI and CURT have strong reputations and positions fostered through a culture of innovation, history of high-quality products, customer satisfaction and retention, and manufacturing excellence. We look forward to joining the team and further positioning the business for long-term success, said Rock Lambert, CEO of CURT Group.

Faegre Baker Daniels LLP is serving as LCIs legal advisor on the transaction.

Summary Terms of Agreement and Financing

Webcast and Conference Call Information

LCI will host a conference call beginning at 8:30 AM EST on Friday, November 22, 2019. The conference call may be accessed by dialing (888) 525-0270 for participants in the U.S./Canada or (704) 935-3405 for participants outside the U.S./Canada using the required conference ID 9190245. Alternatively, interested parties can listen to a live webcast of the conference call by logging on to the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at https://lci1.com/investors/. A replay of the webcast will also be archived on the Companys website for a period of twelve months following the release.

About LCI Industries

From over 70 manufacturing and distribution facilities located throughout North America and Europe, LCI Industries, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, LCI, supplies, domestically and internationally, a broad array of highly engineered components for the leading OEMs in the recreation and transportation product markets, consisting of recreational vehicles and adjacent industries, including buses; trailers used to haul boats, livestock, equipment, and other cargo; trucks; boats; trains; manufactured homes; and modular housing. The Company also supplies engineered components to the related aftermarkets of these industries primarily by selling to retail dealers, wholesale distributors, and service centers. LCIs products include steel chassis and related components; axles and suspension solutions; slide-out mechanisms and solutions; thermoformed bath, kitchen, and other products; vinyl, aluminum, and frameless windows; manual, electric, and hydraulic stabilizer and leveling systems; entry, luggage, patio, and ramp doors; furniture and mattresses; electric and manual entry steps; awnings and awning accessories; electronic components; appliances; televisions, sound systems, navigation systems, and backup cameras; and other accessories. Additional information about LCI and its products can be found at http://www.lci1.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements including with respect to the expected timing of the closing of the transaction, the expected financial impact and accretive nature of the transaction, the expected sources of funds for the transaction, the expected impact of the proposed transaction on the Companys operations, markets, prospects, strategies and efficiencies, and other matters. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for the purpose of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of the Companys senior management at the time such statements were made. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Companys control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, in addition to other matters described in this press release, (i) conditions to the closing of the transaction may not be satisfied; (ii) the transaction may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; (iii) the Companys business or stock price may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the transaction; (iv) the Company may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies from the transaction within the expected time frames or at all; (v) the Company may be unable to successfully integrate CURTs operations into its own, or such integration may be more difficult, time consuming or costly than expected; (vi) following the transaction, revenues may be lower than expected, and operating costs, customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, clients or suppliers) may be greater than expected; (vii) the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the transaction; (viii) the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (ix) risks that the pending transaction disrupts current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the pending transaction; (x) other risks to consummation of the transaction, including the risk that the transaction will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all; and (xi) the risks described from time to time in the Companys reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading Risk Factors, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in other of the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which such statements were made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after such date.

Go here to read the rest:

Lippert Components Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire CURT Group, a Leading Manufacturer and Distributor of Branded Towing Products and Truck...

The housing crisis, skills shortages and a lack of affordable homes continue to plague the UK. While both housebuilders and policymakers grapple with solutions to build new homes quickly, modular construction has been hailed by many in the industry as a possible answer to solve some of these challenges.

Modular construction is a process which involves constructing elements of a building offsite in a factory-controlled setting before being transported to site for assembly.

The process uses the same materials, standards and codes as conventionally built facilities and is undertaken under controlled plant conditions, but the process is completed in around half the time.

The buildings are produced in modules that are put together on site.

There are two types of modular constructions; permanent modular constructions and relocatable buildings.

Client: Housing 21

Construction firm: M-AR Off-Site LtdandHenry Riley LLP

Location:Richard Onslow Court and Ward Court Shrewsbury and Brighouse

The two modular developments include one-bedroom apartments and bungalows specifically for people over the age of 55.

The homes are complete with kitchens and shower rooms and were transported by road, before being lifted into position where external finish and roof construction took place. The Shrewsbury part of the project was delivered on-time, on-budget, without defects and within 26 weeks.

Client: Livin

Construction firm: Tolent, manufactured by ilke Homes

Location: Newton Aycliffe, Durham

In one day, two modularhomes were delivered and assembled on site

Six modular homes made up of the ground floor, first floor and roof sections were delivered to the site and installed into position to create a pair of two-bedroom homes.

Not only did the process speed up the delivery of the homes, but they also boast a greater energy efficiency rating. As a result, tenants of the modular homes in Newton Aycliffe could save up to 20% on their utility bills compared to new build homes built traditionally.

Client: Homes England

Construction firm: Urban Splash

Location: Northstowe, South Cambridgeshire

81 of the 406 modular homes onthe Northstowe development are set to be council homes. The homes are being created as part ofHomes Englandsfirst neighbourhood at Northstowe.

All of the 81 modular homes will be either one or two-bed properties and will be available at an affordable rent, including 60 that will be age-exclusive apartments for the over 55s.

The successful bid for the 81 modular homes will enableSouth Cambridgeshire District Councilto deliver its objectives to double the number of energy-efficient council homes it builds annually and to provide homes that are affordable to live in.

It is anticipated that work will begin on the Urban Splash homes in spring 2020.

Client: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Construction firm: Swan Housing Association

Location: Watts Grove, London

The first of the Swan Housing Associations modular homes have already been delivered to theLondon Borough of Tower Hamlets making Watts Grove the UKs first mid-rise Cross Laminated Timber(CLT) modular scheme.

Watts Grove will deliver 45 much needed one, two and three-bedroomed shared ownership apartments in Bow, alongside the provision of affordable and social rented units. The scheme is a car-free development within walking distance of the DLR and underground lines, set around landscaped courtyard gardens which will open up the connection between Gale Street and Watts Grove for the wider community.

The homes will be built in Swan Housings offsite modular housing factory, using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and then delivered and assembled on site. This will reduce the build time and the environmental impact on the area. Work started on site in June 2018.

Client: Bristol City Council

Construction firm: BoKlok (IKEA & Skanska)

Location: Bristol

BoKlok UK Ltd has announced plans to develop 200 modular homes in south Bristol with Bristol City Council.

The proposed offsite housing development will be the firstBoKlokcommunity in Bristol. Around 140 of the homes will be for market sale under the BoKlok brand. The remaining homes will be for social rent and shared ownership.

Subject to planning permission, construction of the offsite housing is expected to start in autumn 2020.

Client: Southwark Council

Construction firm: Not yet confirmed

Location: Southwark

Southwark Council has agreed a programme to deliver modular, upward extensions on existing housing blocks in the borough.

To minimise opposition from people living in affected blocks, the authority has put together a set of rooftop development principles. It will crane in the offsite built homes to keep the development process as short as possible and give first refusal on the new units to tenants living directly below them.

The council will also deliver improvements to the existing blocks without charging leaseholders for new roofing, lifts or landscaping. Leaseholders will also be offered the opportunity to obtain a share in one of the new homes, with no rent paid on the part they do not own.

The council are set to start exploring which of its blocks could be suitable for upward extensions, whilst also developing a rooftop design guide.

Client: Magna Housing

Construction firm: Rollalong

Location: Dorset and Somerset

Housing association, Magna Housing, announced plans to build more affordable homes in Dorset and Somerset for people to rent and buy and is taking a modular, offsite approach to deliver this.

Rollalong, an offsite design and build contractors in the south, supported these plans. Their in-house design team developed four housing designs for the initial order of 25 homes that were completed in October 2019, ready for onsite installation.

It is anticipated that the first new homeowners or tenants will take up residency in early 2020.

Client: Cole Waterhouse

Construction firm: Bowmer + Kirkland & Caledonian

Location: First Way Campus in Wembley

Bowmer + Kirklandbegan craning the first of the 438 offsite manufactured modules into a new 54m student accommodation scheme in Londons Wembley, in September.

First Way Campus is a 678-bedroom student accommodation scheme being developed by Cole Waterhouse to provide accommodation for the University College of Football Business (UCFB) and Unite Student Living.

The offsite developed modules, which make up the bedrooms, corridors and kitchens of the project, will continue to be lifted into place at a rate of six per day with the last modules being installed by January 2020.

The modules have been built over the last twelve months by Caledonian in Newark. To prepare for the installation, Bowmer + Kirkland installed 403 continuous flight augering (CFA) piles, installed piles caps and then erected a structural steel core. The steel core has also been fire protected prior to the module installation.

Client: Homes England/Places for People

Construction firm: ilke Homes

Location: Blackburn

73 affordable modular homes are to be created close to Blackburn town centre as part of a deal between Places for People and Homes England.

Funded through Places for Peoples Strategic Partnership with Homes England, the development will bring new timber-framed homes to a site off Alaska Street.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application reads: The opportunity to introduced quality new social housing on a highly accessible site close to Blackburn town centre and adjacent to Highfield Park.

The development of a mix of good quality of two, three and four-bedroom homes, which will broad the choice of attractive, good quality, modern housing in the area.

These are just a few of the innovative and modern developments sweeping the nation. As the buzz around modular construction builds so too will this list.

Think you know of a modular housing scheme in the UK that we may have missed, email our digital editor Steph at sblundell@pbctoday.co.uk.

The rest is here:

The modular homes leading the way in the UK - Planning, BIM & Construction Today

The Y Lot (Ben Allan Smith | The Ann Arbor News)

Editor's note: This story was updated to include an additional resolution on the agenda.

ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor could move quickly to develop more affordable housing.

City Council will consider seven resolutions Monday, Nov. 18 related to possible affordable housing developments on city-owned plots.

Of 11 potential development locations submitted for review, city staff found sites at 121 E. Catherine St. and 404 N. Ashley St. were immediately ready to be developed as affordable housing, according to an analysis to be presented Monday by the Ann Arbor Housing Commission.

The analysis includes proposed development designs prepared by Carlisle Wortman Associates.

Under one resolution, City Council would direct the housing commission to pursue development at those two spots. Five other resolutions call for development depending on funding, more study or community engagement on a number of other sites. Another resolution calls for 353 S. Main St. to be analyzed for affordable housing possibilities. A separate resolution asks for the privately owned 2857 Packard Street to be similarly evaluated.

City Council in April directed city staff to work with the housing commission and Washtenaw County's Office for Community and Economic Development to evaluate select city-owned properties for possible development of affordable housing.

Ann Arbor adds to list of potential affordable housing sites

Council OKs affordable housing incentives for Ann Arbor developers

Council wants the city maintain ownership of the properties and for developers to accept Housing Choice Vouchers and offer affordable rates for renters making 60 percent of the area median income or less - about $60,720 a year or less for a family of four in Washtenaw County.

Three potential portfolio scenarios for the sites will be presented Monday, according to the resolutions on the council agenda.

They come as the city launches a public engagement process in December on affordable housing and the development of two city-owned vacant lots that were evaluated - 350 S. Fifth Ave., known as the Y Lot, and 425 W. Washington St.

Here's a breakdown of city staff's findings and recommendations so far:

121 E. Catherine St. possible development (Courtesy of Carlisle Wortman Associates)

121 E. Catherine St. and 404 N. Ashley St.

Both 121 E. Catherine St. and 404 N. Ashley St. are ready for development, according to city staff.

They're recommending City Council direct the housing commission to develop the sites, zoned D2 for medium-density mixed residential and commercial development, utilizing a ground lease after the appropriate environmental reviews, site plan approvals and applications for funding are filed.

An estimated 120 to 170 units combined of affordable housing, targeting those making 60% of the area median income, could be developed, according to the resolution.

An evaluation found both sites have high potential to receive Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and other federal and state funds for affordable housing, according to the resolution. They're also in the Downtown Development Authority district and eligible to receive financial support from the authority.

404 N. Ashley St. possible development (Courtesy of Carlisle Wortman Associates)

"If tax credits are secured for both sites, the sites could be developed with very little local financial support compared to the other sites," according to the resolution.

The location on Catherine Street - currently a parking lot - would take an estimated $15.3 million to develop.

The Ashley Street location - currently under lease by the University of Michigan for its Community Dental Clinic - could take $17.8 million to develop.

2000 S. Industrial Hwy. possible development (Courtesy of Carlisle Wortman Associates)

2000 S. Industrial Hwy.

A four-acre parcel of land, currently zoned as public land, could garner 50 to 165 affordable housing units if sufficient funds are found, the city review found.

The spot on Industrial Highway is currently used for the Ann Arbor Housing Commission, part of the water system, parking and warehouse storage.

Due to its location next to a railroad, the property could not get Low-Income Housing Tax Credits in support of households making 60% of the area median income, according to the analysis.

Still, development could be possible through housing revenue bonds, the sale of other public land - such as the Kline lot - and other local funding sources, according to a memorandum.

2000 S. Industrial Hwy. (Google Maps)

The affordable housing would target households making up to 80% of the area median income, or $80,960 for a family of four.

City Council is asked to direct the housing commission to develop it's office, maintenance facilities and the affordable housing units, dependent on obtaining the funding, conducting environmental reviews and getting site plan approval.

A memorandum for the resolution suggests City Council could, alternatively or in addition to, direct staff to conduct more analysis on possible funding for mixed-income housing and units targeting those making 60% of the area median income.

The estimated cost of development is $37 million.

Kline lot possible development (Courtesy of Carlisle Wortman Associates)

The Kline lot

The Kline lot at Ashley and William streets could garner a whopping 400 to 600 or more housing units, along with retail space, according to city staff analysis.

However, based on the size, it's likely that a private developer's aid or a sale would be necessary to develop the site.

The property, in D1 zoning for high-density mixed use, is about 1.25 acres in size and scored highly competitive for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, but would be well over the funding cap set by the tax credits.

If the maximum tax credits were obtained, it would allow for 125 tax credit units and 475 market-rate units, according to a memorandum. Otherwise, proceeds from a sale to a private developer could subsidize other development projects that are less competitive for the tax credits.

The Kline lot (Google Maps)

The site would take an estimated $136 million to develop and is appraised at about $13.7 million is sold.

However, the loss of parking from the site could have a large impact on downtown.

City Council has been asked to direct city staff to work with the DDA on community engagement for the development of the Kline lot as well as the nearby lot at First and William streets.

216 W. William St. (Google Maps)

Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

First and William streets

The less-than-an-acre parking lot at First and William streets, zoned D2, is not suitable for housing because it's entirely in a floodway and floodplain, city analysis showed.

However, city staff have offered a resolution on the site, with an eye to its relation to the Kline lot. In short, it could be used to support the parking needs that developing the Kline lot would require.

A parking deck built on the property would cost less than building an underground parking deck at the Kline lot, according to a memorandum. It can be designed to leave room for a greenway along First Street.

City Council has been asked to direct city staff to work with the DDA on community engagement for the Kline lot and the First and William streets lot, combined.

721 N. Main St. (Google Maps)

721 N. Main St.

Only a small portion of the 5.26-acre site, zoned for public land, at 721 N. Main St. is suitable for housing, the city analysis found.

The site is close to a railroad and has a deed restriction prohibiting any development, even a parking lot, on the floodplain and floodway on the site, according to a memorandum. Most the site is floodplain and floodway.

However, 25 to 35 housing units could be developed on the northwest corner of the property, off West Summit Street.

The site of the City of Ann Arbor Fleet Services building, 721 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor Wednesday, March 6 2019. (Jacob Hamilton | MLive)

This site is not eligible for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit or other federal funding, and alternative funds would be needed to develop the land, the analysis found. Otherwise, the property could be leased with an affordable housing requirement or be sold to subsidize other affordable housing projects.

Development would cost an estimated $7.6 million, The site's appraised value if sold still needs to be determined, but is estimated at $400,000 to $600,000.

City Council has been asked to direct the city administrator to work with the DDA, the Tree Line Conservancy and others to pursue community engagement on the use of the site.

Platt Road and Springbrook Street possible development (Courtesy of Carlisle Wortman Associates)

Platt Road and Springbrook Street

The four city-owned parcels of land at 3400 block of Platt Road and 3400 block of Springbrook Street could support up to 14 single-family affordable housing units, according to a memorandum.

The parcels, totaling about 1.3 acres, sit across from existing subsidized housing and near single-family homes.

It likely wouldn't get Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and would need significant local subsidy to be developed, city staff found.

3440 Platt Road (Google Maps)

City staff has looked into selling the property to Habitat for Humanity with a resale restriction in favor of long-term affordable housing or developing small, zero-energy modular houses.

The site would cost an estimated $3.1 million to develop and is appraised at $560,000 if sold.

City staff want City Council to direct additional community engagement on the site.

1510 E. Stadium Blvd. possible development (Courtesy of Carlisle Wortman Associates)

1510 E. Stadium Blvd.

A .75-acre plot at 1510 E. Stadium Blvd. isn't a high priority option for affordable housing, according to city staff.

They're eyeing the land, which currently has a former fire station, for temporary or permanent Ann Arbor Housing Commission offices, a maintenance garage or other city offices, as an alternative to the 2000 S. Industrial Hwy.

The location could support eight to 12 affordable housing units but isn't a competitive option for low-income tax credits and would require significant local subsidy for development, according to a memorandum.

Development would cost an estimated $3.1 million.

City Council is asked to direct the housing commission to hire an architect to determine the cost of renovating the existing building and adding an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant addition, then report back.

1320 Baldwin Avenue (Google Maps)

1320 Baldwin Avenue

The current site of the Ann Arbor Senior Center is a no-go for affordable housing, as far as city staff is concerned.

It's park property, would require a ballot approval to change its allowed use and has a Michigan Department of Environment Quality restriction, according to staff analysis. The senior center also would be lost through development.

The Y Lot is at 350 S. Fifth Ave. (Google Maps)

Five, four-hour community discussion sessions are scheduled on the topic of developing 350 S. Fifth Ave. and 415 W. Washington St.

The 2.2-acre property at 415 W. Washington St., zoned D2, includes a floodplain and floodway, according to the county's Office of Community and Economic Development. It also has a blighted building, is in a historic district, could qualify as a brownfield site and has a railroad noise hazard.

City staff previously recommended a public-private partnership to develop the long-debated 0.8-acre parcel known as the Y Lot at 350 S. Fifth Ave. They called for the city, Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, the Ann Arbor District Library and the DDA to create 100 to 200 units of affordable housing and space for community events and meetings.

Ann Arbor OKs contracts for community-driven Y Lot concepts

The development would include the Y Lot, the library's property at 343 S. Fifth Ave. and the Blake Transit Center on South Fifth Avenue.

The DDA pledged $745,000 toward the creation of affordable housing on the property, zoned D1, and the City Council in July agreed to hire local consultant SmithGroup Inc. to develop concepts for the lot.

The city agreed to move $75,000 from the general fund to the planning fund for the cause, with the expectation that $50,000 will be paid back by the AAATA and the DDA.

Blighted property at 415 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor, on Oct. 11, 2017. (Ryan Stanton | MLive)

415 W. Washington St. and the Y Lot

The community discussions will take place:

Those unable to attend a discussion can share feedback on the project webpage or send questions to Derek Delacourt, City of Ann Arbor community services administrator, at

.

353 S. Main St. (Google Maps)

If City Council approves a resolution Monday, the city-owned parking lot at 353 S. Main St. will be evaluated for possible affordable housing.

2857 Packard Street (Google Maps)

If City Council approves a resolution Monday, the privately owned property at 2857 Packard St. will be evaluated for possible affordable housing.

Read the original here:

Ann Arbor could develop 2 affordable housing sites ASAP, analysis finds - MLive.com