Great Outdoor Cottages CEO Matt Kraeuter Presents to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
Matt Kraeuter, CEO of Great Outdoor Cottages, recently presented to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on a topic shaping the future of housing in the Mid-Atlantic: “Unlocking Manufactured and Modular Housing in the Mid-Atlantic.” His presentation focused on how modern construction methods such as modular and manufactured housing can play a major role in solving the region’s housing shortage.
Addressing the Housing Supply Challenge
The Mid-Atlantic is facing a familiar issue: not enough homes and rising costs to build them. Matt opened his presentation by explaining the current challenges slowing down housing development across the region. These include supply shortages, increased material and labor costs, regulatory and zoning hurdles, and political resistance.
He highlighted that these challenges affect everyone, not just developers. Families, communities, and essential workers such as teachers, nurses, and law enforcement officers are all impacted. The lack of attainable housing for the workforce has become a crisis that calls for both policy reform and innovation in how we build homes.
Manufactured and Modular Housing: The Difference
Matt also cleared up a common misunderstanding between manufactured and modular housing.
- Manufactured homes are regulated under the federal HUD Code, which establishes national construction standards and overrides most local building codes.
- Modular homes are built to the International Residential Code (IRC), the same standards used for traditional site-built homes, and must pass state or local inspections.
This difference is important because modular housing is considered the same quality as site-built construction. It provides consistency, safety, and long-term value while allowing for faster, more efficient production.
Why Modular Housing Works
Matt explained several key advantages of modular construction that make it an ideal solution for addressing housing shortages. These benefits extend beyond cost savings and speed.
- Efficiency and Speed: Modular construction can reduce build times from months to weeks. While the home is built off-site, the foundation and utility work are completed at the same time, creating a predictable delivery schedule.
- Cost Control: Homes are built in a controlled environment, which eliminates weather delays and scheduling issues with contractors. This allows for consistent pricing and better project management.
- Financing Options: Modular homes qualify for many types of loans, including conventional, FHA, and VA. The faster construction timeline also reduces carrying costs, which is especially valuable in a high-interest-rate market.
- Wealth Building: Modular homeownership allows families to invest in an appreciating asset rather than renting, helping more people build financial stability over time.
Real-World Solutions That Can Work Today
Matt outlined several practical solutions to make modular housing more accessible and sustainable in the Mid-Atlantic region. These include:
- By-Right Zoning: Projects that meet local codes should be approved without unnecessary delays or opposition.
- Streamlined Permitting: Establish clear timelines for review and create a library of pre-approved modular designs that meet state and local standards.
- Incentives for Developers: Offer tax abatements, density bonuses, and waived impact fees to encourage affordable housing development.
- Public and Private Collaboration: Partner with major employers such as hospitals and universities to create housing programs for their workforce.
These strategies can lower costs, reduce red tape, and make it easier to bring quality modular homes to communities that need them most.
Workforce Housing and ADUs
The presentation also explored the potential of workforce housing and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Workforce housing aims to serve essential professionals like teachers, healthcare workers, and first responders. This can be supported through deed restrictions, employer partnerships, and public incentives.
ADUs, or smaller secondary units on a property, are another creative way to expand housing without large-scale development. They can be garage apartments, attached additions, or detached cottages. However, zoning and political resistance remain challenges in many jurisdictions.
Building a Smarter Future
Matt Kraeuter’s presentation underscored Great Outdoor Cottages’ commitment to innovation, efficiency, and community-based housing solutions. As a leader in modular and park model home design, Great Outdoor Cottages continues to prove that quality and affordability can go hand in hand. The company’s approach shows that modern modular construction is not just a building method but a vital tool for solving the Mid-Atlantic’s housing shortage.
Learn More
Visit MAPC.org to learn more about the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and its initiatives in housing and regional development.
To explore manufactured home options and learn more about Great Outdoor Cottages, visit GreatOutdoorCottages.com.