Latest news with #modularhomes
ABC News
2 days ago
- General
- ABC News
NSW's largest modular social housing build
Families have begun moving into a 24-modular home block in South Grafton on the state's north coast that the state government says took half the time of a traditional new housing build. Supplied: Moov Modular
CTV News
22-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
New owners have big plans for ‘factory-built' housing company
Royal Homes was recently sold. The new owners have lofty plans to more than double production, moving towards more modular, 'repeatable' home construction in Wingham, Ont., on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (Scott Miller/CTV News Windsor) Doug Kuyvenhoven has watched over 7000 homes being built inside the Royal Homes factory in Wingham, a business his father started 54 years ago. But, Kuyvenhoven and his partners recently decided it was time to find new owners. 'We had some tough years, and we had some good years. But we were getting to that age where it was time to transition the business. We're all still healthy, and we wanted to see this transition happen while we were healthy, so that we could help the new owners, carry on,' says Kuyvenhoven. Sid Kerrigan, is one of those new owners, who is ready to build on Royal Homes factory built housing model. Right now, Royal Homes builds about 100, largely custom homes, in their Wingham factory, each year, but Kerrigan envisions building 500 to 1000 smaller, modular homes each year, closer to 1000 to 1500 square feet each, inside Royal's expansive Wingham facility. Royal Homes Doug Kuyvenhoven, former owner, and Sid Kerrigan, new owner, stand on the factory floor of Royal Homes in Wingham, Ont. (Scott Miller/CTV News London) 'That's not really available in the marketplace right now. So, we believe we can create an ability to bring that type of more repeatable housing, at scale, to market. And you can imagine as you do, more at scale, more repeatable, more cost efficient, we can pass those savings on to the customer,' says Kerrigan. He believes the ability to build homes in weeks, not months, will set Royal apart, as Ontario requires as many as 2 million new homes within the next 5 to 10 years. In the United States, factory built housing makes up 5-10% of the new housing market, says Kerrigan. In Ontario, it's less than 1% percent. 'I really believe if there's any market in the world that should be focusing more on prefab factory built housing, it's Ontario,' says Kerrigan. To meet Kerrigan's 500 to 1000 homes per year goal, there's going to have be jobs, and a lot of them, added to Royal Homes. There's currently 100 Royal Homes employees, Kerrigan expects to double that in short order, and says building a second, and possibly third factory, isn't out of the question. 'That'll be growth in terms of employment hiring. That'd be growth in terms of technology. Anything we can do to create, high quality homes, at speed, and at scale. And, yeah, there's a very strong possibility of that happening, going forward,' says Kerrigan. That's music to Doug Kuyvenhoven's ears. He really wanted to see his father's business, not only stay in Wingham, but grow in Wingham. 'In all my years here, 50 plus years at Royal Homes, we haven't had this kind of talk in the media about modular housing. So, I think the time has really come. There's a huge housing need, so there's a real opportunity for the new owners to really take this place, take Royal Homes, and really run with it,' says Kuyvenhoven.
Sustainability Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Sustainability Times
'It's Like a Tesla You Can Live In!': LOVT Unveils Futuristic Tiny House That's Modular, Eco-Friendly, and Ready to Disrupt Everything
IN A NUTSHELL 🌿 LOVT is leading the tiny house movement by focusing on sustainability and innovative design. is leading the tiny house movement by focusing on and innovative design. 🏡 The company offers modular homes that are customizable to fit individual needs and lifestyles. homes that are customizable to fit individual needs and lifestyles. 🌍 Each LOVT unit contributes to environmental conservation by protecting German forests and reducing carbon footprints . unit contributes to environmental conservation by protecting German forests and reducing . 🛋️ Despite their compact size, LOVT homes provide modern comforts and efficient use of space. The housing market has seen a dramatic shift, with many seeking more affordable and sustainable solutions. Tiny houses have emerged as a popular choice, offering a minimalist lifestyle with a smaller footprint. Among these, LOVT, often dubbed the 'Tesla of Tiny Houses,' stands out by prioritizing sustainability without sacrificing style or functionality. This innovative German company's approach to tiny living is not just about reducing space but also about minimizing environmental impact and maximizing comfort. The Evolution of Tiny Living Tiny houses first gained traction in the early 2000s as an alternative housing solution. The global health crisis in 2020 accelerated this trend, as more people began working from home and sought flexible living arrangements. This shift brought tiny houses into the spotlight, appealing to those looking for a more nomadic lifestyle. However, the initial goal of sustainability often got overshadowed by the need for quick solutions. LOVT seeks to bring the focus back to eco-friendly living by offering homes that are not only small but also sustainably built. By using locally-sourced materials and innovative designs, LOVT aims to redefine what it means to live tiny. 'They Blew Up 300 Dams to Save a River': Massive Demolition Sparks the Largest Environmental Comeback Ever Attempted Modular Design for Personalized Living One of LOVT's key innovations is its modular design. Unlike traditional tiny homes on wheels, LOVT structures are prefabricated modules that can be tailored to individual needs. Despite lacking mobility, these modules offer a level of customization that allows them to serve various purposes—from backyard offices to full-time family homes. Potential buyers can configure their LOVT online, selecting from a range of options to fit their budget and lifestyle. This flexibility means a LOVT can evolve over time, adapting to the changing needs of its inhabitants, while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability. 'They Said It Was Impossible—Now Robots Grow 1.2 Million Strawberries a Year': Inside Dyson's Sci-Fi Mega-Farm Shocking the Entire Agriculture Industry Sustainability Through Smart Choices LOVT's commitment to sustainability is evident in its material choices and production practices. Each unit is constructed using certified wood, ensuring that the environmental impact is minimized. Additionally, LOVT is committed to offsetting carbon emissions by protecting German forests. For every unit sold, a portion of the proceeds goes towards conserving 2,153 square feet of forest, effectively binding over 18,500 pounds of CO2. This approach not only benefits the environment but also adds value for consumers who are increasingly conscious of their ecological footprint. By focusing on longevity and environmental stewardship, LOVT sets a new standard for sustainable living. 'They're Warning Us': Scientists Alarmed After Three Giant 'Apocalypse Fish' Mysteriously Wash Ashore in Just One Week Living Comfortably in a Compact Space While small in size, LOVT homes are designed for maximum efficiency and comfort. The interior layout is carefully planned to offer ample storage and functional living spaces. Innovative furniture solutions, such as storage-integrated pieces, ensure that every inch is utilized effectively. Despite the compact dimensions, residents enjoy modern conveniences like fully equipped kitchens and cozy living areas. These thoughtful design elements make LOVT homes not only livable but also desirable, providing a unique blend of minimalism and luxury. The founders, who have lived in tiny homes since 2016, understand the challenges and joys of downsizing, and their insights are reflected in every aspect of the LOVT design. As the world continues to grapple with housing challenges and environmental concerns, solutions like LOVT offer a glimpse into a more sustainable future. By combining innovative design with a strong commitment to the environment, LOVT is paving the way for a new era of tiny living. With its promise of comfort, customization, and eco-friendliness, could LOVT inspire more people to embrace the tiny house movement and rethink their approach to living spaces? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (26)
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Site for two emergency homeless shelters secured, charity says
A site to house homeless shelter pods has been found, the chairman of a charity has said it had been aiming to provide immediate shelter for those with nowhere safe to sleep and no other housing States revealed there were more than 60 people on an urgent waiting list for housing - one islander recently said she was "extremely lucky to live in a garden shed" when she had nowhere else to Graham Merfield said the charity had secured a site to place two pods, subject to planning approval. He said: "We are now working through the planning process and the planning team are being very helpful in helping us through that. "We're anticipating our application will go in over the next weeks and our goal is to have the first two pods here for next winter, which would be September, October time." Mr Merfield said the sleeping pods had a bed, a chemical toilet, a charging point but no plumbing and were "for emergency use only" to house one person at a said: "Those pods are really intended for the people who are really in desperate need of accommodation. They're not intended to be temporary accommodation."Our longer term goal is to build a community of modular homes to address the need for temporary accommodation."The charity said it still aimed to provide modular homes, or "tiny homes", which would have a sitting area, bathroom, kitchen, bedroom and plumbing. 'Cautiously optimistic' Following the recent Guernsey general election, the new president of the island's housing committee, Deputy Steve Williams, said he wanted to get spades in the ground and hundreds of homes under construction within his first Merfield said the charity were "cautiously optimistic" by what had been promised so said: "We've already had some positive dialogue with some of the new deputies and we're looking forward to meeting with the new housing committee under Steve Williams' leadership. "I think having the responsibility for housing under one committee rather than spread across numerous committees should bring what I think they're terming a 'laser focus' onto the housing issue."Clearly, we need see what they can do both in the short term and the longer term to address the urgent needs and the longer-term needs of more affordable accommodation in the community."
Telegraph
07-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Prince William motivated me to give up drugs, says Big Issue seller
A Big Issue vendor has revealed that a meeting with the Prince of Wales motivated him to give up drugs. Eamonn Kelly, who sells the paper on Trinity Street in Cambridge, said that the heir to the throne's visit in 2022 had a profound impact on him. Mr Kelly said: 'I'd just lost my mum that February, but when I met William it pulled me out of wallowing and got me motivated. 'I realised I had to get these drugs out of my system. Since then, I've not touched anything.' The Prince met Mr Kelly during a visit to Cambridgeshire with his wife, the then Duchess of Cambridge, in June 2022. The royal couple toured homes built for homeless people by Jimmy's, a charity providing support to rough sleepers. The modular homes had opened two years earlier as some of the first of their kind in the UK. The Prince and Princess were pictured smiling alongside Mr Kelly, who revealed he had been invited to go to Lambeth Palace in September to discuss modular homes. 'I've got a big thing about [the homes],' he said, adding: 'I'd like to get as many built as I can. 'I used to live in one provided by the homelessness charity Jimmy's. I even had Prince William and Kate come to visit. Living there gave me a purpose to get up in the morning.' 'A mammoth challenge' William's 2022 visit to the Cambridgeshire charity came ahead of his Homewards launch. A year later, in June 2023, the future king revealed his five-year plan to eradicate homelessness, starting with six pilot locations in the UK. The project, which the Prince described last week as being in ' delivery mode ', includes more than 100 initiatives. The Prince acknowledged homelessness was a 'complex and unpredictable' challenge the country faces. In a letter to the local coalition groups that were formed in the pilot's six locations, the Prince thanked them for joining his mission to 'demonstrate that it is possible to make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated'. The message signed off with the Prince saying his initiative had started to 'shift the dial' on the 'mammoth challenge'. He wrote: 'There are now people who are no longer experiencing homelessness thanks to your tremendous efforts.' Some 300 homes – a mixture of empty accommodation, private rentals and new-builds – are forecast to be delivered through Homewards's 'innovative housing projects'. 'I would be lost without the Big Issue' Mr Kelly has also credited the Big Issue, which the Prince also supports, with helping him out of homelessness. He said: 'Without the Big Issue, though, I would be a wee bit lost. They have helped me a lot. 'They've got me a cooker, a washing machine, a freezer, a double bed, my blinds…If I hadn't have had the help from Big Issue then I would have been in trouble. They've also believed in me. I don't take people for granted. 'What you see is what you get from me.' Mr Kelly has sold the Big Issue in central Cambridge 'for years' now, and he said he has been 'clean' since 2022. 'I had a habit for 10 years,' he said, adding: 'But I never robbed, I never thieved. That's why my people believe in me because I am out there every day. 'Of course, it spurs me on. It gives me something to get up for in the morning.' Mr Kelly has also been given a new lease on life by his grandson, two-year-old Louie. 'Louie, he's another reason why I'm out every day. I see him fairly often. I've seen him around seven times since he was born. My daughter lives in Coventry. 'It's brilliant spending time with him.'
