Evaluating Modular Construction’s Role in Achieving Equitable Community Land Access

As real estate prices escalate amid dwindling affordability, innovative housing models widening property ownership merit rigorous testing. Washington’s Snohomish County collaborated with Lida Homes piloting an income-restricted land trust neighborhood balanced across multi-bedroom homes, shared spaces and agricultural production. Researchers evaluated impacts on cost-burdens, community stability and local economics.

The Cedar Grove Cooperative

A defunct 20-acre golf course transitioned to 67 homesites divided among 29 single-family panel homes, 4 duplexes and agricultural outbuildings.

Home Prices and Selections
Single-story 3-4 bedroom 960-1,200sqft homes priced $200-250K through 40-year resale controls—33% below for-sale comparables. Varied exteriors camouflaged consistency.

Land Cost Separation
Property deeded to the land trust in perpetuity ensured predictable $500/month land lease fees long-term—near public housing rates. Savings underwrote larger footprints.

Economic Sustainability
A vibrant urban farm and community forest generated revenue from Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions and timber management subsidizing maintenance reserves.

Preliminary findings evidenced:

– Modular designs optimized construction efficiency lowering entry costs and supporting family-sized units in higher costs regions.

– Land trust structures stabilized long-term housing security for residents despite escalating markets.

– Agricultural production fostered stability through entrepreneurial opportunities and direct food access across a range of household budgets.

Rigorously evaluated over decades, cooperative land trusts paired with modular construction demonstrate potential widening sustainable homeownership to stabilize excluded communities long-term if systematically supported.

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