Evaluating Community Impacts of a Prefabricated Housing Cluster

As prefabricated modular construction gains traction addressing housing crises through efficient mass production, localized economic development opportunities arise when paired with workforce training models. A case assessment of Lida Homes’ operations in rural Nova Scotia analyzed socioeconomic multiplier effects beyond direct housing outputs through establishment of an integrated wood products cluster cultivating small businesses. The clustered model aimed to regenerate the struggling timber economy and demographic declines in the region through dignified local jobs. Researchers monitored job creation, business formation, income growth and community health indicators.

The Lida Cluster Model

Centered in a depopulating coastal town, Lida converted an abandoned sawmill into an advanced panelization facility partnering with nearby family woodlots, SME contractors and a skilled trades training center. Rather than outsourcing, the forward-and-backward linked system cultivated suppliers and workers within a 50km radius. Impacts were tracked across housing deployments through the region.

Job Creation
300 full time equivalent positions were directly/indirectly created across modular assembly, material harvesting/milling, transportation, and specialized trades like plumbing/electrical. Of these, 70% were local hires starting un/semi-skilled and advancing careers through on-site education.

Business Formation
To date, 27 local SME contractors successfully launched niche services supplying the cluster like engineered beam cutting, mobile crane/electrical firms and material haulage fleets. Over half remain women/youth owned.

Income Growth
Hourly micro-cluster wages averaged 30-50% above provincial standards, lifting many families out of poverty. Export contracts supplying clusters elsewhere boosted stability. Apprentices saw six figure salaries within 5 years.

Community Impacts
Beyond incomes, health/social impacts accumulated from stabilized youth demographics, vocational pride and interaction addressing isolation. Substance dependency and crime rates measurably declined. Investments repopulated areas and stabilized the social fabric.

Alternative models considered but rejected included:

– Mass import model: Economies of scale benefits concentrated wealth out of community with minimal local impact or career development potential.

– Status quo: Continued depopulation, brain drain, poverty and socioeconomic decline as the resource based economy declined without intervention.

The clustered hub model coordinated training, production and deployment to gain optimization, sustainability and dignified work benefits beyond direct housing inputs alone. studies are needed to fully validate impacts and replicability.

To further evaluate capacity and limitations, expansion proposals emerged considering larger scale applications:

Regional Export Cluster
Oversizing facilities to supply clusters abroad through a comprehensive industrial park stimulating trade and specializations province-wide. Renewable zones support carbon neutral operations.

Affordable Housing Initiative
Provincial partnerships finance scaled up social/co-op housing development leveraging manufacturing efficiencies at greater volumes for widespread affordability.

Rural Livelihoods Hub
Integrate complementary sectors like agroforestry, renewable infrastructure production and culinary/craft clusters catering to staycation tourism – a diversified economy model.

Sustainable Forestry Program
Rural stewardship apprenticeships manage certified woodlots regenerating forests through practices ensuring harvest sustainability and carbon sequestration.

If successfully piloted, such clusters hold promise reinvigorating declining resource communities through dignified jobs while sustainably housing expanding populations. Circular economic models optimize localized socioeconomic inclusiveness, environmental well-being and long-term community viability far surpassing housing production alone. Ongoing assessment helps maximize regeneration potentials.

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