Modular Building Institute Applauds New York City’s “Block by Block” Housing Initiative

The Modular Building Institute (MBI) today expressed strong support for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s newly announced “Block by Block” housing initiative, praising the plan’s embrace of modular construction as a practical and scalable solution to the city’s housing shortage.

“Let’s be honest, we are obviously a bit biased because the initiative prominently features modular construction,” said Tom Hardiman, MBI Executive Director. “But bias aside, this is exactly the kind of forward-thinking approach large cities should be considering if they are serious about addressing housing affordability and supply challenges.

“We are talking about resilient, sustainable, multifamily housing, delivered faster, and built to meet or exceed local building code requirements.”

The “Block by Block” initiative recognizes what many communities across the country are beginning to understand: modular construction can deliver high-quality housing faster, more efficiently, and with less disruption than many traditional building methods. By leveraging factory-built modular housing technologies, cities can accelerate timelines, reduce waste, improve safety, and create much-needed housing at scale. This initiative builds on New York’s successful track record with modular projects; from the city’s first passive house-design senior housing project to several modular medical facilities.

New York City is not alone in turning to modular solutions. Major cities including Boston, Philadelphia, and Cleveland have also incorporated modular construction into their broader housing and development strategies as they seek innovative ways to address growing housing demands.

“Municipal leaders across the country are recognizing that modular construction is no longer a niche concept, it is an essential part of the modern housing toolkit,” said Hardiman. “Whether the goal is workforce housing, attainable homeownership, supportive housing, or mixed-income developments, modular construction offers real advantages.”

MBI emphasized that solving the nation’s housing crisis will require collaboration between public officials, developers, manufacturers, builders, and community stakeholders.

“The Modular Building Institute stands ready to work with any city, town, or municipality looking for practical solutions to meet their housing needs,” Hardiman added. “The housing challenges facing America are too urgent for outdated thinking. Innovative approaches like modular construction deserve a central role in the conversation.”