In a 2008 design competition sponsored by the New York’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the goal was to design housing in response to a massive flood that required emergency housing for 38,000 people, flooded the subways and neighborhoods, leaving people with no where to live, work, or go to school. Post Hurricane Sandy, City Limits says Mayor Bloomberg estimates 30,000 to 40,000 may need to relocate, at least temporarily. With 40,000 already living in homeless shelters, and given a tight housing market, where might the newly displaced go? One of the ten winning entries was to float modular homes to the city on barges, and the modules could be arranged in different configurations. Another designer suggested placing homes on scaffolds above the streets. MHProNews has learned after more details are presented by the top ten, the OEM may develop a prototype based on the winning entry.

(Image credit: CityLimits–modular homes on barges)