Responding to the onset of numerous modular housing projects now underway in New York City, Samuel C. Florman, Chairman of Kreisler Borg Florman General Construction Co., notes that George Romney (Mitt Romney’s father) promoted prefabricated housing as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 1969-1973. Writing in crainsnewyork, he says nine factories had public and private support across the board but “the experiment failed. They falter because of suddenly weakened financial backing, technical complications, community conflicts, weather, accidents, labor unrest and, in general, the unforeseen.” MHProNews understands that the absence of weather conditions is one major factor in the success of modular construction.

(Photo credit: Forest Ratner Co.–Brooklyn Atlantic Yards modular housing)