Photo Credit: OFFSITEK
Horry County, South Carolina, which includes the city of Myrtle Beach, is exploring a partnership to build steel-framed homes to meet the region’s need for more affordable housing. OFFSITEK, an integrated construction company and SFIA member, recently presented Horry County officials with a plan to build homes for under $200,000.
OFFSITEK, the Charlotte-based integrated construction company, uses robots, cold-formed steel (CFS) and offsite manufacturing to construct affordable, high-quality and eco-friendly homes, the company’s website says.
Steel: An Aid with Affordable Housing
OFFSITEK and JRN Development, a land acquisition and development company, presented their affordable housing solution at a recent Horry County legislative delegation meeting. The proposed business model would create a partnership that would include Horry County covering the land costs and extending water and sewer infrastructure to the housing development.
If county leaders agree to the arrangement, Horry County officials expect the homes to sell for between $180,000 to $200,000, local news outlet WDPE says.
Chris Younger, strategic partnership leader at JRN, says the materials used to construct the homes would include steel framing, noting that steel framing requires minimal maintenance, is more durable and has less impact on the environment compared to wood framing.
The partnership, if ratified, could help solve Horry County’s affordable housing needs as its population grows, notes WDPE.
The Steel Framing Advantage
Cold-formed steel (CFS) leads the way as the preferred framing material for prefabricated structures for multiple reasons. CFS is:
- A pre-engineered material that can be cut to exact lengths
- Dimensionally stable and does not expand or contract with changes in moisture content
- Lightweight compared to wood and concrete
- Resilient and will not warp, split, crack or creep when exposed to the elements
- Sustainable and 100% recyclable
- Durable and has a high tensile strength
- Non-combustible and is a safeguard against fire accidents
City of Hickory ‘Excited’ By Steel Technology
OFFSITEK and JRN Development recently constructed homes in Hickory, North Carolina. Through a public-private partnership with the city of Hickory, affordable steel-framed homes were built using OFFSITEK’s state-of-the-art building technology.
OFFSITEK’s pre-engineered and assembled light-gauge steel framing systems and component kits eliminate waste while maintaining structural quality. The company combines its systems with a proprietary panel system to create a design-led process that accelerates building schedules.
“We are very excited to provide brand new, affordable quality homes to the residents of Charlotte,” says Rick Admani Abulhaj, managing director at OFFSITEK. “With the assistance of local municipalities, we are bringing the latest in innovative construction technology and environmental efficiency to provide first-time buyers a home they will love and a neighborhood they will be proud to be part of.”
The steel framed Chestnut home is one of four model options to select from for the city of Hickory public-private partnership project.
The homes are being sold for $155,000 to $168,000 to eligible families earning up to 80% of the area median income, and will remain affordable for 15 years, even if the homeowner chooses to sell the home during that time.
“While we are proud that Hickory has been named one of the nation’s most affordable places to live, we know that housing is still a challenge for many working families in our community,” says Hank Guess, Hickory mayor. “With the completion of these affordable homes, the city’s affordable housing initiative continues to demonstrate Hickory’s commitment to our citizens’ ability to live in the community where they work and play.”
OFFSITEK and JRN Continue Partnership
OFFSITEK and JRN have four other projects underway in Conover, Lincolnton, Mooresville and West Charlotte, all in North Carolina.
“Partnering with municipalities, local governments and their housing authority and community development partners allows us to fast-track the availability of affordable housing to own or rent,” says Rick Admani Abulha, CEO of JRN Development. “These critical partnerships and our high-tech construction process allow us to build quality, sustainable housing for working families.”
Additional Resources
- OFFSITEK Combines Steel Framing with Offsite Technology to Manufacture Affordable Housing
- Community Celebrates Success of Affordable Housing Built with Steel Framing Tech
- SFIA’s Williams Sees Robots Being a Staple in Future Steel Framing