Driving Down Construction Costs
Development Cost Research
Finding solutions worth testing relies upon a clear understanding of the problem. With the support of MONUM Summer Fellows, the iLab analyzed available city data to understand what drives the cost to build market-rate and affordable housing. Our findings affirmed the need for efforts to streamline the development approval process and explore other ways in which the City can address the disproportionately high “soft costs” associated with affordable housing development, such as architectural and financing fees. For more detailed information on the study, please see one of the project’s presentations. You can also read the press release about the Mayor’s executive order to streamline approvals for affordable housing.
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26 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108
Past Projects
Offsite Construction Request for Information
In September 2024, the Housing Innovation Lab released a Request for Information (RFI) to learn what types of offsite construction methods hold the most promise in decreasing construction costs while delivering a high quality product. Responses to the RFI (see the presentation) helped to inform the third phase of the Welcome Home, Boston initiative. Among other criteria, proposals for the third phase of the Welcome Home, Boston initiative were evaluated on the extent to which they proposed the use of innovative housing delivery systems to achieve the target sales prices.
Studying Options for Expanding Offsite Construction in the Region
In partnership with the City of Boston, Cambridge, Everett, and Newton, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) was awarded $3 million by the Biden-Harris Administration and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to examine best practices for modular and offsite construction and to produce such a facility in the Greater Boston area. Read more about this endeavor on MAPC’s website. Read the press release.
Prefabricated Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Showcase
We demonstrated what’s possible with the use of prefabricated construction in terms of providing cost, design, and quality predictability for Accessory Dwelling Units by bringing an ADU to City Hall Plaza in May 2026. Learn more.
Building with Modular Construction in Boston
With the support of the City’s Inspectional Services and Innovation and Technology Departments, the iLab published information for developers about how to build using 3D Volumetric Modular housing systems. Learn more.
Who's Involved:
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26 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108
