First BoulderMOD Duplex Moves to Ponderosa

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BoulderMOD, a modular factory producing energy-efficient, permanently affordable homes, was created through a unique partnership between the City of Boulder, Flatirons Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) and the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD). Homes produced at BoulderMOD will contribute to the city's goal of ensuring that 15% of all homes in Boulder are affordable for low-, moderate- and middle-income households by 2035.

From 1992 to 2024, the number of permanently affordable homesin the city increased from 981 to 4,098. While this is a huge accomplishment, the majority of affordable homes in Boulder are rentals; BoulderMOD will vastly expand the affordable homeownership opportunities in our community.

Inside the 31,000-square-foot facility, homes are assembled at nine workstations where volunteers, Habitat staff and BVSD students work side-by-side to build high-quality, energy-efficient homes. This model reduces waste, shortens construction time and lowers cost all while providing students valuable hands-on training in construction and green building practices which grows our local trade workforce.

For BVSD students, BoulderMOD offers a tangible opportunity to gain experience in the construction trades and build homes for their neighbors in need.

In 2017, the city purchased the Ponderosa Mobile Home Park as part of the Ponderosa Community Stabilization Project.The project aims to preserve long-term affordability, replace outdated infrastructure, reduce flood risk to the community and introduce new energy-efficient affordable housing options. Many of the existing homes at Ponderosa are decades old and in need of replacement.

The arrival of the first modular duplex marks the beginning of a new chapter for Ponderosa homeowners who will soon move into modern, energy-efficient homes built to last for generations. These homes will remain permanently affordable, allowing longtime community members to stay in Boulder in healthy and stable housing.

In addition to the modular homes, Habitat has been hard at work constructing traditional foundation-built homes on the west side of the Ponderosa property since 2022. In the past two years, five households moved into a new home and seven more homes will be complete in early 2026.

The first duplex moving to Ponderosa is just the beginning. BoulderMOD is expected to build over 50 homes for the Ponderosa community. In the future, homes built at BoulderMOD will continue to strengthen Boulder's commitment to affordability and environmental sustainability by creating affordable homeownership opportunities throughout Boulder and beyond.

The community will be invited to an open house to tour this duplex in December. The city will share an invite via press release when the open house date is set.

Community members can follow the progress of this work and even lend a hand in the process. Learn more about the project on the city's websiteand find information about volunteering at BoulderMOD on the Habitat website.