Boulder receives national attention for its innovative approach to affordable homeownership

BoulderMOD, a 31,375-square-foot modular factory producing energy-efficient, permanently affordable homes, was created through a unique partnership between the City of Boulder, Flatirons Habitat for Humanity (Flatirons Habitat) and the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD): the city provided staffing and funding to construct and equip the factory; Flatirons Habitat serves as the certified manufacturer, manages the facility, procures materials and organizes volunteers, homeowners and professional staff; and BVSD provided land for the factory and integrates the facility into its Technical Education Center Construction program, giving students hands-on experience in the trades.

At the factory, volunteers, Flatirons Habitat staff and BVSD students work side by side to assemble homes at nine workstations; from framing and electrical to cabinetry and final fishes. The model reduces construction waste, shortens build timelines and lowers costs, all while training the next generation of construction professionals right here in Boulder.

The visit was an opportunity to showcase Boulder's work and open a dialogue about how the federal government can be a partner. City staff made clear that more flexible, innovative funding tools would go a long way and expressed appreciation for the ongoing relationship with the regional HUD team who have been especially supportive throughout the BoulderMOD project.

Dan McColley, Executive Director of Flatirons Habitat for Humanity, emphasized that partnerships are central to making projects like this work and that federal incentives encouraging collaboration could unlock similar models in communities nationwide. Ronnie Kurtz, HUD Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, expressed a commitment to making federal housing programs more efficient and noted that nothing is more personal to a community than housing. Kurtz also shared that HUD is looking forward to unveiling new developments in the coming weeks.

"It takes a variety of different funding partners to create homeownership opportunities" said Kurt Firnhaber, director of Housing and Human Services for the City of Boulder. "HUD has been an important partner in the development of BoulderMOD and I appreciate their interest in the project. Having someone so senior in the administration feel that this was an important project to visit and learn from speaks to just how significant this work is."

The city received $4 million from a Section 108 Loan which will be repaid with Community Development Block Grant funds to support BoulderMOD and this was an opportunity for HUD to see firsthand how those resources are being put to work.

In addition to BoulderMOD, the city and Flatirons Habitat have used HUD funding to support the construction of seven homes on Violet Avenue and nine homes in Palo Parkway.

The first BoulderMOD duplexes were set on their foundations in late 2025 and the factory is expected to build over 50 homes for the Ponderosa community in its first years.

This HUD visit reflects growing recognition that solving the housing crisis will require creative solutions and collaborations like the one built through BoulderMOD. The city remains committed to increasing access to affordable housing to ensure that families and individuals have safe and affordable places to live in Boulder and looks forward to continued partnership with HUD at both the regional and national levels.

Visit the city's website to learn more about BoulderMOD and Affordable Housing Investments.

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