Oregon's Mass Timber Modular Homes Bring Affordable Housing to Fire-Prone Areas

The Echo Mountain Fire of 2020 left Scott and Barbara Benedict without a home on their coastal property in Oregon. They spent three years rebuilding, but still needed affordable housing. The couple entered a lottery for six new modular homes developed by Portland-based Hacienda Community Development Corporation.

The homes are made with Oregon mass timber, which is a sustainable and renewable resource that requires less manufacturing energy than traditional building materials. Mass Casitas uses volumetric modules, fully enclosed rooms that can be transported and installed quickly on site.

Hacienda's Mass Casitas project has been supported by philanthropic funding from JPMorganChase, which aims to address the lack of affordable housing in Oregon and nationwide. The project is exploring how mass timber and modular construction can create high-quality, energy-efficient homes while reducing costs and increasing supply.

For Scott and Barbara Benedict, their new home has been a blessing. 'It's really warm in the winter and cool in the summer,' Scott said of the 1,300-square-foot, 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom modular home. The couple is grateful to have a safe and comfortable place to call home after losing everything in the fire.