Factory-built housing hasn’t taken off in California yet, but this year might be different

California lawmakers are considering factory-built housing as a way to cut building costs and speed up construction to address a housing shortage. Assemblymember Buffy Wicks has held hearings to build support for a new package of bills. Researchers at UC Berkeley’s Terner Center are also preparing a report on the feasibility of factory-built housing. Supporters say manufacturing panels and modules can shorten schedules and lower costs. Critics point to past failures like the federal Operation Breakthrough effort in the 1970s and the collapse of Katerra. The biggest hurdle: factories need steady demand to make the effort pencil out. Lawmakers are debating whether public policy and taxpayer money should help boost off-site construction.