Families in the city of Hickory, North Carolina, are celebrating the speedy completion of new affordable homes in their community. The homes were built quickly using pre-engineered floor, wall and roof systems fabricated from steel by Steel Framing Industry Association member OFFSITEK.
The Charlotte-based integrated construction company uses robots, steel and offsite manufacturing to construct affordable, high-quality homes that are better for the environment, the company says.
Steel Technology Accelerates Building Schedule
Through a public-private partnership with the city of Hickory, JRN Development constructed the affordable steel-framed homes, called Ridgefield Place, using OFFSITEK’s state-of-the-art building technology.
OFFSITEK’s pre-engineered and assembled light-gauge steel framing systems and component kits eliminate waste while maintaining structural quality. The company combines its systems with a proprietary panel system to create a design-led process that accelerates building schedules.
“We are very excited to provide brand new, affordable quality homes to the residents of Charlotte,” says Rick Admani Abulhaj, managing director at OFFSITEK. “With the assistance of local municipalities, we are bringing the latest in innovative construction technology and environmental efficiency to provide first-time buyers a home they will love and a neighborhood they will be proud to be part of.”
The Steel Framing Advantage
Cold-formed steel (CFS) leads the way as the preferred framing material for prefabricated structures for multiple reasons. CFS is:
- A pre-engineered material that can be cut to exact lengths
- Dimensionally stable and does not expand or contract with changes in moisture content
- Lightweight compared to wood and concrete
- Resilient and will not warp, split, crack or creep when exposed to the elements
- Sustainable and 100% recyclable
- Durable and has a high tensile strength
- Non-combustible and is a safeguard against fire accidents
A ‘Commitment to Our Citizens,’ Mayor Says
The city’s housing initiative demonstrates Hickory’s commitment to provide affordable homes for their citizens.
The homes are being sold for $155,000 to $168,000 to eligible families earning up to 80% of the area median income, and will remain affordable for 15 years, even if the homeowner chooses to sell the home during that time.
“While we are proud that Hickory has been named one of the nation’s most affordable places to live, we know that housing is still a challenge for many working families in our community,” says Hank Guess, Hickory mayor. “With the completion of these affordable homes, the city’s affordable housing initiative continues to demonstrate Hickory’s commitment to our citizens’ ability to live in the community where they work and play.”
JRN is in talks with the city of Hickory to create additional high-quality, low-maintenance homes for low-to-moderate income families.
“We look forward to building on this project’s success to provide creative housing solutions in the future,” Guess says.
OFFSITEK and JRN Continue Partnership
OFFSITEK and JRN also have four other projects underway in Conover, Lincolnton, Mooresville and West Charlotte, all in North Carolina.
“Partnering with municipalities, local governments and their housing authority and community development partners allows us to fast-track the availability of affordable housing to own or rent,” says Rick Admani Abulha, CEO of JRN Development. “These critical partnerships and our high-tech construction process allow us to build quality, sustainable housing for working families.”