A new guide argues that modern methods of construction (MMC) are key to increasing the supply of affordable homes in the UK.
Published by The Housing Forum, the guide MMC for Affordable Housing Developers, aims to help public sector organisations navigate the procurement, planning, design and post-build stages of MMC projects.
It includes a detailed section on mythbusting, highlighting common assumptions people make about MMC, such as a lack of quality, difficulty in securing finance, and confusion over contracts.
Shelagh Grant, Chief Executive of The Housing Forum, said: “The guide challenges the myths surrounding procurement, contracts and costs, to help public sector organisations assess the business case for MMC, armed with accurate information.
“MMC will help the Government meet its commitment to deliver 300,000 homes a year, but also benefit affordable housing providers and its tenants. Using MMC effectively will future-proof housing supply. It leads to faster build times, minimises disruption to communities, and there are fewer defects, providing consistent quality and better as-built performance.”
Other sections within the guide include information on how to select the right form of MMC for a project. This ranges from finding the right design team to achieving a successful design, alongside tips on how to explain the project to key stakeholders such as clients and planners, and a checklist on what to look out for in the planning and design stages.
Mike Fairey, Director at Fusion Building Systems, wrote the foreword to the guide. He said: “This is a comprehensive guide to the benefits MMC can deliver alongside the barriers stopping the concepts gaining traction.
“It was developed by a cross-industry working group, with experts from all areas of the supply chain represented, including architects, manufacturers, contractors, housing associations, trade bodies, and government. It was essential to get a rounded view to understand the issues fully.”
The report was launched to Housing Forum members at a breakfast briefing on 27 September in London. The full report “MMC for Affordable Housing Developers” can be downloaded via the Housing Forum’s website.
