Story perspectives

California's Factory-Built Housing: A Solution or Risk?

3/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks advocates factory-assembled housing to address the state's housing crisis and formed the Assembly Select Committee on Housing Construction Innovation.
Boxabl has drawn attention for its two-bedroom Casita, which uses expanded polystyrene foam, and CFO Martin Costas says such housing addresses rising costs.
Industry leaders have raised concerns about manufacturing stability and labor in the shift toward factory-built housing.

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Story summary

California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks advocates factory-assembled housing to address the state's housing crisis and formed the Assembly Select Committee on Housing Construction Innovation.
Boxabl has drawn attention for its two-bedroom Casita, which uses expanded polystyrene foam, and CFO Martin Costas says such housing addresses rising costs.
Industry leaders have raised concerns about manufacturing stability and labor in the shift toward factory-built housing.