High school students in Boulder, Colorado, are participating in a program that provides trade skills education through the construction of affordable modular homes. This initiative, a partnership between the Boulder Valley School District, the City of Boulder, and Flatirons Habitat for Humanity, aims to address local housing needs while preparing students for careers in the construction trades. The first two homes built under the program were delivered and installed in November at the Ponderosa Mobile Home Park.
Program Overview and Structure
The program operates from a 32,000-square-foot modular home factory located on land owned by the Boulder Valley School District. The City of Boulder financed the facility's construction for $13 million, utilizing funds from federal, state, and private foundation grants and loans. Flatirons Habitat for Humanity manages the program, which participating organizations describe as a unique three-way partnership. The factory commenced operations in February.
Student Engagement and Skill Development
Students enrolled in the program receive academic credit and hands-on experience in various construction trades. This practical experience is intended to prepare them for future careers. For example, student June Baker identified a labeling discrepancy during a drywall installation, which resulted in an adjustment to factory procedures. High school senior Sean McCormick assisted with the delivery of the first homes and plans to pursue trade school and an apprenticeship in either electrical work or pipefitting upon graduation in May. A 2025 report from the American Institute of Constructors projects a need for over 500,000 skilled construction workers in the U.S. in the coming years.
Addressing Housing Needs
The modular homes are intended for residents of the Ponderosa Mobile Home Park. This park experienced damage during a 2013 flood, after which the city acquired the property, enhanced its infrastructure, and partnered with Habitat for Humanity to upgrade housing options. In November, the initial two homes constructed by the students were transported to the park and installed on foundations. Residents of the park have the option to remain in their existing mobile homes or purchase one of the newly constructed modular houses.
Dan McColley, CEO of Flatirons Habitat for Humanity, stated that the program offers an opportunity for families who have resided in housing that needed upgrading, some for decades, to obtain new, energy-efficient residences.
Homeownership Details and Affordability
New homeowners participating in the program receive subsidized mortgages structured according to their income. They are also required to contribute "sweat equity" by working alongside students and professional supervisors at the modular home factory.
The homes are 1,150 square feet and feature three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The estimated total cost per house ranges from $350,000 to $450,000. This figure is lower than Boulder's median single-family home price, which exceeded $1.3 million last year.
Maribel Gonzalez-Rodriguez, a single mother of four, is one of the new homeowners. She currently resides in an older mobile home within the park. Her new two-story home is expected to provide increased space, including a private room, and direct views of the mountains. Gonzalez-Rodriguez has resided in Boulder for approximately 25 years and is employed in a downtown hotel kitchen.