On Monday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek visited Blazer Industries, inspecting the company's production of modular homes in Aumsville, which promises to add a new dimension to the state's housing strategy. The factory is gearing up to provide prefabricated residences for those affected by the Holiday Farm Fire in Lane County. Governor Kotek, during her tour, noted the urgency of the situation, "We simply need more homes to address Oregon’s housing crisis, and modular housing is a part of the solution". Her words, reported by the Governor's Office, highlight a critical step forward in disaster recovery and housing accessibility.
Blazer Industries is moving to quickly finish constructing the modular homes, a collection of which are soon destined for the redevelopment of the McKenzie Lazy Days Mobile Home and RV Park. The 2020 wildfire has left gaping wounds in the community, displacing many residents, and rebuilding efforts are imperative to not just restore, but also to reimagine what recovery can look like. The project features 20 homes for purchase and 10 RV spots, factoring in communal spaces and lifestyle amenities, details provided by the Oregon government’s official news outlet. All this is backed by significant financial muscle, $9.9 million allocated by the Oregon Legislature in 2021 to be exact.
The focus on modular housing is not just a short-term fix but is being eyed as a long-term solution to the state's broader housing woes. Blazer Industries stands as one of the four beneficiaries of the Modular Housing Development Fund (MHDF), as outlined by House Bill 2001 (2023). This fund is empowering the company with a $5 million state grant, thereby scaling their production by 50 to 100 additional homes annually, aiming to hit 250 to 300 homes each year. "They will prioritize wildfire disaster recovery units first, followed by ongoing production of units for lower and middle income homeowners" , according to the the Governor's Office.
