'Manufacturing' a solution to affordable housing problem

Rexmere Village in Davie has submitted an application with its local government to add 75 affordable single-family homes to their manufactured home community. The twist is these will be luxury manufactured homes, with four bedrooms that will sell for under $200,000 (today’s prices). They’ll be privately funded and built, not using state dollars. 

In Broward County, where only about 32% of homes selling are at affordable rates, the proposed expansion could offer homes well below the median home prices. “We are proud to be home to so many families whose work forms the backbone of our community,” said Bonnie Dale, owner of Rexmere Village. “The leaders of Davie have been regional trailblazers in wisely expanding housing options. We look forward to working with them to provide more attainable housing which will add to the vibrance of the community we love.”

The project, to be called The Reserve at Rexmere, will be on over 18 acres adjacent to the existing community, according to a press release. “By offering attractive, high-quality manufactured homes in an established land-lease community, more workers in critically important jobs like law enforcement, health care and teaching will be able to live closer to where they work, increasing their quality of life and helping to ensure a safe and vibrant community,” it added. 

This year's Live Local Act, the signature piece of legislation this year from Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, includes manufactured homes as part of the workforce housing strategy. It encourages local governments to consider manufactured homes to address the housing crunch, though Rexmere's plan was under development even before Live Local.