\u201cThe sense of accomplishment you get from looking at something that you\u2019ve built, knowing that people are going to create memories and are going to be able to live portions of their life in something that you\u2019ve been a part of building,\u201d apprentice carpenter Oscar Cherry told 7NEWS.<\/p>\n
Just 18 months into the federal government\u2019s five-year housing accord, Australia is already behind by 77,000 homes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need between 80 and 100,000 additional workers if we are to build 1.2 million homes,\u201d senior economist Tim Reardon from the Housing Industry Association says.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a921a1d2306f6d17148c2b56477a197f6ab1449b.jpg\")
The housing crisis is meeting a tradie shortage. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s still a perception in modular that it\u2019s a 1970s classroom, and they\u2019re the stigmas that we really enjoy breaking,\u201d said James Briggs, owner of JBM Modular Housing.<\/p>\n
Briggs used to be a conventional builder and is now using his skills to craft a new range of prefabricated homes, offering buyers luxury and choice.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes us 32 days to complete a home,\u201d Briggs said.<\/p>\n
His factory is one of 1200 Australian companies manufacturing modular houses.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd when we say complete, when it goes to site, one or two days on site and we\u2019re done,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
![\"Modular](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/de708355506336e33ddde27134c1dd258242bbaf.jpg\")
Modular homes could help Australia meet its housing demands. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n
Prefabricated homes currently account for eight per cent of Australia\u2019s construction industry, but that figure is expected to surge to 30 per cent within seven years.<\/p>\n
Inside Briggs\u2019 facility, it is capable of building 32 homes at once.<\/p>\n
But the biggest challenge is council red tape. Financing prefabricated homes can be harder too.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, lenders have required proof of progress, which can be difficult when a house is built in a factory. But specialist loans are making it easier.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything that can be done on site, we can do here in the factory,\u201d Briggs said.<\/p>\n
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