Pre-fab housing company to open its second assembly factory in Mesa. Here's what we know

California-based Connect Homes, which pre-fabricates modular homes, announced it is opening its second factory in Mesa in early 2024.

The new facility will expand the company’s footprint into the West to “better serve and provide the region with modern, precisely engineered modular housing solutions,” according to the company’s announcement.

The Mesa facility will be three times bigger than the one in California, which has reached its capacity. About 5,000 square feet of housing per week will be built at there.

“Now is the time to grow our manufacturing base with a second state-of-the-art factory in Mesa that gives us the space to build and supply the next generation of housing,” said Deborah Casper, CEO of Connect Homes in the announcement.

The company will initially hire 90 employees with the with the potential for more at its Mesa factory. It's currently hiring for various positions at the facility.

The types of housing Connect Homes builds range from three-story homes to one-bedroom modules.

Since its launch in 2012, the company has developed 122 homes, over 800 modules and built 37 casitas in California.

The cost of a home ranges from$208,000 to more than $600,000, depending on the size and customizations. Backyard casitas start at $25,000.

While Metro Phoenix’s median home price is expected to dip this fall, home sales are slowing in part because of interest rates and affordable housing inventory.

Cities are trying to become creative with the ways they can help address the housing shortage crisis, including changing zoning codes to allow for backyard casitas. In September, Phoenix did just that, and other cities that already allow casitas are looking at ways to streamline the process.

Prefabricated homes are on the rise as an option to combat the housing shortage crisis. The assembly line production lowers the overall cost of the home, according to Connect Homes.

“We are excited to begin producing and delivering quality, robust homes and continue transforming the way homes are built. The Mesa factory will be key in fulfilling our promise,” said Gordon Stott, co-founder and chief architect at Connect Homes.

Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa and Gilbert and can be reached at maritza.dominguez@arizonarepublic.com or 480-271-0646. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @maritzacdom.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Connect Homes announces second factory in Mesa to build pre-fab homes