City turns to modular homes in effort to revive the Ville

St. Louis is preparing to test a new way to rebuild long-vacant blocks in the Ville — by putting houses back where homes once stood.

The St. Louis Development Corporation has approved a pilot project that would bring about 10 new homes to empty lots in the historic North St. Louis neighborhood, an area still recovering from years of disinvestment and damage from the May 16 tornado.

Under the plan, SLDC will partner with Module Building Systems, a St. Louis-based builder that specializes in modular construction. The homes would be placed on city-owned land controlled by the Land Reutilization Authority and the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority.

City officials say the goal is straightforward: replace empty lots with real houses — and do it faster and at a lower cost than traditional construction.

The project would be paid for with $3.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds. If all goes as planned, construction would wrap up by the end of 2026.

Unlike mobile homes, modular houses are built in sections inside a factory and then assembled on permanent foundations on site. Once installed, they are treated like any other house — subject to local building codes and not designed to be moved.

Module Building Systems says the finished homes look and function like traditionally built houses, using standard materials and construction methods. The difference, developers say, is speed. Because much of the work happens indoors, weather delays are reduced and homes can be completed in months instead of nearly a year.

SLDC estimates the houses would be built on 3 to 5 acres along the 4100 and 4200 blocks of Aldine Avenue, in the Ville and Greater Ville neighborhoods. Many of the surrounding blocks were hit hard by the May tornado, which tore roofs from homes and deepened the area’s housing challenges.

The approach is known as infill housing — building new homes on empty lots in established neighborhoods. Supporters say it can help stabilize blocks where residents have stayed, reducing vacancy and making it easier for communities to hold on to schools, services and neighborhood pride.

City officials say the homes would be sold or rented to households earning less than 80% of area median income, a level often used to define workforce and moderate-income housing.

At a recent community meeting, SLDC leaders said they want residents involved as plans move forward. A public introduction to Module Building Systems is expected in February 2026, with additional meetings planned during construction.

For neighbors who have watched block after block sit empty, the test will be whether the project delivers more than plans and promises — and whether it leads to lasting reinvestment in one of St. Louis’ most storied Black neighborhoods.

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.