Rochester Launches Modular Housing Pilot as Mayoral Challengers Criticize Timing, Scope

Mayor Malik D. Evans on Tuesday announced a pilot program to build up to nine modular or manufactured homes on vacant city-owned lots, part of a new effort to increase homeownership opportunities and provide affordable housing in Rochester.

Sample modular home from Ritz-Craft Modular Ranch Home in PA

The city released a Request for Proposals (RFP) calling on builders to design, deliver, and install high-quality, factory-built homes in Northeast Rochester, targeting 9 vacant lots on streets like Wilder, Davis, Lewis, and High. The program aims to test cost-effective housing models to address affordability, accelerate development, and expand access to owner-occupied homes for moderate-income families.

“Quality housing is the foundation of strong families, thriving neighborhoods, and a prosperous city,” Evans said. “Testing the feasibility of modular and manufactured housing is just one more way we’re creatively and strategically working to increase homeownership in the city.”

The RFP prioritizes proposals that create affordable housing for households earning 80% to 120% of the area median income (AMI), with additional affordability potentially supported through state partnerships. Qualified buyers may also be eligible for the city’s Home Purchase Assistance Program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance.

But the announcement, made just three weeks before the Democratic primary, drew immediate criticism from mayoral challenger Shashi Sinha, who accused Evans of copying elements of his housing platform in a last-minute bid to bolster his campaign.

Sinha, who has proposed a sweeping plan to build 4,000 modular homes on vacant city lots through a large-scale public works program, said the mayor’s plan lacks vision and ambition.

“Today’s announcement bears striking similarities to my housing plan,” Sinha said in a statement. “One important difference—my plan won’t hand a single dollar to a private developer. I’ll build through the largest public works program in nearly a century.”

Sinha called the mayor’s approach “reactive,” criticizing what he described as policy made in “a panic to save your re-election bid,” and pledged to offer homes at cost to families in need if elected.

City Council member and mayoral candidate Mary Lupien said the new RFP was issued to check a box and was not a real plan.

"In my campaign to be our mayor I’ve been calling for modular homes because we need housing that’s fast, affordable, and built for the people who live here now," Lupien said. "I am running to rapidly scale housing that’s actually affordable to us not just make headlines with pilot programs that don’t meet the moment."

"Nine units priced for people making 80–110% of Area Median Income, that's $66,000 to $91,000 a year, miss the mark entirely. For context, that’s almost double what I earn as a City Councilmember. I couldn’t even afford one of these homes... As mayor, I’ll take bold action to scale up truly affordable housing, prioritize residents who live here now, and use our resources to meet the real needs of our community and real estate interests or political donors."

Since taking office in 2022, Evans has overseen more than $1 billion in city-backed affordable and market-rate housing development. The new modular housing initiative is the latest in the city’s broader push to create sustainable, affordable housing options across income levels.

Proposals for the pilot program must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Monday, July 9. Full details are available at www.cityofrochester.gov/ModularHomes.

Editor's note: This article was updated 6/5/25, 8:30am to include statements from Mary Lupien.