Local opposition and lack of political will has helped to delay the construction of rapid build housing, according to a Dublin City Council housing expert.

Dáithí Downey, who is head of Housing Policy Research with the council, said issues in the procurement process and shortage of staff had also contributed to rapid build projects taking longer than expected.

There are currently 152 rapid build or modular units being used for housing with plans for 863 more to be built between now and the end of next year.

Mr Downey, speaking following the release of a report on the experience of families in such homes, said they had to be built to the same 60-year standards as any other new home.

That is why they are being used as permanent homes rather than temporary residences as originally planned, he said.

Each has an A3 energy rating and the cost of each unit at a scheme in Ballymun averaged €180,000, while another scheme in Finglas cost €220,000 each.

The council is now going ahead with plans for rapid build apartment blocks or volumetric builds using factory-made units.

They are being modelled on an award-winning scheme in Lewisham, London and will comprise 83 units in Darndale and 193 in Finglas south which are to be completed by the end of next year.

There are also plans for 78 in Coolock and five in the south city.

The report on families in rapid build homes was compiled by two independent researchers from the University of London who found that such schemes are a "significant means of addressing housing exclusion".

Professor Mel Nowicki said that families who moved into rapid build homes in Ballymun and Finglas had "blended" with the local community despite initial objections from existing residents.

She said overall residents were "extremely positive" about the size and quality of rapid build housing but were concerned about the long-term quality of the accommodation.

One woman reported being asked what it was like living in the "homeless houses".

A recent written reply by Dublin City Council Chief Executive Owen Keegan stated that under current streamlined housing procurement rules it still takes more than three years from concept to completion to provide public housing.

However the construction phase for rapid build is six to 12 months, compared to 15 to 24 months for traditional housing.