Earlier this month, HUD released its Next Generation Manufactured Housing Action Planpdf, laying out how the agency will update federal manufactured housing standards following enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The new law removed the long-standing requirement that manufactured homes be built on a permanent chassis, opening the door to new designs and construction methods.
Under the plan, HUD intends to update energy efficiency standards, revise construction, foundation and installation requirements for chassis-free homes, and explore a performance-based code for larger factory-built buildings. HUD also plans to develop resources on early chassis-free projects covering topics such as zoning, appraisal, lending and insurance, and to help modular and other factory builders that now build to state and local codes start producing homes under the federal manufactured housing code.
The changes are not yet in effect, as HUD must first update its regulations. NAR supported the manufactured housing provisions in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and will engage with HUD as it implements the plan.
