The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the most extensive update to the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards in over three decades. This update includes 90 new or revised standards aimed at modernizing manufactured home features, increasing consumer demand, and expanding America's affordable housing supply.
The updates are designed to expedite the home production process by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and eliminating the need for manufacturers to obtain alternative construction approvals for materials that already meet or exceed HUD standards. These changes are intended to help build more manufactured homes, thereby lowering housing costs for American families.
"Manufactured homes are an affordable housing option for Americans across the country," said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. "This update of the HUD Code is long overdue and will help increase production while also ensuring modern designs to suit the needs of families."
HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Housing Julia Gordon discussed these changes at a press conference in Elkhart, Indiana, home of the RV and Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame.
The announcement coincides with the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act. Effective as federal law on August 22, 1974, this Act authorized HUD to establish nationally preemptive federal standards for all manufactured homes built in the United States. Today, these standards are administered by HUD’s Office of Manufactured Housing Programs.
HUD aims to increase the supply of safe and quality affordable housing through these updates. In addition to the final rule, HUD’s Office of Manufactured Housing Programs issued an industry-wide Alternative Construction Letter allowing manufacturers to gain approval for multi-unit manufactured homes immediately rather than waiting six months for new standards to take effect.
"The changes to the HUD Code we’ve finalized today will expand choices among manufactured homes available for homebuyers while increasing production and availability of innovative designs that are safer, modern, and comparable to site-built homes," said Assistant Secretary Gordon. "These updates will bring the HUD Code in alignment with today’s construction standards and reduce operational complexity for manufacturers."
Key additions include:
- Up to four-unit manufactured homes: Regulatory changes allow single-family manufactured homes up to four dwelling units while ensuring fire safety.
- Open floor plans: Updated requirements enable open floorplans that maintain fire safety.
- Ridge roof designs: Revised definitions allow certain roof ridge designs without specific on-site inspections by a HUD-approved agency.
- Modern materials: Updates align material reference standards with other building codes.
- Accessibility improvements: Modifications comply with national disability standards.
- Energy-saving appliances: New standards allow more modern appliances without needing alternative construction approvals.
- Process efficiencies: Improved language increases flexibility for installers; updated water system piping testing procedures decrease on-site testing time; appliance QR codes reduce paperwork.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, increasing high-quality manufactured housing supply has been prioritized as part of its Housing Supply Action Plan. The plan aims to close the supply gap and provide affordable homes nationwide.
Throughout its five decades, the HUD Code has evolved to meet those seeking manufactured housing as an alternative to traditional site-built homes.
