MHC News 06/30/2025
HUD unveils game-changing reforms for manufactured homes—cutting costs, easing financing, and unlocking new designs to tackle the housing shortage head-on.
HUD's big plans for manufactured housing revealed - National Mortgage News
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is implementing major reforms to its manufactured housing program to address the national housing shortage swiftly.
Key HUD changes include:
Eliminating the permanent chassis requirement in HUD Code homes, which could reduce costs by $5,000–$10,000 per unit and enable off-chassis and multi-story designs.
Launching efforts to build a liquid secondary market for manufactured home loans, aiming to treat them comparably to traditional single-family mortgages—improving lender participation.
Expanding access to FHA Title I and Title II loan programs, including updated loan limits and faster underwriting processes, supported by congressional and Ginnie Mae leadership.
Accelerating adoption of new HUD Code standards that allow up to four-unit structures and multi-story modular layouts, while issuing “alternative construction” letters to reduce regulatory delays.
HUD aims to make manufactured housing quicker, safer, and more affordable, increasing production and acceptance.
New mobile home park offers affordability - octodaydispatch.com
In West Ocean City, Maryland, developer Mark Odachowski is redefining affordable coastal living through Salt Life, a 92-home manufactured home community offering upscale amenities at modest prices.
Priced in the $200,000s, the new two-bedroom homes provide rare affordability in a high-demand resort market. The community blends homeownership with ground rent, covering services like water, sewer, trash pickup, lawn care, and mosquito control—creating a low-maintenance lifestyle.
Salt Life includes 34 new manufactured homes and 58 renovated units on Old Bridge Road, anchored by a clubhouse and pool. The development emphasizes long-term residency and community over short-term rentals, cultivating a neighborly, beachy environment.
Odachowski, who repurposed land from his own property for the project, says Salt Life showcases the difference between a traditional trailer park and a modern, well-managed manufactured home community.
Amid rising housing costs and limited sewer access for new developments, Salt Life stands out as a smart, sustainable response to the region’s affordable housing crisis.
Outlook Positive for Manufactured Housing Nationwide - Manufactured Homes
The North American manufactured housing market is experiencing steady growth, driven by rising housing costs, construction delays, and increasing demand for affordable living options.
Manufactured homes offer a cost-effective, energy-efficient alternative to traditional site-built homes, appealing especially to low- and middle-income households. Their off-site construction allows for faster delivery and lower energy use, making them ideal for both environmentally conscious and budget-focused buyers.
Single-section homes remain the most popular due to affordability and ease of installation, though multi-section homes are gaining traction for those seeking more space and customization.
The U.S., especially the Southern and Western states, leads the market. Financing options are expanding, improving access to ownership across income levels. Additionally, zoning reforms are helping to integrate manufactured housing into urban planning.
Ownership models include land-lease communities and owner-occupied lots, with retirees and first-time buyers driving demand.
As sustainable housing awareness rises, eco-friendly manufactured homes are becoming an increasingly attractive and viable solution to America’s housing affordability crisis.