The Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed a rule that would permit chassis-free upper floors in manufactured homes, a structural change developers estimate could save $5,000 to $10,000 per home.
Currently, manufactured homes are limited to single-story designs due to chassis regulations that made multi-story configurations impractical. The proposed change targets HUD's manufactured home construction standards, specifically allowing vertical expansion without requiring a chassis on every floor.
Developers welcomed the proposal, arguing it could unlock denser housing options in manufactured home parks and suburban infill lots where land costs have made single-story units increasingly uneconomical. The move aligns with broader federal efforts to address housing affordability through regulatory reform.
While the cost savings are significant on a per-unit basis, industry observers note that broader barriers remain: zoning restrictions in many jurisdictions still limit manufactured home placement, and financing for these units often carries higher rates than site-built homes.
Critics caution that without complementary zoning changes, the rule's impact may be muted. The proposal is open for public comment before finalization, a process that could take months.