Bipartisan Law Modernizes Manufactured Housing Construction Standards

The removal of the mandatory chassis requirement fundamentally alters how manufactured homes integrate into residential landscapes. By eliminating the steel structure typically found underneath these units, builders can now set homes closer to the ground on permanent foundations. This adjustment improves curb appeal and creates new possibilities for narrow urban lots and suburban subdivisions that were previously difficult to develop using traditional manufactured housing methods.

Kevin Clayton, CEO of the Maryville-based builder Clayton, described the policy as a vital step toward expanding housing variety and affordability. The shift allows for more flexible floor plans and multi-story configurations, which industry leaders argue will help address the national housing supply shortage. The Manufactured Housing Institute, which advocated for the change, noted that the update enables the industry to deliver higher-density, high-quality housing in areas where it is most needed. Moving forward, Clayton intends to collaborate with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to integrate these standards into their existing portfolio of CrossMod and modular home designs.