WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a significant bipartisan victory, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Affordable Housing Over Mandating Efficiency Standards (HOMES) Act on Friday, January 9, 2026. The bill, led by Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) and Rep. Mike Flood (NE-01), passed with a strong 263–147 vote.
The legislation aims to tackle the rising costs of homeownership by cutting through federal red tape that has historically burdened the manufactured housing industry.
For years, manufactured housing has been caught in a “regulatory tug-of-war” between two federal agencies: the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Energy (DOE).
Critics of the dual-oversight model argue that a 2022 DOE rule treated factory-built homes like traditional site-built houses, ignoring the unique way manufactured homes are designed. This overlap, according to Rep. Houchin, drove up prices for the very families seeking affordable options.
The Affordable HOMES Act addresses this by:
- Restoring Authority: Re-establishes HUD as the primary regulator for manufactured housing construction and safety standards.
- Eliminating Duplication: Removes the Department of Energy’s ability to enforce conflicting energy efficiency mandates.
- Lowering Costs: Advocates state the bill could reduce the price of new units by up to $10,000, making them more accessible for first-time homebuyers, seniors, and working families.
The bill saw support from both sides of the aisle, including its lone Democratic co-sponsor, Rep. Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), who emphasized that increasing the supply of manufactured and modular housing is vital to building our way out of the current housing crisis.
“As demand for affordable homes has surged, so have unnecessary costs, making the dream of homeownership slip further out of reach,” Rep. Houchin stated. “This bill takes a practical approach by cutting red tape and regulations that contribute to pricing American families out of owning a home.”
With the House passage secured, the bill now moves to the U.S. Senate. Supporters are urging a quick vote to deliver immediate relief to the housing market, which has seen a 10% increase in reliance on manufactured homes for new single-family starts in recent years.
