HUD proposals could transform manufactured housing. Cities must be ‘nimble,’ an expert says.

As local governments seek solutions to the ongoing housing affordability crisis, recent changes to federal manufactured housing regulations may make the lower-cost housing option more attainable, experts say.

The recent HUD proposals were an “unquestionably” positive development, John Lindley, president and CEO of the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association, told Smart Cities Dive.

“But that means we do have to make changes to the actual building code for manufactured housing,” she added.

One of the most impactful aspects of HUD’s manufactured housing plan is its move to create a performance-based building code for multiunit manufactured housing, Young said.

“Housing affordability issues are largely a supply-side problem — we need more housing,” Lindley said.