MHI Unites Industry to Help Propel Unanimous Energy Standards Vote

Following enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, MHI secured another major victory for manufactured housing.

On July 23, HUD’s advisory committee, the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) voted unanimously to reaffirm its 2022 energy-efficiency recommendations, including MHI’s requested change regarding the frequency of air-duct testing. The vote gives HUD a practical, consensus-based path to modernize the HUD Code while protecting affordability and consumer choice.

The vote is especially important because the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act makes clear that federal energy standards for manufactured homes cannot take legal effect unless HUD adopts them through the MHCC process. The committee has now provided HUD with a complete recommendation that is ready to move forward.

Updating the Code will also help correct outdated perceptions about manufactured housing. Today’s homes already significantly exceed the current HUD Code’s energy provisions. The MHCC recommendations would better align the written standards with modern industry practices.

The outcome followed a focused MHI effort to unite the industry. MHI coordinated a letter signed by builders that collectively produce close to 95 percent of the manufactured homes built in the United States. The signatories included both MHI members and non-members, demonstrating the strength of the industry’s shared position.

MHI also urged the MHCC to move quickly to update the HUD Code to accommodate manufactured homes built without a permanent chassis, another important reform enacted through the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

The unanimous vote shows the power of a united industry speaking with one voice. MHI will continue working with HUD to advance both reforms.

Members who want more detail can review MHI’s full comment letter and the joint industry letter.