Manufactured housing remains a major source of affordable, non-subsidized homeownership, but barriers persist. The column calls for stronger federal preemption against exclusionary zoning, fuller Duty to Serve support for chattel lending, and limits on standards that could raise prices.

HUD proposed a rule to allow chassis free upper floors in manufactured homes, a change developers say can cut $5,000 to $10,000 per home.

HUD proposes expanding manufactured home rules for multi-story designs, allowing upper sections without a chassis that can cost $5,000 to $10,000.