WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5184, the Affordable Housing Over Mandating Efficiency Standards (Affordable HOMES) Act, a bipartisan bill led by Representatives Erin Houchin and Mike Flood, by a vote of 263–147. The legislation prevents the Department of Energy from enforcing duplicative energy efficiency standards on manufactured housing, restores clear regulatory authority to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and helps lower housing costs for American families.
The Affordable HOMES Act repeals a 2022 Department of Energy rule that imposed site-built housing standards on manufactured homes—standards that failed to reflect the unique construction and cost structure of factory-built housing. By restoring HUD’s long-standing role as the sole regulator of manufactured housing construction standards, the bill provides regulatory clarity while preserving affordability.
“As demand for affordable homes has surged, so have unnecessary costs, making the dream of homeownership slip further out of reach for Americans. The Affordable HOMES Act takes a practical approach by cutting red tape and regulations that contribute to pricing American families out of owning a home, which will increase supply and lower costs. I’m proud to see the House take an important step toward restoring the American Dream with the passage of this bill.” – Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)
“Hardworking families and young Americans need real solutions to lower housing costs. I was glad to work with Rep. Houchin on legislation that cuts bureaucratic red tape by ensuring HUD has final authority over manufactured housing energy standards instead of the Department of Energy. Our bill not only provides greater certainty for homebuilders; it is also a much-needed step toward making the American Dream of homeownership more affordable.” – Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance Chairman Mike Flood (NE-01)
“Affordable homeownership should be Congress’s top economic priority. This bill makes progress by unlocking production of manufactured housing and lowering prices by up to $10,000 per unit. Coming off a big bipartisan vote in the House, the Senate should pass this—fast—to start cutting costs in the housing market.” – Rep. Jake Auchincloss (MA-04)
“There’s a long list of bad Department of Energy regulations that harm both current and aspiring homeowners, and this bill addresses one of them. For the sake of housing affordability—especially for those struggling to buy their first home, we urge swift passage.” – Ben Lieberman, Senior Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute
“For over five decades, HUD has served as the sole regulator of construction standards for our industry, ensuring a balanced approach to safety, durability, and affordability. The Affordable HOMES Act is essential to restoring regulatory clarity, certainty, and efficiency—maintaining affordability as Congress intended when it established the HUD Code.” – Manufactured Housing Institute
“We support the Affordable HOMES Act because it is good for housing affordability, and it is good for housing supply. An abundance and affordability agenda requires streamlined, efficient, and feasible regulation that enhances and supports innovation and cost efficiencies.” – National Housing Conference
With House passage secured, supporters are urging the Senate to take up the Affordable HOMES Act promptly to deliver meaningful cost relief and expand access to homeownership nationwide.