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Recent federal reforms removed the permanent steel chassis requirement, opening the door for more modular homes to qualify under the national manufactured housing code.
An official said that shift could speed factory-built housing, as builders gain federal code preemption and states may update rules to align.
Supporters say modern factory-built homes now closely resemble site-built homes, which could improve buyer perception over time as factories retool and designs evolve.
Housing officials also highlighted financing momentum, while one hurdle remains: state-level differences in whether homes qualify for mortgages or personal property lending.
Economists said affordable inventory remains limited, manufactured-loan originations stayed above 3% for three years, and new tracking and forecasting should bring clearer visibility.

Manufactured Housing Reforms Could Boost Starter Homes

When borrowers narrowly miss approval, advisers first test what they can sustainably afford and whether income, debt, or purchase expectations are creating the gap.
Reducing credit card limits, closing short-term payment accounts, and clearing personal or student loans can lift borrowing capacity when those changes target the main constraint.
Some borrowers may not need to wait months: advisers can structure applications around planned debt repayment or lower card limits to support conditional approval.
Preparation also means testing future repayments against current rent, trimming discretionary spending, and building savings so progress toward approval does not weaken financial resilience.
A guarantor only solves a deposit shortfall, while other paths may include savings support, asset sales, lender comparison, or a non-bank stepping stone.
Even after a decline, the process can stay active: set goals, revisit progress after three or six months, and keep the borrower moving forwar