A new study highlights rising manufactured housing production in the U.S. and the expanding role of factory‑built homes in addressing the nation’s persistent affordable housing shortfall.
The Second Annual I’m HOME Manufactured Housing Industry Benchmark Report, released by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy’s Innovations in Manufactured and Modular Homes Network, finds that production of manufactured homes increased in 2024 and that federal efforts to support quality and accessibility are gaining traction.
The comprehensive report analyzes 2024 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess progress in three core areas: production and certification of homes; federal policies and regulations; and financing mechanisms that enable access to manufactured housing.
According to the report, federal agencies including HUD made substantive improvements in expanding access to durable, energy‑efficient, and affordable manufactured housing options throughout the year. At the same time, the analysis highlights ongoing barriers that limit the industry’s ability to deliver homes that consistently meet high standards of quality and sustainability.
"Manufactured homes offer a real opportunity to help meet our country's housing needs, but to truly deliver, these homes must be durable and energy efficient to ensure safe and affordable housing in the long term," said Arica Young, director of housing access and affordability at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. "This report identifies the places where good work is happening, but also highlights the opportunities the industry has to improve."
The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative, nonpartisan approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, they integrate theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide.
