WASHINGTON, D.C. — Manufactured housing has taken center stage in the U.S. housing crisis, and for good reason. With over 22 million Americans living in these homes, they are one of the most critical and affordable housing options for millions. Recognizing this, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a groundbreaking $225 million in grants as part of its Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) program. This first-of-its-kind effort invests in manufactured housing communities (MHCs) to preserve, revitalize, and expand options for low- and moderate-income families, with a focus on sustainability and long-term affordability.
Slated to benefit 17 awardees across 26 states, this unprecedented investment marks the Biden-Harris Administration’s intensified commitment to affordable housing, targeting rural, urban, tribal, and disaster-impacted areas. “This is a historic investment – as the first federal grant program specifically for residents of manufactured homes,” highlighted HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman. “Manufactured housing provides an affordable path to homeownership for many families. This funding builds upon HUD’s commitment to advancing housing innovation and reducing housing costs.”
A Lifeline for Affordable Housing
Manufactured homes are one of America’s most overlooked affordable housing solutions, particularly in rural and tribal areas. Yet the challenges are daunting—many communities face aging infrastructure, rising lot rents, outdated homes, and vulnerability to extreme weather. Manufactured homeowners, especially in MHCs, often own their homes yet lease the land they sit on, leaving them exposed to rising fees or displacement.
HUD’s PRICE program is set to shake up the status quo by addressing these structural challenges head-on, offering critical resources such as:
- Repairs and rehabilitation for aging homes;
- Accessibility upgrades to better support individuals with disabilities;
- Infrastructure improvements like stormwater systems to guard against flooding;
- Resident services, including housing counseling and eviction prevention programs;
- Transition support to convert MHCs into resident-managed communities for greater financial stability.
This isn’t just about preservation—it’s about transformation. The grants will fund bold projects such as replacing old units with new, energy-efficient homes, expanding existing MHCs, and creating entirely new, resident-driven communities. And in a move that amplifies its impact, Tribal communities will receive nearly $46 million, including dedicated funding for seven distinct Tribal grantees, to address housing issues on Tribal lands where manufactured housing represents a crucial 17% of units.
“Manufactured housing is a critical tool to address the affordable housing crisis in Indian Country,” said Heidi Frechette, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Programs. “Early on, we consulted with Tribal leaders. Their input was instrumental in ensuring that this program works in Indian Country. I am excited to see the amazing projects Tribes will accomplish with this funding.”
Listening to Communities, Empowering Residents
What makes this initiative stand out is how deeply it reflects input from the manufactured housing community itself. “We heard how challenging it can be to own your home but rent the land the home sits on, and the critical need for repairs and infrastructure upgrades without increases to lot rents and fees,” explained Marion McFadden, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development. “The winning proposals invest in communities, empower residents, and prioritize long-term affordability, ensuring PRICE funding will have a transformative impact for years to come.”
This people-centric approach shifts power into the hands of residents, emphasizing sustainable solutions like resident-managed communities—a model that stabilizes rents, improves maintenance, and fosters a sense of ownership among residents.
Why This Matters
For millions of Americans, manufactured housing isn’t just an option—it’s the only affordable path to homeownership. Yet, these homes and the communities they’re part of are under constant threat from rising rents, unfair land use policies, and climate impacts. By dedicating federal funding to overhaul and rejuvenate manufactured housing, HUD is not only preserving this vital resource but elevating it to a new standard.
The PRICE program builds on past initiatives like HUD’s Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP), which has constructed nearly 30,000 homes since 1996, with over half of those located in rural areas. This history of success demonstrates that well-directed federal resources can and do transform housing for underserved populations.
Resilience is the Future
Amid growing climate risks and economic pressures, increasing resilience in manufactured housing is essential. From stormwater infrastructure to structural reinforcement, the projects funded through PRICE will ensure these homes can stand strong against extreme weather. Infrastructure improvements could be the defining difference between losing everything during a disaster and bouncing back. These grants are not just about immediate relief—they’re about futureproofing low-income communities.
A Competitive Process
The response to the inaugural PRICE competition was overwhelming. Over 175 applications poured in, representing 43 states and a range of demographics and geographics, from Tribal governments to urban nonprofits. Successful applicants demonstrated their ability to preserve affordability and stability for residents while involving community voices in planning and development. The result? Seventeen targeted, high-impact projects designed to make the biggest difference where it matters most.
A Broader Vision
The PRICE initiative is more than just another grant program. It signals a broader cultural and policy shift in how manufactured housing is viewed and supported in America. With $225 million now set to revitalize these communities, HUD is placing affordable housing at the forefront of its agenda, recognizing its central role in building strong, resilient, and thriving communities.
This bold investment is poised to deliver results that go beyond housing—it’s about enhancing lives, empowering families, and reinforcing the fundamental principle that everyone deserves safe, stable, and affordable shelter. For the millions who call manufactured housing home, this decision represents more than grants—it’s hope for a better future, one that is finally within reach.
This could very well be the moment manufactured housing moves from the fringes of America’s housing policy to its centerpiece.
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