Cheaper manufactured homes could be having a moment, is Montana catching up?

A federal change could cut $5,000 to $10,000 from manufactured home costs.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act eliminated the decades-old requirement that manufactured homes be built on steel chassis, a move that may open doors for more affordable, multi-family housing. However, states must update their laws by July 11, 2027, or 2028 if biennial, to align with this federal shift and unlock its full potential.

Removing the chassis mandate allows homes to be stacked, reducing construction and material expenses. Manufactured homes already cost roughly half as much per square foot as site-built houses, but the chassis added unnecessary weight and expense. Experts like Stephanie Hawke of UC Berkeley note that the steel chassis complicated multi-unit development. Meanwhile, zoning restrictions remain a hurdle: in Texas, for example, 33% of localities have explicit restrictions on manufactured housing, with additional localities allowing them only via special hearings or permits. Pew Charitable Trusts estimates 30 states must revise statutes to comply. Some states, including North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, have begun modernizing their definitions.

States face a ticking clock to update regulations, with compliance deadlines set for mid-2027 or 2028.

Montana’s expansive rural landscapes and tradition of independent land use might influence how readily such zoning reforms take hold. If Montana updates its laws, it could see more cost-effective manufactured housing developments that suit its dispersed population and housing affordability challenges. This shift might alter the state’s housing market dynamics, especially in smaller communities where multi-family options are limited.

Cheaper manufactured homes could be having a moment, if only states can catch up
By Robbie Sequeira, Stateline