Housing Law Drops Manufactured Home Chassis Rule
Owners and buyers of manufactured homes should watch for state certification changes to titling, financing, and taxation before July 11, 2027.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Real Estate — General
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The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan multi-provision housing bill, was passed in July without a signature from President Trump. Attorneys at Nixon Peabody are advising clients on its provisions, which include removing the federal steel chassis requirement for manufactured homes.
Why it matters
For households shopping for manufactured homes, removing the chassis requirement could lower housing costs over time, though the change depends on states updating their own rules. The law also raises the public welfare investment cap for banks and expands tax-credit financing, which could increase affordable housing investment in communities nationwide.
The ROAD Act raises the bank public welfare investment cap from 15% to 20% and lowers the private activity bond threshold for 4% tax credits from 50% to 25%. States must certify equal treatment of manufactured homes with and without steel chassis by July 11, 2027.
The players
Nixon Peabody
A national law firm with a Washington, D.C. office that is advising clients on the ROAD Act's provisions.
President Donald Trump
The current President of the United States, whose signature was not placed on the ROAD Act when it passed in July.
The details
The ROAD Act removed the federal rule requiring manufactured homes to retain a steel chassis. By July 11, 2027, states must certify that they treat all manufactured homes consistently in titling, financing, and taxation. The law also requires state legislatures to remove chassis requirements from their books. Builders would not be eligible to build, sell, or install chassis-free manufactured homes in states that do not comply.
Timeline
July 2025: ROAD Act passed without presidential signature.
July 11, 2027: States must certify consistent treatment of manufactured homes.
The Home Front
The ROAD Act extends the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which made a temporary 12% increase in 9% LIHTC allocations permanent and cut the private activity bond threshold for 4% credits. Cities such as Philadelphia are already issuing housing bonds and establishing land banks as part of the same push.
If you are considering a manufactured home, check whether your state has updated its titling, financing, and taxation rules before July 11, 2027. Ask a licensed lender or real estate agent how any chassis-related changes would affect financing for a home you are considering.
The takeaway
Removing the chassis requirement could make manufactured homes a lower-cost option, but the change depends on your state's certification by July 11, 2027. Keep track of your state's housing rules and confirm any financing or titling questions with a licensed professional before making a decision.
What happens next
States must certify equal treatment of manufactured homes by July 11, 2027.
Further reading
For broader context on how these rules shape home prices and buying options, explore Real Estate — General.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bond Buyer.
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