WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan group of U.S. senators, led by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, has introduced legislation aimed at increasing access to affordable housing by modernizing the federal definition of manufactured homes.
The Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025 would expand the definition to include modular or prefabricated homes built without a permanent chassis—allowing more innovative, off-chassis housing designs to qualify as manufactured housing. According to the bill’s sponsors, the measure is intended to ease regulatory barriers and make efficient, lower-cost housing models more broadly accessible.
“We must find new, innovative ways to expand affordable housing venues so more individuals can achieve the American Dream of owning their home,” Crapo stated. “It is time to throw out established norms and cut bureaucratic hurdles that stand in the way.”
Senator Tillis called the bill “commonsense legislation” and said it would support hardworking families by encouraging more affordable and flexible housing models. The legislation also received backing from Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Katie Britt (R-AL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Alex Padilla (D-CA).
Supporters say the bill addresses outdated housing regulations that prevent newer, safer, and potentially more affordable prefabricated homes from entering the market. By loosening restrictions on the construction of off-chassis manufactured homes, the senators argue, the legislation could help meet the rising demand for housing in both urban and rural communities.
“This small adjustment could unlock greater design flexibility while increasing the desperately needed affordable housing supply,” said Padilla.
The full text of the bill is available through Senator Crapo’s official website.