The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published its proposals for updating the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, commonly referred to as the HUD Code.

The proposed updates were published in the Federal Register and are the largest set of changes to the HUD Code in over two decades. HUD said the updates support the Biden administration’s priority of expanding the supply of manufactured housing to help address the nation’s housing supply shortage.

“Manufactured homes are an important element of the nation’s affordable housing supply,” Assistant Secretary for Housing Julia Gordon said in a release. “These proposed updates, when final, will help to expand the availability of safe and affordable homes that align with current design trends and construction methods.”

The proposed rule will bring the HUD Code in line with more recent manufactured housing industry standards and further improve the quality and safety of manufactured home construction, the agency said.

Proposed changes in the rule will facilitate innovation and greater production of manufactured homes with features that are sought-after by consumers and that are common consumer needs for modern living, including multi-unit dwellings, ridge-roof designs, open floor plans, truss designs, specifications for attics and accessibility improvements

HUD said the updates will enact a significant number of recommendations made by the federally mandated Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee. They also will eliminate the need for manufacturers to obtain alternative construction approvals for frequently requested features and materials that already meet or exceed HUD standards.

The proposed updates are available for public comment for 60 days.