Zero-Energy Ready Manufactured Homes for Resilient Communities

Manufactured homes built to federal HUD standards are an affordable option for housing, and we need more affordable housing. They are often found in suburban or rural communities which are often those hardest hit during volatile weather events. With extreme weather events on the rise, it stands to reason that more of these communities could be in harm's way, especially as bad weather becomes more intense and less predictable. In this session, we will discuss work being done to improve manufactured homes, both in upgrades and in new manufacturing, including the DOE's Requirements for Zero-Energy Ready Manufactured Homes. We will examine the steps necessary to bring this and other higher standards of manufactured homes to under-resourced communities. We will share potential approaches for replacing existing manufactured homes with ZERH-certified manufactured homes, and the rationale and long-term cost benefits of doing so. And finally, we will discuss how program mechanisms may encourage additional interventions to increase both dwelling and community resilience.