House Passes Energy and Commerce Legislation to Make Housing More Affordable

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09), celebrated the House passage of legislation advanced by the Committee on Energy and Commerce to make home ownership more affordable and increase consumer choice.

H.R. 5148, the Affordable HOMES Act, led by Congresswoman Houchin (IN-09), cuts through red tape encumbering the manufactured housing industry, helping to lower the cost of home ownership for millions of Americans.

Attributable to Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce:

"This legislation is essential to our work to cut red tape and lower costs for hard-working American families. The Affordable HOMES Act cuts redundant regulations to help restore the American Dream of home ownership for millions of families," said Chairman Guthrie. "Thank you to Congresswoman Houchin for your work to lead theAffordable HOMES and support our communities."

Attributable to Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09):

"As demand for affordable homes has surged, so have unnecessary costs, making the dream of homeownership slip further out of reach for Americans. The Affordable HOMES Act takes a practical approach by cutting red tape and regulations that contribute to pricing American families out of owning a home, which will increase supply and lower costs," said Rep. Houchin. "I'm proud to see the House take an important step toward restoring the American Dream with the passage of this bill."

BACKGROUND:

H.R. 5184, the Affordable HOMES Act-Rep. Houchin (IN-09)

• Manufactured homes play an important role in meeting our nation's demand for affordable housing. In 2023, approximately 16.6 million Americans resided in manufactured homes.
• Under current law, the Department of Energy (DOE) has the authority to establish energy efficiency standards for manufactured housing.
• This authority is duplicative of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) long-standing, exclusive authority over these energy codes for manufactured housing.
• This legislation streamlines the standard setting process, helps lower the cost of manufactured housing, and increases housing affordability for American home buyers.

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