Affordable HOMES Act
Key claim: The Affordable HOMES Act (HR5184) rescinds the DOE’s May 31, 2022 energy conservation standards for manufactured housing, eliminates DOE’s authority to issue similar regulations, and limits DOE to cost-effectiveness-based recommendations to HUD.
Abstract
(HR5184 · 119th Congress) Affordable Housing Over Mandating Efficiency Standards Act or the Affordable HOMES Act This bill rescinds Department of Energy (DOE) energy efficiency regulations applicable to manufactured housing and eliminates DOE’s authority to issue similar regulations. Specifically, the bill rescinds the DOE final rule titled Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Manufactured Housing and published on May 31, 2022. Under the bill, DOE may provide recommendations to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for revisions to energy conservation standards applicable to manufactured housing. These recommendations must comply with criteria established by the bill, including by being based on the determination of the cost-effectiveness of such revision. Latest action (2026-01-12): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Why this matters
Manufactured housing is one of the largest sources of unsubsidized affordable homeownership in the U.S., and the DOE’s 2022 energy standards have been contested as adding upfront cost that could price out lower-income buyers. Rescinding the rule and consolidating authority at HUD would shift the trade-off between purchase affordability and long-term energy costs, with direct consequences for builders’ compliance burden, buyers’ entry prices, and renters’ utility bills.