Texas law opens door to cheaper manufactured homes as cities push back
A new Texas law, SB 785, mandates that cities allow manufactured homes in at least one residential zoning district to help address rising housing costs. However, critics argue that the law's limited scope may not provide enough housing to meet the state's growing demand.
Why it matters
This legislation represents a state-level attempt to override local zoning restrictions to increase the supply of affordable housing.
Texas is opening its housing market to cheaper manufactured homes as the state tries to tackle rising housing costs, but local zoning rules could limit the impact of the new policy.According to the New York Post, Senate Bill 785, a new Texas law regulating HUD-code manufactured housing, will take effect on September 1. The law requires cities with zoning regulations to allow new HUD-code manufactured homes by right in at least one residential zoning classification or district.The law could affect nearly 400 Texas cities, according to an estimate cited by the New York Post. It is aimed at removing local zoning barriers that have made manufactured homes legal in some communities, restricted in others and effectively prohibited in certain areas.Manufactured housing offers a substantially cheaper entry point into homeownership.
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