Congressman Pat Harrigan, representing North Carolina’s 10th District, voted in favor of H.R. 5184, known as the Affordable Housing Over Mandating Efficiency Standards Act (HOMES). The legislation aims to prevent federal energy regulations that could increase the cost of manufactured homes. Supporters argue these rules would make housing less accessible for working families, seniors, and first-time buyers.
“Manufactured homes give people a real chance to own a place of their own,” said Congressman Harrigan. “When federal agencies add new requirements without weighing the cost, families feel it immediately in the price tag. I’ve seen how hard people work just to get ahead, and housing policy should respect that reality.”
The Department of Energy has recently finalized energy standards for manufactured housing. Critics say these standards did not fully consider the specifics of factory-built construction, regional differences, or how they might affect upfront costs for buyers. The Affordable HOMES Act seeks to block enforcement of these rules and directs future recommendations to factor in affordability, construction methods used in practice, and long-term costs for homeowners.
With approval from the House of Representatives, the bill now moves on to consideration by the Senate. Congressman Harrigan is urging swift action from lawmakers to ensure affordable housing options remain available and that federal mandates do not create additional barriers to homeownership.
In 2024, Pat Harrigan won re-election against Ralph R. Scott, Jr., securing 57.5% of the vote compared to Scott’s 38.2%.
