Last night, Congressional leaders passed legislation to help stimulate the economy and increase energy efficiency. The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) strongly advocated for the passage of an amendment offered by Rep. Baron Hill of Indiana on Energy Efficient Manufactured Housing which was attached to H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010. The House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 246-161, largely along party lines. The legislation will now be referred to the Senate for consideration. For final vote results click here.

H.R. 5019 would authorize a total of $6.6 billion, primarily for a new Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program to be run by the Department of Energy (DOE) that would provide rebates to contractors for energy-efficient remodeling on existing homes. Contractors would give discounts to consumers for the retrofits and the contractors would be reimbursed by the federal government via rebates. Specifically, the manufactured housing amendment would offer $7,500 rebates which may be used to facilitate the purchase of a new Energy Star qualified home. It also adds a decommissioning grant of up to $2,500 which can only be used to cover the cost of removing the home.

Replacement of old mobile homes with new ENERGY STAR units substantially reduces energy use and improves home affordability, easing the financial burden on families struggling to meet monthly homeownership costs. It will provide substantial and sustainable energy savings and reduction in greenhouse gases, and provide a powerful engine of job creation in the United States, and improve affordability and financial stability for families most in need.

Thanks to all MHI members for their grassroots efforts on behalf of the industry. Special thanks to Ms. Stacey Epperson, President, Frontier Housing and Mr. Emanuel Levy, Executive Director, Systems Building Research Alliance for their organizations supporting efforts to replace pre-1976 mobile homes with ENERGY STAR manufactured homes.

MHI members with questions can contact Rae Ann Bevington at rbevington@mfghome.org.