Mobile and Manufactured Housing Market Characterization
Mobile and manufactured homes represent about 6% of Vermont’s housing stock. While an important source of affordable housing, manufactured housing (MH) often finds occupants burdened with higher energy usage while also facing barriers to weatherization and other efficiency upgrades. These homes also tend to rely on aging or inefficient domestic hot water systems and fossil fuel heating systems. This research assesses the landscape of energy efficiency programs available to MH residents in Vermont, their uptake, and other state and national programs that provide examples of serving this market. Ultimately, researchers determined that meaningful and lasting impact for these customers will require funding that can address structural and other repair issues in these homes (including innovative programs that can provide home repair funding and financing), and a workforce trained to the unique needs of MH customers. The research team concluded by recommending better data tracking procedures to track housing unit type and MH program activity, continuing to foster partnerships with housing stakeholders, a focus on workforce development and capacity building to serve MH homes, and oversampling MH units in future market assessments to develop a deeper understanding of MH opportunities and barriers.