The problem
Hawaii’s laws make it difficult to build affordable manufactured or prefabricated homes. Even federally approved houses face barriers related to zoning, homeowners associations and utility hookups.
High costs
Factory-built homes can cost up to 30% less and sell for approximately 66% less than site-built homes.
Slow construction times
Prefabricated homes can be built up to 50% faster, helping meet urgent housing needs.
Missed opportunity
Inconsistent rules prevent safe, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-certified homes from being used widely.
Learn more about why it matters
HB1719
This bill would modernize state law to allow manufactured homes that comply with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's building standards to be legal by right in all urban residential zones.
How it would work:
Equal zoning treatment
Would allow HUD-certified manufactured homes wherever single-family homes are permitted, without special permits or discretionary approvals.
Utility access
Would require counties to provide water, sewer and electricity connections to manufactured homes on the same terms as site-built housing.
No design discrimination
Would prevent counties and homeowners associations from banning HUD-certified manufactured homes through aesthetic or design standards.
In effect, the bill would ensure that homes approved by the federal government are not banned at the local level based simply on how they are built. This would expand housing options while maintaining established safety standards.
Frequently asked questions
Are manufactured homes safe?
Yes. Manufactured homes would be required to meet federal manufactured housing standards. This bill would expand housing options without compromising safety.
Would this bill turn my neighborhood into a “trailer park”?
No. The stigma of manufactured homes being built only for mobile home communities is long gone. Many of these homes look and feel like homes that were built on site.
Would this bill override local zoning?
No. Manufactured homes would be allowed only where residential housing is already permitted.
What other states allow manufactured housing?
Manufactured housing is already helping to ease the housing crisis across the mainland, from West Coast states such as California, Washington and Oregon to Maryland and Maine on the East Coast. Why? These homes cost much less — up to 30% less than a similar site-built home. Hawaii is lagging behind.
Who supports this?
