Move-In MA RFI (Municipalities and local stakeholders)

Purpose of Request for Information (RFI)

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (“HLC”), is seeking responses to this Request for Information (“RFI”) to gather information to assist in the development of a potential pilot program to support the installation of manufactured or modular single family homes in the Commonwealth (Move-In MA) from municipalities that either own or have identified sites that may be well suited for such a program. To help inform responses, this RFI describes how the new program could work and how municipalities could get involved to support cost effective homeownership opportunities in their communities. If you are interested in submitting a response to this RFI, please read through the instructions and then complete this form by August 28, 2026. This RFI is essential to determining demand and viability for launching the program later in 2026. 

Background on Move-in MA

Inspired by the efforts of Move-In NY, HLC is exploring whether a similar program (Move-In MA) could work well in Massachusetts. The goal of the program would be to expand homeownership opportunities for households earning 70-130% AMI through the use of innovative housing production models. The end result would be attractive single-family ranch-style homes in residential neighborhoods with existing public water and wastewater systems, or areas where infrastructure upgrades can be made in a reasonably economic way. The program would be intended to provide new housing stock to communities where production of housing affordable for these income levels is infeasible without substantial additional subsidies. The homes produced through Move-In MA would likely be CrossMod® homes. These are manufactured homes that are built in a factory and installed via a crane on a permanent foundation and meet certain criteria that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have determined make them comparable to traditional homes in several respects – including for appraisal, expected appreciation, and access to traditional mortgage lending products or equivalents. A standard CrossMod is about 1,500 square feet, with three bedrooms, two baths, a driveway and a garage or Car Port, owned along with the land underneath like a traditional single family home.  

CrossMods® are built to high standards of quality, energy efficiency and resilience to ensure comfort, durability, and energy-efficiency. They are appraised against site-built homes and financeable via conventional lenders through Fannie Mae’s MH Advantage® program and Freddie Mac’s CHOICEHome® program. The New York program relies on the use of CrossMod® homes, which are necessarily “manufactured homes” built to the Federal Manufactured HUD code as opposed to the otherwise applicable building code. It is possible HLC could ultimately design a program that includes modular dwellings of similar size and quality that would meet the latest building code standards.  

How the program would work

For the purposes of this RFI, please assume Move-in MA would work as follows: 

1. After the program is announced, a developer (non-profit or for-profit) with site control and a formal letter of municipal support would apply to the program for financial assistance to purchase a CrossMod® or modular dwelling unit. 
2. Financial assistance would be prioritized for applicants with sites that are as ready to build on as possible (zoning in place, adequate infrastructure, site preparedness, minimal barriers which would delay production). 
3. Financial assistance would likely take the form of a 0% loan to the developer to purchase a CrossMod or modular unit and to do any final site work needed.  
4. When the site and the home are ready, the home would be delivered and installed on the foundation using a crane. Generally, homes are completed and ready for occupancy about three months after delivery. 
5. The developer would then sell the home to an income-eligible homebuyer, targeting incomes of 70-130% AMI.  
6. Proceeds from that sale (or a portion thereof) are returned to the program to be used to support additional projects. 

Additional details

1. HLC is most interested in learning about sites where infrastructure and site preparation needs are less than $50,000/home built. This could include site grading, septic installation, well installation, utility hookup extensions, or other similar infrastructure improvements needed to make the site ready for a foundation and CrossMod® installation.  
2. HLC is seeking information on sites where a developer could have site control within 3 months of being awarded financial assistance, either through a private sale, land donation, or previous ownership. 
3. HLC anticipates prioritizing sites where at least 5 homes could be installed on the same site or adjacent sites, to save on labor and logistical costs.  
4. All CrossMod® homes are, definitionally, “manufactured homes” under federal law and HUD regulations, but need to meet additional specifications and certification requirements to earn that designation. These specifications are included in this informational document published by Freddie Mac, while this document uses the term “CHOICEHome®,” please understand that the applicable standards are identical; the “CHOICEHome®” mortgage product was developed to help finance CrossMod® homes. While CrossMod®/CHOICEHome® units are similar to site-built homes in most respects, respondents should confirm with relevant stakeholders, such as a planning board or town counsel, as to whether zoning or other municipal regulations would make siting CrossMods® infeasible in your community. 
5. HLC is open to feedback and ideas on how a Move-In MA program would need to be structured to be responsive to the specific needs of interested communities. At this time, HLC is considering a pilot of around 10-20 homes and so would likely focus on the sites and municipalities who are most ready to move quickly. If the program expands, additional infrastructure or planning support may be available over time.