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When disaster strikes, recovery can be long and costly, especially for low- and moderate-income families who already face housing insecurity. The Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program offers federal funds to help communities rebuild, but knowing how to use these funds effectively can be challenging.
One potential yet often underutilised solution is mobile homes.
For cities, non-profits, and community leaders, here is how manufactured housing fits into the CDBG-DR toolkit, and how it can stretch limited resources further and house people faster.
What Is CDBG-DR?
The CDBG-DR is a US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-funded program that supports long-term recovery in areas impacted by federally declared disasters. Administered by state housing agencies like California’s Housing and Community Development (HCD), these funds help address unmet needs after insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the US Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance have been exhausted.
Housing is the largest category for funding, and manufactured homes are eligible when they replace or restore disaster-damaged housing stock.
California’s 2023 to 2024 CDBG-DR Action Plan includes $416.6 million in disaster recovery funds, with manufactured housing featured as part of the key component. Of the total damaged homes, 41.2% were manufactured homes, which highlights their vulnerability to flood and storm damage in rural and low-income communities.
The plan includes a dedicated Manufactured Housing Replacement & Elevation (MHRE) program. The draft was open for public comment from March 14 to April 14, 2025, and was finalized and submitted to HUD on April 1, 2025. With HUD now reviewing the plan, California has already released a multifamily housing NOFA, which is currently under evaluation.
Additional NOFAs, including one for manufactured housing replacement and elevation, are expected to be published in the coming weeks under HUD’s updated Universal Notice timeline. Once approved and issued, funds will become available to eligible homeowners and developers through competitive application processes.
Mobile Homes Are Eligible: Here’s How
The CDBG-DR funds can support manufactured housing in several ways to help communities rebuild quickly. Here’s how cities, counties, and non-profits can use these funds.
1. Replace Damaged Homes
Use CDBG-DR funds to replace homes that were destroyed or severely damaged by the disaster with new, HUD-code manufactured homes. These homes meet modern safety and energy efficiency standards so that residents have safe and permanent housing.
2. Develop Manufactured Home Communities
Funds can also be used to develop new manufactured housing communities or expand existing ones, provided they are built on permanent, engineered foundations that comply with local hazard mitigation plans. This helps create long-term housing solutions that are both resilient and affordable.
3. Rehabilitate Existing Manufactured Homes
Older manufactured homes that suffered partial damage can be rehabilitated using the CDBG-DR funds. Upgrades might include raising homes above flood levels, strengthening wind resistance, and installing improved utilities. This investment brings homes up to current safety codes and helps protect residents from future disasters.
4. Install Supporting Infrastructure
The fund can also cover the installation or repair of infrastructure such as roads, drainage, utilities, and flood protection measures. This ensures that manufactured housing communities are resilient to future hazards.
All projects must meet the “tieback” requirement, and each home must directly address damage caused by a federally declared disaster. With that, funding supports true recovery and meets federal guidelines.
Why Mobile Homes Work Well in Disaster Recovery
Manufactured housing offers advantages that make it an excellent choice for cities and non-profits working on disaster recovery.
- Speed. Unlike traditional site-built construction, which can take months (or even years) to complete, manufactured homes can be delivered and installed in a matter of weeks. Families can move back into safe and permanent housing sooner.
- Affordability. Manufactured homes cost less to produce and install compared to conventional homes. The CDBG-DR funds can stretch further to help cities and non-profits serve more households with the same allocation. These projects are great for communities with limited resources.
- Resilience. Modern HUD-code manufactured homes are built to rigorous federal standards and, when installed on engineered foundations, can meet or exceed local building codes. These homes are designed to withstand wind, rain, and other hazards common in disaster-prone areas.
In the face of disaster, manufactured homes offer an equitable solution for housing projects in disaster recovery. With mobile homes, communities can help every survivor have access to safe and permanent housing and the opportunity to rebuild their lives where they belong.
What Considerations Should You Keep in Mind
Cities and non-profits should know about the program requirements and community needs. From compliance with income limits to making sure proper site control and foundation types, careful planning and documentation can deliver effective housing solutions. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Tieback Documentation
Maintain thorough records linking each housing unit to a disaster-related loss or an unmet need. This requirement, known as “tieback,” ensures that the CDBG-DR funds are used appropriately and that your project remains eligible for reimbursement. Documentation can include the FEMA assessments, local building inspections, and non-profit reports.
2. Income Limits
Remember that at least 70% of CDBG-DR funds must benefit low- to moderate-income (LMI) households. This aligns with the reality that many manufactured home residents often face high rent burdens, limited insurance coverage, and higher poverty rates, making them particularly vulnerable in disaster recovery.
3. Site Control
Secure legal site control, either through ownership or a long-term lease, before investing the CDBG-DR funds in home installation or community improvements. Funds should be used efficiently, so that projects can proceed without unexpected legal hurdles.
4. Local Codes
Coordinate closely with your local planning and building departments to comply with zoning, hazard mitigation, and foundation requirements. California’s CDBG-DR Action Plan, for example, highlights the importance of flood risk mitigation and hazard-resistant design in manufactured home communities.
5. Foundation Type
Use permanent, engineered foundations for all long-term installations. These protect homes from hazards like flooding and high winds. They also help prevent future displacement and preserve the integrity of the housing community.
Steps to Implement Mobile Housing Projects
According to California’s 2023 to 2024 CDBG-DR Action Plan, cities and non-profits should do the following.
Step #1: Inventory and Document Damaged Manufactured Homes
Use FEMA data, local building departments, and non-profits to confirm the number and condition of damaged homes, prioritizing clusters in high-need areas. Applicants can request access to FEMA IA data through their local recovery coordination office or by contacting HCD’s Disaster Recovery team directly.
Step #2: Apply for Housing Recovery Funds
Eligible applicants, such as local governments, tribes, and non-profits, must submit applications through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) official grants management portal, eCivis Grants Portal.
Each housing-related program under the CDBG-DR Action Plan will be launched through a NOFA.
To apply:
- Visit the eCivis Grants Portal.
- Search for available CDBG-DR funding opportunities under the "Disaster Recovery" category.
- Register your organization if you haven't already.
- Prepare your application based on the NOFA requirements, including project scope, budget, environmental compliance, and certifications.
- Submit your application directly through the portal.
If you need help or have questions, you may contact the HCD Disaster Recovery team by emailing disasterrecovery@hcd.ca.gov.
You can also visit the California HCD disaster recovery page for program updates, resources, and announcements related to funding availability.
Step #3: Coordinate with HCD on Eligibility
Confirm that manufactured housing projects align with programs like the Disaster Recovery Multifamily Housing Program (DR-MHP) and meet the HUD requirements.
Step #4: Support Homeowners with Unmet Needs
Assist residents in navigating the FEMA, the SBA, or the CDBG-DR processes and provide help with appeals or supplemental funds.
Step#5: Develop Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMPs)
Update LHMPs to include manufactured housing community vulnerabilities and pursue funds for mitigation measures like elevation or drainage.
Step #6: Advocate for Infrastructure Repairs
Identify damaged roads, utilities, and drainage systems serving mobile home parks, and apply for infrastructure funds (26% of total allocation) to ensure community resilience.
Step #7: Monitor and Prevent Displacement
Partner with legal aid or non-profits to track evictions, rent hikes, or redevelopment threats that might affect residents.
Step #8: Ensure Community Outreach
Provide disaster recovery information in multiple languages and hold local meetings near MH parks to inform and empower residents.
Tip: Remember to assign a dedicated staff member or team to oversee each step so no detail gets overlooked, helps coordinate efforts across departments and partners, and keeps the project moving forward smoothly. Having a consistent point of contact builds trust with residents and speeds up communication to make it easier to meet deadlines and avoid delays.
Faster Recovery with Mobile Homes
In a time when speed and affordability matter more than ever, manufactured housing offers a solution for disaster recovery. With thoughtful planning and partnerships, municipalities and non-profits can use CDBG-DR funds to deliver high-quality and permanent homes faster and at lower cost, keeping families safe and communities strong.
ModWest works with non-profits and public agencies to supply, deliver, and install HUD-code mobile homes following your community’s needs.
Reach out to us today to learn how ModWest can support your recovery efforts!