Modular Building Institute Applauds Recognition of Housing Innovation in White House Economic Report

The Modular Building Institute (MBI) today welcomed the release of the White House’s 2026 Economic Report of the President, which highlights the critical importance of expanding housing supply, strengthening domestic manufacturing, and modernizing construction practices to support economic growth.

The report underscores the urgent need to address housing affordability challenges and increase housing production nationwide—issues at the core of MBI’s mission.

Notably, the report calls for “unleashing manufacturing innovation” and “streamlining the stages of homebuilding” as key solutions to the housing shortage (Chapter 6, p. 150)—a framework that closely aligns with modular and offsite construction. Specifically, three national offsite construction standards developed by MBI were touted as goals for industry alignment:

• ICC/MBI 1200 Standard for Off-site Construction: Planning, Design, Fabrication and Assembly
• ICC/MBI 1205 Standard for Off-site Construction: Inspection and Regulatory Compliance
• ICC/MBI 1210 Standard for Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Systems, Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation in Off-site Construction

“Washington is clearly signaling that housing must be built with a more manufacturing-centric mindset,” said Tom Hardiman, Executive Director of the Modular Building Institute. “That’s exactly what modular construction delivers—speed, scale, and efficiency. This report is a strong validation of the approach our industry has been advancing.”

The report further emphasizes reducing regulatory barriers and improving construction productivity as key drivers of affordability and economic resilience. These priorities align closely with modular construction’s ability to:

• Accelerate project timelines by 30–50%
• Reduce construction costs and material waste
• Deliver high-quality, repeatable housing solutions at scale
• Support domestic manufacturing and workforce development

Additionally, the report highlights the importance of strengthening America’s industrial base and supply chains—areas where modular construction is uniquely positioned to contribute through factory-based production and standardized processes.

“Modular construction is not just an alternative—it’s increasingly part of the national conversation on how to solve housing at scale,” Hardiman added. “We’re encouraged to see that direction reflected at the highest levels of economic policy.”

MBI continues to advocate for policies that support offsite construction, including streamlined regulations, workforce development initiatives, and increased adoption of standardized building practices.