The order comes less than two weeks before the midterm elections, as housing affordability remains a focus for voters facing high costs. The housing market has slowed while lending costs have risen, adding to the expense of buying a home.

The White House described the measure as an effort to cut costs and regulatory barriers to homeownership. “Homeownership is a vital pillar of our great Nation,” the administration said in a statement, adding that it was working to make buying a home more affordable.

The order sets broad goals for agencies but, in the details publicly described Thursday, does not specify how much mortgage costs might fall or how many additional manufactured homes could be built. Its effect will depend on the steps agencies take and whether those actions meaningfully ease the costs confronting prospective buyers.