SEVEN MANUFACTURED HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS SELECTED
FOR NATIONAL HOUSING INNOVATION AWARDS

This new awards program, which recognizes developers whose innovative construction techniques can lower the cost of homebuilding, is an initiative of the 58-member homeownership partnership which includes HUD and the housing industry.

"These award-winning developments prove that there is great room for more innovation and creativity in homebuilding -- especially in the manufactured housing sector," said Stegman, the HUD Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. "Innovations can reduce costs for homebuyers -- a critical step in making the American Dream of homeownership come true for more families."

Jerry Connors, President of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), said, "These awards exemplify the fact that manufactured housing plays a significant role in meeting the need for affordable housing in America's communities."

In addition to the seven awards for manufactured housing developments, Stegman presented an award for a conventional or "stick-built" project developed by a firm receiving recognition for its work on a manufactured housing project.

Innovative housing developments recognized today are:

• Canterbury Communities, North Carolina -- The Canterbury Communities are four separate manufactured housing developments in the Raleigh-Durham area. The developments at Pinecroft in Youngsville, Lexington in Apex, Bridgegate in Wendell and Fairview in Fuquay-Varina, will add more than 350 affordable homes throughout the region. Developed by Pulte Home Corporation, Canterbury Communities homes are constructed by R-Anell Custom Homes and delivered to building sites, where additions such as porches and garages are added. Home prices range from $25,000 to $30,000 below those of comparable, site-built homes.

• LongView, Longmont, CO -- LongView is a 400-unit, 80 acre land-lease community being developed by McStain Enterprises, Inc. Homes in LongView average 1,450 square feet and sell for $58,000 to $75,000 in a market where the median price for a new, single-family detached home is $139,000. Fleetwood Enterprises is the exclusive manufacturer of the homes, which feature energy-efficient design and construction to promote truly affordable homeownership.

• High Meadows, Florence, CO -- High Meadows is a rural subdivision of 158 homesites incorporating both manufactured housing and site-built homes. The manufactured homes offer such site-built additions as garages and porches. Homes sell for an average of $104,000, about 75 percent of the median price in the market. This community, developed by High Meadows Development Company with homes manufactured by American Homestar Corporation, illustrates the potential for developers to use site-built and manufactured homes in the same residential development.

• Elmhurst Urban Infill Housing, Oakland, CA -- A project of Paul Wang & Associates, architect/developer, and Western Homes Corporation, housing manufacturer, the Elmhurst initiative aims to revitalize an urban community and raise property values through the addition of new homes on vacant lots. Units are offered for $90,000 -- a little more than 50 percent of the median price for new construction. Garages, patios and false fronts with pitched roofs are added to units on site. The developer for this project has partnered with community groups including the African American Development Association and the Elmhurst Neighborhood Association.

• Hillcrest, Uncasville, CT -- A development of 208 homes for residents 55 and over, Hillcrest homes have an average price of $112,000 on leased land. The homes feature a patented floor system which accommodates both electrical and plumbing systems as well as heating ducts. The heating system, combined with an efficient insulation package, provides better indoor air quality and temperature control which translates to lower home maintenance costs for the buyer. Hillcrest was developed by Jensen's, Inc. and the homes manufactured by New Era Building Systems.

• New Colony Village, Jessup, MD -- A planned land-lease community of 416 homes, New Colony Village offers both two and one-story manufactured homes. The development team of Corridor 1 LLC has worked with manufacturer Schult Homes Corporation to design units which allow the stacking of the second story unit. Homes are offered for $95,000 in a market where the median new home price is $161,000.

• Wisteria, Petaluma, CA -- This 28 unit development is the culmination of a city study to determine the building type the city should use for its affordable housing program. The study found that using manufactured homes would save approximately 29 percent over stick-built housing, and homes at Wisteria sell for an average of $136,000 in a market where the median price of new, single-family homes is $219,000. Wisteria's innovations include the use of zero-lot line plans and inclusion of apartments over some of the garages. Non-profit developer Modular Lifestyles offers home maintenance and repair seminars for first-time homebuyers.

  Also recognized with a Building Innovation in Housing Award today:

• Greenlee Park at Indian Peaks, Lafayette, CO -- This conventional housing project was developed by McStain Enterprises, developer of LongView. Greenlee is an environmental community of 168 units on a 22 acre site. Units are clustered to allow ample open space and preserve natural vegetation. Homes in Greenlee Park make use of recycled and "sustainable" building materials. Energy conservation features include argon-filled glass in windows and a heat recovery system which allows the homes to be heated without furnaces. Homes at Greenlee Park are offered at 70 percent of Boulder County's median new home price.

The Building Innovation in Homeownership Awards program was announced by HUD last May, and thus far 63 projects in 26 states and the District of Columbia have been cited for these awards. Projects winning innovation awards were selected by a board including HUD, the National Association of Homebuilders; the Manufactured Housing Institute; the Council of American Building Officials; the National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards; the Enterprise Foundation, and the Federal Housing Finance Board.

The awards program is an initiative of the National Partners in Homeownership, 58 national organizations including lenders, homebuilders, nonprofits group and government agencies committed to President Clinton's goal of raising the homeownership rate to an all- time high by the end of the year 2000.

In addition to the national recognition award-winners receive for their contributions to increasing affordable homeownership, local affiliates of the homeownership partners offer support to make the winning projects even more affordable, including special homebuyer financing packages, homeownership counseling or assistance in resolving regulatory impediments.