HUD PROPOSES NEW RULE TO ALLOW ON-SITE COMPLETION OF FACTORY-BUILT MANUFACTURED HOMES

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that it is proposing new regulations that would permit builders of manufactured housing (mobile homes) to complete construction at the home's installation site, rather than in the factory. Under current HUD regulations, a manufacturer must obtain HUD approval for on-site completion of each of its designs.

HUD's proposed rule (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-15088.pdf) would simplify the manufactured housing construction process by establishing new uniform procedures that would, under certain circumstances, permit manufacturers to complete construction of their homes at the installation site without obtaining advance approval from HUD. The proposed regulations would not apply when a major section of a manufactured home is to be constructed on-site. Public comment to this rule is due by August 23, 2010.

2 FONT standards. safety and construction HUD's with conformance into home the bring to required work limited be also would rule proposed this by covered that on-site The practicable. not factory in of completion because warranted is partial when part integral an as built components installation allow regulation addition, In systems. plumbing or cooling heating, such systems assemblies structural include for qualifying Construction.

2 The National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 authorizes HUD to establish and amend home construction and safety standards for the industry. It also authorizes HUD to conduct inspections and investigations necessary to enforce these standards.

The Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) contributed to the draft of this proposed rule. MHCC is a Federal Advisory Committee authorized by law to provide HUD with recommendations regarding Federal manufactured housing construction and safety standards and related procedural and enforcement regulations. It is composed of 21 voting members representing manufacturers, retailers, consumers, organizations with interest in manufactured housing, and public officials.

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