Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards
The Department of Housing and Urban Development's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. HUD fulfills this mission through high ethical standards, management and accountability, and by forming partnerships with community organizations.
Program Accomplishments
Regulatory oversight of over 100,000 new manufactured homes per year. In FY 08, the program has published Model Manufactured Home Installation Standards and will publish Manufactured Home Installation Program Regulations. The program also implemented the Manufactured Home Dispute Resolution Program.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Manufacturers who build "manufactured homes" as defined by the Act, for sale in the United States are subject to the Act and must comply with preemptive Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (24 CFR 3280).
Designs of homes are reviewed for compliance, and homes are inspected during construction by HUD-approved third-party inspection agencies.
Consumers receiving defective homes have recourse, ranging from the right to be notified that their home contains a defect, to correction by the manufacturer of serious defects and imminent safety hazards.
Retailers are prohibited from selling homes which they know are not in compliance with the Federal Standards.
As required by 2000 amendments to the Act, the Department has now established installation standards for siting of new manufactured homes.
These installation standards cover joining of sections and anchoring, as well as stabilizing and support systems.
As required by the same amendments to the Act, the Department has also established a national manufactured home dispute resolution program.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Any purchaser of a manufactured home built on or after June 15, 1976, for residential use is automatically covered by the program.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Any purchaser of a residential manufactured home built on or after June 15, 1976.
Credentials/Documentation
None required for the purchaser. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Not required.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Manufacturers must have designs for each manufactured home model to be produced, reviewed and approved by a HUD- approved third-party design inspection agency. Each home must be inspected during at least one phase of construction and every stage of manufacturing process inspected by a third-party in-plant inspection entity. A purchaser may file a complaint with HUD or a HUD-approved State Administrative Agency (SAA). This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-110.
Award Procedures
Unless defects or noncompliance with the standards are found in homes, manufacturers may label and retailers may sell the units. If a purchaser complains, HUD or an SAA may request an investigation by the manufacturer or the dealer, and may then initiate enforcement actions under applicable regulations (24 CFR 3282). As required by 2000 amendments to the Act, the Department has established a dispute resolution program to provide for the timely resolution of disputes between manufacturers, installers, and retailers regarding responsibility for repairs. Consumers may file complaints and otherwise participate in this program.
Deadlines
Each manufactured home must bear a manufacturer's certification label, certifying compliance with the Federal Standards, before the home can be sold to a retailer or purchaser.
Authorization
National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act, Title VI, Public Law 93-383; 42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq.; as amended; Public Laws 95-128, 96-399, 100-242, 102-550 and 106-569.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Not applicable.
Appeals
A manufacturer may appeal a preliminary determination, and be granted a hearing or presentation of views by HUD or by a State Administrative Agency (SAA) whenever homes are identified as having "serious defects" or "imminent safety hazards," and notification or correction would be required under the regulations.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Not applicable.
Audits
Not applicable.
Records
A retailer is required, after selling a manufactured home, to fill out an information card listing the name of the purchaser and the home's location, and to send it to the home manufacturer. A manufacturer is required to maintain records relating to each home's production and service related work.
Financial Information
Account Identification
86-5271-0-2-376.
Obigations
FY 07 $6,510,000; FY 08 est $16,000,000; and FY 09 est $16,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards appear in the Code of Federal Regulations at 24 CFR 3280, et seq.; Manufactured Home Procedural and Enforcement Regulations appear at 24 CFR 3282, et seq.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Office of Manufactured Housing Programs, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Manufactured Housing, Room 9164, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC 20410-8000. Telephone: (202) 708-6409. Fax: (202) 708-4213. Toll-free consumer hotline (leave message only): (800) 927-2891. E-mail: mhs@hud.gov.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
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