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HUD National Manufactured Housing Program: Facilitation and Coordination among Federal, State, and Local Governments

Client

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Manufactured Housing Program.

Challenge

In 1974, HUD established the National Manufactured Housing Program to protect the health and safety of the owners of manufactured homes. HUD issues, monitors and enforces Federal manufactured home construction and safety standards. The Program reduces personal injuries, deaths, property damage and insurance costs, and improves the quality and durability of manufactured homes.

A majority of states had implemented sets of rules about the installation of homes, the licensing of retailers, the certification of industry personnel, and warranty or consumer protection requirements. However, most states had implemented these rules.

IBTS Solutions

  • Improve the states' technical understanding of Federal preemptive codes, of expectations concerning performance of codes, and of program management and code enforcement by the Federal government and its state partners.
  • Developed training tools, guides and video programs aimed at increasing understanding and the uniformity of a nationwide home construction program.
  • Organized workshops, seminars, technical exchanges, peer reviews, and program performance analyses.

Benefits

  • Better understanding developed among states; the states started using standardized data collection or case-handling procedures.
  • HUD was able to administer the national program to 37 participating states, to improve uniformity, and to establish an efficient data-sharing method for the first time.
  • The Federal government was able to work more cooperatively with the 37 states.
  • The accuracy of records and data improved through the use of IBTS's methods; the improved accuracy enabled HUD to use the data for administration and enforcement actions.
  • IBTS staff work side by side with Federal and state personnel to appreciate why they do their jobs differently, seeing what is common to all as well as what is unique to each. This knowledge and experience, combined with the professional credentials and mission of IBTS, have permitted the Institute to assist from the inside.
  • HUD rated IBTS's performance as "Excellent" in all performance areas.