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Housing officials from across the country met in Elkhart, Indiana this week (September 11th) to discuss expansive changes to the HUD code. Some of the changes now open the market for industry to build duplex, triplex, and quadplex homes, with a waiver which allows for immediate construction. Other changes will be added in the Federal Register on September 16th and will include a 180-day waiting period before implementation.
This update is the most extensive in more than 30 years, and includes new and updated standards.
In a press release, HUD said it recognizes "the significant need to increase the supply of safe and quality affordable housing and is committed to fostering increased production and broader consumer acceptance of manufactured housing as a viable, affordable, and comparable alternative to a site-built home."
To make these changes effective as soon as possible, HUD’s Office of Manufactured Housing Programs issued an industry-wide Alternative Construction Letter that provides the terms and conditions for manufacturers to gain approval of designs and build multi-unit manufactured homes immediately, rather than wait for the standards contained in the final rule to become effective.
In addition to the change to allow up to four unit manufactured homes, the new revision includes open floor plans, truss designs, and specifications for attics; ridge roof designs; materials that facilitate modern design approaches and improve quality; accessibility improvements; modern and energy-saving appliances; and additional process efficiencies that save time and reduce costs.
View the full list of updates here.
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