I. Description of Program

The Manufactured Housing Program is a consumer protection program that regulates the construction of certain factory built housing units, called manufactured homes, formerly known as mobile homes. The HUD program also oversees the enforcement of the construction standards through third party inspection agencies and State governments.

II. HUD Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards

Manufactured homes are homes built as dwelling units of at least 320 square feet in size with a permanent chassis to assure the initial and continued transportability of the home. All transportable sections of manufactured homes built in the U.S. after June 15, 1976 must contain a red label on the home; the label is the manufacturer's certification that the home section is built in accordance with the HUD construction and safety standards.

The HUD manufactured housing standards are preemptive over any State or local standard for home construction provided that the HUD standards cover that aspect of performance of the home. The HUD standards cover Body and Frame Requirements, Thermal Protection, Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC, Fire Safety and other aspects of the home. The standards are published in the Code of Federal Regulations at 24 CFR 3280.

III. Enforcement of the HUD Standards

Certain HUD approved States and private third party agencies inspect the homes at one stage of production and approve the manufacturers designs as consistent with the HUD standards. Manufacturers contract directly with the State or local third party and pay for the design review and home inspection services. A list of the State governments and HUD-approved third party inspection agencies is attached to this Fact Sheet. Manufactured home retailers also have certain responsibilities to assure that only homes meeting the standards are sold to the general public.

IV. Program Enforcement

HUD has entered into cooperative agreements with 38 State governments to conduct periodic checks of plant records and to respond to consumer complaints. These State governments each designate a State Administrative Agency (SAA). Manufactured Housing staff provide these functions in the other 12 States without SAAs.

V. Program Management

HUD manages the program from its' Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The program's office telephone number is (202) 708-6409; Fax number (202) 708-4213.
The mailing address is:

Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Regulatory Affairs and Manufactured Housing
Office of Manufactured Housing Programs
Room 9164, HUD Building,
451 Seventh St., SW
Washington D.C. 20410-8000

HUD also uses a monitoring contractor, to conduct monitoring reviews of third parties, issue certification labels to manufacturers, and perform record reviews in non-SAA states.