HUD’s Office of Manufactured Housing Programs (OMHP) just released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document in response to questions about changes to the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (the HUD Code) that go into effect on July 12, 2021. In its announcement, OMHP stressed the statements in response to the questions are not intended to provide specific HUD guidance or direction related to compliance with the HUD Code. Click here to read the FAQs.

The final rule updating the HUD Code, which was published in January, was originally scheduled to be effective on March 15, 2021. However, MHI strongly advocated to HUD that the short implementation period within the final rule was problematic due to the impacts of COVID. HUD granted MHI’s request to extend the effective date of the final rule, citing the current level of backlogs at manufactured home construction facilities as well as supply chain slowdowns.

The final rule includes new standards for attached garages, carports, decks, and accessory buildings – eliminating the need for manufacturers to follow the Alternative Construction (AC) approval process for these add-on features. The final rule also includes new or updated standards for carbon monoxide detection, stairways, fire safety considerations for attached garages, draft stops and venting systems. Click here to view the final rule.

MHI will continue to advocate for swift promulgation of rules to incorporate the remaining HUD Code updates that have been passed by the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee but have not been implemented.