MHI staff met this week with members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development regarding the HUD Fiscal Year 2011 budget for manufactured housing. MHI told the subcommittee that HUD’s request of a $10 fee increase is not justified because production levels are down and therefore HUD’s responsibilities for standards setting and enforcement activities are reduced. Furthermore, MHI argued that HUD has not carried out its responsibilities to make timely updates and changes to the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. Also, HUD’s responsibilities to implement installation programs in the 15 states that don’t have installation programs has yet to happen. MHI told the subcommittee that, should Congress determine that a fee increase is necessary, it should be a temporary increase for just one year.

Members with questions can contact Lois Starkey at lstarkey@mfghome.org.