Manuel Santana, director of engineering for Cavco Industries, told a congressional subcommittee HUD’s negligence in implementing the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 has contributed to the industry’s 80 percent decline in production. In testimony prepared for the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity, he said the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) has made numerous suggestions to improve the 2000 measure, and adapt to changes in the industry, but HUD is slow to respond to these recommendations. CronkiteNews tells MHProNews.com Santana, representing MHI said, “These delays result in lost sales and unnecessary interruptions in the construction process, which ultimately lead to loss of jobs and lost economic opportunity for the industry.” Noting the unknown impact on MH from new regulations, and the continuing struggle with lack of financing, he said HUD’s inefficiency has presented added problems to an industry that has seen 160 plants close and 200,000 jobs lost since 2000. Four other industry representatives also testified. Henry Czauski, acting deputy administrator for HUD’s Office of Manufactured Housing Programs, said to the legislators: “I want to assure the subcommittee the department has and continues to fairly and diligently implement the 2000 act in accordance with the statutory purposes to protect the quality, durability, safety, and affordability of manufactured housing.”
