[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 7, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

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                            HON. TIM ROEMER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 1996

  Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill which has been 
sponsored by 20 of my Democratic and Republican colleagues that will 
help to increase the supply of affordable housing for low- and middle-
income Americans by promoting common-sense regulatory reform to the 
Federal manufactured housing program. In short, this legislation would 
establish a private sector consensus committee to make balanced 
recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development for the development, revision and interpretation of the 
Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards.
  This committee will allow equal representation for all interested 
parties, and will be comprised of representatives from the 
manufactures; homeowners and consumer representatives; public 
officials; and others with a general interest in the industry. All 
costs involved in the conduction of the consensus standards development 
process will be funded through the use of existing manufacturer-funded 
label fees.
  This bill is supported by the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, interested consumer groups including the American 
Association of Retired Persons [AARP], the manufactured housing 
industry, and both Democratic and Republican Members of Congress. In 
fact, this proposal is the only recommendation that was unanimously 
agreed to in a 1994 Commission, funded by Congress; which was created 
to examine the Federal manufactured housing program.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that this legislation represents a common 
sense approach to providing regulatory reform to an industry that 
represents a major source of affordable, unsubsidized housing for a 
wide range of Americans, including first-time homebuyers, single 
parents and senior citizens. It represents a positive and reasonable 
step towards downsizing the Federal Government. At the same time, this 
consensus process will ensure that high building standards and full 
consumer protection is maintained. I urge my colleagues to support 
bipartisan consensus legislation.

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