Posted on 04/03/2016 10:33:46 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
The tiny house movement has taken America by storm, in part because our economy is in the toilet. People are striving to reduce their expenses by embracing minimalism. They’re breaking free from the corporate grind because, as I’ve always advised, they are learning to live with less and radically reducing their expenses.
But, these days in America, you are sharply admonished when you try to live your life outside of the strictures of the 9-5 world. Is it any surprise that the government is now taking steps to limit our ability to drastically reduce our expenses? They always seem to make illegal anything we try to do to be more independent and moving into a tiny house appears to be the next on their list.
HUD has proposed the following law:
This proposed rule would modify the current exemption for recreational vehicles in the Manufactured Home Procedural and Enforcement Regulations. Under the current exemption, questions have arisen regarding whether park model recreational vehicles are regulated by HUD’s manufactured home program. These park models are being produced with patio roofs, screened in porches, and other extensions that exceed the 400 square foot maximum exemption in the current regulations. Additionally, some of these models are being marketed as suitable for year round living. HUD’s proposed rule would permit recreational vehicle manufactures to certify that a unit is exempted from HUD’s regulations. Specifically, HUD’s proposed rule would define a recreational vehicle as a factory build vehicular structure, not certified as a manufactured home, designed only for recreational use and not as a primary residence or for permanent occupancy, and built and certified in accordance with either the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1192-2015, Standard for Recreational Vehicles, or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A119.5-15, Recreational Park Trailer Standard. In addition, to provide consumers notice regarding the manufacturing standards used to construct the unit, HUD’s rule would require that units claiming the exemption display a notice that identifies the standards used to construct the unit and states that the unit is designed only for recreational use, and not as a primary residence or permanent dwelling.
That’s right – if this law is passed, these structures will be classified as “not suitable for a primary residence or permanent dwelling” in April of this year.
While currently they’re only talking about a label, how long will it be before the long arm of the law reaches out to punish those living full time in homes that are deemed “not suitable for a primary residence or permanent dwelling”? My bet is, not long at all. This may be the first step toward making it illegal to live in a tiny home or an RV.
CLICK IMAGE TO GO TO YOUTUBE VIDEO
HUD has no control over privately held mortgages.
HUD provides taxpayer-subsidized housing for low income people.
You can not deny section 8 or any other LEGAL source of income, but you CAN set standards as long as you apply them to ALL applicants. Minimum 780 credit score, for example. That eliminates 99.9% of section 8s right up front.
In reading comments here, it seems many do not understand what HUD is, and what it does, and does not, do.
Wow, there goes half the new TV reality shows.....
Not necessarily. In regards to RVs, there are those that boondock...they camp with solar panels and conserve on water. From what I’ve read, in the southwest especially it’s easy to buy water on tap for say, 25 cents a gallon at a public spigot. Use a dump station for waste once a week or so, and you’re good.
My understanding is that no landlord can be forced to sign up for the Section 8 program, so the income discrimination ordinances are moot if you never sign up for the program as a landlord.
The only issue is that once you agree to ever qualify for Section 8 as a landlord, you can’t refuse it.
“Better to have shows with gay guys putting a nursery in for their “gayby””
They actually have shows on that now? And people watch it???
Good. Sometimes reports are wrong. Lets hope this is one of those times.
These small homes are long overdue IMO. As long as they are built to code and remain upscale, I see no problem with them.
“In reading comments here, it seems many do not understand what HUD is, and what it does, and does not, do.”
It’s more fun to post and reply to click-bait than to spend a few minutes researching the issue ...
Except if your on welfare.
Not only that, but they had a great show going with some brothers who were contractors—but they said something good about traditional marriage and HGTV fired them. The Property Brothers recently redid a home for s gay couple “family”—it’s all part of the normalization propaganda...
This is about making clear when a structure is defined as a manufactured home and therefore under HUD jurisdiction or when it is a recreational vehicle and exempt from HUD regulations.
It does not ban smaller dwelling units. The minimum size of dwelling units is established in building and housing codes as well as local zoning ordinance.
What the proposed rule does it provide a definition of a recreational vehicle and the standards it must meet in order to be considered exempt from HUD regulations. From the article,
“Specifically, HUD’s proposed rule would define a recreational vehicle as a factory build vehicular structure, not certified as a manufactured home, designed only for recreational use and not as a primary residence or for permanent occupancy, and built and certified in accordance with either the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1192-2015, Standard for Recreational Vehicles, or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A119.5-15, Recreational Park Trailer Standard.”
Notice there is no mention of size. It would basically be up to the manufacturer to decide if the unit should be designed to meet HUD standards for manufactured housing or whether it would be a recreational vehicle not intended for permanent occupancy as a dwelling unit.
It is already illegal in most places to live in an RV. HUD does not have jurisdiction over the construction of site built dwellings or even prefab modular units. They do have jurisdiction over construction standards for mobile homes. How those homes are sited and anchored and any accessory structures are under the authority of local building officials.
Yep, “turn right here”
left”.
Are we the only ones who read the article and understand the proposal and we it is supported by RV industry?
Most of these tiny houses are stick built out of wood—they end up very heavy for a structure on wheels. A trailer with the same square footage weighs half as much. Now, they’re adorable, I like seeing how they’re made—but a light camper trailer can be adorable, too—especially a vintage one like an Airstream b
Bless my now gone, WWII Navy Vet Dad & my Mom, his WAR Bride.
When you contemplate going on the road think about this: http://www.americas-mailbox.com/
Longer ones are easier to back up.
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