October 26, 2000

Senator
Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator:

We urge you to oppose any attempt to include TITLE VI of S. 1452, the MANUFACTURED HOUSING IMPROVEMENT ACT, in any legislation at the 11th hour of the 106th Congress.

The legislation does not require certification by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for the standard-setting committee for manufactured housing.

ANSI certification is critical to the standard-setting process. The public health, safety and welfare are paramount. They will be guaranteed by requiring that the committee developing the standards for the construction of manufactured housing be accredited by ANSI.

The ANSI process represents a proven and effective method of ensuring that revision and updating of standards do not compromise the public health and safety.

At this late date, there is no longer time for proper deliberation of any appropriate changes to Title VI. We urge you to postpone action until the next Congress when these important issues can be adequately addressed.

Additionally, we share the concerns of other opponents of the legislation that the provisions of this bill will weaken consumer protection and the state's role in this program.

ASCE agrees that problems exist with the present regulatory efforts at HUD and that the Department could, and ought to, move faster to keep up with current technology. Nevertheless, we continue to be opposed to a number of the changes being made in this legislation, and urge you not to allow it to be attached to any late session legislative vehicles.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Charles V. Dinges
Managing Director,
Communication and Government Relations