What agency is responsible for certifying compliance with federal standards for manufactured homes?

The agency responsible for certifying compliance with federal standards for manufactured homes is the Department of Housing and Urban Development, commonly referred to as HUD. This agency was established to create and enforce regulations that ensure manufactured homes adhere to safety and quality standards.

Under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, HUD has the authority to regulate the design, construction, and performance of manufactured homes, ensuring they are built to federally mandated standards. The certification process includes oversight of the manufacturing process, inspections, and ongoing compliance checks to maintain safety and living conditions.

This role is vital as it provides a layer of consumer protection, ensuring that homes built and sold as manufactured housing are safe and meet certain standards set by the government. The other agencies listed—FHA, USDA, and EPA—while they play significant roles in housing, agricultural support, and environmental protection respectively, do not have the specific function of certifying manufactured homes for federal compliance.