Reports Examine Rehabilitation Technologies and Regulations
Housing rehabilitation is an important strategy for maintaining the stock of affordable housing. Yet, inconsistencies remain across localities in compliance requirements and code enforcement; and the rate of introduction of new technologies continues to complicate rehabilitation initiatives. To identify the most effective methods of regulating rehabilitation, HUD sponsored the first National Symposium on the Status of Building Rehabilitation Regulations in May 1995.
Two new reports from HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research provide the results of that symposium and describe cost-saving advances in rehabilitation methods. Together, these reports make a timely contribution to the limited literature on rehabilitation regulations and technologies for building industry professionals, nonprofit housing developers, public officials, and others working with affordable housing.
The Status of Building Regulations for Housing Rehabilitation presents the proceedings of the May 1995 symposium. The report describes the model codes -- the Southern Building Code Congress International standard codes, the International Code of Building Officials uniform codes, and the Building Officials Code of America national codes -- and their enforcement. The report highlights the experiences of three States -- Massachusetts,New York, and New Jersey -- with their own rehabilitation regulations. The symposium participants also recommended that HUD:
Develop a national policy on housing rehabilitation.
Conduct a nationwide survey of rehabilitation code enforcement.
Create self-contained, national model rehabilitation code provisions to be proposed for adoption by the three model code organizations.
Identify acceptable compliance alternatives to regulatory requirements.
Prepare practical guidance materials containing methods of complying with rehabilitation-related legislative mandates.
Innovative Rehabilitation Technologies - A State of the Art Overview describes the results of a 1995 Housing Rehabilitation Technologies study, through which HUD sought information from manufacturers, trade and professional associations, the model code organizations, and others on new technologies and advances in existing ones. Among the technologies discussed in the report are innovations in --
Building envelopes, including reinforced hollow brick masonry, the Model Energy Code Thermal Envelope Compliance Guide requirements, and moisture barrier housewraps.
Plumbing and heating/ventilation, including ductless air conditioners, air admittance valves for drainage systems, and cast-in-place flue relining systems.
Interior finishes, including gypsum wallboard and wallboard panels, and wood flooring installation systems.
Tools and equipment, including heavy-duty cordless tools and construction dust control methods.
The report also notes that many design advances are occurring in the areas of computer software, seismic retrofit, hazardous materials abatement, accessibility, home automation, and energy-efficient labeling.
The Status of Building Regulations for Housing Rehabilitation and Innovative Rehabilitation Technologies - A State of the Art Overview are now available from HUD USER for $5 each. Please contact HUD USER to obtain print copies.
