March 8, 2006

IDPH ANNOUNCES NEW MANUFACTURED HOUSING HOTLINE

 New 800 number available for home owners with questions, concerns and complaints about their manufactured home

SPRINGFIELD – Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, announced today the new Manufactured Housing Hotline for owners who have questions, concerns or complaints about the construction, installation or performance their manufactured home.

“People who live in mobile or manufactured homes often don’t know who to contact about a problem with how their home was installed or built, or with questions about their home performing as it was designed. This new Manufactured Housing Hotline now offers those residents a number to call where they can leave a message and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will work with them to resolve the problem.”

The IDPH Division of Environmental Health regulates construction of mobile homes, modular homes and mobile structures in Illinois. Staff reviews plans for each model to ensure it meets minimum structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and energy conservation standards. To ensure quality living conditions for people who live in manufactured home communities, the Division licenses all communities with five or more lots. IDPH inspects each community annually for license renewal, at which time the Division checks the water supply, sewage disposal system, electrical system, lighting, road conditions, spacing of homes and garbage disposal.

The Division of Environmental Health also checks to make sure manufactured homes are installed correctly. State law requires all manufactured homes installed since January 1, 1980 be secured using equipment that meets standards adopted by the division. Since December 31, 2001, the Manufactured Home Quality Assurance Act requires all manufactured homes to be installed by an Illinois licensed manufactured home installer or the homeowner.

The Manufactured Housing Hotline number is 1-800-494-2645.