Fort Irwin Housing Comparison Test.

Abstract : Congress has directed the construction of 200 units of manufactured/factory-built housing at Fort Irwin, CA, to see whether this method of construction will cost less than conventional housing, yet still provide durable housing commensurate with contemporary housing standards. Congress has directed the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct a fair and reliable study that will compare the operations and maintenance (O/M) costs of manufactured housing to those of conventional housing. DOD will report to Congressional committees on the conditions and parameters under which this test will be conducted and the results of the test. To compare these two types of construction properly, DOD must be able to identify O/M costs and user satisfaction reliably. In addition, it must be able to identify differences in O/M costs and the reasons for those differences. This report establishes the cost comparisons and analyses which must be done in the study, defines the cost and demographic data which must be collected, and identifies appropriate data collection procedures.