Six-Year Summary of Fort Irwin, CA, Family Housing Comparison Test: Operation and Maintenance Costs of Manufactured vs. Conventionally Built Units

To determine if manufactured/factory-built family housing is more cost-effective in providing housing than conventional construction, Congress directed that a test be conducted of construction methods. In 1982, Congress authorized the construction of 200 units of manufactured/factory-built housing at Fort Irwin, CA, and concurrently, 144 units of conventionally built units. Congress directed the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct a fair and reliable study comparing the operation and maintenance (O&M) costs of manufactured housing to those of conventional housing. DOD reported to Congressional committees on the conditions and parameters under which this test would be conducted and the results of the test after the housing had been in use for 5 years. The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Logistics and Environment requested that the study be extended beyond the 5 years. This report compares the first 6 years of O&M costs.