The Joint Venture for Affordable Housing (JVAH) program has been a significant
step toward lowering housing costs. This manual contains a compilation of proven cost-saving construction techniques. All the techniques may not be applicable in every situation, but most builders will likely find many ways to lower housing costs. Volume I, the companion manual, contains proven cost-reduction methods of land planning and development as well as actions local governments can take to encourage more affordable housing.
This manual is the result of material obtained from the Joint Venture for Affordable Housing Demonstration builders and from other sources. It was prepared for the Department of Housing and Urban Development by the NAHB National. Research Center. The demonstration, program was directed by the Office of Policy Development and Research.
The principal author was E. Lee Fisher, with assistance from Carol B. Schaake, Richard A. Morris, and untold others who provided years of residential research effort and documentation. Most importantly, we wish to thank the builders of the JVAH
demonstration and the communities who took the risks and put their resources on the line to prove that affordable housing for all Americans can be a reality.
The work that provided the basis of this publication was supported by funding under a contract with the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of that work are dedicated to the public. The authors are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government.
HUD’s Joint Venture for Affordable Housing (JVAH) demonstration was a — program designed to help reevaluate building regulations and typical builder practices in an attempt to find solutions for building affordable homes. Many cost saving construction methods had been developed over the years but had not been adopted by local codes or had not been put into practice by builders. The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the NAHB National Research Center (NAHB/NRC), compiled those ideas and, working with builders, developers and community officials all over the nation, instituted many of them with outstanding results.
The JVAH demonstration program was extremely successful in encouraging understanding and cooperation between different interest groups in finding solutions to high housing costs.
This was accomplished by restructuring processing procedures, using land more efficiently, revising outmoded land development practices, and using proven cost-saving construction techniques.
This guide contains methods to reduce costs in most phases of direct construction of the house itself.
Cost-saving land use and development techniques and streamlined processing procedures are presented in a companion manual (See Volume I).
Most of the methods described herein were demonstrated in at least one of the JVAH sites. Many were repeated in almost all of the sites. The guide is not intended to be the definitive construction manual, but rather a compilation of techniques that were proven effective in the JVAH program and in other areas.
Most homes in the demonstration program were "stick-built" on site.
Some were factory-built, i. e., modular, HUD Code, orpanelized.
The manual is written for those who are already familiar with construction terminology and "typical" ways of building homes. A reference section at the end of the manual contains titles and sources of other manuals that will provide more complete backup information and data.
It is likely that some of the methods discussed herein are not presently acceptable under some local regulations. Before attempting to adopt any new technique, check the local code or with local building officials. If not acceptable, it will be worthwhile to work with the local authorities for change.
Success of an affordable housing program depends upon builders, government officials, and concerned citizens taking necessary steps to encourage innovation.
The manual is organized along the lines of how a house is built starting with design, then footings and foundations, floors, walls, etc. Each section contains a general discussion of the topic followed by specific cost-saving innovations, and then JVAH case study experiences. Hopefully each reader will find several ideas that will result in reducing housing costs without sacrificing health, safety, and general welfare features.
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