Department of Housing and Urban Development's Review of Basic Homes Program

The Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Basic Homes Program was intended to determine whether low cost basic homes can be built which are acceptable to the rural poor. Battelle Columbus Laboratories was selected as the prime contractor for the program.

Program funds have not been used to construct demonstration housing units as originally planned. Program emphasis has changed in terms of designs and types of homes to be built, and the program might ultimately benefit people with higher incomes than originally planned. The Advisory Committee, composed of various interest groups, has been critical of the program and its administration. An organization such as Battelle was needed to manage the day-to-day operations of the program. Battelle itself felt it necessary to subcontract with several consultants to do specific analyses. The future of the program is uncertain, and after additional analyses, a decision on whether to continue or kill the program will be made.