by Curtis McIver

As everyone prepares to change their calendars from 2006 to 2007 (and tries to remember to write 2007 on their checks after January 1st) staff in the Division of Building and Fire Regulations are preparing for even more changes.  Emory Rodgers, Deputy Director of the Division, has developed a reorganization plan for our offices that he has started to implement.  Some of these changes may mean changes for you, our customers, as people are moved to different units.

Emory has created a new Technical Assistance Services Office (TASO) that will include a business unit to collect and process the permit fees and other revenues.  Constance Randolph will move to that unit and process the manufactured housing license applications and requests for Virginia industrialized building registration seals.  The TASO staff will be responsible for amending and updating the building codes and regulations and for providing technical and administrative assistance on all codes.

Staff in the State Building Codes Administrative Office (SBCAO) will still handle complaints and claims filed against manufactured housing licensees, will still conduct dealer lot inspections, and will continue to coordinate the State Administrative Agency responsibilities with HUD.  The SBCAO also will continue to provide the staff assistance to the Manufactured Housing Board.  Debra Winston-Bowles will take over the secretarial work for the Board in place of Constance.

Under the new structure if you have a question about a license application or an order for seals, you will need to contact TASO.  If you have a complaint about a licensee or want to file a claim to the Manufactured Housing Board you will need to contact the SBCAO.  Anyone recommending a change to any of the codes would submit that proposal to TASO.  Building code questions should be directed to TASO while questions regarding the Industrialized Building Safety Regulations or manufactured housing would be directed to the SBCAO.  The SBCAO will receive and handle complaints regarding manufactured homes and industrialized or modular buildings.

Other changes in staff locations and responsibilities may be forthcoming as Emory develops and implements the next phase of his “restructuring” of the Division offices.  We’ll send information to VAMMHA on any changes that impact the industry as the information is made available to us.  If you have any questions, please contact us.  We will share any answers that we have been given as the phases of the restructuring are given to us.

As the end of the year quickly approaches, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or a Winter Holiday, we extend best wishes and a happy and prosperous New Year to all from our staff at the Department of Housing and Community Development.