FOREWORD

The Nation's stock of existing buildings, both residential and nonresidential, represents a diverse and valuable asset for our society. As this stock grows older, maintenance and renovation become more common. Moreover, as our collective needs evolve, buildings may be put to new and more productive uses. While it is a relatively straightforward procedure to set out requirements for the design and construction of new buildings, the broad spectrum of activities falling under the general heading of "rehabilitation" have proven more difficult to regulate in a rational, predictable manner. Building officials generally have wide discretion in determining the nature and extent of improvements required when buildings are rehabilitated or converted to new uses. Owners and designers, even after reviewing the applicable codes, are correspondingly uncertain about what they can and cannot do.

Local experiences have indicated that regulatory requirements may serve as a significant barrier to improving buildings that were not built under today's system of codes. The unintended result can be the perpetuation of unsafe or inadequate conditions and the continuing underutilization of existing buildings.

In an attempt to bring order and clarity to the process of regulating work in existing buildings, HUD has sponsored development and publication of the Nationally Applicable Recommended Rehabilitation Provisions (NARRP), which set forth a recommended framework for addressing all types of work in every type of building. These provisions are intended to be suitable for use by State and local jurisdictions or model code organizations with a minimum of adaptation. They incorporate the philosophy that improvements required when work is being done in existing buildings should be proportional to the nature and extent of the underlying work. While such principles have been applied informally in the past, NARRP goes much further by making them explicit.

HUD has a long standing interest in rehabilitation activities, not merely in housing but in all buildings. As a country, we are surrounded by opportunities to improve our built environment. NARRP will help to ensure that we make the most of those opportunities.

Michael A. Stegman
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research