This glossary defines the essential vocabulary of factory-built housing — from foundation types and HUD Code requirements to CrossMod™ financing labels and installer licensing. Pulled directly from the curriculum we teach in the GroundWork™ Developer Academy, it’s built for developers, builders, CDFI partners, and public-sector teams who need a fluent working vocabulary for their next factory-built housing project.
Use it as a quick reference during planning, procurement, and project execution — or share it with a council, lender, or contractor who needs to get up to speed fast.
Revised April 2026.
What’ll You’ll Learn
- How manufactured and modular homes differ — and where CrossMod™ fits in
- Foundation types from pier-and-beam to permanent foundations (and what FHA Title II requires)
- HUD compliance essentials: HUD Code, HUD Tag, Data Plate, Wind Zone, and Thermal Zone
- Financing labels that unlock conventional loans: MH Advantage® (Fannie Mae) and CHOICEHome® (Freddie Mac)
- Installation, transportation, and licensing terminology you’ll see on contracts and invoices