ST. AMANT - Shooter and Blue Reed have been living in their brand new mobile home for less than a year and have had problem after problem. Last month, 2 On Your Side met with them to take a closer look at their concerns and looped in the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office.

The SFM has now opened an investigation surrounding the home and everyone involved. 

The Reeds moved into their home on Halloween 2025, but the problems started long before then. 

"The ground is soft; they did not compact the soil," said Shooter Reed.

Their concerns are easily seen inside the home in the form of mold, slanted flooring, and buckling finishes. 

"This was going to be our forever home," said Shooter Reed.

State oversight, including installations and consumer complaints for mobile homeowners are handled by the SFM through its manufactured housing division. Now, that division has launched its own investigation into the Reeds' problems. 

"We started an investigation; our investigative team has been on it since the day you told us," said Bryan Adams, recently promoted to Principal Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety.

The SFM has met with the Reeds.

"We found some serious issues with the home that should be corrected, and we're going to make sure that happens," said Adams.

The SFM is now reviewing licenses issued to the parties involved in the matter. The house was purchased by Atchafalaya Homes and is manufactured by Clayton Homes. The SFM has also been in contact with other clients who may have been subjected to similar circumstances. Adams says more oversight of manufactured homes is coming.

"So all of these manufactured homes will go through a process to make sure that those homeowners are getting what they deserve, just like the stick homeowners do," said Adams.

Starting January 1, 2027, manufactured homes will be inspected just like a regular house, and regulated by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. All inspectors will be qualified through the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Right now, only about 20% of mobile homes are inspected prior to occupancy. With the new way of doing things, the goal is to inspect 100% of mobile homes. 

"They'll be inspected by the local building officials who are experts in construction," said Adams.

Adams says, in the future, people like the Reeds won't be able to move in to their house until it's inspected. 

"I mean, it's a beautiful home if it was stable," said Shooter Reed.

They hope to make it stable soon. The Reeds say they have a meeting next week with the SFM, along with Clayton Homes and Atchafalaya Homes.