[2] George Romney announced Operation Breakthrough in May 1969, four months after joining President Richard Nixon’s cabinet as secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
[4] Based on his automotive industry experience, Romney thought that the cost of housing could be significantly reduced if in-factory modular construction techniques were used, despite the lack of national building standards.
[5] HUD officials believed that the introduction of this technique could help bring about desegregation; Romney said, "We've got to put an end to the idea of moving to suburban areas and living only among people of the same economic and social class".
[6] This aspect of the program brought about strong opposition at the local suburban level and lost support in the White House as well.
[7] Over half of HUD's research funds during this time were spent on Operation Breakthrough, and it was modestly successful in its building goals.