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“Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can't buy more hours. Scientists can't invent new minutes, and you can't save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving.
No matter how much time you've wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow.”
-- Denis Waitley --
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Fall 2021 Guidance and Standards Review of Policy Changes
FEMA maintains guidelines and standards to support the Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) program. These specifically define how to apply the statutory and regulatory requirements for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). They also outline how to use Flood Risk Projects, how to process Letters of Map Change (LOMCs), and related Risk MAP activities. More information is available at: fema.gov/guidelines-and-standards-flood-risk-analysis-and-mapping.
FEMA has a maintenance plan for these guidelines and standards and issues updates annually. This summary relates to the 2021 update, which FEMA plans to release in November 2021.
The summary of the planned changes was published on June 9, 2021 and can be found HERE. FEMA will publish these revised standards in November 2021 during the annual update to the Policy for Flood Risk Analysis and Mapping. These draft updates are available for public review and comment from July 8 to August 5, before they are included in the policy.
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DOE Publishes a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Energy Conservation Standards for Manufactured Housing
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published a Federal Register Notice of Intent (NOI), announcing the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with establishing energy conservation standards for manufactured housing.
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The public will be invited to provide input on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS, including potential alternatives and mitigation measures, until August 6, 2021.
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Details on how to submit scoping comments and to participate in the public scoping meetings will be provided on the EIS website and in a follow up email announcement once the NOI is published in the Federal Register.
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Policy Guidance About Reporting of Consumer Rental Information
The Bureau issued an Enforcement Compliance Bulletin which details enforcement and policy guidance about reporting of consumer rental information under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in light of certain risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bulletin details areas under the FCRA and Regulation V that the Bureau will be paying particular attention to for both furnishers and consumer reporting agencies with respect to consumer rental information, such as accuracy and how disputes are handled.
You can access the FCRA Enforcement Compliance Bulletin HERE:
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FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
Updates SMS Website
Updated Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse User Brochures Now Available
FMCSA has posted updated materials to help CDL drivers and their employers register for and get started using the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
Why must employers register?
- To conduct queries on all potential new hires, and at least annually on all current employees who perform safety-sensitive functions, such as operate a commercial motor vehicle.
- To report driver violations (positive alcohol tests, test refusals not reported by a medical review officer [MRO], and actual knowledge of violations).
Why should drivers register?
- Drivers must be registered in the Clearinghouse when applying for a job with a new employer. Their registration must include a verified CDL number to respond to employer consent requests. Drivers may view their own Clearinghouse record at any time.
How should self-employed CDL drivers register?
- CDL drivers who operate under their own authority (often called owner-operators, typically a single-driver operation) must register as an employer and designate a consortium/third-party administrator (C/TPA) in the Clearinghouse. Owner-operators can also add their CDL information to add a driver role, which allows them to respond to query consent requests from their C/TPA.
Download the revised user brochures to learn more:
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SBA Announces Streamlined Process for PPP Loan Forgiveness
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is launching a streamlined application portal to allow borrowers with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $150,000 or less to apply for loan forgiveness directly through the SBA, instead of going through their participating lender. The new forgiveness platform will begin accepting applications from borrowers on August 4, 2021. In addition to the technology platform, the SBA is standing up a PPP customer service team to answer questions and directly assist borrowers with their forgiveness applications. Click here to learn more.
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Governor Lee stated in a recent letter, the state of emergency will be extended to August 31, 2021, to “facilitate economic and other recovery, and to maintain federal compliance and eligibility.” The state of emergency also allows National and State Guard members to continue assisting with COVID-19 and vaccine efforts.
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COVID-19 Data In Tennessee
Roughly 39.3% of people statewide are fully vaccinated.
Roughly 44.6% of people have received at least one dose.
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National Article of Interest:
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Upcoming Webinar
Best Practices for Successfully Developing
a Manufactured Housing Community
August 26, 2021; 2:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern
Sponsored by:
Skyline Champion Corporation & UMH Properties, Inc.
With one in three new manufactured homes being placed in communities and high resident satisfaction rates, manufactured housing communities are a cornerstone of our industry and play a critical role in expanding the manufactured housing market. Learn planning and development techniques from community owners and operators that are successfully developing new manufactured housing communities while overcoming planning and zoning obstacles.
Webinar series sponsored by MHVillage/Datacomp
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Another $500 was received in July!
Thank You!!
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The THA 2021
Political Action Committee (PAC) Campaign
In 2021, please support the THA-PAC, to assist THA's continuance of educating key lawmakers on the importance of our industry, while also providing general counsel in ways of promoting manufactured homes as a viable option for addressing the affordable housing crisis.
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Thank you Iron Horse Belleglade, LLC, for kicking off the 2021 PAC Campaign
with your January 7th donation of $500.
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MANUFACTURED HOUSING INSTITUTE (MHI) |
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Dr. Lesli Gooch
Chief Executive Officer, MHI
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Mark Bowersox
President, MHI
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HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge Prioritizes Manufactured Housing During Meeting about Supply Chain Challenges
As part of MHI’s ongoing efforts to ensure manufactured housing remains a priority for the Administration, MHI held two meetings with Administration and senior White House officials to address supply chain challenges facing the industry and how manufactured housing can help address the affordable housing shortage in the country.
Joining a diverse group of stakeholders across the housing and homebuilding sector, MHI discussed current supply chain challenges impacting manufactured housing, its implications for the broader housing market, and possible solutions. Administration officials participating in the event included Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge, Assistant to the President and Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese, Assistant to the President and Director of the Domestic Policy Council Ambassador Susan Rice, and Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Cecelia Rouse.
Due to scheduling constraints, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge was the first official to address the group and prioritized manufactured housing as one of the two issues she wanted to discuss. In response, MHI CEO Lesli Gooch spoke about soaring lumber prices, and delays in receiving critical building supplies like insulation, vinyl siding, resin and PVC, which have impacted the availability of this affordable homeownership option. Gooch also thanked HUD for their recent actions on Alternative Construction letters enabling products of similar quality and safety not cited in the federal building code to be substituted and encouraged the Administration to continue to work with the industry as it confronts ongoing supply, labor and trucking shortages.
Immediately following the supply chain meeting, MHI and its members met with senior staff from HUD and the White House to discuss how manufactured housing can help address the affordable housing shortage in the country while meeting the Administration’s goals for addressing climate change.
The prioritization of manufactured housing by HUD Secretary Fudge and the Administration demonstrates MHI's ongoing strong advocacy efforts to ensure manufactured housing remains a top concern for policymakers.
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Funding for Manufactured Housing Community Preservation Included in Chairwoman Waters' Legislative Housing Package
House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) has released a legislative housing package consisting of three bills to end homelessness, support first-generation homebuyers in purchasing their first home, and ensure that housing is infrastructure. “The Housing is Infrastructure Act of 2021” would provide $600 million in housing infrastructure investments including replacement, upgrade, or improvement of infrastructure serving a manufactured housing community. “The Ending Homelessness Act of 2021” would transform the Housing Choice Voucher program into a federal entitlement, and “The Down Payment Toward Equity Act of 2021” would provide $100 billion toward down payment and other financial assistance for first-generation homebuyers to purchase their first home. This action by Chairwoman Waters follows a meeting with President Biden where he assured the Chairwoman that housing would be included in the reconciliation bill related to his infrastructure plan. MHI is currently reviewing these bills to identify opportunities for manufactured housing and areas of concern for our members. Click here to learn more about the legislative package.
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MHI Voices Opposition to Legislation that Hurts Small Businesses
MHI joined over 250 organizations in sending a letter to the Senate expressing strong opposition to the “Protecting Right to Organize Act” (PRO Act) in advance of a Committee hearing titled “The Right to Organize: Empowering American Workers in a 21st Century Economy.” The PRO Act aims to boost the number of dues paying union members at the expense of workers, small and local businesses, entrepreneurs, and main street consumers. The legislation attempts to implement policies that have been rejected by the judicial system, opposed on a bipartisan basis in Congress, and/or abandoned by the agencies asked to enforce them. Among its provisions, the legislation would remove workers’ free choice in union elections; eliminate worker privacy rights; curb opportunities for people to work independently through gig economy platforms or more traditional independent contractor roles; eliminate Right-to-Work protections for workers across the country; and make it harder for small businesses to secure legal advice on complex labor law matters. The bill would also codify into law the National Labor Relations Board’s controversial joint employer standard, which would expose nearly every business relationship to liability for unlawful behavior committed by business partners, such as contractors, suppliers, and franchisees. In response to this legislation, MHI is working with the coalition to support the “Save Local Business Act,” which amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act to make clear that an employer may be considered a joint employer in relation to an employee only if such employer directly, actually, and immediately exercises significant control over the essential terms and conditions of employment.
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MHI Touts Importance of Manufactured Housing for Addressing Sustainable Homeownership
During a listening session hosted by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) about closing the gap to sustainable homeownership, MHI discussed how manufactured housing can help reduce the racial homeownership gap and enable sustainable homeownership. In its remarks, MHI strongly argued FHFA can advance racial equity in housing by vigorously enforcing Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s (the Enterprises) statutory responsibility to serve low-income and underserved minority borrowers through its Duty to Serve (DTS) mandate to serve manufactured housing. Stating the proposed 2022-2024 DTS Plans do not adequately address the Enterprises’ statutory requirement to serve manufactured housing, MHI called on FHFA to hold the Enterprises accountable and for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to re-affirm their previous commitment and expand financing for manufactured homes for all qualified consumers, including through support for chattel financing. Further, MHI stressed that exclusionary zoning laws have an important role in causing racial disparities in the housing market. MHI called on FHFA to work with HUD to address restrictive local ordinances, which can include limitations or outright prohibitions against manufactured homes, which impede the goal of achieving racial equity in homeownership.
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President Biden Confirms Housing will be Included in Infrastructure Package
During a speech in Illinois, President Biden confirmed housing will be included in any reconciliation bill related to his infrastructure plan. In his remarks he stated, “We need to deal with the shortage of affordable housing in America. Over 10 million renters in this country pay more than half their income for the rent on their apartment, and the lack of affordable housing prevents people from moving to communities where there are more opportunities. So, we’re going to make historic investment in affordable housing, increasing, and improving the housing supply by building and rehabilitating more than 2 million homes, especially in places that need more housing.” President Biden’s remarks followed a meeting with House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), where he assured her that housing would be included in reconciliation.
MHI worked with its housing coalition partners to successfully advocate the package include housing, including addressing exclusionary zoning and harmful land use policies and providing federal resources for the production of affordable housing.
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2022 FY T-HUD Appropriations Committee Report Calls for Support of Manufactured Housing
The House Appropriations Committee has advanced the Fiscal Year 2022 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (T-HUD) spending bill to the House floor for consideration. MHI’s request for language in the report was successful, and the Committee report highlights the importance of manufactured housing and urges HUD “to continue research to identify areas that could benefit from factory-built housing, regulatory barriers to factory-built housing, and impacts of those barriers on communities.” Inclusion of this language is an important way to keep momentum going at HUD on our priority issues.
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2021 Webinar Series: Shoot for the Moon
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Free Webinars
Powered/Sponsored by: ManufacturedHomes.com and
LearnMH.com
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Thursday, August 12, 2021, 2 PM ET
The Importance of Appraisal Training
With Guest Speaker Scott Reuter, Freddie Mac | Hosted by Chris Nicely
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Available Daily
Licensing Education - Online Access
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Initial Licensing - Jan thru Nov
Continuing Education - Jan thru Early Dec
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THA Annual Member's Event
June 26 - 28, 2022
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Important Links/Downloads
for your Information & Research
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EVICTION MORATORIUM UPDATES
- As of July 31, the federal eviction moratorium has expired, but state or local moratoriums may remain in place. For residents who still need assistance in paying their rent, they may be eligible to receive funds from the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. In most states and localities, landlords can apply for ERA funds on behalf of their residents.
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The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that tenants of multifamily properties with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) who are subject to eviction for nonpayment of rent must be given 30 days’ notice to vacate before the tenant can be required to leave the unit. This requirement applies to all Enterprise-backed multifamily properties, regardless of whether the loan is in forbearance.
- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) are extending the moratorium on single-family real estate owned (REO) evictions until Sept. 30, 2021. The REO eviction moratorium applies to properties that have been acquired by an Enterprise through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure transactions. Separately, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced that it is extending its foreclosure-related eviction moratorium for foreclosed borrowers through Sept. 30, 2021.
Rental Assistance in Tennessee (see below)
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Emergency Rental Assistance
administered by:
The Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA)
(615/815-2200)
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Direct your tenants to the COVID-19 Rent Relief program web page for answers to general questions, eligibility and application information, as well as payment and processing questions.
Special Note:
Tenants in Davidson, Knox, Rutherford, and Shelby County/Memphis will NOT BE ELIGIBLE for THDA funds and will need to contact their local government for more information on local rent relief programs. Click on the respective county above to be redirected to access for applying for funds in those areas.
DISCLAIMER:
Any suspected fraud in connection with COVID-19 Rent Relief Program should be reported to THDA for immediate review. THDA reserves the right to decline funding or participation if it is determined that fraud has occurred.
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MH Advantage Program - Tools For Retailers |
ManufacturedHomes.com has created resources to help retailers understand MH Advantage financing, how it works, what homes qualify, and the solution it provides for your customers.
Access helpful tools, educational videos, and important information to learn more about the program.
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Manufactured Housing State Regulatory Resources - (Key Links) |
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Lots of fun videos to watch, games to play and activities you can do together! The kiddos will love it!
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