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The Reporter 2023
Year End Edition
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“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
-- Theodore Roosevelt --
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President Biden Approves Tennessee Disaster Declaration | |
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Yesterday (December 13th), President Biden, declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Tennessee and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and tornadoes on December 9, 2023.
The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery, and Sumner.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding also is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance in the counties of Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery, and Sumner.
Lastly, Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Ms. Yolanda J. Jackson of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.
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If you know of someone in need, please have these resources readily available for sharing. | |
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ICYMI - Legislation to Remove DOE Authority over Manufactured Housing Energy Standards Moves Forward
Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to pass the “Affordable HOMES Act” (H.R. 6421). The Affordable HOMES Act repeals Section 413 of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 and would ensure that the Department of Energy’s (DOE) final rule on Energy Conservation Standards for Manufactured Housing will have no force or effect.
Halting implementation of the EISA’s flawed approach and re-affirming HUD’s long-standing exclusive control over federal manufactured housing standards is the best way to ensure the timely adoption of improved energy efficiency standards for factory-built housing in a way that preserves the availability of affordable manufactured homes for Americans.
THA supports the passage of the Affordable HOMES Act and asks you to show your support by going to the MHI Advocacy Action Center and telling your Representative in Congress to support the passage of the “Affordable HOMES Act” (H.R. 6421). Congress must hear from all sectors of the manufactured housing industry about the urgent need to stop DOE overreach.
Connect with your Representative by following the simple steps on MHI's website. MHI wrote a letter that you can send by simply inserting your home address and clicking submit.
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DOE Pre-publication of Compliance and Enforcement Procedures
Last Friday, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a pre-publication Federal Register notice proposing to establish compliance and enforcement procedures for its standards for manufactured housing. DOE recently amended the compliance date for these standards in a final rule published May 30, 2023, to delay compliance until July 1, 2025, for Tier 2 homes, and until 60 days after issuance of final enforcement procedures for Tier 1 homes. DOE delayed the compliance date to allow more time for this rulemaking to establish enforcement procedures that provide clarity for manufacturers and other stakeholders regarding DOE's expectations of manufacturers and DOE's plans for enforcing the standards. Once the proposal is officially published in the Federal Register, there will be 60 days to offer public comment.
While there is more advocacy work to be done, our message has made an impact. The DOE will allow manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with standards for sizing of heating and cooling equipment either through ACCA Manual J and Manual S or through the approach in the HUD Code at 24 CFR 3280.508, indicating that our arguments about the inappropriate use of site-built requirements have been heard.
Nevertheless, there remain significant issues with the proposal. While no compliance procedure is specified, the proposal outlines the procedure for enforcement, including the issuance of warning letters, notices of noncompliance, notices of civil penalty, (optional) compromise and settlement, final notice of proposed civil penalty, response, hearing, order, and appeal of any civil penalties.
The cost of testing and compliance was not considered in the underlying rule, and the DOE said that the additional costs imposed by this proposed rule would be minimal so the adoption of the proposed enforcement procedures proposed would not alter their cost assessment for adopting the energy conservation standards.
MHI is evaluating the proposal and will be submitting a detailed response.
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FHFA Director Thompson Highlights Manufactured Housing at National Affordable Housing Conference
Recently, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Sandra L. Thompson addressed the National Housing Conference’s (NHC) Solutions for Affordable Housing conference in Washington, DC. In her remarks, Thompson said sustainable access to credit is her number one priority, and the agency is working to make manufactured housing an easier type of housing to buy. Further, Thompson told the conference about her recent visit to a manufactured housing factory and community in Burleson, Texas during the Texas Manufactured Housing Association Conference where she was accompanied by MHI CEO Lesli Gooch. She said it inspired her to prioritize discovering solutions for FHFA to provide more assistance facilitating these loans. Thompson also recommended that banks double affordable housing lending.
In a morning panel on multifamily housing dynamics the conversation turned to issues surrounding construction difficulties and innovation. During this discussion, manufactured and modular housing were raised as prime examples of innovation and alternative construction methods, with panelists noting that the US would be well served to embrace these types of homes more enthusiastically.
The goal of the conference was to “foster connections among a diverse range of affordable housing stakeholders, encompassing officials from municipal bodies, charitable foundations, non-profit organizations, real estate developers, lenders, and beyond.” While the conversations covered a range of housing topics, manufactured housing featured prominently in several of the panels.
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MHI Joins Coalition in Support of the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act
MHI joined a coalition of housing associations in a letter to Senators Ron Wyden (OR) and Dan Sullivan (AK) and Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Mike Carey (OH-15) in support of the Workforce Housing Tax Credit. In the letter, the coalition noted that the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act would spur the development of housing targeted to renter households facing affordability challenges but ineligible for federal subsidies, particularly where the shortage of available units makes it challenging for millions of households nationwide to find quality rental housing that they can afford. The coalition also said the new tax credit would provide necessary incentives to drive housing production, especially workforce housing, since the U.S. must build 4.3 million more apartments by 2035 to meet the demand for rental housing.
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NLRB Extends Effective Date of Joint Employer Rule to February 2024
In mid-November, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced it was extending the effective date of its new rule for determining the joint employer standard to February 26, 2024. The extension was implemented to facilitate resolution of legal challenges with respect to the rule. Under the new rules, “an entity may be considered a joint employer of a group of employees if each entity has an employment relationship with the employees and they share or codetermine one or more of the employees’ essential terms and conditions of employment, which are defined exclusively as: (1) wages, benefits, and other compensation; (2) hours of work and scheduling; (3) the assignment of duties to be performed; (4) the supervision of the performance of duties; (5) work rules and directions governing the manner, means, and methods of the performance of duties and the grounds for discipline; (6) the tenure of employment, including hiring and discharge; and (7) working conditions related to the safety and health of employees.”
The industry has previously opposed these changes as they would fundamentally change the definition of an employer relationship and confuse employee/ employer relations, particularly where contracted relationships are concerned.
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Affordable Housing Hearing Includes Manufactured Housing Legislation
The U.S. House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance held a hearing on December 6th entitled, “Housing Affordability: Governmental Barriers and Market-Based Solutions.”
The hearing focused on the continuing affordability challenges in the single-family housing and rental markets. Two of the four bills discussed were directly related to manufactured housing: H.R. 3327, the Manufactured Housing Affordability and Energy Efficiency Act and H.R. 5198, the Expansion of Attainable Homeownership Through Manufactured Housing Act. In addition, H.R. 3507, the Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Act, and legislation to eliminate a provision in the CARES Act that requires a 30-day notice period before a landlord may begin eviction proceedings against a tenant in federally-assisted or federally-backed housing were considered. MHI submitted written testimony to the Committee in favor of all four bills.
During the hearing, the subcommittee and witnesses discussed the effect of burdensome regulations on manufactured housing. Speaking about the consequences of the Department of Energy's proposed rules, Rep. Norman (SC-5) observed that the DOE standards were developed by bureaucrats without the proper understanding of factory-built housing or the potential impact on housing affordability.
Rep. Flood (NE-1) said manufactured housing is an affordable alternative that lowers the cost of single-family homes, particularly in light of the ongoing housing affordability crisis.
The hearing concluded with an exchange between Rep. Rose (TN-6), the sponsor of H.R. 5198 and cosponsor of H.R. 3327, and Dr. Emily Hamilton, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Rep. Rose asked Dr. Hamilton to explain how removing the permanent chassis requirement could expand access to manufactured homes.
Dr. Hamilton said eliminating the permanent chassis requirement would broaden the types, design and sizes of HUD code manufactured homes and expand their use as infill, primary residences, and accessory dwelling units. Further, she highlighted the economic efficiencies of manufactured housing by observing that homes could be built in areas with lower labor costs than sited in areas where on-site construction is cost-prohibitive.
In October, the House of Representatives passed by voice vote an Amendment by Rep. Norman that prohibits Department of Energy (DOE) funds from being used to implement the DOE’s rule for energy standards for manufactured housing. The amendment was offered during House consideration of the DOE spending bill for Fiscal Year 2024, and if adopted into law, the prohibition would stay in place until October 1, 2024. No member spoke in opposition to the amendment, and it was one of only a few amendments passed by a voice vote.
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House Votes to Overturn
CFPB Lending Rule
On December 1st, the House voted 221-202 to overturn a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule requiring personal information, including race and sex, about small-business borrowers from the financial institutions that lend to them. The joint resolution (S.J. Res. 32) nullifies the final rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau titled Small Business Lending under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B) and published on May 31, 2023. The rule requires financial institutions to collect and report to the bureau credit application data for small businesses including personal information, including race and sex, about small-business borrowers. President Biden is expected to veto the legislation.
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New Survey on Housing Trends among New Home Buyers
Zillow recently released findings from their 2023 Consumer Housing Trends Report focusing on new construction homebuyers. The research found that the largest generational group of new construction buyers (40%) is “millennials,” buyers between 29 and 43 years old. Additionally, roughly one in every five new construction buyers buys their home in Texas (19%), and one in eight buys in Florida (13%). The typical new construction buyer household earns an estimated $118,054, compared to $96,375 for existing home buyer households; homebuyers in general earn significantly more than the national median of $70,784. Among potential homebuyers, 42% indicated they were only interested in newly constructed homes while 13% said they were more interested in existing homes.
Further, roughly half of new construction buyers said they initially wanted to buy a completed home (48%) while a third initially intended to purchase a home they could work with a builder to construct from scratch (33%). Two in five new construction buyers (43%) say that the home being move-in ready, without any need for repairs or updates, was their number one reason for buying a new construction home. Among the features of new homes that consumers believe to be important, about six in seven new construction buyers (86%) considered energy efficiency a very or extremely important home characteristic. Other very or extremely important characteristics include potential for appreciation (82%), off street parking (80%), private outdoor space (79%), and a spare bedroom (79%).
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THA Board Approves Floor Due Increase | |
During a recent November Board of Directors meeting, THA Directors held the annual budget review and approval of operating expenses for the upcoming year. After much discussion, Directors voted to increase manufacturer floor dues from $125 per floor to $175 per floor. A rate change of floor dues had not been implemented since 2016. The rate change will go into affect beginning with April 1st production. THA will be utilizing a portion of that increase for legislative activities to better serve the growing demand for education and support within the local and state regulatory body of legislative officials who make decisions affecting our industry everyday. | |
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Surging Senior Population Burdened by Housing Costs | |
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The Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) at Harvard University released its 2023 report Housing America’s Older Adults. Noting that the US population 65 and over grew by 34% in the last decade, from 43 million in 2012 to 58 million in 2022, the report addresses the specific housing needs for older Americans.
The report found that roughly 11.2 million older adults were cost-burdened, meaning they spent more than 30% of their income on housing. The need for additional long-term care increases financial strain, and when these services are added to housing costs, only 14% of single people 75 and over can afford a daily visit from a paid caregiver, while just 13% can afford to move to an assisted living facility. The report also found that between 1989 and 2022, the share of homeowners aged 65 to 79 with a mortgage increased from 24% to 41% and the median mortgage debt for this group increased more than 400%, from $21,000 in 1989 to $110,000 in 2022.
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Well, this is an interesting article!
Read Lending Tree's analysis of rising prices of manufactured homes which includes a state-by-state breakdown.
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2024 THA Annual Member’s Meeting
"Make Every Connection Matter"
June 9 - 11, 2024
Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort
1210 Dollywood Resorts Blvd
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
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Article Heading
January 17 - 19, 2024!
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THA Holiday Office Closures | | |
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The THA Office will be closed:
Monday December 25th - Christmas Day
Monday January 1st - New Year's Day
We would like to wish each of our members a very happy and safe holiday season with family and friends!
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Member Updates and Reminders | |
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Member 2024 dues renewals were mailed in late November with a due date of December 31st! Check your mailbox and get those renewals returned to continue receiving the latest industry news, information and educational discounts.
Member resources and social media:
THA Association Website: https://tnmha.org/
Go to THA’s main website for the latest industry news, show dates, legislative action items, licensing educational news, scholarship information, member listings, PAC updates and so much more! There is no log in or password needed for this site!
THA Educational Website: https://education.tnmha.org/
This is the direct link to the educational platform where courses are available for initial licensing/certification and continuing education! Please check the Association website (tnmha.org) throughout the year for special announcements, field updates, and yearend deadlines. You must have a log in and password for your educational account, but not the Association website.
THA Consumer Website: https://www.tennesseemanufacturedhomes.com/
This is a consumer-facing website which allows consumers to tour homes and send messages directly to THA members for home quotes, community inquiries, inquire about financing or reach one of our service/suppliers. You must be a THA member to have your business listed on this site.
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THA Educational Assistance/Scholarships | |
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Stan & Thelma Plumlee Scholarship Committee
$2,000 Technical Scholarships
available through the
Factory-Built Home Industry.
Up to four (4) will be awarded in 2024.
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Scholarship applicants MUST be associated with the manufactured or modular housing construction industry in some way, to be considered.
For example:
- the student/individual currently lives in a manufactured or modular home; or
- the student/individual has a close relative who works in the manufactured housing industry (i.e., father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, aunt, or uncle); or
- the student/individual is currently working in the industry via one of the intern/apprenticeship programs; or
- the student/individual is directly employed by a manufactured or modular housing construction-related company.
In order for a student to be eligible to receive one of the stated financial awards from the Stan & Thelma Plumlee Scholarship fund, the following criteria must be followed:
- Must have graduated from a Tennessee High School (public, private, parochial) or equivalent (GED).
- Must be accepted by an accredited Tennessee Trade or Technical School/Program or other institute of higher learning.
- The institute of higher learning must be a Tennessee public or private university or college, a junior college, or an accredited trade or technical school/program.
Scholarship assistance opportunities are not limited to graduating seniors, but are specific to the pursuit of technical or trades-related training which supports the construction industry.
Deadline to receive applications is is 4:00 pm, Thursday, March 7, 2024.
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Foundation Charitable Donations | |
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The Tennessee Manufactured Housing Foundation was established in 1995, by the Tennessee Housing Association to provide assistance for manufactured homeowners who are disadvantaged due to income or circumstance. The Foundation assists in the repair and improvement of existing manufactured homes, and also provides replacement manufactured homes in certain situations.
- In order to sustain its programs to assist families with needs related to housing, the Tennessee Manufactured Housing Foundation must secure gifts from those who share our concern for families who are less fortunate.
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If you would like to consider a tax deductible gift to ensure a family will have adequate, safe housing please contact a TMHF staff member at office@tnmha.org or download a contribution form.
The TMHF is an IRS registered 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are tax deductible. If you are looking for ways to reduce your taxable income, please consider the Foundation before year end.
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Community Owners and Managers Education | |
Accredited Community Manager (ACM) - Designation -
The ACM curriculum is a two-part course for owners and managers of manufactured home communities. Topics include management and resident policies, community maintenance, leasing and sales techniques, marketing communities, taxes, insurance, financial management, business planning, physical asset management, and federal and fair housing laws.
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Professional Housing Consultant (PHC)
- Designation -
The PHC curriculum is a comprehensive study of manufactured housing for retail salespeople. Topics include retailer responsibilities, land-home and personal property financing, fair housing, and selling skills.
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News articles from around the country! | |
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Mobile home prices surged by 77% in 5 years, National Mortgage News
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State law aims to protect owners of mobile homes, Spectrum News
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Mobile home owners schooled on tenants’ rights, new protections, The Sonoma Index-Tribune
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State Grants $11.8M For Local Homeowner Assistance, Rehabilitation Programs, The Business Journal
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Mobile Home Prices Are Rising Faster Than Single-Family Home Prices — Here’s Where They’re the Most, Least Expensive, LendingTree
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Democrats want to kick hedge funds out of the the housing market to improve affordability, Business Insider
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US Mortgage Rate Drops to Four-Month Low, Boosting Refinancing, Yahoo Finance
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Looking To Borrow Even More for A House? Mortgage Loan Limits Are About to Increase In 2024, Forbes
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2023 THA-PAC Campaign
Two weeks left to contribute!
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Annually, we encourage our members to support Tennessee's legislative efforts, by contributing to the Political Action Committee campaign. Click on the Donate Button [right], to download a contribution form. You may also review the PAC webpage, for more information!
To date, the 2023 campaign raised $59,877. Please see the list of contributors on the PAC webpage!
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Pretty Home? Let Us Film It! | |
The production team at ManufacturedHomes.com is currently looking for installed manufactured and modular homes that will represent the industry in our state. If any of our THA members have recently set a home and the landscaping is now complete, drop a picture of the exterior to Rick@manufacturedhomes.com
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Did you see the THA Member Tool Kit email on December 14th? | |
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Download the graphic and video from this newsletter or from your member email (12/14/2023).
As a member, you may use these tools in your social media posts or on your website.
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is making a difference! Leads are coming in!
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Take a look here: TennesseeManufacturedHomes.com
As a THA member, you have a free site listing allowing consumers to directly access your business. What a fantastic member benefit! As of this writing, since mid-March, over 340 customers have inquired to retailers, finance companies or communities for home quotes or community living availability! We have their names, e-mails and phone numbers! Many of those customers inquired to more than one retailer asking for quotes on more than home model! Those are serious inquiries and real opportunities! However, to provide the best consumer experience, retailer listing profiles should display the makes and models of new homes offered, and communities should have full descriptions with amenities. In order for you to best utilize this consumer-facing website, it is imperative that you verify your listing and provide all necessary changes. The site's architect will directly receive your requests for changes or additions (see buttons below).
In all events, ensure any leads generated are going to an email address that is checked daily. Please take a minute to click the appropriate button below and provide/update your free member listing. If your business is not listed, you have not completed your required listing information. Non-member companies will not be allowed to list on this website for consumer searches.
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Disclaimer! As with any new venture there will be a learning process! Launching this new site comes with tweaks and corrections! Be our eyes and ears! Check your listings and utilize the direct vendor access buttons below, for changes/additions/updates.
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Remember! This is THA’s consumer-facing website. Our existing association website remains active as your continued resource for industry news, legislative announcements, educational offerings, and general business information.
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Use these links to make changes or additions to your listing. | |
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Tennessee MH Education
New Classes Begin January 5, 2024
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Pick your course. Pay online. Access Online.
Print your certificate of completion right from your dashboard!
Students may take courses from January 5th through December 6th, 2024.
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Discounts are available for THA member companies ONLY!
(Email Office@tnmha.org for your member discount coupon, prior to purchase!)
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Follow us on social media! | | | | |
