A Message From THA
There's much to talk about this week.
Please take a look around, and collect your resources.
TN Pledge:
General Guidelines for Businesses
The State recommends safeguarding protocols for all businesses in Tennessee, including those that are reopening and those essential businesses that remained open during the Safer at Home order . These safeguarding protocols are based on the recommendations of the CDC and OSHA. To support the Tennessee Pledge, all employers and employees should take steps to reopen safely, help other industries be able to open more quickly, and allow Tennessee to remain healthy and open for business.
Retail Industry Guidelines
In addition to the above referenced "General Guidelines for Businesses, the State recommends retail industries put into place an assortment of measures to protect consumers and employees. Download or view a copy of the guidelines to ensure your compliance.


Do you need a resource to purchase
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
for your Employees or Customers?
Many vendors have expressed their interest in serving Tennessee businesses as they get back to work in a safe environment and reboot our state’s economy. Below is a link to the state's list of personal protective equipment (PPE) vendors which offer products to assist in following CDC or Tennessee Pledge guidelines.

Companies are encouraged to maximize securing PPE through normal distribution channels, and the listed vendors may be able to supplement such normal channels. Please note product and pricing details listed are subject to change based on availability and are provided for comparison purposes only. Contact vendors directly for a quote. 
MHI Joins Coalition of Businesses Urging Congress to Pass
Temporary and Targeted Liability Relief Legislation
MHI, along with a coalition of business organizations, are urging Congress to enact timely, temporary and targeted liability relief legislation to provide businesses a safe harbor pass from unwarranted lawsuits from the Coronavirus emergency as companies begin to reopen. The letter argues that during the stay-at-home orders, essential businesses remained open to provide critical services and supplies to the economy while adhering to public health guidance. Now, as the stay-at-home orders are lifted, more businesses are reopening and making their best efforts to comply with public health guidance to protect their employees and customers. However, there is concern amongst businesses that they will have to defend themselves against a wave of frivolous lawsuits related to the Coronavirus emergency. The letter specifically asks that Congress grant a safe harbor for the duration of the pandemic crisis and response that covers those businesses that work to follow government guidelines against COVID-19 exposure claims.  
U.S. Department of
Homeland Security
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
Office of the Director
Washington, DC 20528
UPDATED FEDERAL GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL SERVICES
While some states issue their own state mandates relative to businesses which can remain open or re-open during this time, Tennessee has closely followed the recommendations from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Specifically relating to our industry, DHS lists manufactured housing workers involved in the “sale, transportation and installation of manufactured homes”, as essential workers. As well, workers responsible for the leasing of residential properties to provide ready access to affordable housing are also listed as essential.

Click the button below to review the entire document. Items specific to our industry may be found on page 20, under ' Residential/Shelter Facilities Housing and Real Estate and Related Services '. Or see the excerpt printed below.
RESIDENTIAL/SHELTER FACILITIES,
HOUSING AND REAL ESTATE, AND RELATED SERVICES

  • Workers who support food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for needy groups and individuals, including in-need populations and COVID-19 responders, including travelling medical staff. • Workers in animal shelters.

  • Workers responsible for the leasing of residential properties to provide individuals and families with ready access to available housing.

  • Workers responsible for handling property management, maintenance, and related service calls who can coordinate the response to emergency “at-home” situations requiring immediate attention, as well as facilitate the reception of deliveries, mail, and other necessary services.

  • Workers performing housing and commercial construction related activities, including those supporting the sale, transportation, and installation of manufactured homes.

  • Workers supporting government functions related to the building and development process, such as inspections, permitting, and plan review services that can be modified to protect the public health, but fundamentally should continue and enable the continuity of the construction industry (e.g., allow qualified private third-party inspections in case of federal government shutdown).

  • Workers performing services in support of the elderly and disabled populations who coordinate a variety of services, including health care appointments and activities of daily living.

  • Workers responsible for the movement and provisioning of household goods.
Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)
Renewal Notice
On May 26, 2020, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) published in the Federal Register a 60-day notice, to renew the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control numbers assigned to the SAR reporting and regulatory requirements.

The notice is required to give the public an opportunity to comment on existing reporting and regulatory requirements and burden estimates.

As a result of recommendations from OMB, FinCEN significantly revised its methodology on costs and time estimates for purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act to be more granular in the estimate of resources expended.

The notice requests feedback from industry on or before July 27, 2020. FinCEN encourages the public to review this notice and provide comment.
Innovative Housing Showcase 2020 Cancelled

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the cancellation of the Innovative Housing Showcase 2020 that was planned for Sept. 12-14, on the National Mall.

In the announcement, HUD stated the event was being cancelled due to health and safety precautions associated with COVID-19. The Department plans to reschedule the Innovative Housing Showcase sometime in Spring 2021.

The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) will continue to monitor and provide updates as they become available. 

(When HUD held the first International Housing Showcase in June 2019, MHI worked with the Department to ensure manufactured housing was included. As a result, our industry took center stage, setting up three fully furnished, HUD Code homes on the National Mall. Thousands of visitors toured the homes set up by our members Skyline Champion, Cavco and UMH Properties, including several lawmakers and officials whose overwhelmingly positive impressions remain today.)
' Developing with Manufactured Housing ' Webinar

June 17, 2020 from 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST
MHI is launching a series of interactive webinars designed to provide high-quality industry education and training you can access from the comfort of your own home or office. Leading off the series is the Developing with Manufactured Housing webinar on June 17, 2020 from 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM Eastern time.
 
This is a condensed version of the annual full-day, in-person developer event, presented in conjunction with Congress & Expo. The webinar will educate and provide industry knowledge for builders and developers considering factory-built housing to save time and money on their projects.
 
Presented by Donald Westphal , Donald C. Westphal Associates, LLC, Nadi Design, Roderick Knoll , Manufactured Housing Resources Group and Emeka Nnadi , Nadi Design and Donald C. Westphal Associates


Topics Include:
  1. Manufactured Housing Industry Overview
  2. The Development Process – Site Selection
  3. Pro Forma Cash Flow Statements for Manufactured Housing Projects
  4. Land-Lease Case Study (Including Rental Homes)
  5. Impacts of and Responses to COVID-19


The webinar cost is $35 per person.
RETAIL SALES
COVID-19 Recovery
How to Emerge & Thrive
Free Webinar Series
6 Easy Ways To Boost Sales in 2020

Powered/Sponsored by: ManufacturedHomes.com
As a nation and an industry, we are currently facing tough economic hardships.
When the recovery comes -- and it will come --
will you and your business be ready to emerge and thrive?

FEMA Private Sector Advisory #03
Issued for Bradley and Hamilton Counties - (05/21/20)
Tennessee homeowners and renters in Bradley and Hamilton Counties, Tennessee who had uninsured losses from the April 12-13 tornadoes and storms may be eligible for federal disaster assistance from FEMA.

Right is a link to FEMA Private Sector Advisory #03 which contains updated recovery information to help homeowners, renters, members, students, faculty, businesses, employees, and customers who were affected by the storms that occurred in these in two TN counties.
Protect yourself from future disasters:

After a series of springtime tornadoes and windstorms, Tennesseans in many communities are repairing or rebuilding their homes. Recovering from a disaster is one of the most difficult challenges households will face.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Program has information and resources to help homeowners and businesses with the rebuilding process. Want to fortify your home from the inside out? How about 12 mitigation tips under $50? Check out this website:



In addition, you can find a video on making your roof wind-resistant here:



Factory Built Homes Are More Efficient Than Site Built Homes

General State News
  • Harvard Global Health Institute Study recently recognized Tennessee as one of the top testing states in the country.
  • Tennessee is planning to test 3% of the population, in addition to all long term care facility residents and staff, by the end of the month. 
  • The Department of Human Services has expanded its COVID-19 childcare payment assistance program to cover all essential workers, as outlined in previous Executive Orders, through mid-August.
  • The partnership between the Department of Education and PBS to provide educational learning on television every day has been extended through the end of the summer.
  • The state's unemployment rate reached an unprecedented rate of 14.7% in April, but the administration expects this number to diminish in May, as the state continues to reopen.
Executive Order 38 expands the number of Tennesseans who may return to work safely , while urging continued adherence to Health and Social Distancing Guidelines, to limit the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Drive-through Testing Locations Open This Weekend Statewide

The Tennessee Department of Health will offer 16 drive-through events across the state this weekend to make COVID-19 testing available to Tennesseans who are concerned about their health or the health of their family members.
When in doubt, get a test! ... TN.GOV/GetATest
Visit your local county health department today to pick up a free, washable face mask. All 95 locations across the state also offer free #COVID19 testing 5 days a week, regardless of traditional symptoms. Click the icon to view locations.
If you know of someone who is out of work and looking for work....
The Tennessee Talent Exchange, powered by @Jobs4_TN , is matching Tennesseans with immediate job openings in our state's grocery, retail, and logistics industries.

Apply HERE or visit https://www.tn.gov/workforce for more information.
ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES
Child Care Payment Assistance
Tennessee is trying to assist essential workers who are serving the state during this pandemic.

@TNHumanServices has partnered with @BGCMidTN to support these workers and their families through child care payment assistance.

For more information ... click HERE .
State-wide Press Conference
Thursday - May 28th, 3:00 pm cst

  • The state has released an updated timeline of actions taken by the Governor and his administration over . The timeline can be found here. Beginning on January 16, 2020, the State Health Operations Center was activated due to COVID-19, allowing for the Tennessee Department of Health to maximize capacity and available resources of the state’s metro and regional health departments.  From the first confirmed case of COVID-19, Gov. Lee and the State of Tennessee streamlined their response to protect the health and safety of all citizens, provide relief for struggling families and businesses, and made critical decisions to ensure Tennessee's economy rebounds from the unprecedented effects of COVID-19. Officials are proud of what’s been accomplished and look forward to a safe and strategic recovery.
  • With the help of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the state has added 450 hospital beds accompanied by 1,000 healthcare workers, on standby, should they be needed.
  • 18 drive thru COVID-19 testing facilities have been added, in partnership with CVS, focusing primarily on under-served communities.
  • The Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse has entered into a new partnership to provide a hotline for Tennessee healthcare workers, to help alleviate the stress and anxiety they are facing. The number to call is 888-642-7886. The number will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week.
  • The Department of Health is working with all nursing home facilities to ensure all patients and staff are tested before the end of May. 
  • The state has allocated $350,000 from the Nursing Home Civil Monetary Penalty Reinvestment Fund, which allows the state to reinvest in nursing homes to improve the quality of care and life, by funding a communication technology project. The project will allow resident to participate in social interactions with their family and friends, virtually, as well as tele-medicine.
A message from Governor Lee :

"This pandemic has created tremendous challenges for Tennesseans, whether it’s facing the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the anxiety of adopting new routines."

Tennessee's Statewide Crisis Line is available 24/7 - Call 855-274-7471 or text “TN” to 741-741.
2020 Annual Meeting - UPDATE

Initial Licensing/Certification Education

C & I Inspector Map - Effective May 26, 2020

Required Continuing Education

Foundation Assistance - Tornado and Storm Related Gifting ($500)
THA's Annual Meeting and 65th
Anniversary Celebration - Update
The THA Board of Directors announced several weeks ago, the June 7 - 9, 2020 event would be postponed until October 18 - 20, 2020. For more information and future participation deadline dates, please visit the Annual Meeting Page , via the THA Website.
 
As a note, if you had already made hotel reservations with Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa in Pigeon Forge for June, those reservations were automatically cancelled, when the Resort closed under the COVID-19 safety protocols.

You may begin calling the Resort in early July, to book your October reservations! (800) 365-5996.
 
We are excited to get this re-scheduled!
15 Hour Online Class for Initial Licensing
In cooperation with the Department of Commerce & Insurance, THA has developed a series of educational online videos (13) and content review exams (11), for the State of Tennessee's required 15 Hour initial licensing educational class for manufactured housing retailer and installer candidates.

Candidates should understand the developed online training will only be Phase I of the required State statutory requirements needed to pursue a Tennessee manufactured housing license; with the State’s mandated written test to be considered as Phase II.

To understand how this initial licensing educational process works, please read the below information.
To complete Phase I of this educational online program, candidates will utilize provided links to access a series of educational resources, videos and content examinations. These modules/videos and exams meet the educational statutory requirements required by Tennessee, in order to pursue a license in manufactured housing retail sales or home installations. 

Candidates must complete each module of the training, in order, and must complete each module exam, scoring 70% or better. As candidates complete a module and take the respective exam, the Association will be automatically notified, via a candidates online module exam score. Once a candidate has satisfactorily completed all sections/exams, a certificate of education will be e-mailed to the candidate. Candidates must retain the educational certificate, as proof of completing the required statutory education.

Additional information on this entire process is contained within the online training modules, and the provided resources.
Test Sheet
Phase II of education will require passing a state issued exam, given by Morris & McDaniel, Inc. The Association will notify candidates who have completed their education, when the State resumes in-person testing, or provides additional guidance on remote testing, through Morris & McDaniel, Inc. 

Exam fees are included in the pre-payment amount of this class, so candidates will not pay a separate testing fee. Should a candidate fail the state issued exam, an additional $125 will be charged by the testing company, to re-administer the exam. 

The testing company will only administer exams to individuals who have been verified as satisfactorily registering, pre-paying and passing all module exams.

As a note:  If candidates do not have easy access to a printer and need a copy of resources before beginning the online study, an educational package will be shipped to the requesting candidate.



05 Hour Online Class for Continuing Education
To meet the continuing education requirements of our licensed industry members and affiliates, THA has developed a modified online continuing education class for manufactured home retailers and installers, for the 2020 renewal of licensing or certification. 
 
Please note, this online training access will be offered for a limited time only.  Once federal and state travel restrictions have been lifted and approval for gatherings has been waived, the State of Tennessee will resume the requirement for ‘in-person’ class attendance. 

Take this opportunity now, to complete your 2020 education online! .... CLICK HERE for a registration form.

Remember Our Tornado Victims...
We are Still Recovering!
NOTE: Some of the MH industry's financial partners have approved the use of this 'gifted' money as down payment assistance. Please check with your financial representative to see if these funds will qualify for that use. If not, the funds may be directed toward other sales contract items relative to the home replacement. Funds will be available at closing.  
THA Retailers...
 
The Tennessee Manufactured Housing Foundation ( The Industry's Helping Hand ) is offering $500 in assistance to any of your purchasing customers who were affected by the March 3rd Tornado Disaster.
 
If your customer owned (or was financing) a manufactured home and the home was their primary residence for at least one year, please take a moment to review the minimum requirements, to see if your customer qualifies for this gifted assistance. (This applies to purchasing customers who must replace their damaged or destroyed manufactured home.)
 
Restrictions do apply , so please download the linked one-page document below, to see how you can offer this assistance to your customer.
 
The Foundation has set aside $20,000. Once the funds have been depleted, no additional assistance will be processed under this offering, unless additional monetary donations are received by TMHF for this effort.