July 31, 2020
Messages from THA
THA is located in Wilson County, which is currently under a face mask mandate until at least August 3rd.
Tell Congress that an Extension of the Eviction Moratorium is Not the Right Approach to Keep People in Their Homes
Congress is currently crafting the next phase of the COVID-19 relief package, which will likely include further funding for unemployment insurance, additional stimulus checks, and other relief. As a part of this package, many are calling on policymakers to include an extension of the federal eviction moratorium that expired last week. A protracted eviction moratorium is not a sustainable , long-term solution for American families facing financial hardship and is ruinous to the rental housing market . We urge you to contact your Senators to tell them that an extension of the eviction moratorium is not the right approach to keep people in their homes.
What to Tell Your Senators
Ask your Senators to oppose extending the federal eviction moratorium and instead support emergency rental assistance targeted to those impacted by COVID-19. 

Justification
The best way to protect the housing of those who have been impacted by COVID-19 is through financial assistance to keep renters from ever missing rental payments . Congress’ efforts thus far to provide robust financial assistance to households and businesses impacted by COVID-19 have prevented widespread evictions.  Extending unemployment insurance and stimulus payments, along with a targeted rental assistance program , are needed to keep residents, who have a COVID-related hardship, in their homes.  Congress should focus on these important measures and reject calls to extend the federal eviction moratorium.  

Take Action
MHI's advocacy page is making this request to your Senators easy. Click here and follow the simple steps. Once you have completed the letter, simply click “Submit.”

Thank you in advance for your support!

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Issues Advisory on Cybercrime and Cyber-Enabled Crime Exploiting the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an advisory Thursday (7/30/2020), to alert financial institutions to potential indicators of cybercrime and cyber-enabled crime observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The advisory contains descriptions of COVID-19-related malicious cyber activity and scams, associated financial red flag indicators, and information on reporting suspicious activity.
 
The advisory is based on FinCEN’s analysis of COVID-19-related information obtained from Bank Secrecy Act data, open source reporting, and law enforcement partners. FinCEN will issue COVID-19-related information to financial institutions to help enhance their efforts to detect, prevent, and report suspected illicit activity on its website.
Dana Wade Confirmed as FHA Commissioner
On Tuesday (July 28), the U.S. Senate confirmed Dana Wade as Assistant Secretary of Housing at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
 
The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) has been a vocal supporter of Wade’s confirmation since her nomination hearing before the Senate Banking Committee in May. As in prior nomination hearings for HUD leaders, MHI provided our champions on the Committee with information about issues of importance to the manufactured housing industry, including the creation of a separate regulatory path for a more regular cadence of HUD Code updates and elevating the Office of Manufactured Housing Programs (OMHP) within HUD’s bureaucracy. 

"FHA Commissioner Wade's experience from important vantage points of federal housing policy gives her the perspective needed to successfully lead the Office of Housing and FHA at this critical time in our nation’s history, when strains are being placed on our federal housing support programs like never before," said MHI CEO Lesli Gooch. "We have no doubt that Mrs. Wade’s effective and steady leadership will help ensure HUD is positioned well to meet the housing needs of Americans struggling from the fallout of the COVID-19 emergency."
 
Wade held this title in an interim capacity at HUD from July 2017 to June 2018 before leaving to serve as Program Associate Director for General Government at the Office of Management and Budget where she oversaw HUD’s budget, among other duties.
 
During her time at HUD, Wade has been responsible for carrying out the Department’s mission of providing affordable housing opportunities and she has taken a leading role in the agency’s responsibilities regarding manufactured housing. MHI worked closely with Wade as she led HUD’s reorganization of the OMHP and its comprehensive review of manufactured housing regulations. Before joining the Trump Administration, Wade served as the Deputy Staff Director of the Senate Banking Committee under Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL), a strong and vocal ally of manufactured housing.
POLLS ARE OPEN!!
Early voting in Tennessee :
Polls close tomorrow,
Saturday, August 1st.

*

Primary Day: Thursday, August 6th.



TN Surveillance Data - COVID-19
The TN State of Emergency, related to the ongoing pandemic, extended to August 29, 2020 .
The TN COVID-19 Public Information # is 877/857-2945 or 833/556-2476.
Open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday.
The National Academies of
Sciences Engineering Medicine

" Schools Should Prioritize Reopening in Fall 2020, Especially for Grades K-5, While Weighing Risks and Benefits "
Governor Lee Press Conference Highlights

EDUCATIONAL FOCUS
Tuesday - 07/28/20

If you have children or grandchildren, this recorded press conference is worth a watch.
During Governor Lee's press conference on Tuesday, which focused primarily on the re-opening of schools in Tennessee, the following updates were provided:

  • The Governor, in conjunction with the Department of Health and the Department of Education announced their recommendation for all school districts to plan to re-open with in-person classes. 
  • The Department required all districts to submit a "Continuous Learning Plan" (CLP) by last Friday, which each district has submitted and is being reviewed by the Department of Education. The CLP will serve as a flexible plan for districts to adopt in the event of a student becoming infected by COVID-19, and can be scaled up or down depending on the severity of case numbers. Additional information about the CLP can be found here.
  • The Department of Health reported that vaccinations in those 0-19 years old has decreased by 43% since the same time last year. They assured Tennesseans that going to the doctor or health department was safe and responsible. They also encouraged parents to take children to their local health department or doctor to have them receive the appropriate vaccinations. 
  • The Department of Health is asking all parents to isolate their children at home for 10 days, upon receiving a positive COVID-19 test result. Additionally, they are asking all parents to ensure their child is quarantined at home for 14 days if they spent 10 minutes or more within 6 feet of somebody who has tested positive.
  • The COVID-19 Child Wellbeing Task Force has published their impact summary, which outlines the impact on children, of closing schools early in the spring. The publication of the summary can be found here.
  • The Department of Education announced they will be providing free resources to supplement any virtual learning. Those resources include an Early Literacy Resource to supplement early childhood literacy, PBS Learning Series for students in grades 1 through 9, STEM Resource Hub, and a free and optional assessment called "Start of the Year Checkpoint." All of these resources can be found on the Tennessee Department of Education's website. 
  • The $50 million technology grants issued by Governor Lee will be used to aid in schools' teaching capabilities, both in and out of the classroom. The grant will yield 250,000 computer devices for students. 
  • The Department of Education continues to emphasize the importance of food accessibility for children and their families. They announced the continuation of their partnership with School Meal Finder to ensure parents are aware of how their child can access school meal programs.
  • In conjunction with TEMA, the Department of Education will be providing 80,000 classroom kits. Each teacher in Tennessee will receive a kit, which consists of a year's supply of the following: masks for the teacher and students, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and other needs that teachers may have to ensure the safety of themselves and their students. Additionally, all school nurses will be provided with surgical masks, gloves, protective gowns, and face shields to ensure their safety as they render services to students. 
  • The partnership between the Department of Education and University of Tennessee-Knoxville has been extended to continue to provide professional development courses for principals and assistant principals at no cost. Additionally, the Department of Education's partnership with Trevecca University to provide professional development for teachers at no cost has been extended.
  • Decision trees and additional guidelines around re-opening have been posted on the Department of Education's website and can be found here.
  • Governor Lee announced he plans to soon sign Executive Order 55 which outlines a framework, that was constructed in conjunction with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, for contact sports to return to competition this fall, including soccer and football. All non-school sanctioned athletics shall continue to abide by the Tennessee Pledge guidelines. We will provide you with a copy of this Executive Order as soon as it is published. 
  • The official press release for Governor Lee's school re-opening guidelines can be found here.
Dr. Deborah Birx and Governor Bill Lee held a COVID-19 press briefing on Monday, July 27, 2020, at the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, to discuss the pandemic status of Tennessee, and among other things, how to get schools open safely.
(Dr. Deborah Birx is the Ambassador to the Office of the Vice President to aid in the 'whole of government' response to COVID-19, as the Coronavirus Response Coordinator.)
Above Video: Dr. Birx/Governor Lee
For those avid statistical researchers! Visit:
Child Wellbeing Task Force
The Initial COVID-19 Impact Report was developed by the Child Wellbeing Task Force, in collaboration with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Tennessee agencies, and national experts. This report was written utilizing available data at the time and will be updated as new data becomes available. National and Tennessee specific data are provided in the report to provide deeper contextual understanding. 
COVID-19 RESOURCES

By Member request , THA will continue to maintain a resource section on our Website , for an extended period of time.
SALES & USE TAX NOTICE!!!
New Filing Threshold for Out-of-State Dealers
Currently, out-of-state dealers with no physical presence in Tennessee who make $500,000 or more in sales to Tennessee customers must register and collect Tennessee sales and use tax. The $500,000 threshold includes all retail sales made by the out-of-state dealer, including exempt sales, but does not include sales for resale.

Beginning October 1, 2020 , the sales threshold will be established at $100,000. Out-of-state dealers with no physical presence in Tennessee who make $100,000 or more in sales to Tennessee customers will be required to register and collect Tennessee sales and use tax.
TENNESSEE TAXPAYER ACCESS POINT (TNTAP)

The TNTAP application allows you to create and manage your account, file and pay your taxes online, pay a tax debit bill, register a new business and more.

DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE FORMS

You can find forms relevant to conducting business with the TN Department of Revenue BELOW.
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MANUFACTURED HOUSING INSTITUTE (MHI)
Dr. Lesli Gooch
Chief Executive Officer, MHI
Mark Bowersox
President, MHI
Trump Administration Repeals Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced last week it is repealing the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Rule calling it “complicated, costly, and ineffective.”

The 2015 AFFH rule requires cities and towns that receive federal funding to examine  local housing patterns for racial bias  and design a plan to address any measurable bias. In its place, HUD has unveiled a new rule called “Preserving Community and Neighborhood Choice,” which it says defines fair housing broadly to mean housing that, among other attributes, “is affordable, safe, decent, free of unlawful discrimination, and accessible under civil rights laws.” It then defines “affirmatively furthering fair housing” to mean any action rationally related to promoting any of the above attributes of fair housing. Now, a grantee’s certification that it has affirmatively furthered fair housing would be deemed sufficient if it proposes to take any action above what is required by statute related to promoting any of the attributes of fair housing. The final rule will be effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

In March, MHI, along with several state associations, submitted comments to HUD about amending the Department’s AFFH regulations and provided two recommendations about how the AFFH regulations can be further strengthened to address local land use planning policies that exclude or inhibit manufactured housing. First, MHI argued the proposed rule should be modified to add factors or questions into the certification process that address land use planning and other actions that restrict manufactured homes. Second, MHI strongly argued that HUD must implement and enforce its enhanced preemption authority as mandated by law. Specifically, MHI called on HUD to issue a revised and updated 1997 Statement of Policy titled “State and Local Zoning Determinations Involving HUD Code” regarding the Department’s position concerning preemption and state and local zoning, planning, or development restrictions that either severely limit or outright prohibit manufactured housing. This is just one element of a larger effort by MHI to work with Congress and the Administration to help alleviate state and local impediments to the placement of manufactured housing. 

SAVE THE DATE
Upcoming MHI Webinars

' Managing Your Online Reputation '
August 6, 2020 from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM EST
More than 75% of consumers base decisions on online ratings and reviews. Your potential customers are going to research you online before doing business. What does your online reputation say about your organization? In this informative webinar, you’ll learn best practices to take control of your digital footprint, respond to negative reviews and comments, and encourage a positive online reputation that supports your sales and marketing efforts.

Presented by: Darren Krolewski, MHVillage

The webinar cost is $25 per person.

Sponsored by:
MH.Reviews
Rent Manager (Property Management Software)
August 18, 2020
Not Your Grandmother’s Manufactured Home
and Why it Shouldn’t Be!
Sponsored by Hunt Real Estate Capital and
Skyline Champion

August 27, 2020
Service and Emotional Support Animals:
The ADA vs. The Fair Housing Act
Sponsored by Sun Communities

September 10, 2020
Developing Land-Lease MH Communities
for the Future
Sponsored by Hunt Real Estate Capital and Skyline Champion

September 22, 2020
Education Makes a Good
Community Manager Great
Sponsored by Credit Human
RETAIL SALES
COVID-19 Recovery
Leveraging Innovation
Free Webinar


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?
Upcoming Scheduled Topics

  • Thursday, August 13, 2020, 2 PM ET - Leveraging Innovation - Paul Barretto
The THA Annual Member's Meeting & 65th Anniversary Celebration has been postponed until June 27 - 29, 2021.
Your THA Board of Directors has voted to err on the side of caution and safety, for all involved in this very special gathering.

On July 24th, THA staff held discussions with our event service providers, venue, speakers and entertainment artist. All parties mutually agreed, with the continued uncertainties and confusion caused by various state-wide COVID-19 mitigation orders, along with the continued rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases, we could not successfully bring together our large group for a fall event.

If you have already made room reservations with the hotel, you will need to call them directly to cancel your October reservation, @ 800 DOLLYWOOD.  

Rhonda has already contacted our sponsors and early paid attendee registrants, and THA has started the refund process and/or the rolling of funds to the 2021 event.

Please review the below linked announcement, relative to annual elections of THA leadership.
The THA 2020 Political Action Committee (PAC) Campaign is in full swing!
We have received $22,265 towards our $35,000 Goal. 63.6%!
The THA-PAC is accepting contributions!

Thank you for your consideration!
  
  • As the campaign season for November elections is in full swing here in Tennessee, your political contribution of funds is critical to our industry's state success. 

  • Access to our legislative members is key, as was just proven by THAs successful passing of much needed changes to our transportation law.

  • Please support the THA-PAC, to allow 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.
Tennessee accepts corporate, personal and LLC contributions. Your contribution is critical! 
SALES TAX HOLIDAYS
For 2020 only, the Tennessee General Assembly has approved two separate sales tax holiday weekends. During these weekends, certain goods may be purchased tax free. 
The first tax-free holiday weekend focuses on clothing and other back-to-school items .

It begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 31 and ends Sunday, August 2 at 11:59 p.m.

During this time, clothing, school supplies, and computers and other qualifying electronic devices may be purchased tax-free. Certain price restrictions apply.

Exempt items sold online are also eligible. Items must be purchased for personal use, not for business or trade.
The second tax-free holiday weekend focuses on restaurant sales .

It begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 7 and ends Sunday, August 9 at 11:59 p.m.

During this time, the retail sale of food and drink by restaurants and limited service restaurants, as defined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 57-4-102, is exempt from sales tax.
January 20 - 22, 2021
For more information, contact Show Coordinator Dennis J. Hill at (770) 587-3350
Installer/Retailer
Initial Licensing & Continuing Ed
UPDATE: The initial licensing testing agent (Morris & McDaniel) which contracts through the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance to oversee/proctor new license examinations, has notified the Association they have completed security protocols for online manufactured housing license examinations, which have now also cleared the final legal channels. This information and process is being loaded to a secure portal and will be tested to ensure compliance tools are active and appropriate.

The Association is pending notification from the testing company today, or the beginning of next week (July 31 - August 4th time frame ), to advise THA on the testing process.

Currently, THA has approximately 31 individuals or businesses which have completed the 15 hour retailer/installer initial licensing education and are ready to test for a new business license. THA will notify eligible testers on proper protocol, and provide access to the secure testing portal, as soon as the information becomes available.

Take the next few days to review your previously provided industry material (educational narrated modules, laws, rules and regulations), in order to ready yourself for the upcoming state examination.