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"The world is full of good people.
If you can't find one, be one."
-- Helen Barry --
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STATE OF TENNESSEE
P R O C L A M A T I O N
ISSUED BY GOVERNOR LEE
June 2021
is Manufactured Housing Month in Tennessee.
June is also National Homeownership Month.
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HUD Secretary Fudge Reaffirms Her Commitment to Manufactured Housing
Senators from both sides of the aisle questioned HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge about manufactured housing during a U.S. Senate Banking Committee hearing held two weeks ago, about housing and infrastructure.
In her responses, Secretary Fudge reaffirmed she is a “strong proponent” of manufactured housing and that it is “affordable, resilient, energy efficient and something we should do more and more of.”
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The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Announced the I-40 Bridge Connecting Arkansas and Tennessee, is Now Stabilized and Ready for Repairs
The I-40 bridge has been closed since May 11th, when a routine inspection uncovered a fracture in one of two 900-foot steel-box beams that help support one of the bridge spans.
The state's contractor completed Phase One, by working 24 hours a day over a five-day period, to complete attaching two fabricated steel plates weighing 9 tons to each side of the fractured beam. The plates will stabilize the Hernando De Soto Bridge to allow for permanent repairs.
The crossing is one of two for motor vehicles connecting Arkansas and Tennessee at Memphis. The I-40 bridge was opened to traffic in 1973, and is considered the "new bridge." Currently, all vehicle traffic crossing the Mississippi at Memphis is being routed onto the I-55 bridge, which opened in 1949, until all repairs and inspections to the newer bridge are completed.
Design plans for the Phase Two, which involves removing and replacing the damaged piece, are still being finalized according to TDOT's update, and may produce a pause of an indeterminate amount of time.
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Late last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published a report entitled, “Manufactured Housing Finance: New Insights from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Data.”
The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) has reviewed this report and voices serious concerns with the report, and the accompanying news release and social media tweets.
The report draws several negative conclusions about the financing of manufactured homes and the demographics of chattel loan borrowers, by implicitly comparing them to site-built homes without really acknowledging the offsetting affordability advantages of manufactured homes compared to site-built homes. These factors and other unique characteristics of manufactured homes are significant factors to the adverse conclusions drawn in the headline – thus rendering these conclusions incorrect and out of context.
MHI is working on a response to the CFPB addressing industry concerns and calling on the Bureau to recognize the significant unique characteristics of manufactured homes that can impact borrowers’ access to mortgage credit including zoning restrictions which represent a significant barrier to homeownership.
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NOTICE TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS:
FinCEN to Host Innovation Hours Program Workshop on Privacy Enhancing Technologies
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will host a special virtual FinCEN Innovation Hours Program on September 9, 2021, focusing on the important role of privacy-preserving principles in developing technical solutions that enhance financial services innovation while countering illicit activity and national security risks that undermine the integrity and opportunity of the U.S. financial system. FinCEN encourages participation by companies developing solutions to privacy issues, such as homomorphic encryption, zero-knowledge proofs, and other technology that balances privacy and financial integrity. This could include FinTech companies, RegTech companies, venture capital firms, and financial institutions.
Interested companies should submit a request online no later than July 23, 2021, and provide applicable background information about their firm’s business and innovative products. The number of individual demonstration sessions will depend on available time and the number of participants.
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NOTICE TO LANDLORDS AND COMMUNITIES:
CDC’s Eviction Moratorium Remains in Place Pending Appeal
The federal judge, who on May 5th overturned the national eviction moratorium, issued a “stay” of her decision, allowing the CDC’s ban on evictions to continue while the Justice Department appeals the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
The Justice Department had filed a motion seeking an emergency stay of the decision pending appeal, hours after U.S. District Court Judge Dabney Friedrich released her initial decision invalidating the order. After the ruling, Friedrich stated she was granting the motion to “stay” her ruling because the Department of Health and Human Services had adequately demonstrated “irreparable injury” absent a “stay.”
Currently, the CDC eviction moratorium is set to expire on June 30th.
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Budget Proposes Increase in Affordable Housing Investment & HUD Budget
President Biden has released his full fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget request, proposing a $9 billion (15%) increase to HUD’s budget from FY 2021. The full budget request, which provides greater detail than the president’s “budget blueprint” released in April, would provide substantial federal investments in affordable homes and increase the availability of housing assistance to families with the greatest need. The budget also calls for increasing funding for the Office of Manufactured Housing Programs (OMHP) and further support for modernizing HUD’s technological infrastructure.
With respect to manufactured housing, the budget requests $14 million for the OMHP, which is $1 million above the 2021 enacted level. The requested funds will support the Department’s implementation and oversight responsibilities for the nationwide building regulatory program including updating the construction, safety, and installation standards of manufactured homes. Further, to address HUD’s outdated technological infrastructure, the budget requests $323.2 million for the Information Technology (IT) Fund for the development, modernization, enhancement, operation, and maintenance of HUD's IT infrastructure and systems. The IT Fund provides for the infrastructure, systems, and services that support HUD programs, which include all of HUD's mortgage insurance liabilities, rental subsidies, formula grants, and competitive grants.
Additionally, the budget request calls for:
- $1.9 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships program including a $100 million set-aside for a new Homebuyer Assistance initiative that provides funding to states and insular areas to better support sustainable homeownership.
- $3.8 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, including a $295 million increase targeted at historically-underserved communities and neighborhoods.
- $800 million in new investments through HUD for rehabilitation and modernization to further climate resilience and energy efficiency.
- $85 million for Fair Housing programs and increased HUD staff capacity to help root out systemic racism and discrimination from our housing market.
The FY 2022 budget proposal is part of a larger effort by the Biden administration to invest in the country’s housing infrastructure. The president’s $2.3 trillion “American Jobs Plan” calls for an additional $318 billion for the construction and preservation of affordable housing.
Click here to view the President’s FY 2022 Budget.
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TN ECONOMIC NEWS:
Safari Helicopter is relocating its headquarters and operations from Marianna, Florida to Lafayette, Tennessee, where it will create 85 new jobs.
The company, a leading manufacturer of helicopter kits, will invest $7.5 million in Macon County.
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Patrick Revere of MHInsider reports on Pew research:
"Pew Research Supports Incentives for MH Loans"
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Tennessee 225
(1796 - 2021)
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On June 1, 2021, Tennessee will kick off a year of events and activities that celebrate Tennessee's statehood. |
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Dolly Parton lends her voice to help mark Tennessee's 225th Birthday with a special video, ahead of the year-long celebration. |
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Vacation In Tennessee!
Look for Events Happening Across the State!
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Legal Trends, Media Tips & Best Practices for Manufactured Housing Community Owners and Operators
June 16, 2021 / 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Sponsored by Lutz, Bobo & Telfair Trial Lawyers and
Rent Manager [Property Management Software]
Hear about trends in legislation and regulations such as source of income, land use restrictions, and fair housing. Learn how to tell your story to create a positive perception of land-lease communities among policymakers, media and potential customers. Join industry professionals involved in land-lease manufactured housing community operations as they share their insights about trends they are currently seeing in the market, where the industry is headed and best practices for creating a resident-focused community culture.
Registration is $25 per person. Click the registration link below.
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Mark Your Calendar for The Louisville Show!
Wednesday, January 19th through Friday, January 21st, 2022
Show officials are excited to announce the dates for the 2022 Louisville Home Show!
"With business continuing to trend upwards for many in the manufactured housing industry, we're looking forward to getting back to work and bringing the industry the very best products, services, and suppliers that The Louisville Manufactured Housing Show has featured for over 60 years. And most of all, we can't wait to see all of you, meet new faces and reconnect with old friends."
Mark your calendars and make your plans to meet at the Midwest's premier industry gathering. See you in Louisville January 19-21, 2022!
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National Articles of Interest
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CALLING ALL KIDS, K-6!!
First Lady Maria Lee invites all Tennessee elementary students (grades: rising K – 6) to participate in the statewide Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge. The goal of this challenge is to instill in kids a heart for service and ask them to join the first lady in devoting a small portion of their summer break to serving others.
Top participants will get to join Tennessee First Lady Marie Lee and Governor Bill Lee for a fall celebration at the Tennessee Residence.
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MEMBER NOTICE - SAVE THE DATE
VIRTUAL MEMBER'S MEETING
ON JUNE 28, 2021; 2:00PM CST
THA Members should e-mail Rhonda at Office@tnmha.org to request your RSVP event link.
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ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS for
2021- 2022 THA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
June 28, 2021 - General Membership Zoom Meeting
Presiding
Scott Oliver, Oliver Technologies
2nd Immediate Past President; and
THA Nominating Committee Co-Chairman
THA’s Nominating Committee has completed the annual nomination process for the 2021 - 2022 slate of Officers and Directors, for THA member voting consideration.
Officers are elected to a one (1) year term and may be re-elected to an unlimited number of terms with no more than two (2) consecutive terms within the same position.
Directors are elected to a two (2) year term, and may only serve two (2) consecutive terms within the same position.
This year’s elected candidates will begin their respective terms on July 1, 2021. As always, members have the right to bring nominations from the floor.
Please note the following Directors are currently serving a term which DOES NOT expire until 2022.
- Builder/Developer Director: Aaron King, Giles Homes [1st Term]
- Community Director: Brad Honeycutt, YES! Communities [2nd Term]
- Retailer Director: Betty Davis, Clayton Homes of Lexington [2nd Term]
- East TN Regional Director: Corey Barnes, CMH Homes, Inc. [1st Term]
1. OFFICERS: - The following Officers are slated for Member voting consideration . 1-Year Term.
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President (1st Term) Matt Kerlin, 21st Mortgage Corporation
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Vice President (1st Term) Owen Robertson, UFP Distribution, LLC
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Secretary (1st Term) Rhyn Brogden, HouseSmart Construction
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Treasurer (1st Term) Matt Belcher, Clayton Appalachia HBF
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Immediate Past President position will be filled by : Kevin Klotzbach, CMH Homes, Inc. (Bylaws)
2. DIRECTORS: - The following Directors are slated for Member voting consideration. 2-Year Term.
- 'At Large' Director: Ronny Robertson, Clayton VP of Operations [2nd Term]
- Community Director: Mark Vaughn, A & L Mobile Home Village [1st Term]
- Installer/Transporter Director: Ryan Andresen, Clayton Connect [2nd Term]
- Installer/Transporter Director: Ronnie Sechrest, On The Level [2nd Term]
- Insurance/Finance Director: Paula Reeves, CIS Financial [2nd Term]
- Insurance/Finance Director: Rob Peterson, Credit Human [2nd Term]
- Manufacturer Director: Marty Mansfield, Clayton Rutledge HBF [1st Term]
- Manufacturer Director: James McGee, Deer Valley Homebuilders 2nd Term]
- Retailer Director: Juha Miettinen, CMH Homes, Inc. (TN Region) [1st Term]
- Service/Supplier Director: Jenette McFall, Blevins, Inc [1st Term]
- Service/Supplier Director: Scott Oliver, Oliver Technologies, Inc [2nd Term]
- Northeast TN Regional Director: Marc Helton, Clayton Homes of Johnson City [1st Term]
- Mid-TN Regional Director: Wade Wells, Fleetwood Homes of TN [2nd Term]
- Mid-West TN Regional Director: Marty Hebert, Clayton Homes of Dickson [2nd Term]
- West TN Regional Director: Christine Lindsey, UMH Properties, Inc. [1st Term]
3. APPOINTMENT OF SERVICE - MHI Delegate: James McGee, Deer Valley Homebuilders, Inc.
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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Submit Plans that Backtrack from Progress on Serving Manufactured Housing
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has released the new Duty to Serve (DTS) Underserved Markets Plan proposals for calendar years 2022 through 2024, that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have submitted. The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) believes the submitted plans do not adequately address the statutory requirement Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have to serve manufactured housing, and will call on FHFA to hold Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac accountable for meeting their statutory Duty to Serve manufactured housing.
MHI plans an extensive comment letter on both Underserved Market Plans, covering concerns that both proposals backtrack on their commitments to create a secondary market for chattel financing and that more should be done to support increased volume for land-home financing.
In addition, MHI will call on FHFA to ensure Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac keep the focus of their Duty to Serve obligations on secondary market support for the financing of homes. The proposals favor the commercial financing of the communities themselves and also favor one form of community ownership over another, which MHI opposes. Incentivizing one form of ownership over another is a disservice to those in need of safe, decent, quality attainable homeownership opportunities.
MHI also plans on participating in FHFA’s upcoming Listening Session and issuing a call for action to MHI members to participate in the public comment period. Click here to read the DTS Plans.
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$6,682 was received in May!
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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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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Excellence in Manufactured Housing Awards
Submissions Portal is Now Open
MHI has announced the 2021 MHI Excellence in Manufactured Housing Awards is now open for submissions, UNTIL June 25th. The MHI awards program honors members whose achievements are leading the way for the manufactured housing industry.
Winners being announced in July of 2021. A full listing of awards categories and submissions information can be found online here.
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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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MHI Opposes Changes to Energy Efficiency Standard Setting Process
MHI weighed in with the Department of Energy (DOE) about its proposed revisions to its process for developing energy conservation standards. In a formal comment letter responding to the DOE’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, MHI expressed concern that the DOE is abandoning a clear, consistent, and transparent process that takes into account the views of interested parties from various points of view. In addition, MHI opposed eliminating the definition of significant energy savings and removing the requirement to conduct a comparative analysis in addition to an economic justification. In addition to submitting its own letter, MHI also joined with a coalition of other interested industry stakeholders to submit detailed comments about the proposed changes.
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Congress Calls on Administration to Address High Lumber Prices
MHI continues to advocate for federal intervention and necessary action to support increased production of lumber. MHI worked with a coalition of associations to garner nearly 100 Representatives to send a letter to United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai. The letter, spearheaded by Representatives Kevin Hern (R-OK) and Clay Higgins (R-LA), urges Tai to address the lumber supply shortage that has led to a nationwide upsurge in lumber prices. MHI also recently sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and submitted a letter for the record to the House Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access urging the Administration and Congress to address the supply shortage.
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MHI Touts Industry’s Support of Homeowners During COVID-19
During a listening session hosted by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the Bureau) about the federal government’s response to assist homeowners during the COVID-19 pandemic, MHI discussed how its members have gone above and beyond to support manufactured home residents during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. Acknowledging that many manufactured home residents worked in sectors negatively impacted by the crisis, including the retail and restaurant or food service industries, MHI stated that its lenders have supported their clients by making sure borrowers are aware of options for assistance, streamlining communication by establishing single points of contact for customers, waiving fees, making flexible payment arrangements, and granting extensions and modifications. Further, MHI discussed how manufactured home community owners and operators have supported their residents by enacting rent repayment arrangements and waiving fees, connecting residents with social service resources including information about employment opportunities, assisting them with filing for government benefits, and helping young residents obtain access to virtual schooling. MHI also shared how communities are now working to ensure residents are able to access information about and register for vaccines, including one community which is hosting vaccination clinics.
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Reps. Axne, Khanna Reintroduce Bills about Manufactured Housing Communities
Representatives Cindy Axne (D-IA) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) have reintroduced two bills that would impact manufactured housing communities. The first bill, known as the “Manufactured Housing Community Preservation Act,” establishes a $200 million grant program at HUD for the acquisition and preservation of manufactured housing communities. Under the program, any entities who receive the grants are required to keep, manage and maintain the property for at least 20 years and include oversight provisions to ensure rents remain affordable for residents. MHI worked with Representatives Axne and Khanna as the legislation was drafted to ensure that for-profit land-lease community owner-operators would be among the eligible entities able to apply for federal funding under the program.
The second bill, titled the “Manufactured Housing Tenant’s Bill of Rights,” requires owners and operators of manufactured home communities financed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA to guarantee certain protections for their residents. Similar legislation was introduced in the previous Congress but did not move through the process. MHI has been closely following the concerns raised by consumer advocates about the GSEs’ financing of communities and will fight to preserve this important source of financing for our members.
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MHI Voices Support for Legislation Protecting Small Businesses
MHI joined over 65 broad-based associations supporting 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. This legislation is in response to the “Protecting Right to Organize Act (PRO Act)” which would devastate many small businesses by codifying into law the National Labor Relations Board’s controversial Browning-Ferris Industries joint employer standard and expose nearly every business relationship to liability for unlawful behavior committed by business partners, such as contractors, suppliers, and franchisees.
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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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Upcoming Free Webinar
Thursday, June 3, 2021, 2 PM ET
The New HUD Code Changes and the Evolution of Manufactured Housing
with Manny Santana -Cavco and
Devin Leary - Hanebrink, McGlinchey
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SAVE THE DATE
Thursday, June 17, 2021, 2 PM ET
GSE Economic Update
with Len Kiefer - Freddie Mac Economist
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Available Daily
Licensing Education - Online Access
Initial Licensing - Jan thru Nov
Continuing Education - Jan thru Early Dec
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SAVE THE DATE
THA Board of Directors & Members
Virtual Meeting - June 28, 2021
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THA Annual Member's Event **
Now Scheduled for June 26 - 28, 2022
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**SPECIAL NOTE**
In light of the 2021 Annual Meeting postponement, THA Members are encouraged to e-mail Rhonda at Office@tnmha.org, to receive a Zoom access link to attend a June 28th, 2021 online presentation of the Annual THA 'State of Affairs', along with participation in the election of new THA Board of Directors and Officers.
Only THA Members who RSVP Rhonda will receive access to the June 28th, 2021 virtual event.
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The June 28th, 2021, virtual online event will coincide with a meeting of the THA Board of Directors.
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Important Links/Downloads
for your Information & Research
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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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MH Regulatory Resources - (Key Links) |
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Need to teach your children or grandchildren about fire safety?
Lots of fun videos to watch, games to play and activities you can do together! The kiddos will love it!
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MAKE A FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN! ALWAYS BE PREPARED! |
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