The Daily Business News can report that there are multiple candidates for the position vacated by the removal of Pam Danner at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Manufactured Housing Programs (OMHP).
According to the HUD website, the Mission of “The Office of Manufactured Housing Programs executes responsible regulation and solutions-oriented oversight and monitoring to protect consumers and preserve and promote the affordability, quality, durability, and safety of manufactured homes. This office also provides technical assistance to Federal Housing Administration programs.”
The one candidate we are able to publicly name at this time is Vic DeRose.
At one point prior to Danner’s selection, DeRose was the “consensus candidate” openly advocated for by both national associations: the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR), and the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI).
MHARR still supports DeRose, while MHI is characteristically mum on the topic, at least in public.
Stating one or more names of others who are seeking the job of administrator over OMHP, or who are being promoted for the position by various interests, would de facto tend to reveal the source(s) for the information.
That said, it is fair to say that there is significant weight that could be thrown behind an alternative candidate to De Rose.
MHProNews know De Rose by reputation, including his deep family ties to the industry.
Industry sources tell MHProNews that De Rose comes highly recommended by those who know him.
The Word From HUD
The word heard from the halls at HUD is that no quick decision is going to be made to replace Danner.
As has been previously reported, Teresa Payne is temporarily in charge of the program there. HUD is still officially reviewing the input from public comments to HUD about the MH Program, requested earlier this year.
While De Rose, per our sources, would be a far better leader for the program – especially when compared to what was widely seen by industry professionals as the disastrous years under Danner – sources say it is far from certain that he will get the nod.
What is sure is that the Danner years – which Secretary Carson may have had in mind when he called some of the regulations over manufactured housing “ridiculous” – should serve as a reminder to the industry of just how problematic it is to have the wrong person in that critical role.
MHProNews will continue to monitor the developing situation. Some related back stories regarding Danner are found or linked in the report below. ## (News, analysis and commentary.)
(Third party images and citations are provided under fair use guidelines.)
Related Reports:
Exclusive – HUD’s Manufactured Housing Program Administrator Pam Danner, Update
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