BACKGROUND: On February 2nd, the Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee held a hearing to look at the implementation of the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000. This hearing provided an important opportunity for industry groups, such as MHI, to provide constructive feedback on issues related to HUD’s regulatory oversight of the manufactured housing industry. A witness representing the Manufactured Home Owners Association of America provided testimony and comments that were not only unrelated to the hearing topic, but more importantly, presented manufactured housing communities in a very negative light.
ISSUE OVERVIEW: As Congress and the Administration look at ways to restructure and revive the U.S. housing market, it is important that public policy officials, as well as potential homebuyers, recognize that manufactured housing represents quality construction, modern amenities and affordability. And for many people, from seniors to young families, living in a manufactured home community represents an ideal lifestyle choice. From safety and security, to access to recreational amenities, and of course affordability, manufactured housing communities offer a wide variety of benefits and attractions for homebuyers of all ages.
GRASSROOTS ACTION NEEDED: Manufactured housing community owners can play an important role in helping MHI reach out to key members of the House Financial Services Committee (Committee with jurisdiction over housing issues) to urge them to recognize the role that manufactured housing communities play in providing an important affordable housing option and lifestyle choice ideal for a wide variety of homeowners. Specifically –
• Contact Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee Chair Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Ranking Member Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) to communicate the benefits and offerings of your particular community. Offer specific examples whenever possible. If residents are willing to contribute to this effort, they might also provide their perspective on why they chose to live in a manufactured housing community and what they enjoy the most about this lifestyle choice. For more information on the Subcommittee, visit
• Ask for support for H.R. 3849, the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act, which was developed on a bipartisan basis by Reps. Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Stephen Fincher (R-TN) and Gary Miller (R-CA), in consultation with the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), to address significant issues impacting the manufactured housing industry.
Contact information for members of the House Financial Services Committee are available at: http://financialservices.house.gov/About/Members.htm.
If you are an NCC member and have any questions, please contact Lisa Brechtel at 703-558-0666 or lbrechtel@mfghome.org.
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