A “future-of-housing” forum sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in Washington, D. C., with housing industry experts and Senators Bob Corker (R-TN), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) indicated most participants agree the private sector should play a greater role in mortgage financing, but with some …
Support for Governmental Backstop for Mortgage Financing Remains Read More
As Congress returns from its recess it has a plate full of Syria, possibility of a government shutdown Sept. 30, expiring Farm Bills to consider, and the divisive Keystone pipeline. Unless Congress can agree to pass a continuing funding resolution (CR) by month’s end, federal programs and services will cease. …
GSE Reform may be Overshadowed by Shutdown and Debt Limit Debates Read More
A discrimination lawsuit has been filed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a violation of the Fair Housing Act against Whitacre’s Manufactured Housing Community in Inwood, West Virginia. A resident of the community with a psychiatric disability was injured during a home invasion and subsequently obtained …
The Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) reports two rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as required by the 2010 Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act (the Act) would establish nationwide emissions standards for composite wood products, many of which are used in manufactured housing, and …
The Recreational Vehicle (RV)/Manufactured Housing (MH) Hall of Fame (Hall) Selection Committee is actively seeking nominations for the class of 2014. Darryl Searer, Hall president, said, “The Hall welcomes nominations from all RV and manufactured housing sectors — manufacturers, dealers, campgrounds, housing communities, suppliers, user groups, trade media, associations, etc.” …
Following up on a story MHProNews posted Sept. 6, 2013 regarding a measure in the California Assembly that would permit local government to disprove of the conversion of a manufactured housing community (MHC), kcoy.com reports the Senate passed SB 510 21-14. Sponsored by Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), if a majority …
Conversion Bill Now only Needs Governor’s Signature Read More
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is sponsoring a forum on housing, Building a Better Future: America’s Housing at a Crossroads, Tue., Sept. 17, 2013 at the Newseum in Washington, D. C. Hosted by CQ Roll Call, a provider of Congressional news and legislative tracking, the free event will …
The foreign press has picked up an advertorial, evidently from the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association in Okemos, MI, promoting manufactured housing communities (MHC). The Middle East North Africa Financial Network (MENAFN) emphasizes the ideal amenities, options, services, and other positive attributes of living in an MHC in MI, although with …
Rep. Patrick McHenry, (R-N.C.) rapped Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray for suggesting credit unions make mortgages to borrowers they see as a reasonable credit risk even though they fall outside the guidelines of the qualified mortgage (QM) rule. Rep. McHenry says that is opening the door for …
Financial consulting firm D. A. Davidson, which provides advice on a wide range of financial products, has changed their comment on Universal Forest Products Inc. (UFPI) from neutral to buy, according to streetinsider.com. UFPI closed up +2.99% in trading, Thurs., Sept. 5, including after hours, to end at 38.12. The …
The nation-wide nonprofit Next Step has assisted over 100 families obtain new, energy-efficient manufactured homes, often replacing energy-sucking, deteriorating factory-built homes from pre HUD-Code days. The organization has partnered with industry giant Clayton Homes to open the door to home ownership of Energy Star qualified dwellings, projecting residents will save …
While bankers fear the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) under Director Richard Cordray may be too aggressive, he assures them he is balancing safety and soundness with consumer protection. In a wide-ranging interview with American Banker, he says despite the fight over his initial recess appointment, he and his staff …
The Manufactured Housing Institute reminds industry members that the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act (H.R. 1779) has 50 co-sponsors and needs more support. The measure would preserve access to those seeking financing to purchase manufactured housing. Congress is on recess until Sept. 9, and MHProNews understands many representatives are …
Builder confidence for new, single-family homes rose three points to 59, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), bringing the index to its highest mark in almost eight years. Any number over 50 is rated as “good”, MHProNews has learned. The index …
Updating a story MHProNews posted Tue., Aug 13, concerning the state house’s passage of a rent control measure for the four manufactured housing communities in Acushnet, Massachusetts, Rep. Robert M. Koczera (D-New Bedford) says, “I have every reason to believe it will become law.” It now goes to the Senate …
Seven new members have been elected to the RV/MH Hall of Fame Board of Directors at their recent board meeting, according to Board Chairman Barry Cole. The new members are: Dick Jennison, Manufactured Housing Institute; Joe Stegmayer, Cavco Industries; Mark Wasson, Bluelinx Corp.; Mick Ferkey, Greenway RV; Dana Nelson, RV …
The momentum of the housing recovery, despite tight credit, rising prices and low inventory, is in its early stages of recovery, and panelists at the Bipartisan Policy Center’s conference say the Federal Reserve’s bond-buying program should continue. “There is a cyclical and structural nature to the problem,” reports Paul Weech …
Housing affordability slipped nationwide as home prices in recovering markets rose during the second quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). Of all new and existing homes sold in the first quarter of 2013, 73.7 percent were affordable to families earning …
Noting that New Zealand is facing a housing shortage, Alistair Helm says the Labour and National political parties are not doing enough to ease the problem, especially in helping younger and first-time home buyers obtain financing. He suggests lowering the down payment to five percent, in particular because he says …
In its continuing attempts to amend rules that inhibit lending to the manufactured housing market, the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) says the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released additional rules that exempt loans on existing manufactured homes (excluding real estate) from Dodd-Frank appraisal requirements. There is already an existing rule …
Manufactured Housing Industry Gains in Easing Lending Restrictions Read More
