Long before Al Kemp and MHProNews became virtually acquainted, the Canadian was dedicated to tackling the problematic image that programing such as the “Trailer Park Boys” has fostered.
The TP Boys, as Kemp refers to them – doubtlessly, tongue in cheek – are just part of the reason that some don’t consider manufactured homes in Canada. That same vexing issue occurs here in the U.S. too.
Those irreverent TP Boys are a factor, but regrettably, they are not the only one.
At least on their side of the border, Kemp – who is the executive director of the Manufactured Home Park Owners Alliance of British Columbia – takes on that ‘trailer house’ and ‘trailer park’ issue on.
So has Mark Weiss, JD, President and CEO of the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR), whenever MHProNews has requested a comment on issues ranging from Disney’s misuse of the term, to Keith Olbermann’s slam of manufactured housing by his misuse of the ‘trailer’ slur.
Why hasn’t the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) weighed in on such issues?
MHProNews has asked MHI repeatedly, they won’t engage on such topics. Maybe the fine folks in Arlington, VA will explain why they don’t defend the good name of the industry and its homeowners? Or perhaps they think their relatively unwatched videos was enough to get the job done?
The Daily Business News on MHProNews will allow that question to hang for now.
There are third party surveys, besides common sense and anecdotal evidence, that suggests that the ‘trailer park’ and ‘trailer trash’ stigmas are part of what is keeping manufactured housing at historically low levels.
A new report on MHLivingNews addresses that topic, see that in the article linked below.
Debunking the Trailer Trash Stigma for Affordable, Modern Manufactured Housing for Residents, Home Shoppers – manufacturedhomelivingnews.com
There are few turn-offs that are arguably worse to manufactured home owners and residents than that of ‘trailer trash.’ First, it is unjust. Second, there have been no mobile homes since June 15, 1976. The ‘trailer house’ era ended roughly 2 decades before then.
In a perfect world, Tim Williams at 21st Mortgage was correct when he said that there are good reasons to tackle that every time the problem raises its ugly head. The NAACP, and the Jewish ADL both made it quite unacceptable to demean their ethnic groups with hateful racial slurs. The same thing must arguably occur for manufactured home owners and professionals.
Failure to address the issue only leads to more of the same.
MHLivingNews and MHProNews can’t correct it alone. But it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. We know from feedback from clients and industry professionals that content on Manufactured Home Living News – per retailers and communities – has helped them close sales.
That’s good. By why aren’t the big boys doing more to promote a proper understanding of the industry? So frankly, far more is possible. We’d rather light a candle than curse the darkness. Why not light a candle in your market(s)? To learn more, see the link here and here.
That’s another episode from the manufactured home industry’s “News, Tips, and Views Pros Can Use,” © where “We Provide, You Decide.” © ## (News, analysis, and commentary.)
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“’Trailer Trash’? Watch Who You’re Insulting When You Throw Around Those Words” – Buffalo News
