On Sept. 22, Danny Ghorbani of the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) reports a joint delegation of MHARR and MHI (Manufactured Housing Institute)-member executives and staff met with Ms. Carol Galante, the new Acting HUD (Housing and Urban Development) Federal Housing Commissioner-Assistant Secretary for Housing. As reported previously by MHARR, Ms. Galante, formerly a HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary responsible for multi-family housing, was appointed to this position in July 2011 when the prior Commissioner, Mr. Bob Ryan, became a senior adviser to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. Three pressing issues were discussed at the meeting. The first was the critical need for financing for prospective buyers of manufactured homes, with an emphasis on FHA (Federal Housing Administration) Title I chattel financing. Second was the need to adhere to the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 in appointing an administrator who will manage the HUD manufactured housing program in accordance with the law. This person would serve as an advocate inside HUD and beyond HUD as well. Third, that an industry representative with knowledge of the history and workings of the industry be appointed to serve on the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC).

(image credit: MHARR)