NCC Meeting News Update

National Communities Council Members:

With the growing need for affordable housing combined with the rapidly evolving regulatory environment, lack of homebuyer financing, and other challenges, our industry has tremendous opportunities at the same time it faces significant hurdles. Both MHI and the NCC have experienced a period of major transition, and with our Washington leadership team now firmly in place, I believe the most important step ahead is to develop a vision and action plan for the NCC that provides the foundation to carry us through the next few years of supporting the industry and servicing our membership. In lieu of the NCC business meeting that has been held traditionally in conjunction with the MHI Legislative Conference and Winter Meeting, at the upcoming meeting the NCC Executive Committee will instead hold a closed planning workshop focused on solidifying the NCC’s vision for the future. Our goal will be to define a vision that ensures the NCC supports MHI’s broader legislative advocacy and marketing outreach efforts, provides the range of services most valuable to the variety of constituents we represent, makes interim NCC meetings more productive for all of our members, and expands our membership to add to our resources and strength as the only MHI division representing community owners.

While the traditional NCC meeting will not be held during the upcoming MHI Legislative Conference and Winter Meeting from February 24-26, I strongly encourage all NCC members to attend this important gathering and support MHI’s advocacy efforts. Our industry has an excellent opportunity for expansion as the housing market recovers, but we need unity and alignment to ensure the regulatory and legislative environment supports our goals. The upcoming Legislative Conference in Washington is the best place to contribute by making our collective industry voice heard on Capitol Hill and helping your legislators recognize our industry’s vital role in providing affordable housing.

As just one example of how your voice can make a difference, the recently released CFPB rules will have a significant impact on community owners and operators, and while the industry did not achieve all of its goals for the new rules, MHI and member efforts clearly had an impact.  For example, within the Qualified Mortgage rules, the CFPB did expand the spectrum of loan amounts and has proposed a qualified mortgage exemption within the new category of “smaller creditors.”  Just today, we are learning that it appears all new manufactured homes may be exempt from the new appraisal requirements for higher-risk mortgages.  While information continues to develop, it is critical that we work together in the legislative process to present industry unity and bring positive results.

The regulatory environment will continue to shift rapidly as additional Dodd-Frank and CFPB rules are promulgated and reform efforts are undertaken. These changes and their impact on your business will be central to the upcoming Legislative Conference, and your participation in MHI’s advocacy efforts is vital to ensuring the best result. I look forward to seeing you in Washington and to working with the NCC’s Executive Committee to lay out a vision that leverages our opportunities, responds to our challenges, and supports your success well into the future.

Sincerely,
David

David B. Lentz
Chairman
National Communities Council

(Editor's Note: this memo was originally sent to NCC members by Vice President Jenny Hodge on Tuesday January 15, 2013. It is reprinted here with permission.)