You’ve heard that the popular definition of insanity is to keep doing the same things, the same way, and then expect a different result. Our industry is past due, and ready for a breakthrough on issues that have been pending for far too many years.
At first, we could all give ourselves the excuse: ‘this makes sense, let’s do it.’
But now? After years of repeatedly doing essentially the same things, with only modest refinements along the way, it is high time to take stock of where we are, why we haven’t already achieved our goals and learn the lessons others successfully employ in DC to get the objectives done.
We need to hear a spin-free, true blue, “Mission Accomplished.” We need to apply management by objective (MBO).
When all the relevant parties agree:
- that MH is a non-partisan issue,
- that affordable housing is a growing necessity in the U.S.A.,
- why do we repeatedly fail to achieve the objective?
We could – and at some point may – name names and point fingers. But today, this is less about finger pointing than it is about what the leaders and doers need to learn, then apply, in order to succeed.
Step One – Understanding other interested parties Perspectives. The GSE’s are pushing back for a reason. Their reasons may be flawed. We could argue that they need to obey the law (HERA 2008), the same as you or I have to obey laws applied to us. Instead, we are begging that FHFA ask them to do, what they are already required by law to do. Hello?
And why don’t we simply get to the bottom of why the GSE’s push back in the first place? We’ll look at that briefly below.
People as Props – Good Story Telling
Sorry to say that people in our Republic are often reduced to the role of living props. But so long as the Preamble to the Constitution continues to be grossly misread and wrongly applied, that’s where we are.
So let’s look at what politicos have been doing for years: show or tell the story of real people being harmed by the current state of affairs. Emotional strings play the heart strings that move the votes or bureaucrats in DC. We will share soon a new video we are producing that compiles the talking points of home owners and business professionals who are harmed by the status quo on CFPB, the GSE’s legally mandated Duty to Serve, etc.. That video will make some jeer, but others will cheer.
But today – right now – let me make a simple point. Part 2 of our video interview with Don Glisson Jr already – indirectly – points out a key part of the solution to the GSE push back on DTS with the FHFA.
Among other important points, Don explains that takes 9 to 18 months for Triad to educate a credit union or community bank from no, to let’s do this.
Are we saying that the national associations can’t find the common ground with non-profits, and all work together to apply that lesson with FHFA and the GSEs? Or are we saying that because some MHI staffer didn’t think of it, that it must be a bad idea? Nor should we allow the excuse that – DC is broken – okay, even though it may be ‘broken,’ we are paying people to get a job done. Others do, with the right approaches, we in MH can too.
If MHI produced videos that do what the videos above or below does, those of us who are members would have seen a special ‘housing alert.’ They would have also encouraged its use by state associations. They would have a click through, send this to your Senators message too.
Industry politics and intra-industry rivalries have and continue to cost our Industry billions of dollars.
We will spotlight such topics until folks in Arlington and beyond wake up, and do whatever it takes to get their mission accomplished. Be it Duty to Serve (DTS) or S 682/HR 650 enactment, let’s stop talking about it and just get this DONE. The alternative is to get periodic heat from us – and others – on this obvious failures to achieve the goals.
Until this does get done, please think this through dispassionately – OR if you are already frustrated or disappointed – let someone there, here or on a board know about it! ##
