The Center For Responsive Politics has provided us with the following insights as to the lobbying activities of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI).

*Each quarterly filing is treated as a separate report.

I confess curiosity as to why MHI has gotten involved in HR 4173, Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons and Stop War Through Diplomacy Act. But perhaps this was one of those quid-pro-quo items where our association does something for someone, and they do something for us. Regardless, there is so much activity on topics in the list above that are clearly important to our Industry, that the MHI lobbying team more than deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Besides investing $107,438 in their direct lobbying efforts the first quarter of 2012, MHI also utilized the services of Porterfield & Lowenthal to the tune of another $40,000. We share this because,

• a) these are the facts as reported, and
• b) because there are those who complain that MHI is not 'doing enough.' Anyone who looks at this list can readily see that MHI is 'busy, busy' being involved and engaged on issues that impact our Industry.

Well, the list above looks like a boat load of activity for an industry of our size.

Source, Center for Responsive Politics

By comparison, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) lobbying budgets look like this:

Source, Center for Responsive Politics

The broader snapshot of the housing or 'real estate' industry would look like this:

Source, Center for Responsive Politics

In the first quarter of 2012, the Total for Real Estate: $15,686,782. Of that, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) alone accounted for $6,081,145.

To compare apples to apples MHI:

• has invested in the first quarter $147, 438 in lobbying activities.
• NAR has invested $6,081,145 in the same time frame.
• To rephrase, NAR has invested 41.33 times as much cash as MHI has.

It is easy to see why manufactured housing has been described as a pimple on an elephant's behind by those in the know in the lobbying world. This is not to minimize our national organization's lobbying efforts! This is simply to show the boat load of work that is needed, and how far and wide the MHI lobbying dollars are in fact invested.

Now, you can bet your bottom dollar on the fact that state and local Realtors (or home builders, etc.) associations are busy asking their members to also contact their legislators in the House and Senate when issues arise. So while it is important to have professional lobbying efforts, it is equally important to have personal advocacy.

We have to be just as committed, engaged and savvy as other professional groups are.

Where our Industry could shine – if we are individually wise enough as professionals – is to reach out to our residents and customer base. If there is something that rivals money in politics, it is votes and voters! As we have noted before, 6% of the population lives in pre-HUD Code mobile homes or post HUD Code manufactured housing. That 19 to 20 million population pool is potentially swing votes in key battleground states or in close contests in any state.

Gridlock? Sometimes.

Legislation still does pass from the House to the Senate and it gets sent onto the White House. What makes the difference? Could it be the decibel level and number of the voices? Have you been hearing about the student loan interest rate hike coming down to the wire in Washington, if Congress 'fails to act?' How many students will be impacted? About 7 million.

Hmmm…7 million students. 19-20 million Americans live in manufactured homes. What makes the difference in the attention to the issue?

Could it be passion? Organization? Getting and staying in front of the media and politicians?

Ladies and gents, there are critical issues that need to be addressed, and none are more important to us short term than HR 3849. As a reminder, Dodd-Frank, as written could result in all chattel loans under $50,000 becoming history. Look at MHVillage sometime, and you will see that their average sales price on new and used homes listed tends to hover between 30,000 and $33,000. Some industry statistics suggest that our average new homes sell for about $68,000.

Yes, you need to contact your House member, and also talk to your U.S. Senator's offices. Housing and finance would be the topic. If you have a Democrat in the Senate in your state, the experts say, that is the key to getting this measure passed. We can get the votes in the House. We need some bi-partisan support in the Senate.

Grandma and her retirement home

We've all seen how it is done in DC. You grab a few faces of those who are about to be negatively impacted. You parade them in front of the Congress with cameras and reporters at the ready. We've seen the students being interviewed for the anticipated increase in interest rates on many student loans, right?

Why don't we see grandma being interviewed about how if Congress fails to act, the CFPB could implement legislation under Dodd-Frank that cuts off financing for her manufactured home that is worth under $50,000?

Can't we get those sob stories – all very real ones! – on the air? How do we do that, you ask?

It can all start by communities sending out emails or newsletters to their residents, with the link to the Alert page on the consumer focused website, MHLivingNews.com/alert Retailers, or lenders, insurance companies, ditto.

Not cutting off your nose…

A retailer called me recently and said, in effect, Tony, this is a fine idea. However, I can't tell prospective customers that they could be losing value in their homes before they buy it due to Dodd-Frank. Understood. But that is NOT what I'm suggesting. What I am suggesting is that you advise your past customers, they are the ones being impacted. Put yourself in that past customer's shoes. Wouldn't you want to know? Wouldn't you want to hear it from your retailer or community?

My fellow professionals, we are watching our industry's fortunes turn towards the better. 9 months of rising new home shipments! This is good. But let's not watch it all vaporize by failing to do every single intelligent thing that we can do.

If you have called your House Representative and Senators, have your spouse, your fellow mates, your toter driver, your past customers and anyone else that you can think of to do the same. Share the MHLivingNews.com/alert link to get them on board.

Your state and national association needs your efforts. You need your own efforts. The business and jobs you may save could very well be your own. Please, just do it. If you have, great, get others in the mix too. Thanks. ##

Post submitted by
L. A.'Tony' Kovach