The topics under discussion closely mirrored the same talking points that MHARR president and CEO, M. Mark Weiss, JD, has spotlighted in his public statements, see examples, linked here.
Several industry-related warning flags, as well as significant opportunities for manufactured housing industry professionals, were discussed.
Stand Out
One topic stood out, which may signal a notable change of widespread importance to the industry.
“The post-production sector of manufactured housing has increasingly been contacting MHARR,” stated a source with ties to the organization.
Their request? “To ask if MHARR would consider broadening their membership to include independent retailers, communities, lenders, and others,” per our source. “They tell MHARR leaders that they’re tired and frustrated by the problematic leadership – and lack of tangible results – they seek from the so-called “umbrella” national association.”
Inside MHI Pushback
MHProNews has tracked and reported growing push-back from within MHI on issues ranging from:
> the 5 years and $15 million dollars-worth of largely failed lobbying efforts, including MHI’s flagship effort to pass a Dodd-Frank reform bill (Preserving Access),
> MHI’s initially promoting new home sales-killing DOE energy regulations – before relenting under pressure from MHARR – the later of which were supported by third party reports by the Small Business Administration, George Washington University, and others,
> MHI’s problematic and allegedly ‘weaponized’ messaging,
> MHI’s officially supportive – but in practice giving mixed signals – on the hot subject of the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE) implementing the Duty to Serve (DTS) Manufactured Housing with chattel lending,
are among a host of issues keeping the industry from potentially several hundred thousand new home sales per year.
Study of Issue Voted
MHARR members voted for a study to consider those requests to expand membership options to other independent industry professionals, given the need for manufactured housing to participate in the robust opportunities the pro-business, pro-jobs, America First programs the Trump Administration has proclaimed.
Draining the Swamp
Among the other topics, was the need to replace the current HUD Code manufactured housing program director as soon as possible.
“Replacing Pam Danner – an Obama Administration holdover who is widely seen as disappointing by industry professionals – should be part of the “drain the swamp” effort that President Donald J. Trump has touted,” per sources with close connections to MHARR.
MHProNews has routinely reached out to MHI for comments on Danner and other issues – and none have been forthcoming – underscoring a point Frank Rolfe, an outspoken MHI member, has made about that association’s failure to engage the mainstream and industry’s media.
MHI had not yet officially taken any position on Danner.
Industry observers view that silence as a signal that Arlington, VA based MHI implicitly wants to keep her in place. MHProNews has heard directly from some MHI members who support Danner’s retention in leading the federal regulations of HUD Code manufactured housing.
By way of disclosure, MHProNews’ publisher is on record as supporting Danner’s removal from the HUD Code manufactured housing program.
MHI’s silence on Danner seems odd to many, given her routine failure to fully implement the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA 2000).
Several sources in MHI, MHARR and non-aligned industry professionals say those failures by Danner to properly implement the 2000 law are costing the industry thousands of additional new home sales annually.
Program Notes
More details on MH Industry News, Tips and Views Pros Can Use © in the wake of the 2017 Tunica Show will be forthcoming in the days ahead. Stay tuned to the Daily Business News for the latest, independent, balanced and comprehensive reports. “We Provide, You Decide.” ©
(Image credits are as shown above.)
