As was previously reported on ManufacturedHomeLivingNews and in the Daily Business News, the RV industry is pursuing legislation to remedy concerns with HUD over regulations they feel hampers their business.
As shown at the links above, Congressmen Marlin Stutzman (R-3 IN) and Jackie Walorski (R-2nd IN) introduced House Resolution 5658, entitled the Recreational Vehicle Certainty Act of 2014.
While it is far from certain to pass in the lame duck session of Congress, the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) will doubtlessly pursue relief in 2015 when the new Congress convenes.
HUD’s Manufactured Housing program Administrator, Pam Danner, issued the RV industry a memo indicating they will enforce in 2015 certain requirements, such as porches counting against the 400 square foot size limit on RVs.
State and national associations in manufactured housing have been keenly interested in this issue, with a split among MH industry professionals as to what overall course of action makes the best sense.
The RV and MH industries have historically had close ties, which MH leaders certainly want to keep going. Those HUD Code home builders involved in producing RVs, park models or who have manufactured housing land lease communities often tend toward favoring a more pro-RV industry position on this issue.
Others like the Wisconsin Housing Alliance’s Ross Kinzler are seeking compromise that creates victories for both parties. Kinzler wants the RV industry support on issues like the long desired removable MH chassis topic. Both industries have concerns over Dodd-Frank in its current form.
Into this fluid milieu comes the national Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR). In their most recent press release to MHProNews, the MHARR communique, linked here, indicates their offer to the RVIA’s President Richard Coon to seek a regulatory solution that MHARR’s board and staff hope will resolve inter-industry issues.
MHI’s has been more muted recently on this topic. Their last news release was essentially silent, but prior statements indicated a goal by their leadership to take up the ticklish subject in the near future. The RV-MH issue was tabled for further consideration at MHI’s summer meeting.
MHProNews plans to track RV/MH related developments as they occur. ##
Related story, exclusive interview with Ross Kinzler, linked here.
(Image credit: park model @ Fairfield Homes & Land)
