RealEstateRama reports that the Manufactured Housing Institute’s (MHI) annual Legislative Conference in the nation’s capitol resulted in 20 percent more meetings with Members of Congress and staff than last year.  Said Thayer Long, executive vice-president of MHI, “The message to Congress is simple.  For the past two decades manufactured housing has accounted for over 20 percent of all new single family homes, serving almost 20 million Americans. Without access to credit, and by increasing housing costs, millions of low-to- moderate income families will be unable to purchase a new home or sell their existing home.  Their voice must be heard.”  In addition to meetings with members of Congress, MHI participants heard keynote speakers from HUD, FHA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  The MHI Board reiterated its opposition to mandatory fire sprinklers in single family homes, but it will follow a preemptive standard of “where required” if a jurisdiction requires sprinklers.