Writing in the Huffington Post, Corporation for Enterprise Development president Andrea Levere says the outdated notions that link manufactured housing with “Hurricane Katrina trailers” has put a damper on the efforts to house many homeless survivors of Hurricane Sandy that ravaged the northeast U.S. shores Oct. 29. While Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator Carl Fugate acknowledged the shortcomings of the recreational vehicles that were used following Katrina, which sickened many occupants because of the formaldehyde, he neglected to draw the line that distinguishes them from HUD Code homes. Levere describes manufactured housing as “an ideal solution for low income families and a compelling alternative for those seeking a quick and more permanent housing solution following a devastating storm like Sandy. Today’s manufactured homes, particularly those that comply with the federal government’s Energy Star standards, are also vastly more environmentally friendly than the old-school variety and offer significant energy saving costs to homeowners.” Noting that two-thirds of MH continue to be titled as automobiles, which prevents owners from building equity as in a traditional home, she suggests the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) could require MH lenders to provide the same disclosure forms as site-built home lenders. As MHProNews has learned, she says, “The housing challenges resulting from natural disasters like Sandy offer a perfect opportunity to change perceptions about manufactured housing and the role it can play in helping families find high quality, stable housing and build long-term assets.”
