Humans Invent reports that architect David Morton, of the UK, took his inspiration for building modular housing from his love of the Mini Cooper automobile, which was originally built in response to the Suez Oil Crisis of 1956, and the subsequent oil shortage. His BoKlok UK modular houses respond to …
Architect Develops Modular House with Ideas from Small Car Read More
SouthCoastToday reports that the 51 residents of Edgeway Mobile Home Park in Middleboro, Massachusetts may finally get street lights that were supposed to be installed over a decade ago. Only 51 sites 0f the planned 74 are currently occupied because the city revoked the license of the MH community owner, …
MHC has Long-standing Issues Between Owners and Town Board Read More
Consumers’ Views on Current Economy Rise Data released Friday by the University of Michigan/Thomson Reuters show that consumer sentiment rose in September after tumbling to a nearly-three-year low in August. The preliminary sentiment reading for September increased to 57.8 from 55.7 in August. The August reading was the lowest level …
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) Manufactured Housing Division (MHD) executive director, Joe A. Garcia, addressed the Texas Manufactured Housing Association (TMHA) annual meeting this morning in Fort Worth. Garcia praised the TMHA for the low incident of complaints from consumers, and the high level of legal …
The Rapid City Journal reports from South Dakota that while a veteran developer’s plan to replace aging factory-built homes with new manufactured homes is a noble idea, the project falls short of meeting city codes. Bob Akers bought Deluxe Mobile Home Park and other MHCs from a bank after the …
Developer Eager to Replace Old Mobile Homes with New Manufactured Homes Read More
The House Committee on Financial Services issued a release that reports Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) introduced legislation to prevent the removal or demolition of storm shelters built to protect school children after the devastating tornadoes in Alabama this past spring. Bachus authored the Community Shelter Protection Act of 2011 in …
Bachus introduces bill to prevent FEMA from demolishing storm shelters Read More
Super Committee Meets, MHI Lobbies on Critical Industry Tax Issues The Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction or “Super Committee” held its first public meeting on Thursday. The 12-member bipartisan panel is responsible for determining how the government will trim $1.5 trillion from the deficit. The committee roster includes Senators John …
ConcordMonitor reports that Epoch Homes, in collaboration with two Massachusetts colleges, will be part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2011 Solar Decatholon 4D Home. Built to “Passiv Haus” specifications, the home is designed for affordability, comfort and will create more energy than it uses. Epoch CEO John Ela …
Epoch’s MOD, the Solar Decathlon at the National Mall Read More
MHI Weighs in on CFPB Examination Authority Provisions (Sec. 1024) with the Dodd-Frank Act provide the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) with new authority to examine non-depository financial institutions. Specifically, the Act provides the CFPB with authority to conduct regular examinations of lenders offering loans for personal and household …
As a follow-up to our previous report, dated August 4, 2011, regarding a biased and flawed study entitled “Manufactured Home Fires – July 2011,”published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and distributed to members of the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC), attached, for your review and information, are copies …
MHARR Responds To NFPA Justifications For Fire Study Read More
TMHA reports to MHMSM.com that the Texas Manufactured Housing Association (TMHA) published a 9 page overview of the SAFE Act and how it will play out in their state. TMHA’s Executive Director DJ Pendelton urges association members to get and stay up to speed and engaged on this key industry …
Republic reports that the Donaldsonville (LA) City Council planned a discussion next week about amending its law regulating “mobile homes” within their city limits. The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/pozgCX ) council members decided during Tuesday’s meeting to place the issue on the Sept. 19 agenda for further discussion. At question is …
Manufactured home placement law to be reviewed by city Read More
MotherNatureNews (MNN) reports that prefab home builder BluHomes has unveiled a new line of New England style modular homes that ‘fits the architectural vernacular of traditional and historic communities.’ Massachusetts-based prefab firm Blu Homes unveils Lofthouse, a New England style modular home that has already been making small waves on …
WorldOver reports on a possible reason why a billionaire like Warren Buffett has recently come out in favor of higher taxes on the super rich. Buffett, they observed, does not upon closer scrutiny make for an ideal poster child for taxing the rich at a higher rate. They pointed out …
SMBSpot reports concerns among many that the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) will negatively impact small business, which is challenged during these touch economic times. Contrary to that concern, CFPB deputy director of their research department, Dan Sokolov, told a Congressional subcommittee that won’t happen. Sokolov said the agency’s focus …
CFPB’s researcher Sokolov says they won’t hamper small business Read More
Bloomberg reports that the drop in real estate values has not helped reduce housing costs. Due in part to more households entering the ranks of renters, the cost of shelter has actually risen in the U.S.. The Labor Department reports that year to date through July, shelter costs have risen …
Forbes reports that the Sage of Omaha – billionaire investor Warren Buffett – believes that housing is the key to the economic recovery. Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway owns Clayton Homes, Vanderibilt Mortgage, and other factory built housing, lending and building suppliers, believes most banks and corporate profits are in good …
Home Builder Sentiment Stuck at Low Level in August The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo home market index held at 15 this month on a seasonally adjusted basis. Readings above 50, not seen since April 2006, are considered favorable. “The uncertain economic climate and concerns about job security …
AnnistonStar printed a letter from Sherry Norris, executive director of the Alabama Manufactured Housing Association in Montgomery. Norris responded to Alabama Governor Robert Bentley’s proposal to use Community Development Block Grant funds for use in shelters for all forms of housing, not just in ‘mobile and manufactured home parks.’ “Rather …
Norris advocates balance responsing to Gov. Bentley’s Manufactured Home storm shelter plan Read More
TandD reports the Orangeburg County Planning Commission gave unanimous approval to a new zoning classification proposal allowing single-section HUD Code home placement in areas which already have a mixture of site-built, single-sectional and multi-sectional manufactured homes. Commissioners voted to approve the proposal for creating the RS-2, Single-Family/Manufactured Home District and …
Zoning vote could ease locating single sectional manufactured homes Read More
