There is nothing wrong with photo opportunities and videos. MHProNews and MHLivingNews have used them too. But photo ops and videos ought to compliment a broader vision, not replace it.
There are thousands of videos about manufactured housing online. There are untold numbers of still images. But the ones that are negative often outweigh the views of those that present manufactured housing in a positive light. That in a nutshell summarizes the plight of the industry’s image challenge.
Sam Landy, JD, President and CEO of UMH Properties (UMH) told MHProNews that marketing is ultimately the responsibility of each individual company. That is an obvious truism. It would be nice if a trade group stepped up to do or compliment that effort, but in the current state of industry affairs, that certainly isn’t occurring effectively. Yes, MHI makes videos or posts photos on Facebook numerous times each week. But the 7 months of declining shipment numbers tell the tale.
The report last night about Bryan, TX tells another part of the sad tale of the low state of affairs in manufactured housing. The Arlington, VA based trade group says about itself that: “The Manufactured Housing Institute is the only national trade organization representing all segments of the factory-built housing industry.” Rephrased, they are saying that they address both production and post-production related issues. Hmmm, let’s see.
By contrast, here is what the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform says about itself, “MHARR is a Washington, D.C.-based national trade association representing the views and interests of independent producers of federally-regulated manufactured housing.”
Recast, they are saying that they are a production-issues oriented trade group. Really? Let’s see.
In the past few days, MHARR has tackled these two issues, published at the links below.
Assistant Secretary Brian Montgomery Removal of Obsolete and Superseded Guidance Documents Letter | Manufactured Housing Association Regulatory Reform
Re: Notice of Removal of Obsolete and Superseded Guidance Documents – Docket No. FR-6156-N-01 Dear Secretary Montgomery: As you know, the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) is a Washington, D.C.-based national trade association representing the views and interests of smaller and medium-sized independent producers of manufactured Housing regulated by the U.S.
New, Revised, and Proposed Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures for Manufactured Homes | Manufactured Housing Association Regulatory Reform
Ms. Sofie Miller U.S. Department of Energy Room 6A-013 Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20585 Re: Proposed Procedures for New or Revised Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures for Consumer Products – EERE-2017-BT-STD-0062; RIN 1904-AD38 Dear Ms. Miller: The following comments are submitted on behalf of the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR).
By contrast, what has MHI published on their website?
Where is the fine Secretary Ben Carson speech delivered at their own Congress and Expo? As the report linked below reveals, they emailed a few words from it. But as of this morning at 9:10 AM ET, their own search tool says the same thing as the screen capture below. That’s largely a post-production speech. Secretary Carson’s address praises manufactured housing. Why isn’t MHI promoting it?
An online search this morning reveals the Secretary Carson address on MHLivingNews’ site, but not on MHI’s website either.
MHARR is stretching beyond their production issue mandate, to see how they can use targeted efforts to address post-production issues.
Bear in mind that the National Association of Manufactured Housing Community Owners (NAHMCO) broke from MHI, precisely as a vote of no-confidence in MHI addressing issues such as the Duty to Serve manufactured housing.
But in the world of manufactured home trade media, we are not aware of any that have raised such fundamental and obvious points. Rather, they have touted MHI – as if they are doing their jobs.
That’s their right to publish what they wish – within the norms of the law and morality – which we respect their right to be wrong in the manner that they ‘inform’ their readers.
That’s this morning’s first look at “News through the lens of manufactured homes, and factory-built housing” © where “We Provide, You Decide.” © ## (News, analysis, and commentary.)
Your link to industry praise for our coverage, is found here.
For the examples of our kudos linked above…plus well over 1,000 positive, public comments, we say – “Thank You for your vote of confidence.”
“We Provide, You Decide.” © ## (News, analysis and commentary.)
(Image credits and information are as shown above, and when provided by third parties, are shared under fair use guidelines.)
Submitted by Soheyla Kovach to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.com.
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