What it Means to be A Member in MHI 2.0

by Dr. Lesli Gooch

IIt’s a new era for MHI and manufactured housing. We’re seeing a shift in perception as our industry is drawing more people looking for viable, quality solutions to overcoming the shortage of affordable housing across the country.

That means there has never been a more important time to support MHI’s work to ensure factory-built housing remains a priority for the administration, HUD and Congress’ affordable housing initiatives.

Over the last 10 years, MHI has grown and evolved to offer a wide variety of benefits for its members. From new educational curriculums to advocating for greater access to manufactured housing, MHI’s members enjoy the representation of a phenomenal, service-minded team dedicated to creating new opportunities for elevating the industry—including a full slate of annual events aimed at connecting factory-built housing professionals, a diverse offering of educational curriculum and regular updates to keep members informed, and a consistent focus on growing support from decision makers in Washington, D.C.

And as the organization has grown, so has its membership. Nearly 1,000 members strong, MHI represents every segment of manufactured housing. We could not do it without the support and cooperation of our members, so we wanted to highlight just some of what MHI offers its »

A new model home from Clayton that meets the standard for the CrossMod™ name and opens up the potential for conventional financing with appraisal comps from site-build homes as needed. Photo courtesy of Clayton Homes.

Ensuring Federal Support for the New Class of Manufactured Home

Last year, MHI announced CrossMod™, a new product category for manufactured housing. CrossMod is more than just a name. It’s a mark of quality our members can use to let homebuyers know they’re purchasing a home with all the innovations and efficiencies for which HUD code manufactured homes are known while also meeting the requirements for conventional financing with the GSEs. CrossMod homes combine the innovations and efficiencies of factory-built homes with features built on site. They can also be appraised using comparable site-built homes, from which they are virtually indistinguishable, when placed according to GSE financing requirements. With these considerations, CrossMod has the potential to find acceptance in jurisdictions that have traditionally zoned out manufactured housing. It’s another example of how MHI is working with its members to change the conversation around manufactured housing and ensure federal policies and programs support this quality housing that is offered at a price point consumers can afford with the features they want.

members and the industry, in terms of advocacy, events, and education.

Advocacy

MHI is an effective voice for the industry in Washington. Through our effective outreach with administration officials, consistent presence on Capitol Hill, and cultivation of strong bipartisan relationships, MHI has created a better regulatory environment for manufactured housing in Washington, D.C., and ensured that manufactured housing is part of the national dialogue when discussing solutions for addressing the country’s affordable housing shortage. Our effective advocacy for 2020 is focused on reducing regulatory barriers and expediting changes to the HUD code, improving the availability of financing, paving the way for a new class of manufactured homes, and communicating the value and promise of manufactured housing to policymakers, the media, and the public.

Reducing Regulatory Barriers

Because of our successful advocacy efforts, President Trump issued an executive order last year seeking to allevi

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ate barriers that impede the production of affordable housing and specifically references manufactured housing as an area that has been hindered due to “outdated manufactured housing regulations and restrictions”.

MHI has secured a champion in HUD Secretary Ben Carson who continually extols the benefits of manufactured housing as an affordable housing option not only during Congressional hearings, but at industry events and to the media. MHI is working with Secretary Carson and his senior leadership to expedite changes to the HUD code and exercise the department’s preemption authority to eliminate discriminatory local zoning and land-use planning regulations.

But these successes are only possible with direct engagement from our members, which is an important part of our advocacy efforts. MHI has worked to ensure our collective voice is loud and effective when it matters most. Manufactured housing is entering an unprecedented era of acceptance and interest from policymakers and the public. That’s due, in part, to MHI’s consistent and effective advocacy. It’s also due to the work our members are doing every day to innovate and improve the methods and processes to make high-quality manufactured homes without sacrificing affordability. It is critical that policymakers see and hear firsthand from MHI members about these advancements. During MHI’s 2019 Legislative Fly-In and Homes on the Hill event, MHI members conducted more than 100 meetings with members of Congress advocating for important changes such as updating the HUD code, renewing the 45L tax credit for energy-efficient homes, and updating Federal Housing Administration financing programs. There is strength in numbers and the impact MHI’s members have by serving as an industry voice in front of their elected officials is critical. In addition, due to strong support from its members, MHI helped to facilitate the placement of three fully furnished manufactured homes on the National Mall for policymakers and the public to experience the quality factory-built housing across a range of price points.

Improving the Availability of Financing

In addition to keeping the HUD code current and alleviating regulatory barriers, MHI is also working to improve the availability of financing for manufactured homes, through federal programs such as the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Government Sponsored Enterprises (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). We are also working to ensure the Consumer Financial Protection

Bureau supports financing for manufactured housing in its lending regulations. resident-owned communities. The results of that research are coming soon, so stay tuned.

Conveying the Benefits of Land-Lease Communities

MHI continues to advocate the benefits of land-lease communities and ensure that any federal legislative or regulatory actions do not discriminate against this homeownership option. MHI is working to ensure that media, policymakers, and homebuyers understand these benefits. Our National Communities Council has embarked on an effort for individual owners/operators to connect with members of Congress about the value of, and resident satisfaction with, communities in their congressional districts.

We want Congress and the administration to understand that the vast majority of investor-owned, land-lease communities in the United States are professionally managed, well-run and well-maintained by responsible owners. Investors and managers are responsible for infrastructure and capital improvements, and are committed to providing residents reliable, high quality, and professional services that are an integral component of residents’ quality of life and lifestyle. Most importantly, the residents who live in these communities are highly satisfied with their housing choice according to a recent consumer survey by MHI.

Further, NCC recently reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring residents of manufactured home communities have the highest quality of lifestyle by approving a national Code of Ethics. The NCC Code of Ethics outlines eight principles that NCC members must abide by as part of their membership with MHI. These principles focus on promoting the benefits of manufactured housing and land-lease communities, as well as customer and resident relations.

MHI has also commissioned new research to demonstrate the important role land-lease communities have in creating affordable housing opportunities across the country. The study will provide a comparative analysis between land-lease communities and other forms of housing, including site-built homes and HOAs, apartment rentals and Connecting the Industry

At MHI, we believe there is strength in numbers. That’s why we are constantly looking for new ways to bring our members together to network and share ideas. As the only national trade association representing every segment of the manufactured housing industry, MHI offers a diverse selection of conferences and networking opportunities for members. For a full calendar of events and offerings, visit our website at www.manufacturedhousing.org.

From April 6-8, we’ll be hosting our annual Congress and Expo at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. This is MHI’s premier event for the industry and we are on pace for record-breaking attendance this year. That means even more opportunity to make connections around the industry that will help grow the market and inspire the kind of energy and enthusiasm our members share for manufactured housing and the home buyers they serve. This year attendees can make business connections while exploring over 140 vendor booths and networking with over 1,400 attendees. We’ll also offer more than a dozen workshops that will give you the tools you need to succeed—including in-depth sessions on a variety of focused topics like the NCC Spring Forum and Developing with Manufactured Housing. You can also join us early for the annual golf outing or clay shoot to support the MHI-PAC. With so many opportunities to connect and explore Las Vegas, you’re guaranteed to find your time at Congress and Expo to be worthwhile. Come join us and experience it for yourself! We hope to see you there! Education

MHI also offers training and certification curriculum to ensure uniformity and the highest quality for consumers. From installation to community management to the latest issues and trends, our organization is committed to providing the tools to ensure our industry is providing consistent, exceptional service. » At MHI, we believe there is strength in numbers. That’s why we are constantly looking for new ways to bring our members together to network and share ideas.

MHI offers a variety of ways to keep members and subscribers up to date on our work in Washington and issues relevant to manufactured housing—including a bi-weekly newsletter exclusively for members and webinars on key industry topics. We also share updates on happenings in Washington during our events nationwide, as well as workshops, keynote speakers and facility tours, roundtable discussions, summits, and other educational events.

Together MHI and the Manufactured Housing Educational Institute (MHEI), announced the launch of our Accredited Community Manager (ACM) 2 course, in December. This second curriculum requires the completion of ACM 1 and offers community managers additional tools needed for success. The program is offered both in person and online and offers guidance for managers on how to keep sites full and treat residents fairly. Local, state, and federal guidelines can leave you liable for the actions—or inactions—of your community manager. Investing in the ACM training may save you time, money, and resources avoiding fines and fees.

MHI is committed to offering our members and the industry all of the resources they need to succeed. This course was designed and developed to ensure quality, consistent service throughout the industry. To register for ACM 2 or to learn more about MHI’s educational offerings, visit https://www.manufacturedhousing. org/education/.

Join the Fight

MHI and its members have formed a unified front to pave the way for new innovations in manufactured housing. From education to advocacy, our team is committed to creating a better future for manufactured housing by clearing the path for a regulatory environment that favors increased manufactured housing production and a better business environment for our members. MHV Dr. Lesli Gooch is the CEO of the Manufactured Housing Institute, the national trade organization representing all aspects of the factory-built housing industries.

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on Marathon Key Built for the Biggest Storms Ocean Breeze

by Patrick Revere

New homes at Ocean Breeze on Marathon Key are built to withstand high winds and flooding. Photos courtesy of Ocean Breeze and Sun Communities.

Ocean Breeze in Marathon Key has seen its fair share of large storms, but following the destruction of Hurricane Irma in September of 2017 the community was rebuilt with a new aesthetic, and one that will help fend off the high winds and flooding of the future.

“Unfortunately we lost everything in the storm, but it’s an opportunity to redevelop,” Ocean Breeze sales associate Michelle Meszaros said. “We worked with Nationwide and we designed these homes alongside of them to meet all the new standards that were put into effect after Irma.” The new homes, built to local modular specifications within a stackable HUD-code envelope, are upon foundational pilings and are built to withstand high winds and flying debris.

What Makes the New Ocean Breeze More Durable?

“In a lot of cases, the homes will be more wind resistant than a concrete block structure,” Meszaros said. “They’re made to withstand sustained winds of up to 180 miles per hour.

“With the Bahama shutters, you can open the windows and bring them inside the home to protect the window and the interior, including the occupants,” she said. “Many storm shutters will protect from a palm tree coming through or something like that, but the glass will still break. And it’s expensive to replace a window. This shutter protects the glass from outside debris.” »

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Each home has a metal roofing system and Hardie board siding, which is a concrete-fiberboard that comes in a variety of textures and colors. Both upgraded materials help protect the home during a storm. And each is much less likely than standard materials to dislodge and create a further hazard for the community.

“It holds up really well to the hot Florida sun,” Meszaros said of the siding and trim. “It doesn’t fade like other siding might, so you don’t have to get up to paint it nearly as often.” The community had 16 new homes in place at the beginning of 2020 with plans for another 15 homes during the first quarter. All of the homes have high ceilings and plenty of natural light.

“The homes are meant to be very low maintenance,” she said. “We have beautiful Trex decking and also the stairway that goes up in the second level is made by Trex. And there are beautiful, nautical looking stairway rails, with posts and guy-wires.”

Likewise, all of the exterior hardware and components of the homes, as well as the community buildings and common areas, are made from noncorrosive materials. Rebar and concrete foundations are drilled and anchored into the corral below. Brick and paver driveways go under each home and throughout the community. With Ocean Breeze rebuilt to withstand heightening forces of Atlantic storms, Sun Communities, the Michigan-based owner, can let the property be as it was intended -- an enchanted seaside resort in the middle Keys.

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Much Needed New Housing in Central Florida Keys

Beyond the durability of the revamped community, the new homes it provides are much needed affordable housing in a resort area known for its multi-million dollar dwellings.

“If you talk about the Keys, our homes are affordable,” Meszaros said. “You can’t even purchase a home on the canal for under $1 million. Right next door to us there’s a developer putting in $6.5 million homes. Ocean Breeze is very affordable for the Keys.” Waterfront homes at Ocean Breeze will sell for $390,000, with homes in the $200s at the interior. Interior monthly site rent is $1,100 and $1,350 at the water. Former residents of Ocean Breeze are provided special pricing if they opt to return.

“Some of them are coming back. We offered them the rebuilt community, brand new homes and all the amenities, fully insured, at 5% below cost,” she said. “We are pleased that some people did come back.”

Common areas include an openair pavilion on the boardwalk. It has comfortable seating, including couches, a TV and a grill. The harbor has been dredged, and a new dock system with 14 boat slips was put in. Sun Communities also installed a sunset deck with mature coconut palms and a hammock garden.

“There’s a lot of fishing and snorkeling, obviously, so it really is a beautiful place to be,” Meszaros said.

“It’s one of the great spots because you’re right in the middle,” she said of Marathon Key. “It’s often called the heart of the Keys. There’s shopping, retail, and medical access. People don’t realize here that you can get to the grocery store in 10 minutes whereas in other spots it may take you an hour to go to the store.” MHV