November State Licensing Classes Moves Location
Due to the low number of registrations for the initial licensing and continuing education retailer and installer classes, the November 15, 16 and 17th classes have been moved from Bell Buckle, TN to the THA Nashville offices.
Normally we would require a minimum two week cut off registration notice, however, as this is the LAST initial licensing class of the year, we will take attendee registrations up until Monday, November 14th. Click Here for class and registration information.
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Tennessee Manufactured Housing Foundation [TMHF] Receives $1M Housing Grant!
After a very busy spring and summer, TMHF is happy to announce the approval of a $1M pilot home replacement program grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency [THDA] Housing Trust Fund.
The pilot program, set to begin in January 2012, will be for a period of two years. This is a required matching fund grant with $500,000 in annual funds coming from the Housing Trust Fund and $250,0000 in annual matching funds to be raised by TMHF through other grantors and sources, for the two year period.
Specifically, this pilot program will expand the existing mission of TMHF and will direct efforts to replace pre-1976 HUD codes homes or post 1976 homes in dilapidated condition and/or safety or structurally compromised, with Energy Star qualified homes. Candidates must be 60 years of age or older [or disabled veteran of any age]; own their on home and land with no encumberances; be below 60% of the area median income, and agree to a seven year grant enforcement note, which will be forgiven at the end of the term.
The final program documents, contracts and participation forms, are being reviewed by TMHF legal and select TMHF Board of Directors and staff. More information on how retailers will be able to bid on these program home replacements jobs will be provided in late December.
Special thanks to all of the THDA staff, particularly Ted Fellman, Executive Director of THDA; and Coralee Holloway, Director of Community Programs for THDA. Also, thanks to TMHF Chairman Bill Graves and Executive Director Marla Jackson for their writing and promotion of the initial grant request.
Anyone looking to make year-end charitable contributions for tax deductible purposes are encouraged to consider TMHF, an IRS approved 501(c)3 charitable organization. All contributions will go toward the standard or pilot housing program missions of TMHF. Please contact a TMHF staff member at 615/256-4733, or e-mail office@tnmha.org.
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NFPA Report Affirms Manufactured Homes Do Not Pose Significant Fire Risk
In October, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) testified before a federal advisory committee that occupants of manufactured homes are no more likely to die from a fire in their home than occupants of other single family homes.
During the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) meeting, the NFPA testified on its report, Manufactured Home Fires which concludes that the fire death rate for homes built to the federal Manufactured Home Construction Standards is “comparable” to other single family homes. NFPA announced that it published a correction to its July, 2011 report, saying that the number of deaths from fires per 1,000 manufactured homes is 2.4 percent not 13.3 percent and is within the range (2.3 - 2.6 percent) estimated for other single family homes. In addition, the report concludes that the rate of fire injury and the incidents of fires for manufactured home occupants is less than for occupants of other single family homes.
“This report concludes what the industry and our customers have known all along. Manufactured homes are built with consumer safety considerations first and foremost, and manufactured homes are built to high quality, stringent standards to keep customers safe,” said former MHI President Thayer Long.
MHCC members also heard from industry representatives, including a third party inspection agency and several state regulators, that the current fire safety standards for manufactured homes are more stringent than for site built homes constructed to the International Residential Code (IRC). Flame spread, egress, and smoke detector requirements are three examples.
The MHCC is authorized by the U.S. Congress to provide the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with recommendations regarding manufactured housing construction standards and related regulations, and is composed of 21 voting members representing manufacturers and retailers, consumers, organizations with general interests in manufactured housing, and public officials.
Click here for a copy of the July, 2011 report and click here for the October, 2011 Errata.
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THA Board of Directors Attend National Meeting
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THA's President James McGee of Franklin Homes, Vice-President Mark Morgan of Clayton Homes, Treasurer Scott Oliver of Oliver Technologies, and Immediate Past President Chris Lindsey of UMH Properties, Inc, [pictured left to right] were among attendees at this year's Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) annual meeting on October 2-4, in Phoenix. In addition to the many industry divisional update sessions, MHI attending members and the MHI Board of Directors outlined priorities for the industry and the national association in preparation for 2012.
2011 has been a pivotal year for MHI and the industry as, collectively, we have embarked on critical issues to reduce regulatory burdens and increase our presence in Washington, DC. However, significant economic headwinds, a fragile housing market, and an active legislative and regulatory environment still threaten the industry.
The priorities detailed HERE represent the collective input of manufacturers, lenders, community owners, state associations, retailers and suppliers — the entire MHI membership. It is important to note that the national policy focus is not limited to this list and remains engaged in all issues related to the industry.
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Community and Park Reminders
Communities and Parks are reminded to get their 2012 Survey forms back to THA by December 14th. If you have misplaced your form, please Click Here to print a new one.
As well, you are encouraged to use the state's free property listing for your available rentals and sales. Click Here to register or update your property listings.
As requested, once again here are the 2011 National Community Council Public Policy Priorities.
Are you in compliance with the 2011 legislative revision to the Landlord Tenant law? Click Here to view.
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THA Scheduled For Washington
THA will be headed to Washington, DC for the MHI Legislative Conference and Business Meeting to be held February 26 - 28, 2012. Each year Association directors, members and staff, meet with Tennessee's Congressional Delegation in an effort to highlight the industry's most pressing national and state issues.
This year will be extremely important as we move toward the next presidential election, along with other select state elections.
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Know Your Political Action Campaign Contribution Limits
The Federal Election Commission announced updated contribution limits that have been indexed for inflation and are effective for federal elections in 2011-2012. With the White House and Congress both on the line in 2012, and with THA contributing to a high number of Tennessee legislators, this will be a very busy year for all PAC accounts. To those THA members who contribute directly to candidates in addition to their THA-PAC contributions, please click here to find contribution guidelines.
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Join the Tennessee Affordable Housing Coalition
Speaking with one voice clarifies the message! Join the Tennessee Affordable Housing Coalition and work together for our joint interests. Participate in regional meetings with your neighbors and the annual meeting at the Governor’s Housing Summit in October. Click here to download the brochure and registration form.
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2012 National Congress & Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing - Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
April 10-12, 2012
CLICK HERE to register today!
Registration Questions? Call 703-610-0257 or registration@mmgevents.com
For more information, visit www.congressandexpo.com
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