Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/755715
DECEMBER 2016 20 THE JOURNAL BY BRUCE SAVAGE COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT New Regulatory Environment and Better Homes Is the Answer The election of Donald J. Trump as the next President of the United States has cast a great deal of uncertainty affecting all aspects of life here in America and abroad. One area where a Trump presidency is definitely going to bring significant changes to the status quo is within the manufactured housing industry. What these changes will be will be of vital importance to the manufactured housing industry as it moves for- ward in this new era. Obviously, the election is very likely to slow down a range of reg- ulatory initiatives being anticipated by HUD and the Obama Administration for the manufactured housing industry. The new Trump Ad- ministration is ex- pected to support a broad, pro-growth agenda of lower taxes, less regulatory activism, energy in- dependence and in- f r a s t r u c t u r e spending, along with focusing of "fair trade" policies and immigration policy. At the same time, with the Republicans in control of the White House, Senate and House for the first time since 2004, we are likely to see Congress and the Administration working together to develop and implement policies dramatically different than the last eight years of increasing regula- tions. Implementing these changes will demand a new team of regulators, ranging from new Treasury and HUD Secretaries, and those more directly involved in manufactured housing pol- icy. Vice President-Elect Pence will be playing a key role developing and implementing the re- formed legislative efforts of the first 100 days. Many expect changes to Obamacare and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be high on this agenda during this first 100 days. It is certain that these and many other changes coming to manufactured housing policy will give new impetus to rethinking and re- building such policies and allow the manu- factured housing in- dustry to play a more active role in Amer- ica's housing policy. Combining New Regulations and Enhanced Homes While the manu- factured housing in- dustry can fully take full advantage of this new regulatory envi- ronment, it is also im- portant that the industry continue its efforts to build a new generation of homes that are more respon- sive to American fam- ilies' needs and expectations. Energy efficiency, installation guidance and other key consumer protection measures further reinforce the "value proposition" that today's manufactured homes offer. The differences found in today's generation of new homes from those of twenty to thirty years ago mean that the industry now delivers homes more closely in line with those people desire and want to live in. That means that our homes being built and offered today are deliver- ing greater comfort, durability, safety and con- sumer appeal that ultimately benefit the industry and those who purchase and live in our homes. We as an industry have to recognize that regu- latory flexibility and innovation need to go "hand-in-hand" with the new market dynamics that are already reshaping our industry and our homes. Reforming lending and other key financial concerns relating to manufactured housing are essential, important elements in making man- ufactured homes more affordable and available to American families. Combining those reforms with homes that are more responsive to con- sumer needs and wants is a great strategy that can create a "win-win" formula for industry growth and a stronger future. What we can not do as an industry is to fall back on discounted and failed business practices that led the industry into trouble and stagnation that did not serve anyone well…industry or home-buying consumers. We need to reformu- late our approach to reasonable regulations and business practices so that we bring a winning proposition to our industry and our consumers. As someone who has been involved in this industry for more than 25 years (including own- ing a manufactured home and living in a man- ufactured home community for 16 years), I know first-hand that this is an industry that has stepped forward in so many ways to become a real housing alternative capable of providing real housing value for Americans who want to own and enjoy their own home. Maybe now that the key elements of regulatory sanity and financial responsiveness seem to be heading our way, we need to stay focused on delivering great homes at affordable prices. That's the winning formula we need to keep in mind and not lapse It is certain that these and many other changes com- ing to manufactured hous- ing policy will give new impetus to rethinking and rebuilding such policies and allow the manufac- tured housing industry to play a more active role in America's housing policy.