Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/72467
expanded HUD's mission with regard to man- ufactured housing, including the process for es- tablishing, revising, enforcing, and updating theHUD Code. The law created theManufac- turedHousing Consensus Committee (MHCC) – an advisory committee comprised of industry and responsible parties – for recommending re- visions and interpretations of the code. Yet, MHI noted that HUD has failed to embrace its new role or the role of the MHCC. MHI pointed out that HUD's rulemaking process must be streamlined to ensure that the consensus process for the development, revi- sion and interpretation of the standards and its enforcement regulations can function as envi- sioned by Congress. Current rulemaking proce- dures, time-consuming internal reviews, and the Department's unwillingness to fill vacancies within the program have caused frustrating and potentially costly delays in finalizing MHCC recommendations.MHI also stressed thatHUD also must ensure that the HUD-Code revision process can keep pace with the increasing ad- vancements in design that the industry makes each year. More fundamentally, MHI noted that HUD has failed to recognize manufactured housing as important to fulfilling its mission to "create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all." In its FY 2010 -2015 Strategic Plan HUD fails to mention the role manufactured housing can play in meeting HUD's programmatic mission and goals, with only cursorymention and a limited scope related toHUD's overallmission—"to protect and ed- ucate consumers when they buy, refinance or FINANCIAL FOCUS EDITION The September issue is our Financial Focus edition that features financial companies and the programs they offer to the Manufactured & Modular Housing Industries. If you are a financial company and interested in participating in this great edition call 706-655-2333 or e-mail news@journalmfdhousing.com for more information www.GreenCourtePartners.com/MHCJ No. 10 on Get It Quick Page JULY 2012 15 THE JOURNAL rent a home." A key provision within the law is for HUD to appoint a non-career administrator to oversee the agency'smanufactured housing programand to serve as an advocate for manufactured hous- ing inHUD's overallmission, policies and pro- grams. However, this position remains vacant and should be filled as soon as possible. New Energy Standards from DOE Due to HUD's inaction, the manufactured housing industry will likely be subject to energy efficiency standards established and enforced by the Department of Energy (DOE).MHI stated that it believes that DOE's draft energy rules will impose overlapping and often contradictory regulations that will only add cost, blur the lines of accountability, and potentially create confu- sion among industry and regulators. MHI also stressed that such a rule is in conflict with the advisory role of the Consensus Committee. MHI is fully committed to taking advantage of all opportunities – both visible and "behind the scenes" – to strongly advocate for the man- ufactured and modular housing industries. For instance, MHI has been invited by the all-im- portant House Financial Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL), to represent the manufactured and modular hous- ing industries' concerns as the committee con- siders revisions of the onerous provisions of the SAFE and Dodd-Frank Acts. It is vitally important that federal regulations be structured properly to provide necessary safe- guards without overreaching in ways that hinder or limit an industry's future. That's why we are here…to ensure that such regulations do not negatively impact our members! T J Richard Jennison is President and CEOof theMan- ufactured Housing Institute (MHI), the preeminent national trade association for manufactured and modular housing industries, representing all seg- ments of the industries before Congress and the Fed- eral government. From its Washington, D.C. area headquarters, MHI actively works to promote fair laws and regulation for all MHI members and the industries. He can be contacted directly at (703) 558-0678. For more information on MHI, visit www.manufacturedhousing.org. Acquiring Active Adult and All-Age Land-Lease Communities Nationwide Green Courte Partners ® Bill Glascott, Managing Director BillGlascott@GreenCourtePartners.com (847) 582-9420