posted 12/1/2008 11:42:49 AM
From the Manufactured Housing Institute:
"[This document] contains the letters that MHI has prepared on the industry’s behalf to the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department. The intent is to not only make recommendations on how to handle the inventory financing crisis, and raise the awareness of this critical issue, but also to provide important information on the ripple effect the lack of inventory financing will have on both the large number of jobs our industry accounts for and the affordable housing sector.
In addition, MHI has sought, and obtained, additional clarification from the Small Business Administration regarding the 7 (a) program. While the program does inventory financing, it historically has shied away from anything called "floor plan" lending. Our contact at SBA has suggested that MH retailers that apply for these loans call them "asset-based lending" and not mention "floor plan" lending.
Finally, MHI will be working with Independent Community Bankers Association (ICBA) members on the possibility of conducting a webinar or some other information forum on the requirements of their floor plan lending programs. As this develops more information will be forthcoming."
______________________________________________
Thayer Long | Executive Vice-President | MHI
How Warren Buffett survived the subprime mess
posted 9/30/2008 9:30:12 PM
Fortune Magazine featured a story on Clayton Homes in their September 2008 issue.
Click here to read the article
Manufactured home survives Hurricane Ike
posted 9/30/2008 9:28:10 PM
A manufactured home in Alan, Texas – one of the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Ike – was found to be completely untouched after the storm ravaged Texas’ Gulf Coast Sept. 13.
The owner of the home, Lt. Col. Bill Gazis, is currently stationed in Baghdad, Iraq. His brother went to check on the soldier’s home after Ike hit and found, instead of the destroyed dwelling he expected, the home had weathered the storm and emerged unscathed.
“My brother was able to make it out to my place on Saturday evening after the storm had rolled thru. Amazingly, not a single scratch on my 2006 … home; not even a missing shingle,” Gazis said in an e-mail to the manufacturer of the home. “On top of that, all my animals/livestock were well and accounted for. I just wanted to thank you … for building a good, solid product.”
A word from TMHA PAC’s Bill Stinson
posted 6/1/2008 9:18:42 PM
How many times have you heard how important it is to get involved and make an investment to the TMHA PAC? Do we really know what the PAC does? TMHA PAC allows the association to accomplish its regulatory or legislative goals and objectives. Here is a test to see if…
click here to read more...
Current form changes posted, comments welcome
posted 4/19/2008 9:13:22 PM
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has these proposed form changes online now. TMHA encourages all our members to review and weigh in on the proposed changes. The comment period for these changes ends May 9.
click here to read more...
Why your investment in TMHA PAC is important
posted 4/1/2008 9:08:23 PM
While the general public believes campaigning is over until later this year, the work of Texas campaigns continues behind the scenes. On a national scale, the Democrats are still making headlines trying to select their…
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San Antonio Express-News article features TMHA members
posted 3/23/2008 9:05:56 PM
Click on the link below to check out a March San Antonio Express-News article on manufactured housing in Texas. TMHA’s own Vice Chairman Jody Anderson and Treasurer Jim Bagley are both quoted in the story!
» Read the article
Fourth quarter brings shipment increase for some states
posted 3/10/2008 9:02:38 PM
The National Modular Housing Council announced a 2.4 percent increase in modular home shipments in 2007 in a Feb. 29 e-mail.
"Shipments of modular homes totaled 8,600 in the fourth quarter of 2007, up 2.4 percent from the fourth quarter of 2006, according to the National Modular Housing Council. With upward revisions of 100 home shipments to both the second and third quarter totals, modular home shipments totaled 33,500 in 2007, down 13.0 percent from the revised 2006 total of 38,500.
Hallahan Associates tracks shipments of modular homes in 29 states which accounted for approximately 84 percent of all modular home shipments in 2007. In the fourth quarter, shipments were up in seven states, essentially unchanged in one state and down in 21 states, year-over-year.
States experiencing year-over-year shipments growth in the fourth quarter were Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Tennessee and West Virginia. Second-quarter shipments were down in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin. Shipments were essentially unchanged in Colorado."
- NMHC's Flash Report, Feb. 29, 2008
More detailed information will be available for NMHC and MHI members in the upcoming Quarterly Modular Housing Report. Visit modularcouncil.org for the latest statistics and to see the Report once it becomes available.
The following press release was issued the morning of Feb. 29 by Palm Harbor Homes, Inc.
posted 3/5/2008 8:44:55 PM
TMHA would like to express our deepest sympathy to Palm Harbor Homes and the family and friends of Lee Posey.
» Press Release
Association news in two national manufactured housing industry magazines
posted 3/1/2008 8:39:53 PM
We're in your magazine! From now on, TMHA will be sending information to national manufactured housing magazines - check your copy to see if we make it in.
Look for TMHA in the "Grassroots Perspective" section of the February Manufactured Home Merchandiser and the "Movers and Shakers" March/April Modern Homes magazine column. Also, check and see if we made it into The Journal's "calendar of events."
New online feature gives consumers a way to report illegal activity 24 hours a day, seven days a week
posted 2/17/2008 8:37:30 PM
On Feb. 5, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ Manufactured Housing Division announced the launch of a new Web site feature allowing consumers to report illegal activity online!
"The Manufactured Housing Division is pleased to introduce a new website feature to allow the reporting of illegal activity. An online reporting form located at http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/mh/illegal-activity.htm is active and available to report any illegal activity to the Division's Office of Consumer Protection, Investigations and Enforcement Unit.
The Division is also proud to introduce the new Support Services Unit (SSU), created exclusively for retailers, lenders, title companies and attorney's offices. Beginning Monday, February 4, 2008, the SSU will be available to provide assistance on titling and statements of ownership and location (SOL) and can be reached directly or toll-free at the following numbers:
Direct Dial: 512-463-3693
Toll Free: 888-576-2240
The above information is located on our website at http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/mh/index.htm in the “What's New” section.”
- TDHCA Manufactured Housing Announcement, 2/5/08
Click here to go to TDHCA's illegal activity reporting form now.
If you are a retailer, lender, Title Company or attorney's office, call the numbers above to be directed straight to the new Support Services Unit and avoid competing with consumer call-ins.
Association, local organizations give Willis family a second chance with donations
posted 2/16/2008 8:22:45 PM
In January, TMHA joined Oak Creek Homes, Fox 26's Akin's Army, Lane-McDuff, the Houston chapter US Bank, Mobile Insurance, Northwest Harris County's Habitat for Humanity, the Church at Willow Park and Atlantic Service and Supply to help the Willis family.
Viola Willis, 94, lives with her son Charles, 63, in a 26-year-old mobile home in Houston. Their home is falling apart and completely uninhabitable. TMHA teamed up with the above companies and organizations to help this family get a fresh start, donating $1000 to the Willis Home Fund.
Click here to watch a video about the Willis family by Fox 26's Emily Akin.
Unlicensed Activity Task Force created to prevent criminal activity
posted 2/15/2008 7:49:18 PM
In an e-mail announcement sent Wednesday, Feb. 13, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs wrote:
“The Manufactured Housing Division's Investigations and Enforcement Unit has implemented an Unlicensed Activity Task Force to address unlicensed activity violations. The flyer is located on the Department's website at http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/mh/docs/UnlicensedActivity.pdf.”
- TDHCA Manufactured Housing Announcement, 2/13/08
To report illegal activity to the new Unlicensed Activity Task Force, fill out the new online illegal activity form at http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/mh/illegal-activity.htm, or e-mail complaints@tdhca.state.tx.us