HUD Sec. Ben Carson is the Keynote at MHI’s Congress & Expo in Las Vegas
MHI’s Congress & Expo in Las Vegas hosted one of its most prominent keynote speakers in the show’s history this year, with a presentation and informal Q&A with Ben Carson, former Republican nominee for President and current U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) secretary.
In the address, Sec. Carson reaffirmed to an attendance of more than 1,400 manufactured housing professionals his commitment to reforming the department’s manufactured housing program.
Sec. Carson stated the importance of manufactured housing as a source for addressing the nation’s affordable housing crisis and that HUD’s approach to the regulation of manufactured housing should change.
“According to the economists, we are experiencing the biggest jump in housing prices in four years – prices are rising while the supply of housing is getting smaller. It’s basic supply and demand,” said Sec. Carson. “That’s why everyone in this audience and the manufactured housing industry is so important – and that’s why I am here today. You are a big part of the solution to providing unsubsidized, quality, affordable housing.”
Sec. Carson Supports Manufactured Housing as Affordable Solution
A top priority of MHI has been creating a more cooperative regulatory environment at HUD for manufactured housing. Through ongoing outreach with the White House, HUD and Congress, MHI contends that the regulatory climate for manufactured housing at HUD needs to change.
“HUD is now positioned to usher in a new era of cooperation and coordination with your industry. Make no mistake, we understand how you are vital to our economy and to our agency’s goal of making safe, quality, desirable and affordable homes for millions of hard working Americans,” Carson said.
MHI President Dick Jennison opened Wednesday morning’s remarks, noting the uptick in the industry and the observations that the 2018 Congress and Expo has experienced its highest attendance in about a dozen years.
Cavco Industries President Joe Stegmayer introduced Carson.
“Sec. Carson has continued HUD’s dedication to safe, fair and affordable housing for all Americans,” he said. “What better way to address need than with manufactured housing.”
In his remarks, Sec. Carson also recognized the work the industry is doing to make homes more affordable and to create good paying jobs. He noted that the administration appreciates all the efforts underway in the industry specifically highlighting the use of American suppliers and products when constructing manufactured homes.
This is report from the 2018 MHI’s Congress and Expo is made available to MHInsider readers through cooperation with the Manufactured Housing Institute, the only national trade organization representing factory-built housing.
