Manufactured Housing Institute Members Fly to D.C. for Round of Meetings on Capitol Hill
Members of the Manufactured Housing Institute, the only national trade organization representing factory-built housing, had its members from across the country descend upon Capitol Hill last week for the 2018 Summer Legislative Fly-In.
MHI members representing 19 states conducted nearly 100 meetings with Congressional offices of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.
The Fly-In yielded immediate results, with the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Acting Director Mick Mulvaney telling attendees he will help ensure regulations do not stifle financing for manufactured homes. He also said members of Congress are asking that HUD Sec. Ben Carson expedite reforms on manufactured housing regulations.
Fly-In Attendees Have Access to Law and Policy Makers
The event in Washington, D.C. attracted top administration officials including Mulvaney and Federal Housing Administration Commissioner Brian Montgomery. In addition, FHA Chief of Staff Joe Gormley participated in a convening of MHI’s Technical Activities Committee to discuss concerns about the regulatory review pace and specific items that should be prioritized. Among these items are HUD’s regulation of add-ons, the on-site completion of construction rule, and the frost-free foundation proposal.
Capitol Hill visits were successful in demonstrating to Members of Congress the importance of manufactured housing as a critical source of housing for constituents.
MHI’s comprehensive advocacy strategy goes beyond the standard penning of emails and regulatory comment letters. The institute’s lobbying efforts work toward real-world understaning of issues and development of strong and lasting relationships with Congress and key administration officials.
Participants at the Fly-in, which is closed to the public, including media, offered a consistent message with viable requests in anticipation of tangible results.
MHI Honors Legislators with ‘Champion of Homeownership’ Awards
Several legislators were honored with awards for their being a “Champion of Homeownership”, including House Financial Services Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas; Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind.; Reps Andy Barr, R-Ky., Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine., David Kustoff, R-Tenn., Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., David Scott, D-Ga., Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y, and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.
Rep. Hensarling thanked members of MHI during his acceptance of the award, telling them manufactured housing is a noble profession.
“In my district we make and live in a lot of manufactured homes,” he said. “This is their version of the American dream and you make it happen. I was glad to champion this bill (Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act). Our work is not done until every American that wants a home gets one.”
