Input HUD’s Agenda; MHRetailers & LLCommunity Home Sales; NSAC Caucus = MHInitiative in 2012?

Input HUD’s Agenda; MHRetailers & LLCommunity Home Sales; and, NSAC Caucus movement to become MHInitiative® in 2012?

I.

Your Opportunity to Input HUD’s Research Agenda!

Thanks to Bob Brophs (pronounced Bross), retired Missouri MHRetailer and landlease community owner/operator, for bringing the following timely opportunity to our attention.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON HUD RESEARCH AGENDA

“Over the next 5 – 10 years, what we need to know to improve knowledge gaps that are affecting the execution of good housing and community development policy and practice? HUD’s Office of Policy Development & Research (‘PD&R’) is in the process of formulating its’ research agenda for the next 5 – 10 years, and would like your input. We invite you to think critically about the above question as it relates to four targeted topic areas:

Homeownership and finance. HUD’s goal = “Strengthen the Nation’s Housing Market to Bolster the Economy and Protect Consumers.”

Rental housing. HUD’s goal = Meet the Need for Quality Affordable Rental Homes.”

Housing as a platform. HUD’s goal = “Utilize Housing as a Platform for Improving the quality of Life.”

Communities. HUD’s goal = “Build Inclusive and Sustainable Communities Free From Discrimination.”

To ensure appropriate consideration, be sure to submit your ideas and suggestions in writing, no later than November 4th, 2011. Send your input to HUD USER c/o P.O. Box # 23268, Washington, D.C. 20026-3268.”

Don’t know ‘bout you, but the areas I’m seriously considering commenting on have to do with the following:

Affordable Housing. This still needs an industry – country – government wide ‘official’ working definition and description – especially if ‘more than one’ methodology (there’re presently a half dozen alternatives) is to be codified and widely communicated within and outside HUD. For more on this variegated subject, read HOUSING AFFORDOGRAPHY.

HUD Code manufactured housing. It’s way past time for HUD to actively promote the type factory – built housing it regulates! Today, HUD Code manufactured housing is the most cost effective, quality, energy efficient, non – subsidized BUT under promoted housing type in the U.S.! Again, HUD does little to popularize manufactured housing.

Landlease (nee manufactured home) communities. Given the affordability of HUD Code manufactured homes, particularly Community Series Homes (‘CSH’) designed for placement in this unique income – producing property type, AND given rental homesite rates in sync with other forms of multifamily rental communities in the same local housing markets, there is no more affordable housing lifestyle than LLCommunities!

So, are YOU now inspired to write and comment on HUD’s Research Agenda for the year ahead? I surely hope so. Remember, the DEADLINE is soon: 4 November 2011.

I also challenged an eclectic mix of the ‘five most forward – thinking and influential leaders I know’, in the HUD Code manufactured housing industry and landlease community asset class, to comment on HUD’s Research Agenda. Even offered to publish their commentaries and recommendations (to HUD) in an upcoming issue of the Allen Letter professional journal, or this weekly blog posting. Well, guess what? I’m making the very same offer to you, blog floggers (readers)! Send me your commentary to HUD on its’ Research Agenda, and I’ll do my best to get you published as well! Send your input via FAX (317) 346-7158 or email: gfa7156@aol.com or via ‘snail mail’: GFA c/o Box # 47024, Indpls, IN. 46247.

II.

Coming Soon: the first ever, National Summit for Independent ‘street’ MHRetailers & in – Landlease Community Home Salescenter Operators!

Yep, you read the headline right! On 13 – 15 November 2011, at the historic Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago, independent ‘street’ MHRetailers and landlease community owners/operators selling new and resale homes on – site, from throughout the U.S., will convene for 2 ½ days to…

Understand, negotiate, even compromise with one another, to market and sell more HUD Code manufactured homes, as well as enhance the potential for additional bottom line profits throughout both segments of the industry!

To this end, National Summit organizers and sponsors, Rainmaker Consulting, of Davenport, Iowa, researched and prepared a comprehensive eight page White Paper, identifying issues and trends keeping these parties (home manufacturing/distribution & realty development/investment) apart, rather than working together, during the past decade. White Paper authors, Bill Carr & Chad Carr, sought and received timely experiential input from Dick Moore; Ken Rishel; Jim Reitzner, MHM; Greg Harmon, MHM; and this industry observer, including several other commentators. The initial public presentation of this White Paper will be in the November issue of the Allen Letter professional journal. To subscribe, simply phone the MHIndustry HOTLINE: (877) MFD-HSNG or 633-4764.

But the real news here is the upcoming historic National Summit for Independent ‘street’ MHRetailers and in – Landlease Community Home Salescenter Operators. Given the nature and goal of this ‘coming together’, i.e. to market and sell more manufactured homes, as well as enhance the potential for additional bottom line profits, it’s anticipated this will be a sold – out venue by the time the Sunday, 13 November convening date arrives. National Summit registrants will receive a copy of the White Paper, to orient their discussions at the National Summit begins. If a ‘street MHRetailer’ or ‘LLCommunity sales center operator’, are YOU registered yet? To do so, and or request additional information, contact Rainmaker via (800) 336-0339 or email gill@getrain.com

III.

NSAC Caucus Movement of 2008 & 9 to become MHInitiative® in 2012?

Given the successful – and evolving scope of the National State of the Asset Class (‘NSAC’) caucuses @ 2/27/2008 in Tampa, FL. & 2/27/2009 in Elkhart, IN., year 2012 appears to be when all segments of the HUD Code manufactured housing industry and landlease community asset class, ‘come together’ to collectively discuss and figure out ‘How to Save Our Industry?!’

Remember? The NSAC – I caucus involved LLCommunity owners/operators only, gathering from throughout the U.S.. The NSAC – II caucus, however, included HUD Code home manufacturers and LLCommunity folk! And now, the NSAC – III caucus, following an intentional two year hiatus – awaiting MHIndustry leaders to ‘come to our collective rescue’; and, given a broader ‘caucus’ scope affecting all segments of the MHIndustry and LLCommunity asset class – warrants a more inclusive moniker, that of MHInitiative®. As a related aside; summaries of NSAC caucuses I & II, including positive measures adopted therein, are contained in Landlease Communities, Manufactured Home Communities, Mobile Home Parks, Trailer Courts & Camps, and Affordable Housing, available from PMN Publishing for $24.95 (postpaid) via the MHIndustry HOTLINE mentioned earlier.

Why the semi – acronym MHInitiative®? Well, anyone who’s read my books, newsletters, magazine columns and features since 1988, is familiar with the many Allenisms® I’ve created during the past two plus decades. Here’re some that have endured the test of time: MHIndustry, short obviously, for ‘manufactured housing industry’; then MOPHEAD (a proword for ‘Manufactured Housing Opinion/Editorial), a column I used to pen for The Journal; likewise, MHRetailers and LLCommunity (Latter has replaced MHCommunity, both semi – acronyms, respectively, for landlease community and manufactured home community); also MHActivist; and, this ‘play on words – or abbreviations’, for our two national advocacy bodies: ‘MHI (‘MY’) MHARRvelous Dream for the MHIndustry!’ (Title of a past blog posting); then there was manufractured housing – recognizing our industry’s nadir of new home shipments. Even the ‘Ah Ha! & Uh Oh!’ label for our popular housing price calculation worksheet is an Allenism®, by dint of ‘Ah Ha’ being an apt abbreviation for ‘affordable housing & housing affordabilty’ (Thanks to Creighton Weber of Wells Fargo for that suggestion!), while ‘Uh Oh!’ is the understandable exclamation of a homebuyer when he or she realizes they’ve purchased more home than they can afford! And the list goes on….

So, what’re the plans for a MHInitiative® caucus in early 2012? Well, they’re still, as we say, ‘on the drawing board’. But it’s already been suggested the initial MHInitiative®, with its’ goal to decide ‘How to Save Our Industry?!’, be scheduled for 2/27/2012 – continuing a triparte (‘Good Luck’?) date pattern begun five years ago in 2008. While there’s already another meeting scheduled on that date, given the unique nature and goal of this MHInitiative® caucus, i.e. ‘How to Save Our Industry?!’, it’s doubtful many seriously interested stakeholders (e.g. business owners) will overlap.

Does this MHInitiative® caucus, across all MHIndustry segment lines, interest and excite you? Seriously enough, to respond to this preliminary announcement with encouragement, even commitment, to attend a 1 ½ day – or longer meeting, in a warm climate, during late February 2012? If so, now’s the time to add your name to the 75+/- names of individuals already committed to caucus, discuss and plan via brainstorming and other creative – yet – practical methods for improved and effective industry planning, ‘How to Save Our Industry?!’ Ask yourself: “If this MHInitiative® caucus doesn’t take such a vital and historic step NOW, in early 2012, WHO will do so & WHEN?” The answer? ‘Likely, no one, ever!’

So, the choice is: Do NOTHING and hope the MHIndustry doesn’t’ die, and LLCommunities decline further; OR, as a business owner, invest the necessary resources to examine the challenges facing our industry and asset class, with an eye to identifying solutions; then going about implementing same, when and where possible, with whomever can ‘get the job done’! Finally, if you’re bona fide business stakeholder in the manufactured housing industry and or landlease community real estate asset class, and related industry segments, communicate your interest and commitment via (317) 346-7156 or email: gfa7156@aol.com If not, please pass this announcement onto the head of the firm for which you work!

***

George Allen, CPM®Emeritus, MHM®Master Box # 47024
Consultant to the Factory – built Housing Industry & Indianapolis, IN. 46247
The Landlease Community Real Estate Asset Class (317) 346-7156

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