To the Friends of MHI and the Manufactured Housing Industry:

There is an imminent threat to the manufactured housing industry that demands the immediate and full attention of each and every one of you! Effective in early January 2014, new regulations emanating from provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act will significantly limit low- to moderate-income consumer’s ability to obtain the mortgage financing needed to purchase a manufactured home.

That is unless the manufactured housing industry is able to pass the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act (H.R. 1779) that will remedy these misguided regulatory burdens and restore full access to financing that is so critical to potential homebuyers and our industry.

Specifically the legislation will revise the triggers by which small-sized manufactured home loans are considered “High-Cost” under the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA), as well as clarify that manufactured home salespersons are not considered mortgage originators under Dodd-Frank, provided they receive no compensation from a creditor, lender or mortgage broker.

This issue is of such vital importance to our industry that the MHI Executive Committee has agreed to postpone until early next year two operational initiatives relating to MHI’s bylaw revisions and dues restructuring which had been approved at the February 2013 Board meeting.

It is absolutely critical that the members of the manufactured housing industry and its allies clearly demonstrate that this corrective legislation is needed and transcends any partisan politics. That is why co-sponsorships from Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle will clearly establish the broad support needed to pass this corrective legislation. Over the coming weeks, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) will be introducing identical legislation in the Senate, with Republican support for the bill being lead by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA).

Action Needed!
Please take the time to contact your U.S. Representative and request they co-sponsor the legislation, Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act (H.R. 1779). If you are unsure of who your U.S. Representative is, a search tool is available on the U.S. House of Representative's Web site at www.house.gov. Members of Congress will be back in their home districts/states during the first week of July and the August 2013 recess. This is an ideal time to reach out to them and ask that they co-sponsor this important legislation. Once they have agreed to co-sponsor, have their staff contact Erin Bays in Rep. Stephen Fincher’s office at 202.225.4714 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Without the remedies provided in the legislation, there will be a substantial and painful disruption in the manufactured housing market. Please use the provided talking points and further details on the legislation at www.manufacturedhousing.org/webdocs/HR%201779%20Action%20Alert.pdf if you need them in your discussions with your Members of Congress. Click here for a sample letter that can be faxed or emailed to Congressional offices.

I cannot stress enough how important it is for our industry that we get this corrective legislation passed before the January 2014 implementation date. Your active participation in this effort will help ensure these misguided and onerous interpretations of Dodd-Frank are corrected and the manufactured housing industry is able to continue its role in providing affordable housing to American consumers.

We are making this legislative fix our number one priority for the remainder of 2013 and we need everyone’s help to get us there!

All these efforts focusing on passing the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act do not mean that MHI staff will not be working hard to bring you other important services and educational opportunities.

Despite my best efforts to keep this letter brief and to the point, this letter demonstrates that we have a lot to accomplish in order to secure our future as part of the American housing industry. I know that you fully appreciate the challenges that lie in front of us and I hope that we can count on your active and ongoing support for MHI and our initiatives, both current and long-term. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions by contacting me directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Best regards,

Nathan Smith
MHI Chairman

Earlier this week, the Ninth Circuit announced that a petition for "en banc" (entire Court) rehearing of the April panel decision in ELS v. San Rafael was denied.   Unfortunately, this decision is a near-term win for the advocates of rent control because it keeps in place the April 2013 three judge panel decision, which had reversed a favorable decision by District Court Judge Vaughn Walker.  Judge Walker found San Rafael's mobile home rent control ordinance unconstitutional.  We don't believe that this particular battle is over.  ELS may seek review by the U.S. Supreme Court. 

While some local governments and rent control advocates will certainly hail the San Rafael decision as a victory, they will be reading too much into the case and likely overreach.   Whether or not the Supreme Court grants review, the decision leaves open the door to future constitutional challenges by park owners who are denied rent increases, particularly those who purchased before rent control was adopted. 

HKC's message to park owners under rent control is do not lose heart!  We are right and we will prevail with the right case.  In fact, we have already succeeded in many cases by bringing claims which have led to the elimination or modification of rent control ordinances.  In the meantime, there continue to be opportunities to maximize property values through rent increase applications, subdivisions or closures.  The pursuit of these opportunities may also help set the stage for successful taking claims.  We hope that you will continue to defend your property rights through your participation and support of organizations such as WMA and CMPA.  If you have any questions about the decision, rent control or subdivisions, we urge you to give HKC partners Mark Alpert, Bill Dahlin or John Pentecost a call at (714) 432-8700 for more information.

San Antonio, TX) – CU Factory Built Lending (CUFBL) received the 2013 MHI Regional Lender of the Year Award for Manufactured and Modular Housing at the 2013 National Congress & Expo in Las Vegas, NV, winning the award for the second consecutive year. A division of SACU (San Antonio Federal Credit Union), CUFBL specializes in financing for manufactured homes in more than 40 states.

Barry Noffsinger, Sales and Marketing Manager of the East Region, and John Walters, Sales and Marketing Manager of the West Region, accepted the award on behalf of CUFBL. The company received this honor because of their outstanding performance as the regional lender that best contributes to product innovation, provides the best response to meet customer needs, contributes to the well-being of the manufactured housing lending industry and demonstrates ethical and prudent lending practices.

CUFBL was recognized for its continued focus on innovation by developing new programs such as The Equity Edge, which offers even lower rates for customers who have down payments greater than 35%, a Land in Lieu Program that allows customers to use the equity in their land toward their down payment, a Land/Home Program that eliminates the need for a construction loan, a Community Lending Platform that allows communities to continue to finance homes “in-house” while being SAFE Act compliant and a Park Model Program.

“CUFBL is extremely pleased to be recognized again for this prestigious award.  Our team of dedicated professionals continues to work very hard to serve the industry and ensure our loan products add to the value proposition of choosing manufactured housing.  We are excited to share this award with our team and remain appreciative of their efforts, which make this recognition possible.” Anthony Ross, SACU Senior General Manager of Indirect Lending, said.

Since 2003, CUFBL has helped meet the growing demand for financing in the manufactured housing market, with regional offices in Greensboro, NC; San Antonio, TX; Seattle, WA; and Fairfax, VT; serving current and prospective manufactured home owners across the United States.

CUFBL is a division of SACU, a $2.9 billion credit union, serving approximately 250,000 members in San Antonio and Houston, Texas, and in communities across the country through CUFBL, its manufactured housing division. For information, please contact Dave Soper, Sales and Marketing Analyst, at toll free 1-866-279-1899 Ext. 6683 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

CUFBL receives Regional Lender Award NR Click Here to read PDF

Darryl Searer, president, RV/MH Hall of Fame, burns the Hall's bank note in
a ceremony at the First Annual RV Power Breakfast in Elkhart, Indiana.

 ELKHART, Ind., - On May 9, 2013, over 400 RV industry leaders attending the First Annual RV Power Breakfast witnessed Darryl Searer, president of the RV/MH Hall of Fame (Hall), ceremoniously burning the organization's bank note to 1st Source Bank, Elkhart, Indiana.  

Searer said, "I am proud to announce that on April 30th thanks to the support of many of you in this room and many more individuals and companies in both the RV & MH industries across the USA & Canada, we met a challenge goal set by the Ingram family."

The ceremony marked the successful conclusion to the Hall's "Burn the Bank Note" fundraiser campaign where the Hall raised $150,000 in contributions and earned an additional $50,000 from a challenge grant offered by the Boots Ingram family.

In early 2012, the Hall was suffering the results of the recession and teetering on defaulting on the bank note which would have forced the Hall to close its doors.  At that time the bank note was $840,000.  However, through some management changes and belt tightening along with several fundraising campaigns, the Hall was able to pay off the debt in record time. 

Searer said, "This marks a significant milestone in our efforts to make the Hall debt free and ensure the long-term viability of this important community attraction.  Indeed, our future looks very promising.  This goal could not have been achieved without the generous support of members of the RV and Manufactured Housing industries-and especially, the Boots Ingram family."

Searer pointed out while this achievement is a major hurdle overcome, it does not make the hall debt free.  He said, "We have two more loans to go--$600,000 to pay off the David Woodworth antique RV collection and the final note of $3,000,000 is to the Ingram family.

"The Ingram family has been extremely gracious and supportive of the Hall of Fame in honor of the late Boots Ingram. As long as we meet our monthly obligations, this note will pay off with $2,000,000 as the Ingram's are matching the principle payment by 50%."

Searer recognizes that the Hall still has some challenges ahead, but he remains optimistic.  His goal is for the Hall to be completely debt free by 2020.

Lake Forest, Illinois, May 7, 2013 – Green Courte Partners, LLC (“Green Courte”), a private equity real estate investment firm targeting parking assets and land-lease/manufactured housing communities, announced today the promotion of Braden L. Rudolph to Vice President, Asset Management.

Since joining Green Courte as a Senior Associate in June 2011, Mr. Rudolph has been involved in Green Courte's acquisitions and asset management efforts. Mr. Rudolph was actively involved in Green Courte's acquisition of The Parking Spot, one of the nation's leading owner/operators of near-airport parking properties, with 35 locations and over 60,000 parking spaces. Most recently, Mr. Rudolph has been involved with implementing strategic initiatives at American Land Lease, Inc., an owner/operator of 50 land-lease communities with over 18,500 home sites. As a Vice President, Mr. Rudolph will continue his involvement in the firm's asset management efforts, primarily focusing on the near-airport and urban parking sectors.

Mr. Rudolph graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and from Northwestern University's J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management in 2010 with an Masters of Business Administration.

About Green Courte Partners, LLC

Green Courte Partners, LLC is a Chicago-based private equity real estate investment firm targeting niche real estate sectors, including parking assets and land-lease/manufactured housing communities. The firm combines focused investment strategies with a disciplined approach to transaction execution and asset management. Green Courte's goal is to invest in high quality assets that will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns over a long-term holding period. For additional information, please visit www.GreenCourtePartners.com.

To: MHI Certified and Alternate Representatives

From: Jason Boehlert, MHI Government Affairs

Late last week, Reps. Stephen Fincher (R-TN), Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Gary Miller (R-CA) introduced the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act (H.R. 1779).  The measure would amend provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that would curtail the availability of credit needed by those seeking to purchase manufactured housing.  Specifically, the bill would revise the High-Cost Mortgage triggers for manufactured home loans, and make clarifications to the Loan Originator definition as it applies to manufactured home retailers and salespeople.  These two areas of the law—which are scheduled to become effective January 2014—would substantially reduce lender ability to originate manufactured home loans.   

Assistance is needed from MHI members and others within the manufactured housing industry, in contacting their Representatives to request they co-sponsor H.R 1779.  A detailed issue brief/action alert, along with a sample letter that can be faxed to Congressional offices, has been attached to this email.  The following resource information has also been attached:

·         April 24 Wall Street Journal Article discussing the impact of the High-Cost Mortgage Provisions on the manufactured housing market

·         MHI News Release following introduction of H.R. 1779

·         Text of H.R. 1779

Over the coming weeks, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is expected to introduce companion legislation in the Senate.  Additional information will be provided at that time.

MHI is grateful for the dedicated assistance provided by its members in working to secure bipartisan support for this important legislation.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

04 26 Bill Intro FINAL.pdf

HR 1779 Action Alert.pdf

HR 1779 Bill Text.pdf

SAMPLE LETTER for HR 1779.doc

Wall Street Journal (1).PDF

ELKHART, Ind. -- The celebration of the Class of 2013 that is being inducted into RV/MH Hall of Fame (Hall) will be held on August 5, 2013, at the Hall of Fame's Event Center in Elkhart, Indiana, according to Darryl Searer, Hall president.

Searer said, "Our newest board member and chairman of the 2013 Induction Dinner committee, Mark Wasson (Bluelinx Corporation), has some exciting new
venues for this year's program and I encourage all the friends of this year's inductees and industry members to make their reservations early."

According to Wasson, one of the new features this years program is private cocktail party honoring all the past inductees, board members and the Class of 2013 inductees and their families.  This event begins at 4:30 p.m. and is being hosted by the RV/MH Heritage Foundation board of directors.

Those being inducted in the Class of 2013 include: Craig M. Bollman, a housing community developer/operator from Mobile Home Communities in Littleton, Colorado; Theresa M. Desfosses, a housing industry veteran of retail, communities, and manufacturing from State Manufactured Homes in Old Orchard Beach, Maine; Kirwan Elmers, an RV Bus converter from Custom Coach in Columbus, Ohio: C.M. Fore (deceased) an RV manufacturer from Foretravel, Inc. in Nacadoches, Texas; Lawrence C. Lippert an RV and MH industry supplier from Lippert Components in Goshen, Indiana; Thomas P. Meyers a housing manufacturer from Guerdon Industries in Louisville Kentucky; Claude N. Palmer (deceased) a housing retailer from Palmer Homes in Waverly, New York; Mathew Perlot (deceased) an RV manufacturer from Safari Motorhomes in Harrisburg, Oregon; and Thomas Walworth an RV and manufactured housing industry consultant and statistician from Statistical Surveys Inc. in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Following the Hall's cocktail party for Hall of Fame members, a cocktail reception for everyone attending the Induction Dinner ceremonies begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by a gala dinner and induction ceremony at 7 p.m.  All day Monday the attendees will be able to tour the Hall's many attractions including the antique unit collection in the museum, library and the GoRVing Hall.

Wasson said, "Among the other activates planned is a fifty-fifty raffle at the door and a vacation package raffle valued at $5,000.  In addition, Wasson is negotiating with a nationally-known speaker to deliver the event's keynote address (name to be announced later).

In addition to the induction ceremony, Art Wyatt, this year's golf chairman, says the 2013 Golf Classic fundraiser will start at 7 a.m. with a full breakfast followed by a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. followed by an awards presentation.  This year the golf classic will again be hosted by The Bent Oak Golf Club in Elkhart. Art promises this year's competition to be fun-packed, and he is recruiting sponsors to help make that happen.

Searer said, "We expect this year's events to be the best ever, thanks to the hard work of Mark Wasson for the Dinner and Art Wyatt for the Golf and their respective committee's as well as the Hall's staff and volunteers. You'll not want to miss this exciting annual event."  He added the Hall is seeking sponsors for the various Induction Dinner events as well as the golf tournament.

A tradition started last year, Searer will deliver his short annual State of the Hall address and promises attendees will be pleased with the Hall's successes over the past year.

ELKHART, Ind., - The Crean Foundation recently contributed $60,000 toward the RV/MH Hall of Fame's "Burn the Bank Note" Challenge. The donation was ear-marked to honor the memory of Fleetwood Enterprises founder John C. Crean.

According to Hall President Darryl Searer, the goal of the "Burn the Bank Note" challenge is raise $150,000 in voluntary contributions by April 30, 2013, in order to qualify for the Robert "Boots" Ingram family's $50,000 challenge grant that would pay off the Hall's bank note to 1st Source Bank.  

The Crean Foundation's donation along with other contributions brings the total raised in excess of $120,000 leaving just under $30,000 to be raised before the April 30 deadline.

Other recent contributions include a $10,000 donation by Lyle D. & Nellie R. Reed Charitable Foundation to honor the memory of Clarence Fore, founder of Foretravel; $2,000 by Ace Fogdall RV to honor the memory of its founders Ace & Florence Fogdall; $1,000 byMichael A Schneider, MAS Associates; and numerous other contribution of less than $1,000.

While Searer is pleased by the generosity of those who continue to support the Hall, he emphasized the urgency of raising the additional $30,000 by April 30.

Searer said, "Time is running out for us to qualify for the Ingram Family's $50.000 challenge grant. It would be a shame to leave that amount on the table and miss the opportunity to pay off our bank note.

"I urge everyone who enjoys the benefits of working in the RV/MH industries, as well as those who participate in the lifestyle, to step up to the plate and contribute whatever amount they can.

Searer said that the Hall's bank loan to 1st Source Bank has been reduced from $840,000 in early 2012 to less than $80,000 now.   He said, "If we reach our goal and receive the Ingram Family's challenge grant, we'll be able to pay off the bank loan on May 1."

Since the RV/MH Heritage Foundation is a 501-c3 not-for-profit corporation, all donations are tax deductible. Donors can use our federal ID#: 35-1610362.to verify that we are a 501-c3 not-for-profit corporation in good standing with the IRS.

Elyria, OH (March 6, 2013) - Atlanta-headquartered ARA, the largest privately held, full-service investment advisory brokerage firm in the nation focusing exclusively on the multihousing industry, is pleased to announce the sale of the West Ridge Green Manufactured Home Community located in Elyria, OH.

Built in 1974, West Ridge Green is a 303-site, all age community located within the Cleveland MSA. The community is located 30 miles west of Cleveland and is positioned on 47.2 acres with convenient access to several major thoroughfares including Interstate-80.

ARA National Manufactured Housing Group Co-Directors, Todd Fletcher (based in Denver, CO) and Andrew Shih (based in Austin, TX), represented the Receiver in the sale of the asset.  The asset was acquired by Iron Realty, LLC, a Connecticut based company that specializes in the acquisition of residential, commercial, and manufactured home communities.

West Ridge Green is a stable, well-maintained asset with several attractive amenities and is conveniently located near several major employers. “The property received a lot of interest from the investment community,” said Fletcher. “The occupancy had stabilized even though the property was distressed and went into receivership.”

The buyer recognized a rare opportunity to purchase the community at an attractive basis with the strategy to implement a sales or leasing program to capture the growing demand for affordable housing. “Iron Realty did a great job hanging in there through the receivership sale process,” said Shih. “They had a variety of debt options but chose to go with a local bank with whom they had a relationship.”

ARA's Manufactured Housing Group specializes in the disposition of family and age-restricted manufacted home communities across the country.  Please contact us if you have any questions about this press release or are looking to buy or sell manufactured home communities.

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