(Arlington, VA – April 14, 2004) Members of the manufactured housing industry gathered today at an awards luncheon to recognize individuals and companies for their vision, dedication and extraordinary achievements. The National Industry Awards, presented during the 2004 National Congress and Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing, recognizes the highest achievers from all sectors of the manufactured housing industry – communities, retailers, suppliers, lenders, manufacturers, developers and state associations.

“These exceptional role models have been honored for their significant contributions and extraordinary dedication to the manufactured housing industry. With their innovative thinking and “can-do”attitudes they have promoted a positive image for the industry and demonstrated the industry’s true potential. We are proud of their many accomplishments,” said Chris Stinebert, president of MHI.

The winners of the “Community of the Year” and “Retailer of the Year” categories submit entries that are judged by an independent panel of professionals made up of representatives from the planning, community development, lending, realtor and homebuilding professions. Awards are given in four regional areas of the country.

The “Community of the Year” entries were judged based on a written statement supplied by the entrant, community aesthetics, marketing materials, site plan of the community, community and industry involvement, and the lease and covenants. The independent panel of judges selected the following communities to receive awards:

LAND-LEASE COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR AWARDS, UNDER 150 SITES

Region I (Northeast/Mid-Atlantic) – Retirement Estates, Big Flats, N.Y.

Region III (Mid-West) – Courtland Crossings, Cedar Springs, Mich.

LAND-LEASE COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR AWARDS, OVER 150 SITES

Region I (Northeast/Mid-Atlantic) – Meadows of Chantilly, Chantilly, Va.

Region II (South) – CountryWood, Plant City, Fla.

Region III (Mid-West) – The Orchards, Carleton, Mich.

Region IV (West) – Las Palmas Grand, Mesa Ariz.

Additionally, several awards were given in special categories. These categories included the “Best New Land Lease Community in the United States,” the “Best Land-Lease Community Upgrade/Redevelopment in the United States,” and the “Best New Manufactured Home Subdivision in the United States.” The award winners for 2004 are:

Best Land-Lease Community Upgrade/Redevelopment in the United States – Lakeview Terrace, Kansas City, Mo.

Best New Land-Lease Community in the United States – Capital Crossings, Eagle, Mich.

Best New Manufactured Home Subdivision in the United States – Tenaya Creek, Reno, Nev.

RETAILER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

The “Retailer of the Year” award entries were judged based on an entry statement, management philosophy, retail center aesthetics, marketing materials and community and industry involvement. The independent panel of judges selected the following retailers:

Region I (Northeast/Mid-Atlantic) – 422 Homes, Delmont, Pa.

Region II (South) – (Tie) – Action Homes, Clarksville, Tenn. and Hawks Enterprises, Conway, Ark.

Region III (Mid-West) – North Country Homes, Inc., Bonduel, Wisc.

Region IV (West) – Busbee’s Schult Home Center, Buckeye, Ariz.

DESIGN AWARDS

The following awards recognize excellence and encourage innovation in manufactured home design and production. An independent panel of architects and building professionals judged the entries and the following received awards:

Manufactured Home Design

Production Single-Section Manufactured Home 100 sq. ft. or Less – Palm Harbor Homes “The Oakmont”

Production Single Section Manufactured Home Over 1000 sq. ft. – Clayton Homes “Excel Series”

Production Multi-Section Manufactured Home 1400 sq. ft. or Less – Fleetwood Homes “LifeStages 4583L”

Production Multi-Section Manufactured Home Over 1400 sq. ft. – Champion Homes “Aspen”

Concept Single-Section Manufactured Home – New Era Building Systems “The Bungalow”

Concept Multi-Section Manufactured 1400 sq. ft. or Less – Fleetwood Homes “Reflection 4503R”

Concept Multi-Section Manufactured Over 1400 sq. ft. – Fleetwood Homes “Reflection 7523R”

Modular Design

Production Modular Home 1400 sq. ft. or Less – Discovery Custom Homes “The Sawgrass”

Production Modular Home Over 1400 sq. ft. – Genesis Homes “The Jefferson”

Concept Modular Home 1400 sq. ft. or Less – New Era Building Systems “The Newberry”

Concept Modular Home Over 1400 sq. ft. – R-Anell Homes “Universal Design”

NATIONAL AWARDS

Every year industry leaders vote for the individuals and companies that are considered the best in their class. This year’s winners have shown great leadership and commitment to the industry over the last year. These award winners have been chosen by their peers to be honored with the prestigious 2004 manufactured housing industry awards.

Industry Person of the Year – Dennis Jones, R-Anell Homes

Manufacturer of the Year – Clayton Homes Inc., Knoxville, Tenn.

Developer of the Year – Residential Building Systems, Inc., Dolores, Colo.

Regional Lender of the Year – 21st Mortgage Corporation, Knoxville, Tenn.

National Lender of The Year – (Tie) Chase Manufactured Housing, Cleveland, Ohio and Origen Financial L.L.C., Southfield, Mich.

Manufactured Home Community Operator of the Year – Hometown America, Chicago, Ill.

Manufactured Home Community Lender of the Year – Collateral Mortgage Capital, LLC, Birmingham, Ala.

Manufactured Home Community Broker of the Year – Security Mortgage Group, Rochester, N.Y.

Manufactured Home Community Service/Supplier of the Year – Alley & Associates, Palm Harbor, Fla.

MHI National Retailers Council Retail Person of the Year – Jeff Padlick, Geneva Homes, Inc., Waterloo, N.Y.

Supplier Person of the Year – John Evans, Kinro, Inc., Fontana, Calif.

State Association Executive of the Year – Ross Kinzler, Wisconsin Housing Alliance, Madison, Wisc.

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s industry awards. Each of them earned their special distinction by practicing professional integrity and demonstrating high standards. For information about entering the 2005 National Industry Awards competition or about this year’s awards, contact Ann Parman at 703-558-0653 or via e-mail at ann@mfghome.org.

MHI is the national trade organization representing all segments of the manufactured and modular housing industries including manufacturers, retailers, community owners, suppliers, financial institutions, state associations and developers.