he Coalition to Improve the Manufactured Housing Act, made up of the Manufactured Housing Institute and the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform, is feverishly pushing Congress to complete final passage of the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act.

However, at the printing of this issue of Modern Homes, Congress was unable to agree upon several contentious budget issues with President Clinton, and decided to adjourn until after the Nov. 7 elections, effectively delaying a final decision on the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act for several more weeks. Congress will return for a "lame duck session" starting Nov. 14.

You will recall that on April 6th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1776, the omnibus housing bill that included the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act as Title XI, by an overwhelming 417-8 vote. On May 4th, the U.S. Senate passed S. 1452, their version of the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act, by unanimous consent. The Senate Banking Subcommittee also held a hearing on June 20th on affordable housing issues. That hearing enabled Congress to begin the informal conference committee process that included the industry bill.

Controversy hovered around other provisions in the legislation, not related to manufactured housing, that were introduced by Housing Subcommittee Chairman Rick Lazio (R-N.Y.). Specifically, members of the Senate were reluctant to pass legislation that contained provisions for low down-payment mortgages for municipal employees. Because of the controversy, Lazio scaled down some of the other provisions not favored by the Senate, but did not eliminate the municipal employee language.

On October 24, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the scaled down version of the large omnibus housing legislation, which included as Title VI, the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act. Since that time, the Senate has sent the House a counter-proposal deleting the provisions that are opposed by Senate Republicans. The House will decide how to respond to the Senate's counter-offer when the Congress reconvenes after the elections.

What is clear at this point is that for the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act to pass this Congress, it must be added onto one of the six remaining appropriations bills that need the President's signature. It can either be passed as part of the package of housing and banking provisions mentioned earlier, or separately if that package were to die. The Coalition to Improve the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act is working hard with the leadership in the House and Senate to get the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act passed by this Congress. If you have any additional questions, please contact Brian Cooney or Sherri Cabrera of the Manufactured Housing Institute at 703-558-0400.

© 2000 by Manufactured Housing Institute. All rights reserved.