As 2009 comes to a close, we all know this has been one tough year. Despite the difficult obstacles faced and the challenges of working with a new Administration- MHI-NCC has been as effective as ever advancing the industry’s cause in one of the most active legislative and regulatory periods we have ever faced.

The forefront of MHI’s efforts have been focused on financing. The MHI-NCC achieved several important successes including:

•     Expedited implementation of the new FHA Title I (home only) reforms on June 1, 2009;
•     Hastened rulemaking by Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) on the GSE’s “duty to serve” the manufactured housing industry;
•     MHI-NCC influencing Ginnie Mae to fast track its lift of the moratorium for issuers of securities backed by FHA manufactured home loans;
•     MHI-NCC is advocating for a $7500 tax credit to owners of pre-HUD-Code homes who purchase a new Energy Star manufactured home;
•     MHI-NCC is working to continually expand access to capital for all our members- from consumer loans, to land-lease community lending programs and inventory financing- and is even developing strategies to help community operators doing in-house lending find solutions;
•     MHI-NCC was instrumental in obtaining an extension of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit- and ensuring it applied to those purchasing homes in land-lease communities;
•     MHI-NCC is working diligently to alleviate the impact of the new Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing (SAFE) Act on community owners that do their own lending.

We know that moving forward in 2010 there will certainly be no shortage of issues challenging community owners in this political environment. The NCC continues to aggressively pursue its legislative and regulatory initiatives by fostering relationships with key members of Congress, and enhancing communication with decision makers in the new Administration. The MHI-NCC will look to build upon its successes, and will continue to challenge any efforts with regards to “carried interest,” weather radio requirements, and predatory legislation which may unfairly affect our industry.

2010 will be another very busy year for the MHI-NCC, and we cannot do it without your guidance, support, membership, as well as participation in the MHI-PAC. The MHI-PAC is one of the most effective ways we are able to demonstrate our influence and reach key decision makers that can help positively shape the industry. I encourage you all to be regular contributors, and I plan to work to increase the level of NCC participation in the MHI-PAC over the coming year.

Finally, the NCC will also continue its efforts to improve the image of communities - a key to the long-term success of our industry. We are in the planning stages of the NCC’s 2010 Forum to take place in April in Las Vegas. I’m excited to announce that the 2010 program will be a joint venture between the MHI-NCC, and the Urban Land Institute’s Manufactured Housing Communities Council (MHCC). You can be sure that the 2010 NCC Forum will provide a wealth of information and networking opportunities.

You can email me at chris@parrishmanor.com.

Chris Parrish
Chair, National Communities Council
Vice-President, Parrish Manor