The Reporter

January - February 2025

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”

-- Ryunosuke Satoro --

The MHI Winter Meeting held in early February brought together industry leaders and innovators for two and a half days of collaboration and strategic discussions.

MHI members engaged in discussions that will shape the future of manufactured housing, from regulatory and financial strategies to innovation and growth opportunities.

During the Division and Council meetings, leaders tackled pressing issues, explored opportunities, and collaborated on strategies to drive the industry forward. See below:

2025 Federal Policy Objectives

Energy Standards for Manufactured Housing

1. Ensure the federal government’s energy efficiency standards for manufactured housing are realistic and keep homes affordable
2. Ensure HUD is the sole regulator of manufactured housing construction standards, including energy.

Financing

1. Ensure federal financing programs that support homeownership include manufactured housing.
2. Support state associations with legislative and regulatory advocacy impacting consumer financing.

 HUD Code

1. Ensure a more regular cadence for HUD Code updates.
2. Delete the requirement in federal law that manufactured homes are only those built on a permanent chassis and ensure changes to HUD Code and state statutes to facilitate a regulatory process for new home types built to the federal code.

Zoning

1. Include manufactured housing in federal efforts to eliminate exclusionary local land-use policies.
2. Strengthen HUD’s policy and engagement regarding zoning and preemption.
3. Support efforts at the state and local level to overcome zoning and land-use barriers.

Land-Lease Communities

1. Educate policymakers about the benefits of land-lease communities.
2. Ensure that federal actions to support affordable housing include support for land-lease communities.
3. Combat efforts to impose national landlord-tenant policies.
4. Support state associations with pending legislative and regulatory proposals that impact land-lease communities.

Teresa Payne, Deputy Assistant Secretary - Administrator with the Office of Manufactured Housing Programs within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced in January, the selection for appointment of Jim Hightower, Director of Manufactured Housing and Modular Building Section, Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office, to the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC). Director Hightower will serve as a member in the General Interest/Public Official category.

The MHCC plays a vital role in the development and maintenance of construction and safety standards, and regulations applicable to the manufactured housing industry.

The appointment to serve in this role will be for three years and will end December 31, 2027. THA would like congratulate Director Hightower on his appointment.

Event details:

Dates: March 17-19, 2025

Location: IP Casino Resort Spa, Biloxi, MS

To register: Visit www.biloxihomeshow.com/register and fill out the form. This is how you get your name badge!

Attendees belonging to one of the following categories qualify for free registration:

• manufactured home retailer,
• manufactured home community owner/manager,
• installer/transporter of manufactured homes,
• manufactured housing association employee (MMHA, AMHA, LMHA, TMHA, etc.),
• government employee,
• manufacturer of a HUD code or modular home displaying a home at the Show,
• Biloxi Show sponsor, or
• service/supplier exhibiting a booth at the Show.

Important Reminder:

Room blocks at the IP Casino Resort Spa, Harrah’s Gulf Coast, and the DoubleTree by Hilton close soon! Don’t miss out on this special rate – book your rooms now!

Here’s what to do next:

1.  Register for the event: www.biloxihomeshow.com/register
2. Reserve your room: www.biloxihomeshow.com/hotel-location

Act now to secure your spot for another unforgettable experience in Biloxi!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to coordinators at 601-939-8820.

On February 10, 2025, Governor Bill Lee delivered his seventh State of the State address, outlining his priorities for education, workforce development, infrastructure, energy, economic growth, housing, conservation, and fiscal responsibility.

Emphasizing fiscal responsibility, Governor Lee pledged to grow the Rainy-Day Fund to $2.2 billion, streamline state boards and licensing requirements, and generally reduce government costs while increasing state revenue. Lee addressed the $1.2 billion in hurricane damage in East Tennessee, praising local leaders and emphasizing long-term recovery efforts. He reaffirmed Tennessee’s commitment to public safety, announcing continued crime prevention grants and efforts to combat illegal immigration. He also highlighted the Medicaid block grant savings, pledging to reinvest the savings in healthcare initiatives.

Education remained a top priority, with $580 million proposed for K-12 education, including teacher pay raises. Lee introduced the Tennessee Works Scholarship, covering 100% of tuition, fees, and equipment costs for students at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs). He announced the expansion of youth employment programs and proposed a limited occupational teaching license to allow skilled tradespeople to teach without excessive credentialing barriers.

Infrastructure and economic growth were also key focuses, with $1 billion allocated to TDOT for road and bridge improvements. Lee announced $10 million for the Nuclear Energy Fund and $50 million for TVA’s Clinch River project to advance energy innovation. He also highlighted $40 billion in capital investments over six years and proposed $80 million in economic development grants to attract high-tech industries.

To address housing challenges, Lee proposed a $60 million Starter Home Loan Fund and a new housing tax credit to increase affordability. He also committed $100 million to a regional water conservation strategy to protect the Duck River. Additionally, he supported the Farmland Conservation Act, aimed at preserving Tennessee’s agricultural lands, and endorsed the creation of the Alexander Institute for Environmental Education.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner (confirmed in early February) launched a U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force to review how HUD is spending American taxpayer dollars, in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.

The task force will examine the agency’s budget and ensure all programs, processes and personnel are working together to advance the purpose of the department.

In its first week, the task force recovered $1.9 billion of misplaced funds and identified more than $260 million in savings.

“HUD will be detailed and deliberate about every dollar spent to serve rural, tribal and urban communities,” said Secretary Turner. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are no longer in a business-as-usual posture and the DOGE task force will play a critical role in helping to identify and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse and ultimately better serve the American people.”

The Tennessee General Assembly has introduced 1,400 bills for consideration during the 114^th Tennessee General Assembly.  Despite the snow fall in Nashville on Tuesday evening, the legislature continued their work with only a few hours delay to business on Wednesday morning.  This is indicative of the expedited timeline for this legislative session which has been speculated to conclude as soon as the last week of April.  Of note, the Tennessee Supreme Court has yet to rule on a challenge to state legislative maps, nearly five months after hearing arguments.  If rejected, lawmakers must redraw districts by April.

The newly appointed committees are starting to see substantive legislation on their calendars.  The House has implemented a new electronic voting system, and some structure changes to their committees. The House Finance Committee now has 29 members, while other larger committees include State and Local (23 members), Judiciary (22), and Education (19). Conversely, subcommittees were downsized, some to as few as 6 members.

The House and Senate committees met this week to review budget proposals for Departments and Agencies across state government, reviewing key financial reports, department funding requests, and long-term fiscal challenges.  Financial discussions centered on the state’s trauma care system, pension liabilities, tax policies, and the sustainability of critical programs.  With federal funding declining and costs rising, legislators emphasized the need for responsible budgeting and strategic planning to ensure Tennessee’s continued financial stability.

The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) showed a state net position of $62.4 billion, a $2.1 billion increase from last year but lower than the prior year’s $6 billion rise due to reduced federal funding.  Concerns were raised over pension liabilities and the sustainability of funding programs as federal support decreases.  Notably, Tennessee received an Award of Excellence for its ACFR, recognizing the state’s commitment to financial transparency and strong fiscal management.

The Comptroller’s budget was approved, with focus on tax reserves funding low-income elderly assistance, which is projected to run out by FY27 without increased allocations or benefit adjustments. Legislators also questioned the reliance on non-recurring funds for ongoing expenses.

The Department of Revenue discussed franchise tax adjustments, rising administrative costs, and enforcement funding for the hemp-derived cannabinoid tax.  Data gaps in the state’s tax repository raised concerns about judicial and fiscal accuracy.

The State Museum’s budget included funding increases for the National Civil Rights Museum and a 2027 military museum but saw cuts to artifact acquisitions.  Legislators stressed cautious budgeting amid federal funding uncertainties and rising program costs.

Other National Industry Meetings in 2025:

2025 MHI Annual Meeting

September 29–October 1, 2025, Omni La Costa, Carlsbad, California

2025 MHI National Communities Council Fall Leadership Forum

November 5–7, 2025, Westin Michigan Avenue, Chicago

The Corporate Transparency Act’s (CTA) reporting requirements are back in effect after the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas ruled in favor of the U.S. Department of the Treasury this week.

Following the ruling, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) reinstated the requirement for companies to report beneficial ownership information (BOI), with a new deadline of March 21, 2025, for most businesses.

FinCEN is also considering further adjustments to deadlines and will prioritize reporting for entities that pose the highest national security risks. Additionally, it plans to revise the BOI reporting rule to reduce compliance burdens, particularly for lower-risk entities and small businesses. Read more in the official FinCEN notice.

In addition, bipartisan legislation that would delay filing until the end of the year recently passed the House, and a companion bill was introduced in the Senate by Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-SC). 

Brief Note:

FinCEN’s website hosts a wide range of resources for companies regarding filing the beneficial ownership information, including a series of nationwide Public Service Announcements (PSAs).  

President Trump has postponed the implementation of steel and aluminum tariffs and directed his trade team to study reciprocal tariffs. The new tariff proposals have come earlier and with broader scope than those in his first administration, though only a 10% tariff on Chinese imports has taken effect so far. President Trump has proposed a 15% corporate tax rate for domestic manufacturers.

MHI CEO Dr. Lesli Gooch led a panel of experts at the Harvard Housing Infrastructure, Policy and Design Symposium, hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

A panel focused on manufactured housing included Teresa Payne, Deputy Assistant Secretary for HUD's Office of Manufactured Housing Programs; Mike Tweden, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Champion Homes; Scott Simpson, legal counsel for MHI; and Dr. Ivan Rupnik, associate professor at Northeastern University and founder of Mod X. Together, they highlighted the essential role manufactured and modular housing play in addressing the nation’s growing demand for high-quality, attainable housing.

MHI’s presence at this event reflects the industry’s growing influence in the national housing conversation. By engaging with Harvard’s future policymakers and thought leaders, Dr. Gooch and the panel reinforced the fact that manufactured and modular housing must be a key part of the solution.

Policymakers are taking greater notice of the industry’s innovation and potential. MHI remains committed to breaking down regulatory barriers, advancing pro-housing policies, and ensuring more Americans have access to affordable homeownership. As a result of the Symposium, Harvard Kennedy School decided to establish an Infrastructure & Housing Caucus to continue the discussion, and the Harvard Graduate School of Design is exploring a similar initiative.

On January 2, the Rural Housing Service (RHS) issued a final rule, effective March 4, to make the Rural Housing Service single family loan programs more flexible. The final rule incorporates the changes recommended in an October 2023 comment letter spearheaded by MHI, and jointly signed by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and the Community Home Lenders of America (CHLA), which are:

• Expand the existing pilot which allows RHS direct and guaranteed single family loans for existing manufactured homes in only certain states to all 50 states, providing the home meets the HUD Code.
• Remove the administrative requirements from RHS regulations for review and approval of applications from manufactured housing dealers for RHS direct single-family loans.
• Revise the definition of “manufactured home” in the regulations to remove reference to RHA Thermal Performance standards for RHS direct single-family loans.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published its final rule on on the reporting of medical debt under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Regulation V. The rule removes a previous exception that allowed creditors to access and use medical debt information. It also revises existing exceptions related to the use of medical information for credit eligibility decisions. Furthermore, the rule generally prohibits consumer reporting agencies from including medical debt in consumer credit reports used by creditors for making credit decisions.

Sean Duffy was officially sworn in as the 20th Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).

Upon arrival at USDOT headquarters, Secretary Duffy’s first act was signing a memorandum directing staff to start the process of resetting Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which will ultimately lower the price of a car for American consumers and eliminate the electric vehicle mandate. Read more about fixing the CAFE program here.

ATTENTION RETAILERS!

ENTER YOUR CUSTOMERS TO WIN $2,500

Two (2) PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED

HOMES MUST BE SOLD BETWEEN

April 1, 2023 - March 31, 2025

Announcement of winners will be made during THA's 70th Anniversary celebration, scheduled for June 8 - 10, 2025.

For more information and resources, please visit the FMCSA’s CPDP website.

The second Clearinghouse final rule (Clearinghouse II) is in effect. This means that commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders that have a “prohibited” status in FMCSA’s CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse will lose their State-issued commercial driving privileges until the driver completes the return-to-duty process. FMCSA developed a new video that summarizes the steps drivers must take to change their Clearinghouse status from “prohibited” back to “not prohibited.” Watch the “Return-to-Duty Process for CDL Drivers” video. The video is also available near the bottom of the Clearinghouse homepage.

For more information about the return-to-duty process, see FMCSA’s Return-to-Duty Quick Reference Guide; and visit the Clearinghouse Learning Center or frequently asked questions.

FMCSA has updated the Safety Measurement System (SMS) Website. Complete SMS results are available to enforcement users and motor carriers that are logged into the SMS Website.

Note: the Prioritization Preview Website continues to be updated monthly alongside the SMS Website. Motor carriers can visit the Preview site and log in to see what their prioritization results would be under the proposed new methodology.

2025 THA Annual Member’s Meeting

"Power of the Past - Force of the Future"

June 8 - 10, 2025

Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort

1210 Dollywood Resorts Blvd

Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

The room reservation portal is now open!

2025 THA Annual Member's Meeting - HeartSong Lodge & Resort

Click: Sponsorship Opportunities or Attendee Registration

or

Download an Informational Booklet

DEADLINE is 4:00 pm CST; March 6, 2025

The manufactured housing industry closed out 2024, with notable increases in production and shipments. December production saw an 11.3% year-over-year increase, contributing to an impressive 15.9% growth in year-to-date production.

Shipments also trended upward, with single-section homes rising 11.1% year-to-date, while multi-section shipments surged by 19.7%. The overall seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of shipments reached 103,571 homes, reflecting a 7.3% increase compared to 2023.

THA Association Website:      https://tnmha.org/

Go to THA’s main website for the latest industry news, show dates, legislative action items, licensing educational news, scholarship information, member listings, PAC updates and so much more! There is no log in or password needed for this site!

THA Educational Website: https://education.tnmha.org/

This is the direct link to the educational platform where courses are available for initial licensing/certification and continuing education! Please check the Association website (tnmha.org) throughout the year for special announcements, field updates, and yearend deadlines. You must have a log in and password for your educational account, but not the Association website.

THA Annual Meeting Website: https://thaannualmeeting.com/

This annual meeting website has been established for the purpose of collecting and posting annual notices and ongoing developments for future member meetings or special events. The main website will link to this site and save space on the member’s ‘business tool’ website to allow for more member photos of those special events!

THA Consumer Website: https://www.tennesseemanufacturedhomes.com/

This is a consumer-facing website which allows consumers to tour homes and send messages directly to THA members for home quotes, community inquiries, inquire about financing or reach one of our service/suppliers. You must be a THA member to have your business listed on this site.

Follow us on social media!

https://www.facebook.com/tnmha.org

https://www.instagram.com/tennesseemha/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/tennessee-housing-association/

https://www.youtube.com/@tennesseemha

Download the graphics and videos from your e-mails!

If you missed them, go back and search the dates or the subject lines with these titles...

January dated 1/09/2025 -

"Built for the Future: Energy Efficiency in Factory-Built Homes"

February dated 2/12/2024 -

"Your Housing Resource"

The production team at ManufacturedHomes.com is always looking for installed manufactured and modular homes that will represent the industry in our state. If any of our THA members have recently set a home and the landscaping is now complete, drop a picture of the exterior to Rick@manufacturedhomes.com

Use these links to make changes or additions to your TennesseeManufacturedHomes.com listing.

MH Education for 2024 has now closed for yearend auditing and reporting.

The educational portal opened on January 3rd and will close on December 5, 2025.

Pick your course. Pay online. Access Online.

Print your certificate of completion right from your dashboard!

2025 Initial Licensing

Opened 01/03/2025

2025 Continuing Education

Opened 01/03/2025

Installation Basics Training

Remains Open

Discounts are available for THA member companies ONLY!

Members were e-mailed their discount code on January 3rd at 1:02 pm, CST.

(If you cannot locate your code, email Office@tnmha.org

for your member discount coupon, prior to purchase!)