News Briefs - Archives

KMHI’s testimony before the Interim Joint Banking and Insurance Committee on October 26, 2010 about the SAFE act.
October: Details*

FHA Final Rules: Underwriting Changes and Premium Increases
According to MHI’s week in review, the Federal Housing Administration was quite busy last week. FHA issued two mortgagee letters which implemented changes to the traditional FHA Single Family Mortgage program (Title II).
MHI reports that on September 3, 2010, HUD released Mortgagee Letter 2010-29, which changes minimum credit scores and loan-to-value (LTV) ratios for FHA insured Single Family Mortgages effective October 4, 2010. Borrowers with a credit score below 500 will not be eligible for FHA-insured financing. Borrowers with a credit score between 500 and 579 will be limited to 90% LTV, which requires a 10% down payment. Borrowers with a credit score of 580 or higher are eligible for maximum financing, which requires a minimum 3.5% down payment. The letter does not make any changes to the seller concession caps at this time.

MHI also reports that on September 3, 2010 HUD released Mortgagee Letter 2010-28, in which HUD announced it was increasing the annual premium and lowering the upfront premium. For all traditional purchase and refinance products the upfront premium is 1%. On 30 year loans with a 95% LTV ratio or lower, the annual premium is .85%. On 30 year loans with an LTV lower than 95% the premium is .90%. For more information on either of these letters, contact MHI at 703-558-0600 or email Lois Starkey lstarkey@mfghome.org or Jason Boehlert jbeohlert@mfghome.org.

USDA Single Family Housing-Guarantee Loan Program Funding Now Available
According to MHI, USDA’s Rural Development Office announced on September 7 that it will begin obligating Section 502 Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loans, a month sooner than it expected. The $1.6 billion in backlog of Conditional Comments issued after May, 26, 2010 will be the first loans funded. The RDO anticipates that in the remainder of the fiscal year, funds will be available for all requests. However, for all purchase loan guarantees the upfront fee is now 3.5% as opposed to the previous 2%. For more information on this program, contact Lois Starkey or Jason Boehlert at MHI as printed in the previous article.

Hylton Inducted into National Hall of Fame
Morris Hylton, Jr. (Hylton Sales and Rental, Ivel, KY), a 30-year member of KMHI, was inducted into the national RV/MH Heritage Hall of Fame on August 2, 2010 at the Heritage Foundation and Museum in Elkhart, IN. Morris served four terms as KMHI president, owned and operated Hylton Homes for over twenty-five years and chaired three different KMHI committees. Congratulations to Morris for receiving the highest honor bestowed on a member of this industry. more* ...

New KMHI Member Benefit Program Approved
June 2010: The KMHI board of directors approved a recommendation by the Education, Special Programs and Land Use and Executive/Personnel committees to make available an excellent disability and medical bridge plan through Colonial Life Insurance Company. This program will improve KMHI member company employers’ and employees’ benefits without cost to the employer, while providing a pre-tax payroll deduction for the employees. Colonial Life has made several important concessions so that your small business can take advantage of cost savings just as some larger companies do. For more information download*.

EPA Lead Rule Took Effect in April
On April 22, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA’s) Lead, Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule was effective. It can be viewed at www.epa.gov/lead.pubs/renovation.htm. The rule addresses remolding and renovation projects disturbing more than six square feet of potentially contaminated painted surfaces for all residential and multifamily structures built prior to 1978.
Firms are required to be certified, their employees must be trained in use of lead-safe work practices, and lead-safe work practices that minimize occupants’ exposure to lead hazards must be followed. Contractors, property managers, and others who perform renovations for compensation in residential houses, apartments, and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 are required to distribute a lead pamphlet before starting renovation work. Requirements under the rule may be waived if:

• The housing was built in 1978 or later.

• The repairs are minor, with interior work disturbing less than six square feet or exteriors disturbing less than 20 square feet being exempt.

• Housing for elderly or disabled persons, unless children under 6 reside or are expected to reside there.

• Zero-bedroom dwelling (studio apartments, dormitories, etc.)

• Housing or components declared lead-free by a certified inspector or risk assessor.

Keene and Miller – KMHI Hall of Fame Class of 2010
KMHI will induct two long-time retailer and community members into its Hall of Fame the evening of June 10th during the Annual President’s Awards Dinner at the 2010 Annual Conference, General Membership and Quarterly meetings at the Holiday Inn University Plaza in Bowling Green.

Retailer and community owner Dennis Keene of Country Living Homes in Wilder and retailer and community owner Ed Miller of Ed’s Manufactured Homes and Green Valley Community in Bowling Green will be honored in the special induction ceremonies as the Class of 2010. Keene and Miller will be the 18th and 19th members inducted since the inception of the Hall of Fame in 2003.Please come to the conference awards dinner and help welcome Keene and Miller into the Hall of Fame Class 2010.

Morris Hylton, Jr. Elected to National Hall of Fame.
Feb 2010: Longtime KMHI retailer member Morris Hylton, Jr. of Hylton Sales& Rentals in Ivel, KY has been elected to the national RV/MH Heritage Foundation Hall of Fame. This is the highest honor presented to those who devote their life’s work to either or both industries. Hylton has served the industry as a retailer, developer and in other capacities for over 35 years. He has influenced and stimulated the highest standards of conduct in his very successful business operations. Hylton Homes and now, Hylton Sales & Rentals is an outstanding provider of manufactured homes and service in Eastern Kentucky. Hylton has served as KMHI president for three terms, served on almost all its committees and on the board of directors. He has spent many years promoting and helping improve every aspect of the industry. Hylton is the fifth KMHI member to be inducted into the national hall of fame. The 2010 Class will be inducted on August 2 in Elkhart, IN. Other KMHI past honorees are Charles Meredith, Dick Berry, Art Richter and Dan Rolfes.

KMHI welcomes Erica Klimchak to the association staff.
Feb 2010: KMHI welcomes Erica Klimchak to the association staff as its Director of Programs and Government Relations. Klimchak, who began her new job on January 21, is undergoing lots of quick on-the-job training, and has hit the road running. She will be responsible for the day-to-day legislative and regulatory activities, educational/training programs, event and meeting planning, PAC fundraising plans, annual conference and other membership programs including the KMHI web site. Klimchak is a communications graduate of the University of Louisville. She was most recently employed at the school in its Office of Technology Transfer. She has great experience in government relations, having worked previously for a well-known lobby firm and for the U of L president’s office. Klimchak is getting more familiar with the industry and its products, and looks forward to meeting the members.

Identity Theft Rule goes into effect on November 1, 2009.
Oct 2009: The Identity Theft Rule goes into effect on November 1, 2009. If you do not already have your policies in place, the FTC’s website provides valuable information and tips to help you comply with the new laws. The Red Flags Rule requires many businesses and organizations to implement a written Identity Theft Prevention Program designed to detect the warning signs – or "red flags" – of identity theft in their day-to-day operations. Are you covered by the Red Flags Rule? Go to http://www.ftc.gov/redflagsrule  to:

• Find out if the rule applies to your business or organization;

• Get practical tips on spotting the red flags of identity theft, taking steps to prevent the crime, and mitigating the damage it inflicts; and

• Learn how to put in place your written Identity Theft Prevention Program.

By identifying red flags in advance, you'll be better equipped to spot suspicious patterns when they arise and take steps to prevent a red flag from escalating into a costly episode of identity theft. Take advantage of other resources on this site to educate your employees and colleagues about complying with the Red Flags Rule.

A “Do It Yourself” template for low-risk businesses can be downloaded from the website. For more information, please go to http://www.ftc.gov/redflagsrule.

Nathan Smith Selected for MHI Chairman’s Award.
Oct 2009: KMHI member Nathan Smith of SSK Communities in Erlanger received the 2009 MHI Chairman’s Award during the recent MHI annual meeting. This is the highest individual award given each year to the member who has demonstrated leadership in the industry as it continues to evolve and respond to the ever changing market and economic conditions.

The 2009 Annual Conference and General Membership Meeting .
July 2009: The 2009 Annual Conference and General Membership Meeting was held July 15-17 in French Lick Resort, French Lick, IN. Comments and written evaluations from members indicate that all enjoyed the conference and that it provided meaningful programs and networking opportunities during the social and meal activities.

Many thanks to the 2009 Conference sponsors for their generous contributions to the conference. Without the sponsorships, KMHI could not have provided the great events, food, drinks and door prizes.

Eleven (11) retailers, manufacturers and service/supplier members contributed $10,400.00. KMHI is greatly appreciative of the 2009 conference sponsors and urges the membership to acknowledge their contributions by thanking the sponsors and utilizing their services and products.

Congratulations to the KMHI Conference Committee and staff for a super job with the 2009 Annual Conference and General Membership Business Meeting: Chair- Kreil Moran; Vice-Chair-Don Sharp and members- Bonnie White, Darin Heath, Kim Lindsey, Chris Loher, Eddie Wilson, Rick Reynolds, and Marvin Shell. A special thanks goes to Assistant Director Betty Whittaker (director of conference operations) and Chair Kreil Moran. Staff members Thad Vann and Debbie Lucas did an excellent job.

Congratulations
Congratulations to the following who were elected as 2008-09 officers: President – Kreil Moran, Whispering Oaks Pointe, Louisville; 1st Vice-President – Rick Martin, Heartland Homes, Paducah; 2nd Vice-President – Ken Fister, Suburban MH Park, Lexington; Treasurer – Darrell Overstreet, Key Mortgage Company, Inc., Columbia; Secretary – Nathan Smith, SSK Communities, Erlanger; and Past President Representative – Don Sharp, Triad Financial Services, Floyds Knobs, IN.

Business Meeting
The Annual General Membership Business meeting was held July 17. Agenda included the election of 2008-2009 officers, introduction of newly elected directors, the financial reports and the state of the association and status reports from the operating committees. The President and Executive Director reported on important upcoming projects and activities.

Social Events and Awards
Members were treated to an opening reception and meal event featuring great food and beverages. President’s Recognition and Awards Banquet was the overall highlight. Mistress of Ceremony, Bonnie White, did an excellent job. Bonnie White also developed the visuals for the Hall of Fame presentations. Awards included outgoing directors and outgoing president, Rick Martin, and president’s wife, Tina Martin, and incoming president, Kreil Moran. The highlight of the evening was the inductions of the following long time KMHI members and staff into the

2009 Class of the KMHI Hall of Fame:
- Jim Fleming (Retailer) - Skyline Homes - Hopkinsville
- Kreil Moran (Community) - Whispering Oaks Pointe - Louisville
- Thad Vann - KMHI Executive Director - Frankfort

Congratulations to the Class of 2009 KMHI Hall of Fame!

Do You Want to Get Involved in KMHI Committees?
KMHI encourages members who want to serve on a volunteer committee to contact the KMHI staff at 1-300-467-6590 or at kmhi@kmhi.org. The committees are Legislative; Regulation Review & Communities Division; Conference; Education, Special Programs & Land Use and the Political Action Committee. Meetings are held once per quarter..

MHI Announces Updated 'Finance Resources' Section on Its Web Site and Creates Guidance for SBA Floor Plan Pilot Program.
July 2009: MHI has revamped the 'Floor Plan Lending' section of its Web site and renamed it 'Finance Resources' to gather vital resources and information on finance into one, easy-to-navigate area. The link is located in the lower, right corner of the MHI Web site on the home page at www.manufacturedhousing.org .

The Floor Plan Financing section of the site has been enhanced to include information about the SBA Floor Plan Pilot program that was launched on July 1. A guide was developed to provide assistance to retailers on how to work with local SBA lenders to access this new program. Click here to access the guide. In addition, MHI has added the SBA loan documents and an SBA loan checklist to the site.

Information on the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, FHA Title I and Title II, and the Rural Housing Guarantee and Direct Loan programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have also been included on the site.

2009 Scholarship Winners Announced - Congratulations!
June 2009:

Zone 1 - Western Part of Kentucky Courtney G. Harrison, Cadiz, KY Attending Murray State University (Betty Whittaker,) (KMHI Assistant Executive Director) (Courtney G. Harrison) (James Fleming, Skyline Housing)
Zone 2 - Central Part of Kentucky Amanda F. Keith, Owenton, KY Attending Western Kentucky University (Thad Vann, KMHI Executive Director) (Amanda F. Keith)
Zone 3 - Eastern Part of Kentucky Kayla A. Pennington, Pikeville, KY Attending Pikeville College (Michael M. Looney, D.A.,) (president of Pikeville College) (Kayla A. Pennington) (Jerry Adkins, Jerry Adkins Homes)

SBA Announces Pilot Program for Floor Plan Financing
June 2009: The Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute and the National MHI are very pleased that the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that beginning July 1, it will begin offering government guaranteed loans to finance inventory including manufactured homes, RVs, boats and automobiles.
FAQs*
Dealer Fact Sheet*
SBA News Release*
More from MHI*
Announcement*

HUD Reintroduces Plan to Allow FHA Borrowers to Access the $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit for Downpayments.
June 2009: On May 29, 2009, HUD secretary Shaun Donovan announced that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will allow homebuyers to apply the Obama Administration's new $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit toward the purchase costs of a FHA-insured home, including manufactured and modular homes.
More from MHI*
Announcement*

KMHI 2009 Annual Conference, Golf Tournament and Membership Meeting being held July 15 through July 18.
May 2009: You are cordially invited to the KMHI 2009 Annual Conference, Golf Tournament and Membership Meeting being held July 15 through July 18 at the newly renovated, historic French Lick Resort and Casino located in French Lick, Indiana. We have been given great room rates and the resort fee has been waived.

This is going to be a great Conference. French Lick has undergone a $500 million dollar restoration project that has brought the hotel back to its opulence and sophistication.

Conference materials (Fill-out forms and print)
Announcement letter download*
Schedule download*
Fees & Payment form download*
Registration form download*
Golf registration form download*
Sponsorship form download*

Sponsors to date:
HIGH ROLLER ($5,000) – Clayton Homes
BLACKJACK ($1500) – Triad Financial Services
FULL HOUSE ($500) – American Modern Insurance Group
                               -- Key Mortgage Company
                               -- Style Crest
TWO PAIRS ($300) – CU Factory Built Lending

Congratulations to Clayton and DeWitt
April 2009: Congratulations to Kevin Clayton, President & CEO of Clayton Homes and Tim DeWitt, long time executive director of the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association for being elected to the national RV/MH Heritage Foundation Hall of Fame. Clayton and DeWitt will be inducted along with 7 other industry greats at ceremonies held August 3 in Elkhart, IN. This is the highest honor that can be bestowed on persons in the industry. KMHI is proud of members that demonstrate excellence over a sustained period.

FHA Issues Mortgagee Letter with Changes to FHA Title I Program.
Apr. 2009: FHA Commissioner Brian Montgomery signed a Mortgagee Letter on April 15th announcing the implementation of the new FHA Title I Program for home only, personal property loans. The letter with attachments (86 pages) can be viewed by clicking here http://www.manufacturedhousing.org/webdocs/TITLE_I_LTR_(MH)_Signed.pdf . This action by HUD implements the statutory changes authorized by Congress in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act signed into law in August, 2008.

These changes will result in a more robust FHA Title I loan program and include: increased loan limits; individual loan insurance; insurance premium changes; and loan underwriting criteria. The letter states that all changes are applicable to loan applications dated on or after June 1, 2009. In response to an earlier request by MHI and its members, the higher loan limits were implemented effective March 3, 2009.

Sponsorships available for the KMHI Annual Meeting on July 15-17, 2009.
Mar. 2009: Plans are being made for an outstanding 2009 annual conference and general membership meeting on July 15-17 at French Lick Resort, IN.
This is an excellent opportunity for manufacturer and service/supplier members to put their best foot forward by sponsoring programs at this years' conference. Soon you will receive a sponsorship packet in the mail.
There are 5 levels of sponsorships, one for every one's wallet size. Don't be left out. There are great incentives to sponsors and you will benefit
by networking with retailers, community owners and managers and other service and supplier personnel. Please respond so that KMHI can enjoy a great event in a really neat location. Sponsors can be a high roller ($5,000), royal flush ($4,999-2,500), black jack ($2,499-1000), full house ($999-500), or a two pairs ($499-300). The higher level of sponsorships includes free conference registration and golf fees.

FHA Title I Program Update
Mar. 2009:
more*

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and MHI
Feb. 2009:
more*

63% of consumers use the internet first to look for local businesses;
Can they find you?
Feb. 2009:
While 63% of consumers use the internet first to look for local businesses, only 44% of small businesses have a website. Though the internet search engine is most often used to find information, 50% of small businesses say less than 10% of their marketing budget is allocated to this media.
more  

Member Financing and Tax Credits
Information you can use during these tough economic times.
Feb. 2009:
On February 17, 2009 President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law. How can this help you?
Inventory Financing by: Local Banks, Manufacturers, SBA Loans
Energy Star Tax Credit for Manufacturers
Energy Star Tax Credit for Retailers
more *
Housing tax credits FAQ more *

The KMHI Scholarship Program
Feb. 2009:
The Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute (KMHI) is currently accepting applications for three (3) $1,000 scholarship awards. Entries must be post-marked no later than April 15, 2009, and winners will be announced in May, 2009.
Application download  (Word Document)
Information more*
Press Release more*

What is the Industry Doing to Resolve the Inventory Financing Availability?
Feb. 2009:
Last week, HR 384 passed the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill provides guidance to the Obama Administration on how to spend the second $350 billion of the TARP funds. MHI successfully advocated for language in HR 384 to address the floor plan lending situation as it relates to our industry. As a direct result of these efforts, the bill includes language that gives the Treasury Secretary the authority to take any action to support the availability of loans to small business, including 'dealer floor plan financing,' directly or through the Federal Reserve Board (Fed) or any Federal Reserve Bank. Although it is unlikely that the Senate will consider this legislation, the House views this bill as a marker for the Obama Administration to recognize as it allocates the remaining TARP funds.

In addition, in meetings with key Members of the House Financial Services Committee last week, MHI has learned that the Committee will invite the Fed to testify before it in the coming weeks regarding commercial credit issues. MHI will work with key Members of Congress to raise the floor plan lending issue during this hearing and to push the Fed to address the lack of adequate liquidity in this market.

KMHI member, Epperson, proposal for the Fed stimulus bill.
Feb. 2009:
KMHI is pleased to have the opportunity to assist Stacey Epperson of Frontier Housing, a KMHI retailer member in Morehead, in her efforts to encourage KY's U.S. Senators McConnell and Bunning and their colleagues to offer an amendment to the proposed House Economic Stimulus package to provide adequate funding specifically for manufactured homes to offset the increased cost for higher quality energy standards.

Epperson has proposed to KY Senators McConnell and Bunning an amendment to the U.S. House passed Economic Stimulus bill, which may be accepted in the Senate. This proposal would allow older manufactured homes the owner/resident to be included in the existing U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency's Renewable Energy Weatherization Assistance program and to be fully funded by the Economic Stimulus bill. KMHI supports this proposal for the following reasons:
1. Enables low to moderate-income families to retrofit their homes to permanently reduce their energy bills.
2. On average, weatherization can reduce home energy bills by 32% and over all cost of $358 per year according to the federal energy department.
3. Under certain circumstances when the home cannot be upgraded with weatherization efforts, the manufactured home owner could apply for the purchase of a new ENERGY STAR rated manufactured home with a portion paid for by the program. This would help rid the countryside of older, almost uninhabitable homes, and allow low-income folks a better chance to upgrade their life style.

KMHI has asked Senator Jim Bunning, as a member of the Senate Banking Committee, and Senator Mitch McConnell to support this proposed amendment.

KMHI held its second membership outreach meeting on January 20 at the KMHI Office in Frankfort.
Feb. 2009:
All who attended learned some important news about the industry, how the KMHI advocates for them and commented very favorably about the session. The participants expressed appreciation for the KMHI programs and became increasingly comfortable and open in their discussions of the challenges they face. In addition to the PowerPoint presentations, they were given a demonstration of the KMHI website search engine and browse features in action. The sponsors for the second outreach meeting were Darrell Overstreet, Key Mortgage Company, Inc. and Barry Noffsinger, CU Factory Built Lending.

HUD approval of generic hinged roof AC letter
Jan. 2009:
Memo download*
Template letter download*

The 2009 Louisville Show
Jan 2009: The 2009 Louisville Show held January 13-14 at the KEC is now history. Most attendees and exhibitors felt that the show was successful, although very limited, in a major downturn of the industry and general economy. Those that did participate claimed, "Business was good in spite of the limited member of manufacturer exhibitors".
About 1,450 retailers, community managers and developers registered the show over a two-day period. The special education programs were better attended than expected. The "Financing Manufactured Homes in America -- Today and in the Future" seminar drew about 200 and the average attendance for the "on floor round robin" info sessions (3 each day) averaged nearly 50 per session.

As in 2008, industry members from Kentucky lead the way among all other states in attendance this year.

The Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation, the Louisville Show Committee and your state association sincerely thanks every member that participated in the 2009 Show. We especially thank manufacturer exhibitors Century Homes, Crossroads RV and Park Models, Fairmont Homes, Harmony Homes, Liberty Homes and M.H. Enterprises for making the show a reality. This is a very difficult time for the industry as well as the finance community and over all economy.

Thanks to the Louisville Show (Kreil Moran, 2009 Show Chair), MMHF President Ron Thomas, Sr., Dennis Hill (Show Coordinator), and the leadership of the KY, IN, IL, MI and OH M.H. Associations for their hard work to produce this year's show. Hang in there for 2010 -- every effort is being made to produce a better show that will be an industry event.

Thanks to Sponsors for Member Appreciation Reception
The KMHI Membership Appreciation Reception held during the Louisville Show was well attended. A special thank you is extended to the member sponsors that made the event possible for your enjoyment. Let them know you appreciated them!

• American Modern Insurance Group

• Key Mortgage Company, Inc.

• Style Crest Products

• Triad Financial Services, Inc.

• US Bank

KMHI staff greeted everyone as they entered by giving free drink tickets and kindly asking for a KMHI-PAC donation. A grand total of $2,691.00 was raised for KMHI-PAC. Great job!

Non-selling Public Days in 2010?
As a KMHI member, would you be in favor of amending KMHI's current policy to oppose having a "public viewing days" at the 2010 Louisville Show? The MMHF has asked that KMHI re-visit its opposition and allow the 2010 Show Committee to consider non-selling public days in its planning for the 2010 show. Some manufacturers have stated that having public days in some type of format would be important to their participation next year.

There are several formats that could be considered, but under no circumstances will KMHI want to create problems for its retailers and community operators. KMHI leadership needs to be prepared to address the MMHF on this issue very soon. Members having a strong opinion either for or against non-selling public days are urged to email, write or call KMHI staff immediately to log in your opinion. The Board of Directors will consider it at their March 13 meeting.

Sign up for the daily MH Newswire
Dec 2008: The MH Newswire is the only daily e-newsletter serving the manufactured and modular housing industries that contains top economic and broad housing news, as well as manufactured and modular-specific news and association information. The MH Newswire is sent each business day, delivering a quick one-stop news briefing on the top news stories via e-mail to key decision makers who rely on this information to stay successful and to make vital and informed decisions that directly affect their bottom line.
To sign up, click here or go to www.manufacturedhousing.org , click on Media Center and then MH Newswire.

Update on new laws and regulations effective Jan. 1, 2009
Dec 2008:
- Letter to members download*
- Retailer Installation Disclosure form download*
- An Update on Regulations for the Installation and Inspection of
  New and Used Manufactured Homes" download*

The new Certification and Licensure Board members that were sworn in today.

Nov. 2008: (Left to right): Cathy Hinko, Metropolitan Housing Coalition, Louisville (Member at Large) Jeff Bundy, Kentucky Homes, Somerset (retailer) Kim Lindsey, True Value Homes, Cave City (retailer) Jimmy Shanks, Cherry Hill Homes, Williamstown (installer).

Midwest Regional ENERGY STAR Conference to be held this March 12-13, 2009 at the Lexington Convention Center.
Nov. 2008:
This conference promises to provide valuable information on energy efficiency and green home for anyone involved in any aspect of the housing market.
more, registration*

Who: Architects, builders, realtors, appraisers, HVAC contractors, insulation and other energy efficient products vendors, HERS raters, financial institutions, and code officials
What: ENERGY STAR Homes Conference
When: March 12-13, 2009
Where: Lexington Convention Center

M.H. C&L Board Gets New Appointees
Oct 2008:
The Office of State Boards, Commissions and Committees and the M.H. Section of Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction confirmed today that the Governor has announced the appointments of the following KMHI members to the state's Manufactured Housing Certification and Licensure Board:
Kim Lindsey - Retailer position, True Value Homes & Prestige Title Company
Jeff Bundy - Retailer position, Kentucky Homes, Inc.
James Shanks - Certified Installer position, Cherry Hill Homes
Congratulations to these members who will join C&L Board Chair Kreil Moran, Whispering Oaks Pointe as industry members. Other C&L Board members include government regulators and citizens at-large.

KMHI has Been Busy With Outreach Work in October
Oct 2008:   
Member Site Visit -
Frontier Housing, Morehead, KY.
Betty Whittaker visited with Frontier's staff and toured The Community at Edgewood, a 44 lot subdivision predominantly of Clayton Manufactured Homes (a few modular and site built homes are included where lot topography dictates).

Member Outreach Session -
Morehead Conference Center, Morehead, KY.
KMHI held its first membership outreach meeting from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday October 16. Seven members attended this first outreach meeting; however, all who attended learned some important news about the industry, how the KMHI advocates for them and commented very favorably about the session.

The members attending represented 5 different businesses. In a post session discussion, it was noted that it would have taken a great deal more time/expensive and would not have been as effective to visit these 5 member businesses at their locations.

The sponsor for the first outreach meeting was Key Mortgage Company, Inc., Columbia, Kentucky. KMHI board members; Darrell Overstreet and Barry Noffsinger, were in attendance. Since both work in mortgage lending and finance, they were very helpful in contributing to the discussions generated by member's issues.

Ohio Kentucky Indiana (OKI) Regional Planning Conference -
Friday October 17th
The KMHI presents sessions at planning conferences for local government staff, in order to advocate for fair land use regulations and eliminate discrimination against factory built homes by local jurisdictions.

The session highlighted manufactured homes that meet Energy Star and Universal Design criteria. Stacey Epperson, Executive Director of Frontier Housing (a KMHI member) and a nationally prominent advocate of nonprofit use of factory built housing was the primary speaker. Diane Korte (KMHI Zoning/Land Use Consultant) stepped in to explain the definitions of various types of factory built housing, while Betty Whittaker answered some industry questions and presented participants a folder of KMHI materials.

Spirit of Unity Embracing Partnerships - KHC Annual Affordable Housing conference - October 22 and 23rd
KMHI exhibited and Thad Vann attended sessions.

Kentucky Real Estate Inspectors Association Conference (KREIA)
October 23, 2008
George Porter, Manufactured Housing Resources, and Betty Whittaker made a presentation to the participants of the Kentucky Real Estate Inspectors Association's Conference in Louisville. There were about 75 attendees in our session.

Wilson Appointed to Energy Board
Sept 2008: Bill Wilson of Cherry Hill Homes in Williamstown, KY, a KMHI retailer and community member, has been appointed by Governor Beshear as the manufactured home representative to the new Kentucky High Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee established by state HB 2 in the 2008 regular session of the General Assembly. Bill Welty of Welty Enterprises in Carrollton, a KMHI retailer member, will be the "backup" representative for the industry. This advisory committee will study and provide recommendations for more efficient fuel and energy use in the promulgation of administrative regulations in support of parts of HB 2 including the energy efficiency incentives. It is unclear at this point as to the advisory committee's input into the drafting of guidelines for the residential energy efficiency tax credits at $400 for manufactured homes and $800 for modular and site-built homes built to the EnergyStar standards.

New KMHI Legal Consultant
Sept 2008: The KMHI Board of Directors has appointed Sarah Mello, Attorney-at-law, Hazelrigg & Cox law firm in Frankfort, as the new KMHI legal counsel effective September 17, 2008. She replaces long time counsel Dan Walton upon his retirement from private practice. Sarah is an outstanding, young attorney with court room experience, general knowledge of the industry and trade association/corporate law and has experience in working with state regulatory agencies. She has assisted Dan previously with research and legal opinions on various industry issues. KMHI is very pleased to welcome Sarah to the KMHI consultant team as outside legal counsel.

Fannie Mae MH Select Retailer Audio Conference on May21
Apr 2008: MHI will be holding an audio conference for retailers on the program on May 21 from 2:00 to 3:15 pm Eastern. This will be a professionally moderated call and attendees will receive a pdf handout in advance and be able to ask questions as time allows. MHI is not charging a registration fee but we must limit attendance to the first 120 registrants. As such we are limiting the the call to only retailer and builder/developer members of MHI and state associations. They will also need a valid email address to participate.

If you have lender members who are interested in the program, we will be doing a webinar in conjunction with the Mortgage Bankers Association on June 19. Further details will be forthcoming on that program. We didn't want the retailer program to get sidetracked by lender/Fannie relationship issues.

Find the conference flyer at: www.manufacturedhousing.org/events/Fannie_Mae.asp .
All registrations will be handled online.

For those of you with members attending the National Congress and Expo in a couple weeks, we will also have an education session on the program open to all attendees.

Dispute Resolution Language & Reversal of HUD Position
Jan 2008: Please read the 01/21/08 materials first.
Retailers and manufacturers must use this language effective February 8, 2008. You must use the language verbatim.

• KMHI's announcement on HUD's reversal (01/21/08) (PDF doc)

• Latest (01/17/08) HUD Reversal Position (download MS Word doc) (PDF doc)

• Latest (01/17/08) Addendum to Consumer Manual
  (download MS Word doc) (PDF doc)

• Retailer Notice - words to use (download MS Word doc)

• Retailer Notice (download MS Word doc)  (PDF)

• Dispute Resolution Consumer Manual Language
  (download MS Word doc)  (PDF doc)

• Dispute Resolution Retailer Notification Language
  (download MS Word doc)  (PDF doc)

• DR Notification Language Guidance (download MS Word doc)  (PDF doc)

Modular and Community Courses Offered
Oct. 2008: Modular Housing Webinar Series:
By virtue of your membership in KMHI, you are eligible to participate in all the great web-based educational courses sponsored by the national Manufactured Housing Institute Education Committee and by various MHI councils. Listed here are the offerings for fall 2008. For further information and for registration materials contact the MHI National Committee Council at (703)-558-0400 or their web site: www.mhcommunities.org .

For more information & to register in a Webinar, visit MHI National Communities Council web site at www.mhcommunities.org . Several days prior to the Webinar you will receive one toll-free telephone connection & instructions on accessing the presentation via the Web. You will be able to ask questions; very similar to the way a radio talk show works.

2008 KMHI ANNUAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING  
July 2008: The 2008 Annual Conference and General Membership Meeting was held July 16-19 in Covington, Kentucky. This was KMHI's smallest annual conference attendance in recent years. Comments from members indicate that all enjoyed the conference and that it provided meaningful programs and networking opportunities during the social and meal activities. Many thanks to the 2008 Conference sponsors for their generous contributions to the conference. Without the sponsorships, KMHI could not have provided the great events, food, and drinks.

Photo Gallery view*

Twelve (12) manufacturers and service/supplier members contributed $11,700.00. KMHI is greatly appreciative of the 2008 conference sponsors and urges the membership to acknowledge their contributions by thanking the sponsors and utilizing their services and products.

Conference Sponsors
Grand Slam ($5000 or more) - Clayton Homes
Triple ($1000 - 4999) - American Modern Insurance Group
                                   Triad Financial Services
                                   Fleetwood Homes-Tennessee & Kentucky
                                   21St Mortgage
Double ($500-999) - Blevins, Inc.
                               Deer Valley Home Builders, Inc.
                               Cavalier Home Builders
Single ($300-499) - Key Mortgage, Inc.
                               Style Crest, Inc.
                               Winston & Co. Benefits/Logan Lavelle Hunt
                              CU Factory Built Lending

Thanks to KMHI Conference Committee
Congratulations to the KMHI Conference Committee and staff for a super job with the 2008 Annual Conference and General Membership Business Meeting: Chair- Kreil Moran; Vice-Chair-Don Sharp and members- Bonnie White, Darin Heath, Rick Reynolds, Kim Lindsey, Chris Loher and Eddie Wilson. Thanks to Kim Lindsey for an excellent performance as Mistress of Ceremonies. A special thanks goes to Assistant Director Betty Whittaker (director of conference operations) and Chair Kreil Moran. Staff members Thad Vann, Debbie Lucas, and Kay Scheffler did an excellent job.

Congratulations
Congratulations to the following who were elected as 2008-09 officers: President - Rick Martin, Heartland Homes, Paducah; 1st Vice-President - Nathan Smith, SSK Communities, Erlanger; 2nd Vice-President - Jerry Adkins, Jerry Adkins Homes, Pikeville; Treasurer - Kreil Moran, Whispering Oaks M.H. Community, Louisville; Secretary - Darrell Overstreet, Key Mortgage Company, Inc., Columbia; and Past President Representative - Don Sharp, Triad Financial Services, Floyds Knobs, IN.

Highlights
Dan Rolfes, Holiday Homes, presented the Membership Luncheon and program. This well attended event was a real conference highlight. Dan Rolfes gave members an update on the status of the industry in light of the overall slump in the economy and home sales. He presented several realistic ways that members can combat the slump.
State Representative and KMHI member Dennis Keene was recognized as one of 4 legislators selected as KMHI's Champion for Small Business. Others selected, but could not attend were Senators Carroll Gibson and Gary Tapp and Representative Ken Upchurch.

2009 LOUISVILLE SHOW Jan. 13-14
Sept. 2008: Your MMHF Louisville Manufactured Housing Show is alive and well! Don't listen to unfounded rumors that you may have heard about the show. Yes, the 2009 show is having some struggle in achieving its great numbers over the past years. However, it is by no means ready to shut down. The manufacturers and service/suppliers are planning great exhibits and the show is sponsoring a very timely and informative seminar on how to take advantage of the provisions in the new federal housing law (HR 3221) for the afternoon of January 12 (day before the show). The regulations for this law should be adopted by October-November, 2008 time period. Also 3 separate info/education programs on issues of interest to community managers and others will be run twice daily right on the exhibit floor. It will not take away from the exhibitors' efforts to attract visitors.

Show Hours:
Jan 13th - 9 am - 5 pm
Jan 14th - 9 am - 5 pm

Manufacturers and service/supplier companies should register now to exhibit your homes, services and products. Do it today before space runs out. There is a possibility that several "park model" homes, will be on display as well. If you want to know the real facts about the 2009 show, just contact KMHI or any of the five state association members of the MMHF. We need your help to make the 2009 show a success for the benefit of the entire industry. Remember KMHI will conduct a five-hour installer course on January 12 and will host its annual Membership Appreciation Reception on evening of January 13. Look for future promotions.

2008 LOUISVILLE SHOW - 50th Anniversary
Jan. 2008: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation's Louisville Show, January 15-17, 2008 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

New for the 50th Anniversary Show are three 30 minutes each education/information sessions to be conducted on the exhibit floor on the first (Tuesday) and second (Wednesday) days of the show. The sessions were designed to help community owners and managers, but everyone benefited by attending.
A wrap-up is coming soon. 
Photo Gallery*
Education topics and schedule flyer*
Flyer download*
 

KMHI Member Appreciation Reception:
The KMHI Membership Appreciation Reception held during the Louisville Show was well attended. A special thank you is extended to the member sponsors that made the event possible for your enjoyment. Please show appreciation to: American Modern Insurance Group, Clayton Homes, CU Factory Built Lending, Key Mortgage Company, Inc., Mobil Financial Associates Corporation, Style Crest and Triad Financial Services, Inc. The sheriff and his cowgirls greeted everyone as they entered the KMHI Corral by kindly asking for a donation for the KMHI-PAC. A grand total of $3,828.00 was raised. Great job!

SMALL BUSINESS CAUCUS AND FOLLOW-UP

The Kentucky Small Business Caucus was formed in 2003 to provide a vehicle for coordinated action on behalf of all types of small business owners.  KMHI is a charter participant. Check out their web site: www.kysmallbusiness.org

The SBC is working with other associations has planned these events especially to fully inform you and the elected officials about: to help its members survive in today's fluid economy, protect their interest of small business, and to create an environment to "increase your bottom line".

Small Business Day at the Capitol
KMHI was well represented at the the Small Business Caucus Day at the Kentucky State Capitol on January 23, 2008. KMHI staff, members and guests in attendance were: Thad Vann - KMHI executive director, Scott Grider - Mortgage Broker (Guest of D. Overstreet), Darrell Overstreet - Key Mortgage Company, Columbia, KY,Don and Yvonne Emerson - Kentucky Home Development, Russell Springs, KY, James Lunsford - Lunsford Homes, Berea, KY, Betty Whittaker - KMHI Assistant Executive Director, and  Bill Welty - Welty Enterprises, Carrollton, KY (missing from this picture).

Schedule:
KMHI and Small Business Caucus Regional Meetings
KMHI invites you to attend one of the "One Lap Around Kentucky 2008" meetings. Other trade association members state legislators and local elected officials attend these meetings. The meetings are in conjunction with the Kentucky Small Business Caucus (SBC) of which KMHI is a charter participant. The SBC, along with other associations, has planned these events especially to inform you and the elected officials about issues for 2009 regular session of the General Assembly.
 

The meetings for October are:
October 8th, Heritage House Hotel, Prestonsburg;
October 9th, Thermal Equipment Company, Lexington;
October 15th, H&R Agri-Power, Hopkinsville;
October 22nd, The Robke Chevrolet Company, Ft. Wright;
October 23rd, Huffman Nissan, Louisville.
Information for the Prestonsburg, Lexington and Hopkinsville has been mailed out. The others will be mailed out soon. If you need any information and/or an invitation, call KMHI.

Some meetings have been postponed.
Please check for more current information.

*Final Locations Pending - notification will be sent upon confirmation of site

SBC Gubernatorial Summit 2007

Overview:
Again this year, the KMHI has teamed up with about forty other state trade and professional associations representing small businesses to conduct regional meetings around Kentucky to help its members survive in today's fluid economy, protect their interest of small business and to create an environment to "increase your bottom line".

Make plans to attend the KMHI/SBC regional meeting held in your area.

KMHI urges you, your employees and local officials to stand up and be counted for fair and reasonable standards necessary just to keep the doors of small business open.

KMHI and other business groups must be better informed and must pull together to survive in today's highly regulated market and depressed state of the economy. Costs of doing business must be reduced. We need your input and influence with elected officials. KMHI officials and staff will be at each regional meeting.

KMHI members attending these meetings will come away with more knowledge about issues affecting manufactured and modular homes and can help legislators and local officials understand. Please bring your knowledge and expertise to the table-hope to see you there!

KMHI WEB SITE -  Increasing the "Bottom Line"

KMHI's website is doing great. The member search tool continues the first 6-month trend with 5,544 successful searches for this recent quarter of 2008. That's successful searches of real people to a specific member, and about 62 each day. Visitors to the KMHI site held up well this past quarter 7,176 visitors and 58,196 hits during May 2008. Pages viewed were at an all-time high these past 3 months. Those are great statistics that could mean business for our members. According to the JD Powers report, 40% of homebuyers used the Internet when searching for a house. The report stated: "Obviously, the factory-built housing industry cannot afford to ignore the huge numbers of potential homebuyers who use the Internet to launch their home search. The more the factory-built industry can do to reach out to these potential home shoppers, with timely and direct responses to internet inquires, the more home sales it can expect to generate."

This year is going to be the year that we boost the members' bottom lines with an Internet member and customer focus. In addition to individual member business listings, the website will have generic customer buying guides, picture galleries, and movies about factory built housing and the building process. Also, there will be a big push to help members understand the Internet and the importance of the Internet.
KMHI's position is to help members find leads and to help potential homebuyers find KMHI members and to educate homebuyers about factory built housing.

Free Internet Link
If you would like to link your website to the KMHI website at www.kmhi.org , you may do so at no cost. Several members have taken advantage of this free service, but we need more participation. It is easy and painless and free. Just contact Larry Korte, The Balance Group, at 540-886-8987 or email at lakorte @thebalancegroup.com to get your link added. How can you not afford to take advantage of this service with the huge number of hits the KMHI's website continues to have?

Website advertising opportunity more*...

KMHI STATE HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS

Once again it is time for nominations for the KMHI Hall of Fame. If you know someone that has made extraordinary contributions to the industry while actively participating in one or more segments of the manufactured housing industry in Kentucky, please complete a nomination form and send it to KMHI.

Guidelines: Word format, PDF format
Nomination form: Word format, PDF format (Online fill-in & print)

Legislative/Regulatory News

Implementation of CFR 3285 Installation Requirements
Sept 2008: The Kentucky State Administrative Agency (SAA) for the HUD Code, Manufactured Housing Section of the Codes Enforcement Division reported that HUD advised that even though October 20, 2008 is the effective date of implementation for the changes on anchor design required to be published in manufacturer's installation, HUD will not require enforcement in SAA states (such as KY) until a method of gradual phasing in is established and published in the Federal Register at a later date.
According to Chief Dan Chapman, retailers, installers and suppliers that have an existing inventory of the current anchor design may continue to use those anchors until the inventory is exhausted provided the inventory is on hand prior to October 20. After October 20, only galvanized anchors can be manufactured and distributed. The KY SAA will notify industry members when the galvanized anchor enforcement will be phased in.

FHA Final Rule on Down Payment Gifts
Oct 2007: The MHI reported today that on October 1, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) issued a final rule that prohibits certain types of financial gifts from being used toward down payments for FHA-insured home loans. Specifically, the FHA rule bans financial gifts from home sellers, charities that provide down payment assistance in exchange for an equal donation from the seller, and any other entity that benefits financially from the home sale transaction. According to HUD, the default rate for these kinds of assistance programs has been exceedingly high.
Gifts from all other sources, such as family members, governments, employers and charitable organizations will remain eligible for use toward down payments on FHA-insured private sellers as well as sales by builders, developers, and others involved in new construction-such as a MH retailers. To read the final rule in its entirety, go to www.hudclips.org/sub_nonhud/cgi/pdf/4846a.pdf .

Kentucky Building Code Changes Scheduled for July 1, 2007:

The current building codes in Kentucky are as follows:
- 2002 Kentucky Building Code (KBC) based on 2000 IBC
- 2002 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC) based on 2000 IRC
- 2003 International Energy Conservation Code
- 2005 National Electrical Code (NEC)
- 2000 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
- 2003 Kentucky Plumbing Code (not based on any model plumbing code)
- The Kentucky Fire Prevention code is NFPA 1 & 101
  but it does not come into play on new construction.

The Office of Housing, Buildings, and Construction is in the process of updating the codes and they anticipate an effective date of July 1, 2007 for the new codes as noted below:

The anticipated building codes in Kentucky are as follows:
- 2007 Kentucky Building Code (KBC) based on 2006 IBC
- 2007 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC) based on 2006 IRC
- 2006 International Energy Conservation Code
- 2005 National Electrical Code (NEC)
- 2006 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
- 2007 Kentucky Plumbing Code (not based on any model plumbing code)
- The Kentucky Fire Prevention code is NFPA 1 & 101
  but it does not come into play on new construction.

Clarification is contained in the following document more* ...

Contact the Kentucky Office of Housing, Buildings, and Construction for official documentation and information. link

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM

With consumers facing a jump of 15 to 50 percent or more in home heating bills this winter, there's never been a better time to put buyers into homes that are truly energy efficient. Today's gold standard for energy efficiency, the brand that buyers recognize most, is ENERGY STAR. The ENERGY STAR label, issued by the federal government, is the best assurance that a home meets the highest standards of energy performance. Only ENERGY STAR qualified homes are allowed to display the blue ENERGY STAR label, awarded by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The label is a guarantee that the home will use less energy, saving the homeowner money on monthly energy bills.

"With over 100 manufactured home plants already certified to build ENERGY STAR homes, most home manufacturers offer ENERGY STAR versions of their homes," stated Chris Stinebert, president of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI). "Not only do ENERGY STAR homes provide significant energy savings to owners, but they also provide a level of comfort not found in most homes today."

While the cost of an ENERGY STAR qualified home is slightly higher, lower energy bills more than offset this cost putting money back in the homeowner's pocket each month. "There is a competitive issue here too," explains Stinebert. "Offering a home with superior energy performance that also has lower monthly total costs simplifies the buyer's decision."

An ENERGY STAR manufactured home may not look difent from other homes, but the homeowner will feel the difference in overall comfort and in energy savings. An ENERGY STAR home uses substantially less energy for heating, cooling and water heating. Homeowners can expect to save about $300-$900 each year on their utility bills, plus have a higher resale value when they decide to sell their ENERGY STAR home. And, ENERGY STAR homes financed with an FHA loan qualify for a special energy efficient mortgage making the buyer eligible for a more expensive home.

These and other benefits for homeowners as well as tips and resources for retailers are described in the MHRA publication ENERGY STAR Qualified Manufactured Homes: Guide for Retailers With Instructions for Installers and HVAC Contractors available for free on the MHRA website (www.mhrahome.org)

Keep on top of new energy star developments with the MHRA's new newsletter and materials on their web site.

Subscribe to MHRA ENERGY STAR Update Today!
This is the first issue of a newsletter designed to keep you apprised of important developments in the ENERGY STAR program for manufactured homes. MHRA ENERGY STAR Update includes essential information about the program with web-links to case studies and new documents.  To subscribe, go to: www.mhrahome.org .

ENERGY STAR Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to a number of commonly asked questions about participating in the ENERGY STAR program for manufactured homes will be posted on the MHRA web site. Subjects include plant certification, labeling homes, inactive plant status and much more. This is a good first place to look when you have a question. More questions and answers will be added so check back periodically. Visit FAQ at: http://www.mhrahome.org/media/energystar/es_faqs.pdf  .

Order ENERGY STAR marketing materials today!
MHRA is working to support your efforts to market ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured homes by developing tools and resources for retailers. The following ENERGY STAR marketing materials may be ordered now.

• Posters for sales centers

• Static cling ENERGY STAR logo window decal

• ENERGY STAR logo brass plaque

• Lucite engraved plaque (for ENERGY STAR Partners only)

Visit the MHRA website www.mhrahome.org/pages/es_promotional_tools.htm for pictures of these items. Click on the following link to download an order form: (www.mhrahome.org/media/forms/ES_promo_order_form.pdf).

Transportation of "Over Height" Loads
Oct 2007: Recently KMHI has received inquiries about the current Kentucky laws and regulations that address "over height" homes transported on the roads in Kentucky. There have been no changes in the laws or regulations since the late 1990's. The questions have been related to the use of a pole truck or car and what the maximum height that is allowed.

KMHI Executive Director, Thad Vann, met with Rick Taylor, director of the KY Transportation Cabinet division that oversees the permit department. According to Mr. Taylor, KRS 189.270 (2), the law and regulation 601 KAR 1:018, the maximum height for loads transported under an annual blanket permit is 13.6 feet. No pole, pole truck or car is required for such movement.

If the load is in excess of 13.6' tall, the toter must apply for a single trip permit specifying the over dimensional height and route. Generally, the KY DOT will approve the single trip permit using its state or district data.

Often, the KY DOT would allow over dimensional height of up to 15.6' at the permit issuers own discretion. However, with the re-surfacing and repair of roads and bridges (overpasses) the actual height clearance in many locations is less than what is posted.
In the interest of personal and property safety, KY DOT is now allowing only a maximum of 15 feet in height for loads transported on a single trip permit for over dimensional height. A particular DOT district may require that a "pole for measuring bridge and overpass height must be used on the route." The pole may be carried in the front escort vehicle. No extra vehicle is required to carry the pole. Here's the bottom line:

• Height of 13.6 feet or less - use annual blanket permit - no pole truck required

• Over 13.6 feet and up to 15 feet in height - must apply for a single trip permit - pole may be required at the DOT district's discretion. No additional vehicle is required to carry the pole.

Any questions, please contact KMHI.

* (PDF file*, download free PDF reader)

KMHI  (502) 223-0490  fax: (502) 223-7305  email: kmhi@kmhi.org
Copyright 2003-11 Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute. All rights reserved.