One of the arguments I frequently hear is that modular housing can’t possibly get fair representation under the auspices of MHI; an organization dominated by HUD-code manufacturers, community developers and managers, and finance and supplier councils. The logic goes that modular housing interests can not be reconciled with HUD-code “because we (MOD) are so different.” Allow me to give a different perspective.

It is said that politics can make for strange bedfellows; may be so too for associations and their membership makeup.

I just returned from MHI’s Summer Meeting in Washington, DC. I could count the number of pure modular manufacturers that were in attendance on one hand and have fingers to spare. That is unfortunate but understandable in today’s tight economy. However, let me tell you our interests were alive and represented!!

To address the question “Is modular housing relevant under MHI?” - I will answer with a resounding yes!! First, during this past winter, the National Modular Housing Council (NMHC) undertook a brief and informal SWOT analysis for the purposes of assessing NMHC’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the context of MHI. How is this for a summation of strengths? “NMHC, through its sanctioning by MHI, collectively has more resources it can bring to bear in both proactive and reactive responses to issues affecting our industry.”

Look for no further proof than the skillful deployment of MHI members enmass to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, June 16th to visit key legislators and their staffs on issues and initiatives affecting our industry. Specifically, extension and monetization of the Homebuyer Tax Credit and enforcement of GSE “duty to serve.” Even though the duty to serve provision is more generically geared toward “manufactured housing,” compelling Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to think about factory built as legitimate and important sectors of the housing continuum can only have a positive ancillary effect for modular manufacturing.

Brian Cooney and the staff are to be commended for a highly organized and well implemented effort on the hill. What other association purporting to serve the modular housing industry undertakes such a legislative effort with direct one on one contact? In this case, size matters. It takes resources to effectuate meaningful change.

The fact that MHI has an effective network of state associations, and their executives, provides a powerful resource at the state level to protect and promote our interests. Again, what other association has such breadth and depth of resources?

On the weaknesses side of the SWOT analysis was 1) small base of manufacturer members; 2) lack of staff devoted solely to modular issues; and 3) inability to advocate or oppose the MHI “base” on pure mod positions. It seems to me these weaknesses can be overcome by increasing our membership ranks pushing for consolidation in the number of modular associations so we can develop a unified voice, strength in numbers, and a base of staff resources capable of carrying out our mandate to foster and promote modular manufacturing and modular home ownership.

To accomplish this takes a big tent. I suggest MHI is that tent. I urge you to cast away the HUD-code versus modular distinction in favor of a different reality. A reality that understands most housing built in a factory environment is subject to attempts to marginalize, obstruct, and outright zone or codify systems built housing to a secondary role in the housing mix. NMHC, through the strength of MHI, will continue to be one vehicle through which unanimity of purpose can best be accomplished.

Please either become a member or help recruit new members to insure we are effectively heard on the many important issues affecting our industry. Is modular relevant under MHI? You bet. Let’s keep it that way.

Click here to get all the information needed to recruit a new member or join MHI and the NMHC. Encourage your suppliers to do the same. Thanks.


Ramon Sanchez-Vinas
Chairman, National Modular Housing Council
Professional Building Systems of North Carolina