The National Modular Housing Council (NMHC) met at the 68th MHI Annual Meeting in Indian Wells, California on October 18, 2004 and had a very productive meeting.

The NMHC meeting began with a short overview from Emanuel Levy, Executive Director of the Manufactured Housing Research Alliance (MHRA), on the MHRA initiatives relating to modular housing. There are three projects of particular importance to the modular housing industry, one of which is entitled “Improving the Design Approval Process and Inspection Systems for Modular Housing Construction.” This project would examine the process through which modular home plans are approved and what can be done to streamline the plan approval process in states where this still remains a problem. The second project, “Instilling Quality in the Plant: Documenting Best Practices,” involves the quality control process in the plant, and would be a project that would help ensure high quality construction found in factory-built housing. Finally, “Improving the Sales and Delivery Process” project would be valuable in facilitating the transition into modular sales for retailers and builder/developers. If approved by the MHRA Board, project team assembly and funding may begin as early as the end of the year.

The NMHC continues to work to resolve the divisible load issue with other coalition members in the modular housing industry. The divisible load issue impacts the way in which modular homes are transported throughout the United States, specifically dictating how many separate loads can be transported on one carrier. Staff updated the NMHC on the development of strong ties between the industry and state highway transportation officials and US DOT. As discussed at previous meetings, the NMHC is investigating the use of securement standards for modular homes. Staff hopes to have a final draft for consideration to the NMHC by the Winter Meeting in Memphis, Tennessee.

NMHC decided to focus over the coming months on ways in which to address the need for simplification of sales and use tax for modular homes. Staff will also be refocusing some efforts to update the Sales and Use Tax Guide on the website.

The NMHC also heard updates on important building code issues. Staff is following the IRC Code Process closely, and submitted a proposed change regarding simplification in determining applicable wind loads for homes. See the Codes Corner article in this issue of Modular Housing News .

Finally, the National Modular Housing Council unanimously elected Dennis Jones of R-Anell Housing Group as the NMHC Chair, and Steve Like of Patriot Homes as NMHC Vice-Chair.

Please contact Thayer Long with any questions you may have at (703) 558-0678, or tlong@modularcouncil.org