MHI Successfully Petitions HUD to Withdraw Notice on Design Requirements for Southern Pine

Responding in record time to a May 4th letter by MHI President Richard Jennison, HUD recently informed MHI that it will withdraw its notice giving manufacturers less than a month to meet new building design requirements for southern pine lumber used in manufactured housing and other types of wood frame construction.

In the May 4th letter, MHI asked HUD to withdraw its recent notice to Primary Inspection Agencies, announcing the new change to the HUD Code effective June 1, 2012. On May 11th, Ronald Spraker, Acting General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Housing, informed MHI it will send a revised notice as soon as possible to affected parties with the new compliance date of January 1, 2013.

As requested by MHI, Spraker said HUD will ask the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) to review the updated version of the National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction and it will consider rulemaking in accordance with federal statutory and regulatory requirements.

 

Accounting Error Leaves the MHCC Without A Contractor

In a surprise e-mail to the 21 members of the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) on May 14th, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced that effective immediately it was withdrawing its support as the Administering Organization to the MHCC. Consequently, a previously scheduled wind task force meeting was cancelled and plans for the June meeting were put on hold. The reason sited by NFPA was non payment of outstanding invoices totaling $37,000.

Responding to an inquiry by MHI, HUD said the problem arose from an accounting system error. It is working to resolve the problem as soon as possible and is proceeding with plans for a summer meeting in Washington, D.C. NFPA said it will resume its activities as soon as the invoices are paid.

 

MHI’s Rae Ann Bevington to Become Director of Political Affairs for ACA International

MHI’s Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs, Rae Ann Bevington, has accepted the newly-created position of Director of Political Affairs for ACA International, an international association of credit and collection professionals, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In her new position, Bevington will be responsible for raising the association’s profile and brand on Capitol Hill.

Bevington has been with MHI for four years, and her dedicated service is appreciated. Her last day will be May 24th. MHI wishes her great success in her new position with ACA International.

MHI has initiated the recruitment process for Bevington’s position and will ensure a smooth transition in her duties and responsibilities.