Blog Posting # 795, Copyright 1 June 2014. EducateMHC
Know this! HUD-Code manufactured housing (‘MH’) is federally-regulated, performance-based, affordable-attainable factory-built housing (a.k.a. offsite construction). And land lease communities (a.k.a. manufactured home communities & ‘mobile home parks’) comprise the commercial real estate (‘CRE’) component of MH! EducateMHC is the online advocate, official historian, trade term & trend tracker, as well as information resource for both business models, and to some extent, the recreational vehicle industry! Access EducateMHC via (317) 881-3815; email: gfa7156@aol.com, & via www.educatemhc.com to purchase Community Management in the Manufactured Housing Industry, and SWAN SONG, a history of land lease communities & official record of annual MH production totals since 1955. And my autobiography, From SmittyAlpha6 to MHMaven describes personal combat adventures in Vietnam as a USMC lieutenant, a 45 year entrepreneur business career in MH & community ownership, as well as prolific non-fiction author and popular freelance consultant.
George Allen, CPM®Emeritus, MHM®Master, is the only emeritus member of the Manufactured Housing Institute (‘MHI’), a founding board member of MHI’s National Communities Council (‘NCC’) division, an RV/MH Hall of Fame enshrinee, MHInsider magazine columnist and editor at large. He’s a Vietnam combat veteran & retired lieutenant colonel of U.S. Marines, and author/editor of 30 books & chapbooks on MH, communities, business management & prayer.
Offsite Construction – or Not?
Have you noticed? During the past few months a new trade term has been inserting itself into the casual parlance (‘way of speaking, language’) of housing at large. One offsite construction viewpoint I ascribe to embraces modular and manufactured housing, as well as Park Model RVs, various types of ADUs (‘accessory dwelling units’, e.g. Tiny Houses) and pre-fab housing units under the umbrella of this apt trade term – as they are all fabricated offsite.
But then I’ve noticed, of late, that the relatively new trade publication ‘Offsite Construction’ routinely narrows the definition of offsite housing to focus solely on modular housing. A recent column (‘The Final Word’ by Ken Semler), however walks both sides of this offsite construction terminology conundrum. Here, writer Semler describes “Vertical integration essentially means that you won or control the five key aspects of (modular) construction: Design, Manufacture, Delivery, Installation and On-site Finish.” (Emphasis on ‘modular’ added. GFA).
Point being: All forms of offsite construction – again, modular & manufactured housing, Park Model RVs, types of ADUs, and pre-fab housing units, ALL typify the five key aspects of construction just cited. So, why shouldn’t they be included in the collective term ‘offsite construction’? An alternative, I suppose, would be for the magazine to change its’ name to something restrictive, like ‘Modular Construction’ – or resurrect and use the short-lived trade term ‘HUDULAR’ (i.e. HUD manufactured & modular housing combined) from year 2002.
Guess we’ll have to wait and see how this pencils out during the months ahead. For me, however – and in the meantime, I plan to continue to talk and write about offsite construction as being inclusive of modular & manufactured housing, Park Model RVs, types of ADUs, and pre-fab housing units. What say you? Let me know via gfa7156@aol.com
Attend RV/MH Hall of Fame Induction Banquet!
The evening of 19 August 2024 will be very special in the lives of five of our peers in the manufactured housing industry! Sam Landy, Kamal Shouhayib, Nathan Smith, Todd Su, and Charlie Hemphill will be inducted into the prestigious RV/MH Hall of Fame, located in Elkhart, IN. Are you planning to attend? I sure hope so. This is the sole annual gathering in our industry, where pioneers, leaders, and significant ‘players’ are formally recognized with this singular honor. For more information, visit the RV/MH Hall of Fame website or phone (574) 293-2344.
Now, for a word about being selected for induction into the RV/MH Hall of Fame. The process begins with a close friend or associate in the industry or realty asset class, willing to complete the application process in your behalf – if you have at least 25 years direct experience in either the RV or MH industry, and recruit three individuals to pen letters of recommendation to accompany the application. And yes, you can begin this process yourself. Again, visit the RV/MH Hall of Fame website for more information.
Also, understand this is not usually a ‘slam dunk’ process. Only occasionally are individuals selected for induction the same year their application is submitted. For many, it takes ‘years’ to experience the honor. And applications are kept on hand for active consideration for five years, and then must be updated/refreshed. IMHO, induction should not be viewed or bestowed as an ‘end of tour/career’ award; rather, earned recognition for significant contributions of personal service, notable improvements, and or achievement within one’s industry or realty asset class.
Here’re a couple unsolicited and unofficial, but personally-experienced tips for those considering positioning oneself for induction. Attend at least one RV/MH Hall of Fame banquet before beginning the process! Why? To ‘get the lay of the land’, as to what happens during the afternoon and evening of the annual induction banquet. And while at the RV/MH Hall of Fame, make it a point to visit RV & MH exhibit halls, to truly appreciate the legacies of both industries preserved therein. While you’re on site, make a monetary contribution to support the continued work of the RV/MH Hall of Fame federation. Finally, when recruiting individuals to pen letters of reference in your behalf, consider having one of them being a present enshrinee of the RV/MH Hall of Fame.
George Allen