Support Urged for Bill Aimed at Replacing of Older Manufactured Homes

CHICAGO, IL, August 21, 2010 (Press-News.org) Estimates say there are some two million manufactured homes in the United States built before June 1976. The homes are both inefficient and in some cases unsafe. Replacing them is the aim of legislation in both the House and Senate.

While the House passed a bill in May, more recently the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee adopted the Energy Efficient Manufactured Housing Act (S. 1320).

The legislation would provide rebates of $7,500 for the purchasers of Energy Star-Qualified manufactured homes. In addition, the bill would allow home owners to receive grants of up to $2,500 to cover the additional cost of removing and recycling the old home.

Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) Executive Vice President Thayer Long explains the bill is attractive because it addresses both housing and energy.

"It's a relatively minimal investment for the potential gain," Long says. "In our estimation it would be offset with additional tax revenue."

The bill has a number of Democratic co-sponsors, but Long says the bill would be helped by Republican support. While some Republicans may shy away because of the cost, proponents are looking at options to have already-appropriated monies pay for this program so it would not require any additional new spending.

Long says in his estimation the cost, $750 million a year, would be offset with additional tax revenue.

Tony Kovach, publisher of Manufactured Home Marketing Sales and Management (MHMSM.com) says in addition to providing affordable housing and helping low-income manufactured home owners realize energy savings, the legislation could provide a much-needed boost to the industry.

"Two million homes is not an insignificant number," Kovach says. "Even if a small percentage were replaced, it could provide a significant boost to an industry currently shipping some 50,000 homes a year. That will also mean additional jobs at a time when official unemployment is hovering around ten percent."

MHI concludes that given the current partisan political climate, Republican support of the measure becomes all the more critical. Without bi-partisan support, passage of the bill is unlikely.

MHI, MHMSM.com and others are currently urging readers and members to contact their Senators urging support for the Energy Efficient Manufactured Housing Act (S. 1320). Those in states represented by Republican Senators are particularly encouraged to respond.

Contact your Senator(s):
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senato ...

A related article will appear August 23 at: http://www.mhmarketingsalesmanagement.com/

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