Events in far away China have had major impact on Utah politics. Gov. Jon Huntsman is now in Beijing serving as the United States Ambassador to China. His selection by President Obama resulted in his resignation as governor.
Utah law dictates that such a change automatically elevated Lt. Governor Gary Herbert to the governor’s position. Utah law allows the new governor to name a new lieutenant governor, subject to approval of the State Senate.
Governor Herbert explained he at one time had 26 names on his list of potential candidates, but in the end he selected Senator Greg Bell to take the position. Bell’s Senate colleagues were unanimous in their approval, and he is not serving in his new position.
Bell has been in the GOP leadership of the Utah Senate, and is widely praised for this demeanor, hard work, and intelligence. An attorney by trade, he had previously served as mayor of the city of Farmington.
GOP delegates in Davis County have selected a former State House member, Stuart Adams, to replace Bell in the Senate, and Gov. Herbert is expected to make that appointment. Adams currently serves as chair of the State Transportation Commission.
Normally, there would not be another gubernatorial election in Utah until 2012, but Herbert’s appointment is only until the next general election. So there will be an election in 2010 for the final two years of the term, and then another four-year term election in 2012. Gov. Herbert and Lt. Governor Bell will run for re-election in 2010. It remains to be seen if they will have opposition from other GOP politicians. For any Utah legislative or regulatory questions...contact Dale Zabriskie at 801-484-7272.
UT Housing Matters Conference
Utah Housing Matters Conference
The Utah Housing Coalition is excited to announce the 13th Annual Utah Housing Matters Conference November 9th and 10th, 2009 at the West Valley Cultural Celebration Center. This year the Housing Coalition has invited Utah NAHRO to join them in honoring our fellow community members in their effort to support and promote affordable accessible housing in Utah.
For more information contact Francisca Blanc, Policy Analyst, Utah Housing Coalition, 230 South 500 West 260, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, (O) 801-364-0077, (C) 801-244- 4700, (F) 801-596-2011,
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Calendar of Events
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September 16, 2 PM EDT— Webinars -Creating Traffic to Model Homes and Sales Centers with Bonnie Alfriend on BuilderRadio.com
September 27-29—MHI Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA November 9-10 — Utah Housing Matters Conference, West Valley Cultural Celebration Center November 26—Thanksgiving
December 9—Utah Board of Directors Meeting, 10-2 Salt Lake City, Utah December 25th—Happy Holidays to all!
Please submit any dates or events to UHA to put in the newsletter or on the calendar of events. Click Here To Do So....
July/August Newsletter
Read the July/August Newsletter in color! Click Here
During National Manufactured Housing Week, June 15-22, Utah Housing Alliance was dispelling myths and opening the doors of homeownership to all income levels in America, by improving housing in a previously ignored sector—manufactured homes. Utah Housing Alliance has been working for over two decades to help manufactured home community owners and residents in Utah by partnering with other non‐profit organizations in addressing the issues in manufactured home communities, like park management, landlord tenant legislation, utilities, property rights, closures, educating the media, lawmakers and public about the benefits of this type of unsubsidized affordable housing, working with manufactured home park owners in protecting their rights and working on public policy changes to help preserve and improve these communities.
Manufactured housing is a significant source of affordable housing that opens the doors to homeownership for families, who in many of the nation’s housing markets, cannot afford to buy a site‐built home. Additionally, there is a national initiative, Innovations in Manufactured Homes (I’M HOME), that seeks to ensure the more than 17 million Americans living in manufactured homes can reap the same benefits of homeownership as families who buy other kinds of homes. I’M HOME supports programs, across the country that are helping families who choose manufactured homes make sure these are good investments.
Now in its fifth year, I’M HOME is working across the nation with over 30 community partners developing attractive new housing and replacing dilapidated homes; changing the way manufactured homes are financed; working with families who live in “parks,” where there are special challenges; and working with policymakers to make sure the same benefits and protections are available to everyone who buys a home, regardless of how it’s built.
“Manufactured homes not only provide long‐term, lower‐cost housing, but they can also help build financial security for millions of families through ownership,” said Kathryn Goulding, Director of I’M HOME.
“Manufactured Housing Week is an opportunity to bring awareness across the country that there is a great opportunity to create better quality, better financed housing in this very large market.”
Keeping Up To Date
KEEPING UP-TO-DATE
As an active manufactured housing professional, you are fully aware of the need for action and growth, even in the most difficult of times. You know that today’s housing market, indeed the world, has changed greatly in the past few years. If you are a seasoned MH person, you know that one of your greatest strengths has been to keep informed and up-to date on the ever changing housing market trends, consumer demographics and market conditions. As this newsletter is going to press, the global economy doesn’t look all that good. Along with the economic environment, the lending environment has been changing frequently. Are you up-to-date on your lenders latest requirements and programs available?
I am encouraged by the fact that many of us industry veterans have witnessed and survived other financial crisis and recessions. We know that there are always opportunities waiting to be found. It is during times like these that your selling and management skills will be put to the test.
Your customers and residents are changing their shopping and buying habits at record speed. Are you changing fast enough to meet their needs and desires? What are the market trends in your state or local area?
Almost all housing purchasers start their purchasing process on the Internet. How is your web site working for you? Are you up-to-date on collecting and tracking the data and leads from your web site? Potential homebuyers are very knowledgeable. They conduct research before they contact you. Have you accessed all the product knowledge that is available to you on the manufacturers and suppliers’ web sites? Codes, standards and regulations are always being changed by the national, state and local jurisdictions. Are you up-to-date on the latest technical and business changes? Your products and the regulations are continuously updated and improved. You need to know what those changes are.
Today’s homebuyers are looking for energy efficient and “green” homes built with environmentally friendly materials and stocked with energy efficient appliances. Are you able to advise your customers on how to make wise choices and options that will fit their needs and financial requirements?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, you have some work to do if your business is going to thrive in uncertain economic times.
Your state association is here for you as a resource to help you get and stay up-to-date on the laws, internet and market trends. It will take combined and cooperative action, but we can work together to solve problems and make progress. KEEPING UP-TO-DATE
Events in far away China have had major impact on Utah politics. Gov. Jon Huntsman is now in Beijing serving as the United States Ambassador to China. His selection by President Obama resulted in his resignation as governor.
During National Manufactured Housing Week, June 15-22, Utah Housing Alliance was dispelling myths and opening the doors of homeownership to all income levels in America, by improving housing in a previously ignored sector—manufactured homes. Utah Housing Alliance has been working for over two decades to help manufactured home community owners and residents in Utah by partnering with other non‐profit organizations in addressing the issues in manufactured home communities, like park management, landlord tenant legislation, utilities, property rights, closures, educating the media, lawmakers and public about the benefits of this type of unsubsidized affordable housing, working with manufactured home park owners in protecting their rights and working on public policy changes to help preserve and improve these communities.
As an active manufactured housing professional, you are fully aware of the need for action and growth, even in the most difficult of times. You know that today’s housing market, indeed the world, has changed greatly in the past few years. If you are a seasoned MH person, you know that one of your greatest strengths has been to keep informed and up-to date on the ever changing housing market trends, consumer demographics and market conditions. As this newsletter is going to press, the global economy doesn’t look all that good. Along with the economic environment, the lending environment has been changing frequently. Are you up-to-date on your lenders latest requirements and programs available?
