 As Executive Director overseeing the state associations of Idaho, Nevada and Utah, and when I participate in national and other states’ meetings, I am constantly observing and in my home states, fighting the same battles for property rights, in several different formats and different forums. If only there was a deeper understanding on the parts of the local, county and state governing bodies, the media and the general public that when they start tinkering with housing and property rights, they are undermining the economic foundations of homeownership in this great country. So the following is an old-fashioned proclamation to help others understand why they should not enact or enforce onerous legislation or regulations on the manufactured or modular housing industry, developments and MH communities.
Whereas:
* The American economy is founded on the principle of free enterprise, home ownership and property rights; and
* There is a social and economic need to insure an adequate supply of affordable quality housing for citizens; and
* The goal of states, counties and cities is to encourage the development, preservation and efficient operation of affordable housing for low income and workforce citizens; and
* The quality and quantity of available housing is directly related to the livability of a community; and
* National/state governments have declared that imposition of restrictions on property rights disrupt an orderly housing market; and
* Building moratoriums, first right of refusal, rent controls, and burdensome closure/relocation demands on community owners are documented to be an ineffective and counter productive housing policy and is deemed some of the most disastrous forms of political interference in the economy; and
* Economists say interference with property rights directly cause problems such as: Substantial local government administrative and litigation costs generated; Inhibition of construction and closure of properties; Deterioration of existing housing; Reduced property tax revenues; Consumer quality of life is significantly reduced, demanding services; and Significant economic costs, such as consumer entry costs, especially disadvantageous to the poor, elderly, single consumers and young people entering the market; and
* Controls over property rights in any form create and perpetuate the shortage of affordable and workforce housing, keeping the supply permanently inadequate in a community; and
* In addition to severe economic consequences, controls over property rights fosters discrimination, malevolent social relationships and inter-group conflicts with negative ramifications reaching far beyond a housing market.
Therefore:
The Manufactured Housing Associations of Idaho, Nevada and Utah requests that the states of Idaho, Nevada and Utah continue their policies of strong opposition to interference with property rights in forms such as first right of refusal, moratoriums, closure burdens and rent control in any form as a matter of statewide concern; and maintain their commitments throughout the states and in all cities and counties therein that the electors or the governing body of a city or county shall not enact, and the governing body shall not enforce an ordinance, resolution or other regulation that places restrictions on property rights in their respective states.
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