Recently Bill (HB 1) was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives by a 53 to 45 vote. For some reason the publication of this fact did not mention AMHRO or its officers. Please be assured that it was AMHRO that started the ball rolling. The education idea and the drafting of this legislation on education is a joint effort on behalf of AMHRO and OMHA.

·                     Jim Demitrus was appointed to serve on the Ohio Manufactured Home Commission (OMHC) by the governor. AMHRO Officers started to attend these monthly meetings. 

·                     It was AMHRO who challenged the commission members to take their responsibility seriously against illegal installations and inspections.

·                     It was AMHRO who challenged the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) regarding certain issues in communities and the enforcement of rules and laws.

·                     It was the persistence of AMHRO contacting legislators, legal aide, and attorneys about the issues within communities.

·                     It was AMHRO being a listening ear to the residents about the action of the owners and talking with community owners.

·                     It was AMHRO who started the transfer of the jurisdiction of manufactured homes from the OHD to the OMHC.

·                     It was AMHRO who asked for the transfer of title of the home to be within 30 days of occupancy.

·                     It was AMHRO who wanted required training for all owner/operators of communities.

·                     It was AMHRO that objected to our homes to being titled as “a vehicle.”

·                     Without AMHRO there would not be a HB 1 as we know it today.

Even though the name of AMHRO was not in the article, we, OMHA, OMHC, OHD and legislation know our efforts and accomplishments.

Rental Fee Survey
We are taking a survey of Rental Fees in Ohio manufactured home communities only. We would greatly appreciate what your monthly rent history was from 2004 until the present time, plus any amenities. Amenities which were included in your monthly rent, such as water, sewer, cable, utilities, etc.  We also would like to know the name and owner of your community, as well as the city where it is located.  Also, please indicate if it is a family community or if it is specifically an “over 55” community.  This information can be submitted by using the Contact Form at the bottom of this page.

We hope to provide this information to HUD and legislators to tell the story of the never ending escalating rents.

We look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your help.

At my wife’s suggestion I wrote a columnist for our local newspaper. I have copied it below. 

Dear Connie, 

  As an everyday reader of the local newspaper, I look forward to reading your column. My heart was touched with the column April 29th on "Purging the law of a hurtful word." My wife has a niece who was born with brain damage due to a doctor's negligence.  Jennifer lives in Indiana and has been a ward of the state for over 40 years. She also has the reasoning of an 8 year old. 

  In reading your column, it brought to mind the damage one can do with one word.  I am asking you to consider writing a column about the use of the word "trailer trash." There are about 1,500 units in a 3 mile radius in Olmsted Twp. There are over 1,700 communities in Ohio (some in every county). Some homes are newer but many are older. The homes of today are well built with 6" outside walls. Even the older homes have electricity, gas or electric heating and most have air conditioning. Not one has a "path" but they all do have indoor plumbing and these amenities would qualify them for being called "homes" rather than "trailers."  

  There are those living in these units, whose education and financial assets would put many in stick- built homes, condos and apartments to shame. In my community there is an engineer who has taken 5 cruises around the world. Yet, there are those also who must decide whether to buy food or medicine (just like many other people). There are other classes of employment just like every other community, yet many in the media are having a hard time accepting the correct terminology for these units.  People live in homes----not trailers.   

  Here is an email sent to me from a local TV station news reporter. "Glad to have caught up with the times, Russ.  Had a long discussion with someone a few years back that “mobile homes” aren’t mobile these days, so “mobile home park” doesn’t cut it.  “Manufactured homes” doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily as the former name, but IS accurate, and, besides, I’ve become tired of terms like “trailer park people” and “trailer park trash”, so, just trying to do my small part.  Glad you caught it."    

  Will you help us remove the words "trailers and trailer trash" from the vocabulary of the media and educate everyone else to use the word "home"?- - - - - - - after all, that's what it is; a home.

  I look forward to hearing from you.

 Russ McPherson

  Within 15 minutes of sending her my e-mail she called me back. Both of her grandmothers lived in a "trailer." After helping Connie understand that "people live in homes, not trailers" I invited her to visit our home. She accepted and will call next week to firm a date and time. She indicated that she will write a column as I asked.

  I will keep you updated.

Russ

 Victory in Media

   I have always felt offended when someone referred to my home as a trailer. It is my home! Trailers are not used for human habitation. It associates me with what is referred to as “trailer trash.” That offends me and many others. I was challenged while attending the MHOAA National Convention when I heard many others who felt the same as I. We were challenged to stop using the “T” word and to educate others who did use it rather than “home” or “manufactured home.”

   I wrote a lengthy e-mail to a local newscaster. I explained the many, many amenities and benefits of a manufactured home. The e-mail had definitions from Webster’s Dictionary, an invitation to visit my home and community, to a home owners meeting, to the Ohio Manufactured Home Commission Meeting, to the Ohio Manufactured Home Association, to a manufactured home company, to a lending institution and to an insurance company. My hope was to educate the media.

   Here is part of his first reply to me.

   For communicating with the general public, if it has wheels it’s a trailer.  A “Manufactured home” is a much broader term that would include dwellings never intended to be pulled behind anything.  The federal government may have decided all such dwellings will be called a “manufactured homes”, and that’s their business.  Influencing what we call them is not their business, that’s ours. 

   We speak to the public in the terms we believe they use, understand and accept. To me, and most, the media resource center is still the library. News deals with what is. 

   We live in a time when interest groups put much effort into co-opting the language to suit their interest.  For people who have the time or interest to read a lengthy thesis like yours, your term may have meaning and value.  But we tell stories in 20 or 30 seconds.  The term “manufactured home” is much broader than trailer…. In the limited time we have for telling a story we work hard to use the most precise and familiar language possible.  Trailer.

   February I sent the newscaster this e-mail: As I watched the 6:00PM news tonight you reported from somewhere that the strong winds did much damage on homes. You referred to a "manufactured home" rather than a "trailer." Thank you for recognizing these are "homes" rather then "trailers."

   February 14, 2009 this came my way:

Glad to have caught up with the times, Russ.  Had a long discussion with someone a few years back that “mobile homes” aren’t mobile these days, so “mobile home park” doesn’t cut it.  “Manufactured homes” doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily as the former name, but IS accurate, and, besides, I’ve become tired of terms like “trailer park people” and “trailer park trash”, so, just trying to do my small part.  Glad you caught it

   I did not know it but one of our local Trustees has a husband who works for the same TV station. She forwarded our e-mails to her husband and he personally presented them to the newscaster and thanked him for a job well done.

   Lesson learned: It pays to know your city officials for you don’t know who they know. Be courteous and persistent. You can help us make the necessary change! 
  

Now is the time to voice your thoughts for the election of a vice president and treasurer for AMHRO to serve for the next two years. This year the position of vice president and treasurer are open.  According to our current by-laws, nominations may be submitted by mail to the nominating committee.  We request that you give serious consideration to the names that you submit.  Usually, but not necessarily, the person should have some experience for the position to which they are nominated.

Nominations must be mailed to Mr. Frank Hanning, 24 Birch Row Dr., Delaware, Ohio 43015 and received by July 1, 2009.

First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit Available for Buyers of Manufactured Homes

At last someone recognized that manufactured homes and stick-built homes need to be treated the same without discrimination. As long as someone buys the house, they can use the credit. The land is not important. For existing homes, the purchase date suffices. For newly built homes, the move-in (occupancy) date suffices.

What Type of Home Will Qualify for the Tax Credit?
Any home that will be used as a principal residence will qualify for the credit. This includes single-family detached homes, attached homes like townhouses and condominiums, manufactured homes (also known as mobile homes) and houseboats. The definition of principal residence is identical to the one used to determine whether you may qualify for the $250,000 / $500,000 capital gains tax exclusion for principal residences.

First-Time Home Buyer Credit
If you are a first-time home buyer, you may be able to claim a one-time tax credit of up to $7,500 ($3,750 if married filing separately) or 10% of the purchase price of your home (whichever is smaller). You may be able to claim the credit:
            1. If you purchased your main home in the United States after April 8,

                2008, and before July 1, 2009, and

            2. If you did not own any other main home during the 3-year period ending

                on the date of purchase.

You can choose to claim the credit on your 2008 Form 1040 for a main home purchased after December 31, 2008, and before July 1, 2009. If you constructed your main home, you are treated as having purchased it on the date you first occupied it.

Who Cannot Claim the Credit? You Cannot Claim the Credit if Any of the Following Applies:
              1. Your modified adjusted gross income is $95,000 or more ($170,000 or

                  more if married filing jointly).

              2. You are, or were, eligible to claim the District of Columbia first-time

                  homebuyer credit for any taxable year. See Form 8859.

              3. Your home financing comes from tax-exempt mortgage revenue

                  bonds.

              4. You are a non-resident alien.

              5. Your home is located outside the United States.

              6. You sell the home, or it ceases to be your main home, before the end

                  of 2008.

              7. You acquired your home by gift or inheritance.

              8. You acquired your home from a related person. A related person

                  includes:

              9. Your spouse, ancestors (parents, grandparents, etc.), or lineal

                  descendants (children, grandchildren, etc.

            10. A corporation in which you directly or indirectly own more than 50% in

                  value of the outstanding stock of the corporation.

            11. A partnership in which you directly or indirectly own more than 50% of

                  the capital interest or profits interests.

Re-Payment of Credit

You generally must re-pay the credit over a 15-year period in 15 equal installments. The re-payment period begins 2 years after the year in which you claimed the credit. Therefore, if you claim the credit on your 2008 tax return, the re-payment period begins in 2010 and you must include the first installment as additional tax on your 2010 tax return.

If your home ceases to be your main home before the 15-year period is up, you must include all remaining annual installments as additional tax on the return for the tax year that happens. This includes situations where you sell the home or convert it to business or rental property.

For exceptions to the re-payment rule, more information about the credit, and how to claim the credit (see Form 5405) First-Time Homebuyer Credit.

The Birth of AMHRO

According to the 2000 census, nearly 8.7 million homes in the nation are manufactured homes (7.3 million in 1990).  The majority of homes are in private communities. These homes can be single, double, triple or multi-section homes. In 2001, an estimated 7.2 million were occupied as a primary residence. A recent publication from MHOAA states that there are now 10 million living in maufactured homes.

There are approximately 1,800 communities of various sizes located in Ohio. Many homeowner associations were formed after their communities were sold to new owners who are out-of-state investors. Although there are individual issues, many homeowners face similar issues and battles in their attempt to maintain an affordable lifestyle. Protecting the security of their home is another issue of great concern.

How did AMHRO come about and why? The Cleveland Tenants Organization and VISTA volunteers held a meeting to discuss future plans for both organizations. This meeting was held in October of 2004. The result was an organization to represent the interests of the residents in manufactured home communities in the State of Ohio. There were 6 counties and 10 communities represented. Officers named are stated below. Our purpose is stated in our Mission and Vision Statement.

AMHRO does not have a paid staff. All of the officers live in a manufactured home in a community. All officers, committee chairpersons, board members and others who work on issues are volunteers.

There are always many costs involved in any new venture. We gladly accept donations which help us get us to Columbus where our officers can represent you and your neighbors. Donations may include office supplies or financial help.

AMHRO Officers
President  Bill Geniella, 24 Birch Row Dr., Delaware, OH 43015
(614) 207-2800 bgeniell@columbus.rr.com

Vice-President Russ McPherson, 27202 Cook Rd. #138, Olmsted Twp. 44138
(440) 235-9279 r.pherson@sbcglobal.net

Secretary Lois McPherson, 27202 Cook Rd. #138, Olmsted Twp. 44138
(440) 235-9279 r.pherson@sbcglobal.net

Treasurer Kathleen Demitrus, 8974 Wood Thrush Drive, Streetsboro 44241
(330) 626-5941 kdblarney@aol.com

Assistant Vice-President Jim Demitrus, 8974 Wood Thrush Drive, Streetsboro 44241
(440) 465-8236 lacbobs@aol.com

Assistant Vice-President Brenda Kocevar, 7 Friendship, Olmsted Twp., OH 44138
(440) 235-9195 

We need all residents to become members. Through numbers we become stronger and our voice now becomes a shout, not a whisper.

Legislation

We need laws to protect all, not just a few. We were able to have 2 pieces of legislation introduced (HB 290 & HB 309) but no new laws outlined in these bills have been passed as of this date. We are still working very hard on this process to make it happen.

Rule Compliance

Rules that govern our living in this type of housing are under the whims and ways of our county health department through out the State of Ohio. They ignore the laws and/or they are unaware of the laws. No leadership or education has been offered to them.

Enforcement of Laws

This needs changed. We are working with OMHA in drafting a proposal to remove the jurisdiction from the Department of Health to another agency that will enforce these rules to protect us as residents from the park owners ignoring them. In some cases, they themselves have no knowledge of the law.

AMHRO Mission 
To educate and advise residents of their rights and privileges associated with residing in a manufactured home community and how to inform residents how to protect the value and security of their home. 

To assist residents in developing an organization within their own community association.

To promote health, safety and general welfare of each resident.

To be an organization that is willing to use all available resources to bring about change that will improve the lives of residents.

To serve as an avenue to channel information and to serve as a source to educate every resident about their rights as residents of manufactured home communities.

russrussWhat is Intimidation?  Are you being itimidated?

 Intimidation plays a big role in the strategy of some community owners. But why do they do it? Here
 is the definition of "Intimidation."

1. To make timid; to fill with fear. 2. To coerce or inhibit by or as if by threats.
 Intimidation implies the presence or operation of a fear-inspired force.

                        The synonyms are: browbeat, bulldoze, bully, coercion, threatening, demoralizing.
                        These verbs mean to frighten into submission, compliance or acquiescence.
                        Intimidation is:

·         Threatening to use power or control to get others to do what you want them to do.

·         Using coercion or force to get what you want from others. Making others feel like you are more powerful or forceful than what you really are.

·         Wearing a mask of being ‘untouchable’ so that people keep an emotional distance from you and yet do for you what you desire.

·         Using verbal and nonverbal cues to let others know you are not going to reward any unfaithfulness to what you desire them to do for you.

·         Using verbal, physical, sexually or emotionally abusive behaviors to get people to ‘stay in line.’

·         Using physical size, statute and strength to get others to respect and obey you.

·         Using punishments such as seven day notices or threats of eviction. Using quick temper, anger or rage to get people to do what you want.

·         Acting in such a way that no one would dare question or stand up to you over any of your decisions, opinions or directives.

·         Using money, wealth or status to put others into their place so that your power over them is secured and not questioned.

·         Keeping others loyal to you by threats of pulling back your support, love, caring, interest or approval of them.