Trent Lott: “Today I join several of our colleagues in cosponsoring a bipartisan bill which will strengthen the manufactured housing…”

“Today I join several of our colleagues in cosponsoring a bipartisan bill which will strengthen the manufactured housing industry. This legislation will benefit the fastest growing segment of the housing industry, while establishing a balanced process for the development, revision, and interpretation of Federal construction and safety standards. This legislation also focuses on the consumer. In addition to announcing my cosponsorship, I want to pay tribute to Jerold Kennedy, a native Mississippian, entrepreneur, a business owner, and advocate for manufactured housing. Jerold championed reforms of the regulations controlling this segment of the marketplace. He worked for many years to advance legislation that would modernize the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Act of 1974. Today, I honor Jerold's efforts. S.2145 reflects those efforts, and Mr. Kennedy would be proud of S.2145. This segment of the industry, to which Jerold dedicated his life, plays a vital role in making affordable, unsubsidized housing available for a wide range of Americans. First time home buyers, single parents, and senior citizens are just a few groups who greatly benefit from manufactured housing. This industry is responsible for one out of every three single-family homes sold last year. One-third! For less than $40,000, millions of Americans can realize their dream of owning a home.”