That's All She Wrote, Folks!

I am resigning from the OSTA state board this fall and will not be editing or producing another OSTA Quarterly Review. Instead look for OSTA news and information about manufactured and floating home communities on the new OSTA website--www.oregontenants.com--coming to your computer this summer, in July or August, 2020.

Thank you to all who have contributed to The Review over the years. I relied on your articles and stories to try to make each issue interesting to our readers. The board is considering other ways to keep you informed, but at present the website will be your best source. Also remember that your district directors like to hear from you.

Jane Capron

Invitation to the 2019 State Meeting

The 2019 annual state membership meeting will be Saturday, October 19, at the Comfort Inn in Albany. Scheduled is election of directors and updates on new and amended state laws that affect those of us who live in manufactured and floating homes and rent the space (or water) beneath them. The cost this year is $20 per person, which includes a catered lunch and some valuable drawings for gift certificates. Reservations received after October 15, however, will be $25.

If you are not a member and interested in attending, send in your $20 now to the address below by the 15th or pay $25 at the registration table. In either case, both the state secretary and the membership chair will greet you at the door and explain how you can become a member at a reduced rate. Only members are eligible for the drawings.

Coming from the north, take I-5 exit ramp for 99S/Pacific Blvd SE to Knox Butte Rd. E. Coming from the south, take I-5 exit 234 to Knox Butte Rd. E.

To register by Oct. 15, send your name(s), park name, city, and $20 to MH/OSTA, P.O. Box 24958, Eugene, OR 97402. Then we'll look for you at 10 a.m. on the 19th.

--Jane and Deanna

Watch for Updates on Current MH Legislation!

The Summer 2019 OSTA Quarterly Review should be in your inboxes or snail mailboxes soon if not sooner. A brief summary of the issues in the Landlord/Coalition bill now in the state legislature will be found in the "Right 2 Know" section. If the bill passes the Senate and House, as we sincerely hope it will, and the governor signs it, the statutes as amended will take effect January 1. 2020. Watch the blog to learn when that bill becomes a law, and keep your fingers crossed!

In our OSTA spotlight this issue is John VanLandingham, who has worked--slogged, actually--long hours on this Landlord/Coalition bill as well as on all others during the past 20 years. The current bill has gone through about 17 rewrites until the 100 plus people on the coalition could agree to its wording. Then it went to legislative committees and the Legislative Counsel for further edits.

Be sure to read page 3 about the heroes in Keizer that we honor for their heroism. Nancy Inglehart wrote this story which may also be written up in another publication which is available free in manufactured home parks, grocery stores, and other places. On page 15 we reprint some fire safety guidelines for manufactured homes, with #1 being sure to have a working smoke alarm detector.
One of the heroes of the story was a dog who is pictured on page 11 with his owner, who is pictured bandaged from burns suffered in the rescue operation. Page 11 also has information from our mediation columnist about service dogs. There have been a lot of questions about what a service dog is, so Nancy Gromen explains.

Also on page 1 is a short article about a bill already passed this session that sets rent caps at 7% plus CPI. On page 14 our Legal Gal, Oregon Law Center's Laurie Hauber, writes about what this bill means to you. In some parks rents have been going up as much as $100-$150 a month. That can't happen any more.

We encourage our MH/OSTA chapters to use their OSTA Reviews at chapter meetings and study the Right 2 Know section and other information so you can be knowledgeable about your rights. Your legislators will be happy to come to your park to talk to residents about their rights provided through Chapter 90 laws. Your legislators help you, so be sure to let them by telling them your concerns.

And by the way, your membership in OSTA encourages the legislators to help you. You want their help, they want your vote. If you are not a member, there is a little button at the left of your screen where it says "Subscribe." You can join MH/ OSTA with your charge card through PayPal.

Spring, 2019, OSTA Quarterly Review Coming

The Spring issue of the OSTA Quarterly Review is now out of my hands and probably already printed and ready for mailing. Look for it soon in your mailboxes, if you get get a paper copy, or in your email inbox. Remember that sometimes your email server sends stuff to "junk," so you may find the Review there instead of in the inbox. I, of course, disagree with the email servers that consider the Review "junk."

This issue has a brief summary of the Landlord/Tenant Coalition issues, some of which may not wind up in the final bill, but I think it's very important for our readers to know what we're trying to do to help all of us who live in manufactured homes on rented land. There's a page on the "termination" issue, which asks for your opinion. It's not easy reading, but "termination" can mean the same thing as "eviction," so I urge you to read and discuss with your neighbors and let us know what you think. This affects YOU and your home, so it would be worth discussing in your park meetings. You can comment here on the blog or write a note to our P.O. box or email your district director (addresses on p. 2 of all Reviews).

I also want to encourage you to make use of mediation services. They are FREE! I also welcome you to send questions about disagreements and concerns between residents and landlords or between two residents to pass on to our new mediation columnist. You can send the questions to our P.O. box via snail mail or to our district director, or directly to me via email to forward to our mediation columnist.

We're also looking for Helping Hands grants. The whole program at this point is dependent on member donations, and since most of our members don't have extra money, we've been impressed at the generosity we've seen. The new OSTA Review will tell you that MH/OSTA has given over $13,000 to our members to help them fix up their houses and age in place. We need to find some corporate sponsors to help us out, maybe with reduced prices on building supplies if not actual cash awards. Feel free to share your ideas, as the the person you help could be yourself!
--Jane, OSTA Quarterly Review editor

Step Right Up

OSTA is strong! We have nearly 1000 members in family and 55+ parks throughout the state.

To borrow a quote from the Marines, "We are looking for a few good men".
OSTA is looking for "a few good families".

Do you have a special skill? Some extra time? Something on your mind you would like to help solve?

Do you serve on a park committee? Do you do welfare checks on your neighbors? Are you a Safe Block Home? Do you share babysitting/child care? Do your kids volunteer around the park? Does your park have a Neighborhood Watch Program? Do you do errands for your neighbors like shopping or driving to and from appointments?

Share some of your experiences. Inspire others.

Post a comment!

Who are your Directors and What are They Up To

Meet the board in their own words.....

Helping Hands Program

OTSA is wanting to help you. Our Helping Hands program helps OSTA member residents with home repairs so that you can age safely in place. You can fill out an application for a grant and submit it for approval. The grants are limited to one grant per year, not to exceed $1000 actual cost. Of this $1000, OSTA will pay 75% of the submitted amount. The resident is responsible for the remaining 25%.

Please comment on this post if you are interested in applying or have any comments or questions.

Directors....Action...Camera....POST

OK Directors,

This is your spotlight: Comment to this post with any updates, shoutouts, concerns, photos, anything you are wanting to share.......

New Year - New Dreams - Looking to the Future - GRANTS

Hello Bloggers,

The new year brings a new vision and scope for OSTA. The newly formed Grant Search Committee has begun to search for grant opportunities to better help manufactured home owners. We have identified a number of grant categories which we could apply for and many projects that could help. Our existing Helping Hands program focuses on home repairs that allow residents to age in place safely.

Please comment to this post with any ideas, areas of interest for possible grant ideas, and how you might volunteer to make this happen....

Nancy Inglehart, Grant Committee Chair

Dear Friends,

Before the Happy Holidays, you should be able to read the latest OSTA Quarterly Review on the web site. We're no longer able to post it here on the blog. Everything else you need is here, though, including the PayPal account for those of you who prefer to charge your dues and donations. Look on the left of your screen where it says "subscribe" to make a charge. Also on the web page you can see pictures of our two new board members, Deanna and Sheryl.

We don't make many changes on the web site because it's pretty expensive to do so. We'd like you to rely on the blog, which isn't expensive to maintain. Notice at the top of the web page that there's a link to the blog. All you have to do is click on it and Voila! you'll be connected to this blog.

Speaking of donations, unless you specify otherwise, all donations go to Helping Hands, our program to help members age in place. We'll be encouraging members to check the steps and railings leading into their homes. Loose railings and rotting wood steps can cause accidents, so you may need a Helping Hand to have steps and railings fixed or replaced. Give your district director a call for guidance in how to apply. Or call our answering service: 1-800-423-9371 and say you want to talk to Jane about Helping Hands. Also remember OSTA is a non-profit organization, so any donations you make are tax deductible.

We're encouraging all our state board members to occasionally post something on this blog. It works like Facebook, so you can comment on the posts, if you want, or ask questions. Nancy administers the blog, so don't expect to put any ads on it or forward any scams. She won't allow that. I'm hoping for new messages at least once a week. Posting on the blog is my New Year's Resolution, so stayed tuned. Meanwhile, Feliz Navidad to you all. And if you don't celebrate Christmas, I wish you happiness in the new year. --Jane

DO IT THIS WEEK! Register for the MH/OSTA Convention

October 17 is the deadline to register for the 2018 annual meeting for the reduced price of $15 this year. Registrations received after that date will be $20. Send name of each person attending plus $15 for each person to MH/OSTA, P.O. Box 24958, Eugene, OR 97402.

Details about the Meeting
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27
Where: The Village Green Resort, Cottage Grove, Oregon

If you'd like to spend Friday night, call (541) 942-2491 no later than Oct. 17 to reserve a room at a special rate for OSTA members. RV spots also available.

Directions: From I-5 take Exit 174 east on Row river Rd about 2 blocks to the resort. Plan time to visit the lovely gardens at the Village Green. Also "Shrek, the Musical" is playing across the street at the Cottage Theater.

Information Needed

Someone going to the meeting in Ashland on Oct. 4 please volunteer to take notes for publication in the Dec. 1 OSTA Quarterly Review. If you send me your notes, I can put them together for you.
Also....
Chapter Presidents: Please identify yourselves. The OSTA board voted to give you free memberships as long as you serve as president of your chapter. Send your names to me, please, and let me know when your term is up. We won't be rescinding dues but will push you ahead a year if you've paid recently.
--Jane Capron, board secretary
capron.jane@gmail.com

Financing Strong Oregon Communities

The 2018 Oregon Manufactured Housing Conference

Thursday, October 4, 2018 - Ashland, Oregon

NOAH is once again pleased to convene the 2018 Manufactured Housing conference!

The 2018 Southern Oregon Manufactured Housing Conference is an exploration of the increasingly important role manufactured housing plays in our communities. We’ve put together an agenda covering a variety of topics designed to build the capacity of those committed to preserving this critical infrastructure in Jackson and Josephine counties. A range of topics will be presented designed to inspire and motivate you with new ideas. Among others, we’ll cover financing and infrastructure, energy efficiency programs, homebuyer education and policy updates. Bring your team (or just bring yourself). Download the conference summary here.

Hosted by State Representative Pam Marsh (D-District 5), join housing experts, policy makers, residents, advocates, and local planning and community development staff as we spend the day learning about best practices to promote manufactured housing.

Agenda

Delivering Solutions: Best Practices - Innovative Approaches

We’ve put together an agenda covering a variety of topics designed to build the capacity of those committed to preserving this critical infrastructure in Jackson and Josephine counties. A range of topics are being presented designed to inspire and motivate you with new ideas. Among others, we’re covering financing and infrastructure, energy efficiency programs, home buyer education and policy updates. Download the full agenda here.

Bios

Coming Soon

Materials

Coming Soon

December 2017 Manufactured Housing Landlord/Tenant Coalition Meeting

The December Manufactured Housing Landlord/Tenant Coalition Meeting will have a change in venue. We will be meeting in TIGARD at the offices of Multifamily NW at 16083 SW Upper Boones Ferry Road #105, Tigard, OR 97224, from 9AM to 12 noon.

We will be continuing the topic of enforcement. There is always the opportunity to share information.

It is important for home owners to have a voice at the coalition. It is through this process that bills get introduced to the legislature and our rights can be protected. We invite and urge you to attend.

Questions? Contact osta.blog.editor1@gmail.com

The Winter OSTA Quarterly Review

The Winter OSTA Quarterly Review has been published and is on the website. The photos in the paper edition are extremely dark and the editor will be discussing that problem with the Press. Those who read the email copy get clear photos and color. There is an error. Deanna Vaughn, who is listed in the page 2 directory maintains the membership list and can be reached at this corrected email address: Ordiva123@gmail,com. This correct email address will be listed in the Spring issue. Your district directors are the best people to contact if you have questions. You can also call our 800 number.

Next Manufactured Housing Landlord/Tenant Coalition Meeting

The next Manufactured Housing Landlord/Tenant Coalition meeting will be held on WEDNESDAY, October 25th from 10am to 1pm at the Valley River Inn in Eugene, the site of the HMCO annual conference.

The agenda has not yet been sent out, but we do know that the discussion about enforcement will continue and Nancy Inglehart will give a presentation on the Washington State Manufactured/Mobile Home Dispute Resolution Program model.

The coalition meetings can be attended by any interested stakeholders, and welcomes input for discussion.

OSTA 2017 Annual Meeting

Stepping UP

OSTA's 2017 Annual Meeting held in Salem was both informative and fun. The theme this year was Stepping Up, encouraging members to step up the the challenge to become more active, share their talents and built membership. Senator Sara Gelser, chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, gave a keynote addressing topics of rent stabilization and the SB 277 which passed recently. She offered advise on how to get our legislators involved in hearing our concerns. John VanLandingham spoke on the Manufactured Housing Landlord/Tenant Coalition's history and moving forward to addressing the issue of enforcement, a main concern of home owners, in this year's meetings. Breakout sessions covered Understanding Your Contracts, Option to Purchase, How to Conduct a Meeting and Membership Building. We also had a junior reporter in attendance who interviewed Senator Gelser. Our silent auction had many wonderful items including paintings, gift baskets, and handmade quilts. A soup and salad lunch was served and Jane and Rita entertained us with another one of their humorous takes on being on the OSTA board. We also conducted our annual meeting which included election of board directors. The members also voted in a Bylaw amendment replacing an annual audit with a two member review of the financial books.

John VanLandingham talking about the Coalition

Sam Inglehart interviewing Senator Gelser

Rita and Jane entertaining us with a song.

STEP UP TO THE ANNUAL MEETING

Reservations are coming in for the 2017 annual meeting in Salem on September 23. With September upon us, don't wait much longer to mail your form and check to our P.O. box. After September 15 there's a $5 late fee. We have to let the chef know how many lunches to prepare by then, and of course we have to pay for that number. So, Step Right Up and reserve your spot now!

More Good News!

SB 277 was signed by Governor Brown on June 14 as an amendment to Ch. 90.500. It became law immediately, so those of you who have been receiving notices to make cosmetic changes to your manufactured homes need to realize you now have the law on your side. You won't find the statute in Chapter 90 until next year when the 2017 edition is published. See details defining deterioration and disrepair in the upcoming OSTA Quarterly Review, due in your mailboxes about August 10 and on our website after that. When our blog administrator has recuperated from shoulder surgery, you'll also find the latest Review on this blog.

In this next issue you'll also find information about the September 23rd annual meeting in Salem. We hope to see many of you there. Get your reservations in early! Last minute reservations cost more.

GOOD DAY IN SALEM1

SB 277, defining the terms "deterioration" and "disrepair" as regards manufactured homes, passed the House unanimously on June 6. It now goes to the Governor, who is expected to sign the bill into law. Rep. Ken Helm carried the bill to the House floor and according to John VanLandingham, "did a great job." Also speaking at this time about the work of the Landlord/Tenant Coalition were Rep. Bill Kennemer  and Rep. Carl Wilson, who both have strongly encouraged and supported the coalition's work, now and in the past.

And in more good news, HB 2008, carried by Rep. Julie Fahey, was signed by the Governor on the same day, June 6. This new law raises the amount paid to residents in MH parks if the park closes to $6,000 for a single-wide, $8,000 for a double-wide, and $10,000 for a triple-wide home. The law now also includes a yearly recalculation adjustment to reflect inflation.

Thank you to all who wrote in support of these two bills, D-Day became another historically good day with these battles won!

MH/OSTA History in brief

1977 OSTA begins as grassroots group of mobile home park homeowners. OSTA develops member base, becoming Manufactured Home Owners of Oregon, MHOO/OSTA.

MHOO/OSTA and park owners group told by legistature to work together or not be heard in Salem. Period.

1997, working for win-win legislation breaks stalemate and ORS Chapter 90 pours forth. Oregon Landlord Tenant Statutes shifted the focus of MHOO/OSTA to strengthening statutes and helping homeowners understand/benefit from the law.

Membership dues alone ultimately cannot finance roles of homeowner educator and legislative watch dog.

2008 , members vote to end MHOO/OSTA and form Manufactured Housing/Oregon State Tenants Association, MH/OSTA, as 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit, opening up funding options and growth.

2009, MH/OSTA acknowledges that as an organization it can do anything but it can not do everything. Strategic focus aligns to coordinate with community agencies to extend maximum network of support to park homeowners statewide.

BLOGGING with MH-OSTA

VIDEO Introducing MH/OSTA