FMO membership provides a Bi-Monthly Magazine, Newsletter, Web Site with Legal information and a Facebook page.
Join Us. FMO invites Florida manufactured or mobile homeowners to become a member of the only organization that advocates for those who own their homes in manufactured and mobile parks but rent their land. These are known as FS723 parks. That is the law that attempts to balance the power between park owners and managers with the residents. It is a complicated law and often gets changes during legislative sessions. FMO employs an attorney and a legislative counsel. Sometimes FMO draws up needed legislation; sometimes it pushes back on legislation that would impact the lives of homeowners in FS723 parks. Our staff is small; our volunteers form an army of sorts providing services and educational opportunities. FMO 325 John Knox Rd. Ste. L103 Tallahassee, FL 32303. 850-205-5642 850-222-3019 (fax)FMO Website For membership questions please contact FMO at 850-205-5642 Dues are only $25. a year. Applications are on the FMO website at www.fmo.org and can be completed and dues paid with a credit card. Or call the office to do so. Phone: 727-530-7539
April 21, 2022 FMO District 1—POLK COUNTY As we approach Florida’s most stormy season of the year, many FMO members have already struggled with the consequences of home damage due to several high wind events. It may be helpful to have information at your fingertips to assist with Disaster Relief and Weatherization Assistance. The information below is Polk County specific. Both the Disaster Relief Program and Weatherization Assistance Program are managed at the local level by the Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc., and is a function of the Department of Economic Opportunity. Assistance for your home is based on household income need and not the value of the home. If a repair is needed, the repair cannot increase the value of the home…in other words a new roof would increase the value of the home so a new roof is not considered a repair. Polk Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. Phone: (844) 356-8138 Online Application – Agricultural and Labor Program Click on the name to access the website and then the Application for assistance. Go to “Services” then “Helpful Links”. Click on “Community Action Partnership”, then “Energy Partnership”. You will see Information about the Weatherization Assistance Program…which is operational and funded on a county by county basis. The Department of Economic Opportunity is in the process of applying for additional federal funds for this Program. Check it out today…you may be eligible for assistance to strengthen your home!!
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Stewart FMO Legislative Counsel Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida
April 4, 2022 Mobile Home Tie-Down Program Update Greetings all! I have been asked many relevant questions recently about the status of the Program and want to provide as much explanation as possible. The final version of HB 837 is still in possession of the Legislature, as is the budget. (The $ 7 million additional funding for our Program is in the budget, as well as the spending authority for the Program.) There is no way to determine when either bill will be sent to the Governor. There is no official protocol or procedure for this part of the process. When the Governor receives the bills, he has 15 days to take action: sign the bill into law; or, permit the bill to become law without his signature; or, veto the bill. FMO is not leaving anything to chance and is already in dialogue with the Executive Branch. Of the 3,735 member bills and committee bills filed, 285 passed both Chambers. The Governor has acted on 32 bills, at this writing, and 9 more are in his possession and pending action. Our bill and the budget are among the 244 still in possession of the Governor. The Program itself is in transition. Tallahassee Community College is not accepting any further Applications. Gulf Coast State College will have the responsibility for the Program beginning July first. FMO will be communicating with both entities to keep all of you informed as much as possible. In the meantime a few reminders may be helpful: The Program is designed for homes installed in 1999, and prior, before installation requirements changed due to Florida’s hurricanes and wind storms. • Considerations for eligibility include skirting, height between bottom of the beam and dirt, and soil restrictions. • An Application to participate is submitted by the park manager or HOA President on behalf of the entire park. After that a vendor will conduct a site visit to evaluate eligibility. If the community is eligible, a community meeting will be held for explanation and Q & A. Participation by homeowners is strictly voluntary. • The existing wait list of 6 years should be reduced with the additional funding. FMO will keep you informed as new information comes to pass.
Respectfully submitted, Nancy Stewart FMO Legislative Counsel
4700 Foxwood Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33810
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