Through membership support, WMA has represented owners of mobilehome and manufactured housing communities since 1945 and remains the largest organization of its kind in the nation. WMA continuously strives to dedicate your investment to program areas, which actively contribute toward the economic success of your business. In this section we encourage you to consider the many ways WMA makes your dues dollar work for you.
Each year, WMA’s lobbyists monitor and influence hundreds of legislative bills that affect the manufactured housing industry. WMA’s legislative committee, composed of association members throughout the state, review these bills and help draft WMA’s official positions on these measures. WMA’s lobbyists also work with the legislative committee to develop association-sponsored measures that promote the industry’s interests. WMA’s lobbyists the actively work to pass or defeat these measures.
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
WMA’s commitment to utility issues is without parallel. WMA is the only industry organization that retains utility experts to represent community owners’ interests before the CPUC. WMA has staunchly defended submeter discounts in the face of strong opposition from utility companies and sponsored legislation that may enable community owners to transfer their master meter/submeter utility systems to utility companies. WMA participates in numerous proceedings before the CPUC on behalf of the industry on issues ranging from electric, gas and water.
State Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD)
WMA maintains a positive relationship with HCD, the state agency responsible for enforcing codes and regulations that impact the manufactured home community industry. WMA represents owner interest during the drafting and enforcement of regulations.
Washington, D.C.
WMA’s legislative efforts in Washington, D.C. – through membership in our national organization, the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) – provide member representation before Congress and federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). WMA’s affiliation with MHI gives continued presence in Washington, D.C.
Local Assistance
With the ever-present need for assistance at the local level, WMA also has regional offices to better serve its membership. Three offices, serving Southern California, Central California and Northern California assist community owners on local government issues, especially in the areas of rent control, community relations and grassroots political action.
WMA regional representatives build community coalitions that offer alternatives to rent control. They also organize local grassroots political action. In addition, WMA regional representatives play an active role in membership recruitment, industry trade referrals, WMA chapter activities, local owner associations and community organizations.
WMA regional representatives provide a wealth of political experience and local government involvement. They can take the lead in helping owners develop a coordinated strategy and plan community liaison efforts. At governmental agency hearing and meetings, they provide a professional presence for our industry.
Manager Accreditation/Educational Seminars (MCM)
Our Manufactured Home Community Manager (MCM) program is a manager accreditation program, which is designed to train today’s professional community managers. WMA offers educational seminars covering key topics in conjunction with the Manufactured Home Community Manager (MCM) Program. These seminars give owners, park managers and staff concentrated knowledge needed to effectively manage community operations limit liabilty. WMA’s industry experts give managers intensive training on subject matters affecting the industry, maintenance standards, HCD inspections, discrimination, mediation, disaster planning, and a full range of other subjects.
Annual Convention & Expo
This conference features 2-3 days of intensive education seminars balance by fun social programs. Seminars at the convention cover important industry topics. Social programs give members the opportunity to network with other owners in a relaxed and friendly setting. WMA’s convention also features a large industry trade show, with dozens of vendors providing the latest in products and services.
Publications
The WMA Reporter, the associations award-winning monthly magazine, is second to none in delivering the facts and analysis you need to survive an prosper in this business. The Reporter features articles by industry experts, providing valuable management tips, information on property rights, legislation, utility systems, legal issues and a host of other issues. Newsline, a monthly newsletter, gives you fast-breaking news of significant and timely interest.
Forms and Manuals
Our forms purchasing program, which is exclusively for WMA community members, includes over forty different forms for use in the day-to-day operations of your community, as well as community owned rental forms. These forms are reviewed and updated annually to comply with current laws. A comprehensive guide to WMA’s forms is also available to assist you in completing the forms properly. It could cost thousands of dollars to have an attorney design and monitor these forms for you. Why not let WMA do the work while you enjoy the low prices and peace of mind of knowing your forms are in compliance with current laws?
Day-to-Day Management Advice
Our toll-free hotline number puts you in touch with WMA’s network of staff, consultants and attorneys to help you solve the day-to-day issues of running a community.
Resident Screening Program
This exclusive, members-only program includes access to all three major credit bureaus, eviction and criminal record searches, bad check alerts, credit risk scores, Saturday service, and more. This is a service every community needs. Why not take advantage of the savings offered by WMA membership?
Property & Casualty Insurance Program
WMA’s custom tailored group Property & Casualty Insurance program offers qualifying WMA members a 10% discount off already competitive rates. The basic property and liability coverages are broadened further by an exclusive CAL-PLUS endorsement that is included at no additional charge. This includes limited coverage for accounts receivable, valuable papers, electronic data processing, back-up of sewer or drain water, employee dishonesty, building ordinance and more! In addition, a unique Business Income Enhancement is also available to policyholders.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program
The WMA group Worker’s Compensation program continues to offer hard-to beat rates through Preferred Employers Insurance Company, an “A” rated company. If you have received a cancellation notice, or a large increase in premium from your Workers’ Comp carrier, check out WMA’s group program as soon as you join.Don’t miss out on this valuable membership benefit!
Legal Advice
As a member of WMA, each year you can receive up to fifteen minutes of free legal advice from attorneys who specialize in the manufactured housing industry. Fifteen minutes of advising by an experienced industry attorney can run up to $75! Members appreciate knowing this service is available when quick advice is needed.
Industry Referrals
WMA members in need of a service are able to tap the expertise of members in their areas through WMA’s telephone referrals, printed Directory or through our Website. Contractors, developers, corrosion specialists, attorneys, utility billing services, management specialists and insurance brokers are among the association’s industry members, and many offer lower prices to WMA member communities.
Manager Referral Service
This program, free to WMA members, puts community owners in touch with qualified managers looking for fresh opportunities. WMA can help you match geographic preferences and experience to find the right fit for your community.
Member Affinity Programs
WMA members enjoy discounts through these vendors:
Find yourself referring to our website often? Need access to more information and services? Join WMA and receive the support and representation you need!
Insurance Discounts. We have a very competitive Group Property & Casualty insurance plan for our members. And our group Worker’s Comp insurance rates cannot be beat. Your savings in our group insurance programs will help you offset a significant portion of your dues investment.
WMA’s monthly Reporter magazine, an absolute must read for parkowners, and monthly Newsline newsletter, which covers regional and other news.
Toll-free hotline for you and the member park manager to call for day-to-day management advising
Legal Hotline (each member park is entitled to 15 minutes of free legal advising, provided by volunteer member industry attorneys, once per year). This offers up to $75 of free legal advice for each park you have in membership!
Landlord/tenant and residency forms and manuals. We have over 90 forms available, including forms for community owned rentals. Labor posters are also available to purchase.
WMA Forms Online (additional subscription fee, $95/year)
Resident Screening Service at discounted rates
Local assistance from our regional reps
Discounts on event and seminar registrations
Local chapter meetings
Referrals, including manager referrals.
Discounts for Office Depot, HD Supply, Motion Picture Licensing, Hertz and Hawaiian Airlines
Investment in your industry helps to ensure continued legislative and general representation before local, state and federal entities, and representation before utilities.
As you can see, membership is simply a good business decision on your part! As a community owner and/or operator, we welcome your support and participation in our efforts to improve the business climate for the manufactured housing community industry and we look forward to helping you protect and grow your business.
WMA members can purchase office supplies through Office Depot’s Discount Program. Click on the Office Depot link on the right to go to WMA’s Office Depot purchasing page. Be sure to check out the Best Values!
I belong to WMA because often times WMA is the lone voice in Sacramento and up and down the state of California supporting mobile home park owner’s property rights.
WMA is a critical tool for any park owner who wishes to do business in California. Most people in the manufactured housing business understand that WMA deals with legal and legislative issues as well as providing a plethora of forms and educational materials. What is less appreciated, but equally important: the interactive forums WMA provides – the courses, committees and convention that offer owners and managers the opportunity to meet each other and exchange experiences and ideas. The ability to pick up a telephone or send an e-mail regarding a business challenge and get back insights and suggestions is, as the commercial says, priceless. Additionally, because the manufactured housing industry is so specialized, “knowing the right people” is crucial. From brokers and attorneys to paving contractors or utility experts, WMA provides a vital service network. The ongoing success of the California manufactured housing industry is, to a great extent, dependent upon the vibrancy of its state-wide trade association.
I was fighting an uphill battle with an overbearing city government. It wasn’t until I became a member of Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association that the tide started to change. WMA pointed me in the right direction and made a personal introduction to a HCD expert. With HCD and WMA’s help, the issue was resolved in my favor! Thank you WMA.
