The Manufactured Housing report delineates the key features rendering the growth of the global Manufactured Housing Market. The research study is a prolific account of macroeconomic and microeconomic factors boosting the growth of the global Manufactured Housing market. It also exhibits the market valuation within the calculated time period, thereby helping market players to make appropriate changes in their approach towards attaining growth and sustaining their position in the industry.

The global Manufactured Housing report outlines the latest market trends in the related field. The global Manufactured Housing market is segmented according to product, application, and geography. Each segment is evaluated in great detail so that players can focus on high-growth driving areas of the global Manufactured Housing market and further assist in burgeoning their sales growth. The report comprises the global revenue [USD Million] and size [kMT] of the market. The research report evaluates the global market development with the help of different methodical and analytical tools.

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Market Segment as follows

Manufactured Housing market competition by top Manufacturers: Nobility Homes , Modular Homeowners , Cavco Industries , Champion Home Builders , Palm Harbor Homes , Fleetwood Homes , Jacobsen Homes , Excel Homes , Woodlund Homes , Dutch Housing , Chief Custom Homes

By the product type, the market is primarily split into: Single Section , Multi-Section

Global Manufactured Housing Market by Application Segments: Residential , Commercial

In addition, the major product types and segments Manufactured Housing along with their sub-segments or application of the global market also are enclosed within the scope of the report. The study discusses the details of major market players, their strategies, and other critical factors. Porters five forces are considered for understanding the growth of the global market. The global Manufactured Housing market is segmented on the basis of applications, product categories, and regionally. It furthermore highlights all product categories in the consumer application segment.

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Reasons for Buying this Report1. This report furnishes a detailed analysis for changing competitive dynamics and keeps you abreast of other leading competitors.2. It provides a futuristic perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth.3. It throws light on the six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is projected to grow.4. The report abstract helps in understanding the key product segments and their future.5. An in-depth analysis of changing competition dynamics6. It assists you in undertaking informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and making in-depth analysis of market segments.

Based on regions, the market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. The study will provide detailed qualitative and quantitative information on the above-mentioned segments for every region and country covered under the scope of the study.

The Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries and Egypt)North America (the United States, Mexico, and Canada)South America (Brazil etc.)Europe (Turkey, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.)Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia)

The Manufactured Housing Research Report offers insight study on:1. The assessed growth rate together with Manufactured Housing size & share over the forecast period 2020-2024.2. The key factors estimated to drive the Manufactured Housing Market for the projected period 2020-2024.3. The leading market vendors and what has been their Manufactured Housing business progressing strategy for success so far.4. Important trends driving the growth possibility of the Manufactured Housing Market.

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Why Buy This Report?

The research report provides a complete analysis of the global Manufactured Housing market to help players create powerful growth strategies and consolidate their position in the industry. The report presents a complete mapping of the market participants and the competitive landscape. Information on important sustainability strategies adopted by key companies, along with their impact on market growth and competition has been provided in this report. All players can use the report to prepare themselves to face future market challenges and further strengthen their position in the global market.

To conclude, the Manufactured Housing market report outlines information on the key geographies, market landscapes alongside the production and consumption analysis, supply and demand analysis, market growth rate, besides the future forecast, etc. This report also provides SWOT and PEST analysis, investment feasibility and return analysis.

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Acquire Market Research is a market research-based company empowering companies with data-driven insights. We provide Market Research Reports with accurate and well-informed data, Real-Time with Real Application. A good research methodology proves to be powerful and simplified information that applied right from day-to-day lives to complex decisions helps us navigate through with vision, purpose and well-armed strategies. At Acquire Market Research, we constantly strive for innovation in the techniques and the quality of analysis that goes into our reports.

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Global Manufactured Housing Market : Full In-depth Analysis by Top Key Players, Regional Outlook, Latest Trend and Forecast to 2024 - Nyse Nasdaq Live

LAND O LAKES The empty land, fronting U.S. 41 and stretching westward toward Lake Thomas, is shared by small herd of cattle and a handful of egrets.

But its the potential for new occupants that has residents in the neighboring rural enclave objecting.

Youre about to kill a golden goose, said Joe Seidle who lives on Lake Thomas Road.

The golden goose, he says, is the natural beauty of Land O Lakes shorelines and old Florida neighborhoods that differentiate it from the cookie-cutter subdivisions that sit atop former ranch land elsewhere in fast-growing central Pasco.

The vacant land, nearly 42 acres, is positioned to become the site of more than 200 town homes vying for a view of Lake Thomas, the 164-acre centerpiece of serenity in the residential area that shares its name.

Current residents said they understand that development will happen. The countys long-range land-use plan designates much of the vacant property as suitable for three single-family homes per acre., known in government vernacular as Res-3. The front parcel, along U.S. 41, can be used for a combination of offices and higher-density housing of 24 units per acre.

What residents dont understand is why the future density for some of that land should double, as developer Tony Tanico of Eastern Meridian Property Group requested. If approved, the new zoning will allow up to six homes per acre and accommodate Tanicos plan to put 218 town homes there.

The new development would sit amid a mix of modest mid-century, cinder-block houses, manufactured homes and custom-built executive estates the owners of which use narrow roads minus shoulders and space for two cars to pass side-by-side to get to U.S. 41.

Neighbors wrote emails to Pasco County, used social media, appeared before the advisory Pasco Planning Commission and last week made their concerns known to elected county commissioners.

The proposed development, they said, could cause safety hazards on U.S. 41 because town home residents will need to drive south to Ehren Cutoff and then make a u-turn to head north to reach the nearest grocery, and the elementary and high school that will serve the community. They also fear more flooding in an area susceptible to high water.

"Theres no way. I mean, were going to flood again,'' said Linda Amason, 63, standing outside her home at 6005 Thomas Circle.

She and her husband, Mike, 69, have lived there 33 years. Their property has flooded four times in 10 years, requiring them to gut the house, install new flooring and sheet rock and put in a new septic system.

"If we flood again, were pulling back and moving on,'' she said.

Tanicos attorney, Barbara Wilhite, said the development team revised the initial plans to accommodate neighbors concerns. Access to the town homes will be from multi-lane U.S. 41, not narrow Little Lake Thomas Road. There will be a right-hand turn lane built on U.S. 41 to enter the project. There will be a pedestrian boardwalk, but no dock for motorized boat launches on Lake Thomas.

The state will review the drainage plans to ensure the project does not increase storm water discharge, cause flooding or damage water quality, said Joe Cimino of the civil engineering firm WRA. The plan is to retain water on the property rather than allow it to drain toward Little Lake Thomas Road and Thomas Circle, as it does now.

"It doesnt make any sense to continue discharging where there are flooding problems along those roads,'' Cimino told county commissioners.

Those accommodations, however, didnt answer the question of why 218 town homes should be built on land designated for 100 single-family homes. Seidle called it a dangerous precedent that will open similar vacant land to double its housing capacity.

"Whats the use of having a land plan if they wont follow it?'' Seidle asked in an interview.

The county called the proposed designation a "transitional land use and will be a means to gradually step-down in density and in lot size'' from a maximum of 24 units per acre that is available elsewhere in the vicinity.

Wilhite pointed out that higher-density housing in that location was encouraged in the 2008 Urban Land Institute report that Pasco County followed to establish higher-density urban service areas in the western and south-central portions of the county.

"This project is exactly what you said you wanted when you adopted that plan,'' she said.

"Its not ideal for best planning,'' Commissioner Jack Mariano acknowledged about the proposed in-fill development.

But both he and Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said they were satisfied with the developers attempts to try to accommodate neighbors concerns.

The commission voted 4-0, with Commissioner Mike Moore absent, to send the proposed land-use change to the state Department of Economic Opportunity for review. Final consideration by the commission is scheduled for April 7.

More here:
Residents fear Lake Thomas townhouses will drown their quality of life - Tampa Bay Times

Last year they were touted as property rights bills. This year, theyre being promoted as affordable housing bills. In fact, they are neither.

They are House Bill 302 (HB302) and its counterpart, Senate Bill 172 (SB172); if enacted by the legislature, they will, prohibit local governments from adopting or enforcing ordinances or regulations relating to or regulating building design elements as applied to one or two-family dwellings;

HB302/SB172 were introduced at last years legislative session but did not come up for a vote. Consequently, bill sponsors have raised their ugly heads for the 2020 legislative session. And since last years property rights ploy didnt play well, proponents are now singing the affordable housing melody.

The simple fact that sponsors have changed the reason this legislation is needed is ample evidence that they are using bait and switch tactics to benefit homebuilders, not homeowners. Further, the fact that a house is built with cheap materials is no guarantee that it will any more affordable than a house built with quality materials that meet a communitys design standards.

Specifically, HB302 prevents cities and counties from regulating:

Exterior building color

Type or style of exterior cladding material

Style or materials of roof structures or porches

Exterior nonstructural architectural ornamentation

Location or architectural styling of windows and doors, including garage doors

The number and types of rooms

The interior layout of rooms

Types of foundation structures approved under state minimum standard codes.

Exceptions are granted for historic structures, manufactured homes, overlay districts, or if an ordinance is adopted as a condition of participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.

HB302 requires home construction to meet state standard code minimums, thereby recognizing the importance of design standards. However, it specifically prohibits local governments from regulating or enforcing those standards, unless local regulation is a requirement (of a state minimum standard). But for the most part, enforcement, if there is any, will have to be done by state agencies. Yet the relevant state agencies have neither the budget, the personnel nor the desire to be the enforcement arm of 159 counties and 538 incorporated cities. With no enforcement strategy, there is no mechanism to assure that one-family and two-family buildings are safe, durable and inhabitable.

Admittedly, the design standards imposed by some cities and counties are an overreach and an assault on individual property rights. However, the proper way to address overreach is to restrict it. Instead, HB302 attempts to control overreach in one direction by overreaching in another. That overreach could well result in the construction of houses that look like small warehouses; with no design standards for roofs, type or style of exterior cladding or location and styling of windows, residences with flat roofs, concrete walls and no windows could be built- to the detriment of the home values of adjacent property owners.

As for the affordable housing ploy, affordable is a target thats blowing in the wind. Definitions range from Section 8 housing that is subsidized by the federal government, to housing that is priced such that payments are affordable by families earning less than the Area Median Income. It comes as no surprise that proponents of HB302 are at best vague about their definition of affordable.

Thats most likely because their true concern is not affordability. Its profitability.

See the original post here:
Legislative Bait and Switch - HB302 - Gwinnett Citizen

Its Severe Weather Awareness Week and an important part of severe weather preparedness is knowing your safe place during severe weather. If you live in a mobile home, you are more vulnerable. According to the National Weather Service Birmingham office, because of the more dispersed nature of manufactured housing across the state, mobile homes are four times more likely to be struck by a tornado in Alabama than in Kansas.

In 2019, there were 25 tornado fatalities in Alabama, 23 of these fatalities were during the Lee County EF4 tornado on March 3, 2019. Out of the 23 fatalities, 19 of them were in manufactured housing. According to the Auburn-led Structural Extreme Event Reconnaissance Network, all of the mobile homes lacked ground anchors, had degraded anchors, or had anchor systems not up to state code.

According to NWS Birmingham, a mobile home is completely destroyed with winds around 45 percent of winds expected to destroy a permanent home. This is why we stress the importance of NOT STAYING in manufactured housing during the threat of severe weather.

Where do you go? Go to a neighbor or familys permanent home. Or, go to a local storm shelter. Contact your countys EMA office if you are not sure where the nearest storm shelter is located.

While leaving is your best option, to protect your mobile home, making sure you have adequate anchorage is imperative. Here are some important tips to consider:

Go here to read the rest:
Severe Weather Awareness Week: What to do if you live in manufactured housing - WIAT - CBS42.com

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Louisiana Severe Weather Awareness Week kicked off on Sunday.

The National Weather Service calls attention to the high impact weather conditions throughout the state. Tornadoes, flash flooding, and dangerous winds are all conditions that affect people living in the Arklamiss region. Spring and fall are both considered to be severe weather seasons.

The National Weather Service advises people to come up with a plan now, prior to when severe weather conditions arrive. The first step is to find a safety shelter.

In a single-family home, its gonna be the lowest floor, interior room, with as many walls between the outside and you as possible, said National Weather Service meteorologist Charlie Woodrum.

If you live in a mobile or manufactured home, be prepared to evacuate if necessary.

Know where you want to evacuate to. Identify where that concrete reinforced structure is that you can go as a safe place. It might be a church, it might be a big community building. It might be a friends home, said Woodrum.

They say mobile homes are especially prone to storm damage.

Woodrum said, In this area of the country, particularly mobile and manufactured homes are really at risk when storms threaten. It only takes an EF1 tornado which is winds of up to about 110 miles per hour to completely pick up a single wide mobile home, throw it 100 yards, drop it, and destroy it completely.

There are many ways to keep yourself in the know. One of the most simple ways is right at your fingertips.

On your cellphones, we have a program called wireless emergency alerts that go right to your cellphone, and for all tornado warnings, youre gonna get that on your cellphone, also for most flash flood warnings well do that as well, said Woodrum.

The National Weather Service advises people to keep the severe weather notifications turned on in their mobile settings. Stay tuned to KNOE-TV, and knoe.com for the latest weather updates. Also, download the KNOE weather app.

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Louisiana Severe Weather Awareness Week brings attention to the need for an emergency plan - Knoe.com

Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI), a Basic Materials Lumber & Wood Production corporation, saw its stock trade 56.99 shares, a spike against to its 10-day trading volume of 451.71k.Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) stock is trading at $56.99, up 6.88 cents or +13.73% on the day. Based on this we can see some traders are either waiting on the sidelines to get involved or perhaps some are taking profits.Total Revenue for Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) is $4.41B. Gross Profit is $592.89M and the EBITDA is $305.81M.

The average 10-day trading volume of Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) is 451.71k compared to 352.78k over the last 3 months which indicates a spike in trading activity. Right now, Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) has a 50-day moving average of $49.04 and a 200-day moving average of $45.40. These moving averages are popular technical indicators that investors use to analyze price trends of Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI).Approximately 1.65% of the shares of the company are sold short from traders betting the shares might trade lower. The beta value of Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) stock is 1.86, indicating its 7.04% to 3.32% more volatile than the overall marketplace.Technically, UFPIs short term support levels are around $51.75, $51.75 and $51.75 on the downside. Based on technical analysis, UFPI has short term rating of Bullish (0.26), Intermediate rating of Neutral (0.21) and the long-term rating of Bullish (0.42) giving it an overall rating of Bullish (0.29).UFPI is trading 96.52% off its 52 week low at $29.00 and -1.08% off its 52 week high of $57.61. Performance wise, UFPI stock has recently shown investors 13.93% a spike in a week, 18.68% a spike in a month and 14.25% a spike in the past quarter. Furthermore, Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) has shown a return of 19.48% since the 1st of this year.

Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) is a mid cap company with a market cap value of $3.481B. UFPI insiders hold roughly 2.78% of the shares.On Aug-03-18 Seaport Global Securities Initiated UFPI as Buy at $47. On Feb-13-20 Wedbush Initiated UFPI as Neutral and on Feb-14-20 Wedbush Initiated UFPI as Neutral. There are currently 59.68M shares in the float and 63.39M shares outstanding. There are 1.65% shares short in UFPIs float.The industry rank for Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) is 149 out of 255 ranking it at the Bottom 42% .

UFPI last 2 years revenues have decreased from $4,489,180 to $4,406,150 showing a downtrend. Wall Street expects Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) to report an EPS next Qtr profit of 0.59 and a profit of 8.97% next year.The growth rate on UFPI this year is 10.31 compared to an industry 13.00. UFPIs next years growth rate is -3.43 compared to an industry 6.50. The book value per share (mrq) is 20.20 and cash per share (mrq) is 1.29. Giving them a price/book (mrq) of 2.78 compared to an industry of 2.52 and UFPIs price/cash flow (mrfy) is 14.19 compared to an industry of 17.13. UFPI fundamental ratios shows an EPS growth vs. previous year 3.21 and EPS growth vs. previous quarter 0.54.

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, UFP Industries, Inc. is a holding company with its subsidiaries throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company supplies wood, wood composite and other products in retail, industrial, and construction market.The company classifies its top-line results based on its end markets. A brief snapshot of the end market sales has been provided below:UFP Retail (accounting for 36.9% of third-quarter 2019 gross sales) includes Do-It-Yourself retailers, and distributors, pro-dealers and other retail customers.UFP Industrial (28.1%) consists of packaging, crating and other products for manufacturers.UFP Construction (35%) comprises Residential Construction, Commercial Construction and Concrete Forming and Manufactured Housing sales.Residential Construction includes builders of single and multifamily homes.Commercial Construction and Concrete Forming includes non-residential construction and concrete forming.Manufactured Housing includes manufactured housing and recreational vehicles business.

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Will Universal Forest Products, Inc. (UFPI) Beat Its Last Earnings Report? - Stock Watch 247

Zachary Oren Smith, Press Citizen Published 3:39 p.m. CT Feb. 13, 2020

State Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, knocked on doors at West Branch Mobile Village to see if there was appetite to organize among mobile homes tenants in his district, on Friday, April 19, 2019.(Photo: Zachary Oren Smith)

In 2019, Havenpark Capital, a Utah-based private equity firm, bought up manufactured housing parks in Johnson County and across the state. Residents of those parks quickly were hit with sharp rent increases, someas high as 58% in North Liberty's GolfviewMobile Home Park.

It became clear to residents and their advocates that protections afforded to apartment renters and other consumerswere not extended to mobile home residents who might own their home but rent the parcel it sits on.

On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of 15 Republican and 15 Democratic senators introduced S.F. 2238, a bill that aims to expand those protections for mobile home residents.

More: Taskforce releases recommendations for manufactured homes

State Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, knocked on doors at West Branch Mobile Village to see if there was appetite to organize among mobile homes tenants in his district, on Friday, April 19, 2019.(Photo: Zachary Oren Smith)

Sen. Carrie Koelker, R-Dyersville, introduced the bill in the Iowa Senate. She could not be reached by press time.

In the waning days of the last session, Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, attempted to pass legislation with similar aims but it was unable to clear both chambers.

"I think the big difference is the amount of education that went on in the interim. For seven months now, we've been engaged in writing legislation with members of both parties and both chambers," Wahls said. Both Iowa Legal Aid, who represents some Golfview residents, and the Attorney General's Office have weighed in on the crafting of the bill. "And we've been keeping the Governor's Office in the loop."

While he said the bill does not do all the actions he set out for, he said it takes two important steps. First, it aims to protect property and due process rights for people who own manufactured homes. Second, it provides legal protections that are at least as strong as people living in apartments."

The bill as introduced would do the following:

Candi Evans, the co-chair of the Golfview Residents Association, said that while the bill doesn't accomplish all she would like to see, she was heartened by the bipartisan support on the bill.

"Not all of it came through that we wanted, but this important. It has real impacton our families who are in need," Evans said.

Next week, she said mobile home park residents will head to the Capitol to share their stories. She said that Republican and Democrat lawmakers alike have been willing to listen before. She said she is hopeful to continue those conversations next week.

Republican Senators signed on:

Democratic Senators signed on:

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: Subscribe to the Iowa City Press-Citizen.

Zachary Oren Smith writes about government, growth and developmentfor the Press-Citizen. Reach himat zsmith@press-citizen.com or 319 -339-7354, and follow himon Twitter via @zacharyos.

Read or Share this story: https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/2020/02/13/bill-introduced-add-protections-manufactured-home-residents/4749798002/

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Bipartisan bill introduced to add protections for manufactured home residents - Iowa City Press-Citizen

Make sure youre aware of these expert-approved tips before buying your first home. USA TODAY

After a decade of litigation, more than 1,800Florida homeowners who bought homes made unlivable by drywall manufactured in China will be sharing in a $248 million settlement.

Defective drywall that caused damage to property and health concerns hit people in 44 states, estimated at as many as 20,000 homes. Florida had the most. The drywall materials reacted to produce fumes that corroded fixtures. The gas smelled of sulfur and raised health concerns.

The settlement approved by a federal judge in New Orleans last month resolves two suits and potentially more than 3,000 claims filed against Taishan Gypsum Ltd., the China-owned company that sold much ofthe defective drywall in the United States, beginning in 2009.

The Biltz family, Shane, Darlene and their son Vincent, 1, pose for a portrait at their home, Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, in Golden Gate Estates. The couple had to delay starting a family because of health issues caused by exposure to fumes created by drywall made in China that was used to build their home.(Photo: Jon Austria/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA)

Victims includeShane and Darlene Biltzof Collier County, who thought they had found the perfect home to raise a family,a 3,300-square-foot residence in Golden Gate Estates.

Darlene Biltz said the discovery was heart-breaking.

"When we bought the house, we bought it as a forever home, we wanted to raise our children in that home, we wanted to have our animals in that home, we wanted to bring our family together in that home," she said."I mean its a beautiful home but its not one that we could have been in forever because of health issues."

More: How to file a claim to be part of the $248 million Chinese drywall settlement

Drywall installation became big business in Florida between 2004 and 2006. Abuilding boomspiked demand for drywall.Then, extensive repair and replacement damage tobuildings in Gulf Coast states inflicted by hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005 added to the pressure on supplies.

With domestic inventory tight, builders and suppliers turned to China. Slowly, tales began to emerge of an odor of sulphur in the homes and unexplainable corrosion to fixtures.

The Biltz family home is pictured, Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, in Golden Gate Estates. The home was built using Chinese dry wall.(Photo: Jon Austria/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA)

The gas began to cause damage to the homes and raise fears that the contaminated air was a threatto the health of residents.

Government scientists blamed the drywallfor damaging buildings and causing health problems after its internal parts reacted and produced dangerous gasses.

As the housing boom was replaced by the Great Recession, homes that had lost much of their value were abandoned. Crashing property values made walking away the choice for many.

Previous coverage in The News-Press

More than individual homeowners were affected.

Lennar Corp., a major homebuilder in the state, said in a government filing that it had found the faulty drywall in hundreds of homes that it had builtand put $40 million aside to fix it, while pursuing legal action against subcontractors who used the drywall.

WCI Communities Inc. of Bonita Springs, a prodigious builder of luxury homes in Southwest Florida,filed for bankruptcy in 2008 as claims against it mounted. The company cited the bottom falling out of the housing market in Lee County.WCI eventually discharged billions of dollars in debt, as well as its obligation for at least 100 homes with the drywall problem in a bankruptcy reorganization. Secured creditors took control of the company and sold it toLennar for more than $640 million.

Worker removes China-manufactured drywall from a Southwest Florida home. The drywall is blamed for emitting hazardous fumes that made people sick and buildings uninhabitable. A federal lawsuit over the drywall has been settled.(Photo: News-Press file phoeo)

Edwardo and Carmen Amorin filed suit in U.S. District Court in Miami in July 2009.Stephen and Diane Brookefiled suit inVirginia in 2015. Both cases were against Taishan.

The cases were assigned to the federal court system's multi-district litigation docket, and were all overseen by a single judge in U.S. District Court in New Orleans.

The victims will be notified of their settlement amounts by a court-appointed expert who will use factors such asthe size of the property and which of multiple class action suits the individual property owners joined in determining what they will be paid.

Individuals who are covered in the Amorin suit may receive higher payouts because that suit was filed earlier. The judge's settlement decision said a lot more groundwork for the case was done in the class action led by the Amorins than the suit initiated by the Brookes

As the case churned through the preliminaries toward potential trial, scientific evidence of health and safety issues raised by the drywall mounted.

The Florida Department ofHealth had reported in 2009 that the fumes led to corrosion of evaporator coils in air conditioning units as well as corrosion of electrical connectors, copper wires and chrome-plated fixtures.

A 2014 reportfrom the federal Agency for Toxic Substances found health issues caused by exposure to sulfuric gasses andhydrogen sulfide released by drywall imported from China. The report suggests the emissions were highest in drywall manufactured between 2006-2009.

Exposure made some existing conditions worse, such as eye, ear, nose and throat problems. Some people who came in close contact withthe material sufferedrespiratory discomfort, and general malaise, the reportsaid.

As the drywall plague deepened, theU.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission called for replacement of problem drywall, and warned that the fumes couldeven damage smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, electrical switches and circuit breakers, even some types of fire protection sprinkler heads.

Drywall made in China and imported to Southwest Florida during the building boom of the early 2000s was blamed for medical issues. A federal lawsuit over the use of the drywall has been settled.(Photo: New-Press file photo)

Last month, U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon approved the settlement for people who sued in the cases started by theAmorins and the Brookes. Litigants said the settlement avoids the risk of long and costly trials with an uncertain outcome.

Others think the lawyers could have done a lot better.

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Cape Coral resident Russell Moody, in an-email to The News-Press, was critical of the judge for approving thenegotiated settlement.

Moodyargues that in his case, it will pay only a fraction of the estimated $163,000 it would cost to remove the offending drywall and its effects from his home.He is among the people who sued that have not removed the drywall.

"It is a cleverly worded rationale, obfuscated in legalese and based on faulty and mischaracterized information, for approving a settlement that deprives over a hundred SW Florida residents of hundreds of thousands of settlement dollars that they are legally entitled to," Moody said.

Moody filed his objection to the settlement in November and claimed that the handling of the case was procedurally flawed and claimed that some representations by lawyers on the case were false.

Judge Fallonoverruled the objections of Moody and 26 others in finding that the settlement was "fair, reasonable and adequate."He ordered payment of nearly $50 million in attorneys' fees and costs from the settlement proceeds.

Attorney Pete Albanis, of Orlando-based Morgan & Morgan, said the ultimate decision to recommend settlement was based on weighing the risk and expense of further litigation against the chance of getting more money in a case that had been in court for more than a decade.

Even winning a judgment had no guarantee ofsuccess.

The Biltz family, Shane, Darlene and their son Vincent, 1, pose for a portrait at their home, Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, in Golden Gate Estates.(Photo: Jon Austria/Naples Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA)

If we were to continue the case, meaning there would be no settlement and peoples cases would proceed to trial, there would be some serious concerns and potential problems that homeowners would face with respect to collecting in China, Albanis said. This is one of the most difficult class actions that has been ever been pursued.

Ultimately, the victims of the Chinese drywall will be paid pennies on the dollar for the damage to their homes and possibly to their health. The emotional strain of a decade lost will not be compensated.

The Biltzesdecision to move out was based on the expense of fixing their home. Instead, they disclosed the issues with the house and found a tenant who would rent it.

The couple'splans to start a family had to beput on hold, on the advice of Darlene's doctor, because of the uncertain effect drywall fumes might have on an unborn child.

"They said no, you may want to give yourself time to have your body detox, they didnt know what kindof effects it might have on a baby," she said. "We finally have a one-year-old son,he is healthy and happy."

A federal judge has issued a final order in the$248 million drywall settlement thatincludes a master list of more than 3,000 drywall victims.

If you're not on the list, thejudge has set Wednesday as thedeadlineto file a claim to be eligible for any money. Visit chinesedrywallsettlement.com for more information.

The idea that youll save money buying a fixer-upper doesnt always hold true. Buzz60s Sean Dowling has more. Buzz60

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Defective drywall lawsuit reaches settlement, a decade after Chinese product forced many from their homes - News-Press

ELK GROVE (CBS13) What toilet do you have? Its a question Nafisa Neabkhail wishes shed known to ask.

When Neabkhail and her family returned home after a vacation, they walked into a nightmare.

I hear water everywhere, said the wife and mother of three.

The house was flooding. Light fixtures rained onto the carpet below, the alarm was squealing, the ceilings peeling.

As if this whole house is a waterfall. My whole rug was floating on the water said Naebkhail.

The result was $190,000 in damage to the familys Elk Grove home.

You would never think something like this would happen. That flood is still running in my mind, said Naebkhail.

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Her family of five was forced out of their home for more than five months, and their house has been torn down to the studs.

They took out everything because of the water damage, she said.

The flood was caused by a toilet in their second-story master bathroom. A steady stream of water poured through the crack in the tank of their Vortens toilet.

No family deserves this, Naebkhail said.

Weve learned the same model is failing in homes across the country including California, Texas, Louisiana and Florida.

Texas resident Amy Etchberger says her Vortens model cracked in 2016.

It was coming out and just dripping out the bottom. Its a faulty product on their part, and I think they should take responsibility, Etchberger said.

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Anne Altz says her cracked Vortens toilet caused $20,000 in damage.

They know theyre going to fail. said Altz.

The manufacturer has admitted Some tanks made in 2011 with model numbers 3464 and 3412 may have been affected by technical issues that allegedly caused the fractures.

Sure enough one of those numbers, 3464, is etched in Nafisas toilet tank, but the company never recalled them. Nafisa said no one even warned them of the problem; not the toilet manufacturer nor the builder who installed the toilet in 2012.

Thats what were really, really upset about, she said.

How many of these toilets remain in homes in Naebkhails neighborhood and in homes across America? Vortens would not say. The company tells us, to date, all claims received have been addressed or are in the process of being addressed. Vortens full statement is included below.

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After a class-action lawsuit, Vortens has agreed to pay up to $300 to replace the toilet and, if theres flooding, up to $4,000 to help cover insurance deductibles.

I just want it to be over, Naebkhail said.

Nafisas insurance is covering the damage. Now living with relatives during the rebuild, she says this has turned her familys lives upside down.

Im thinking after everything is fixed Im putting the house back on the market, she said. Because I cannot see myself living here anymore.

The Naebkhails think it will be at least another month and a half before their house is done. They plan to sue over the inconvenience. After we reached out to the builder, Taylor Morrison, they sent letters to all homeowners in the Elk Grove, Franklin Crossings community. The letter, below, alerts homeowners to the issues with Vortens toilets and directs them to the class action settlement.

Oct 9, 2019

Dear Homeowners,

It was recently brought to our attention that some homes in the [Franklin Crossings] community may have been built with a particular model of toilet tank manufactured by Vortens between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. The enclosed 10-page Notice was downloaded from the website link https://vortenssettlement.com/Content/Documents/Notice.pdf. The Notice provides a good explanation of the issue and what steps can be taken by affected homeowners. While Taylor Morrison has no involvement in the class action settlement, you may wish to inspect your toilet tank to see if it is one of the affected tanks, and if so, take the appropriate steps to address it.

We asked Taylor Morrison how many of these toilets they installed across the county. They havent answered. Vortens statement, the models affected and a link to the settlement website are below.

Vortens complete statement:

In the past, Vortens acknowledged that some of our tank models #3464 and #3412 manufactured in 2011 may have been affected by certain manufacturing issues.

To date, all claims received have been addressed or are in the process of being addressed to the satisfaction of our customers.

Pursuant to a class action settlement being administered by a Texas court involving these tank models manufactured in 2011, we have established a program for certain remedies which include product replacement, reimbursement of certain costs, and in some cases, extended warranties. For more details the claims that are covered, the remedies available, and the process for pursuing claims, please reference the claims website at: https://www.vortenssettlement.com

For other Vortens matters regarding issues not related to the settlement program mentioned above, customers may contact us directly at 866-821-2811 or via e-mail to claims@vortens.com.

Vortens is committed to generating value for its consumers and offering the best experience possible, as our customers are at the center of everything we do. Solving any complaints and receiving suggestions is a priority for us. For these purposes, we may be contacted at customerservices@vortens.com

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Cracked Toilet Causes $190K Of Damage, Investigation Reveals Models Have Been Failing For Years - CBS Pittsburgh

It is being brought forward by the innovative modern house builder House by Urban Splash, a new company backed by regeneration specialists Urban Splash, Homes England and Japans biggest house builder, Sekisui House.

Inholm comprises a total of 406 modular homes sitting within the context of Northstowes masterplan and is inspired by the areas rich history and previous settlements. The new neighbourhood quarter will be defined by a perimeter of landscapes; country park, sustainable drainage swales, ecological zones and an education campus.

Proctor & Matthews Architects is the lead architect and master planner of the site. The village will encompass a range of housing typologies, later living homes and mixed-use buildings. The modular homes will include designs by architects shedkm, which can be configured by the buyer to their own design before being built in a factory and delivered to site.

With this expansion of Northstowe, House by Urban Splash is bringing its skill and expertise in world-class manufacturing to the East of England, choosing Cambridgeshire as its first location to deliver the homes on a new site. The majority of homes will be manufactured in the House factory in Alfreton, East Midlands.

Mark Latham, Regeneration Director at House says:

We are delighted to launch our first homes in this part of the country and are excited about the opportunities ahead at Northstowe as we contribute to this emerging town.

We want to break new ground and surprise people using the latest building methods combined with bespoke designs. We are offering a range of customisable homes and apartments to suit a wide range of modern families, lifestyles and budgets. We cant wait to get going.

Stephen Kinsella, Chief Land and Development Officer at Homes England, said:

Im delighted that planning permission has been granted for the first homes to be built on Homes England land at Northstowe, which is a significant step forward for the new town and an important milestone for our joint venture with Urban Splash and Sekisui House.

This is a really ambitious proposal for 406 homes using modern methods of construction, and the quality design of these homes really reflects our ambition to deliver outstanding places.

Stephen Proctor, founder of Proctor & Matthews Architects says:

As master planner and lead architect we are delighted to have secured planning permission for phase 2A of the Northstowe community. Our design for this contemporary mixed-use residential quarter is inspired by the form of traditional edge-of-fenland settlements and recent archaeological discoveries within the locality.

Innovative clusters of homes employing offsite modular construction will help to deliver a visually distinctive narrative creating a new Inholm village for the 21st Century.

Ian Killick, Director at shedkm commented:

We are thrilled that the full range of our customisable, factory-built homes is soon coming to Northstowe. The Inholm urban village will feature the most up to date versions of our house and apartment designs, incorporating new technologies and Cambridgeshire inspired materials and details.

Were working with a great team and have high hopes of creating an exemplar neighbourhood that sets a new benchmark for the use of modern methods of construction.

The customisable homes will be launching officially late Spring/ early Summer 2020. For more information visit the Urban Splash website.

Bidwells have been appointed as a local agent acting on behalf of House by Urban Splash and will be handling all initial sales enquiries.

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Second phase of Northstowe and one of the UK's largest modular neighbourhoods gets the green light - Famagusta Gazette