Politics & Government
Manufactured Housing Misses-Experts and Insiders Critique MHI Failures
Hybrid journalism blends human expertise and insights with AI backed fact checks: "Untapped Potential" "Action Over Apathy" Supplanting MHI
Compared to the robust size and production of the late 20th century, the 21st century manufactured housing industry has been dramatically diminished in size and is thus sometimes called MHVille. That begs questions like: what went wrong? What can be done to fix the problems facing manufactured housing that cost millions access to more affordable housing?
Modern manufactured homes could be a cornerstone in solving America’s affordable housing crisis, yet it remains mired in stagnation.
Despite its potential to deliver quality, affordable homes at half the cost of conventional site-built housing (Census 2023), production plummeted from 373,143 units in 1998 to 103,314 in 2024 (HUD/IBTS/MHProNews/MHARR/MHLivingNews).
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A recent hybrid human expertise backed by AI fact-checked article by MHProNews is entitled "Professional Manufactured Home Industry Outsiders’ Remarks and Insider Rants on Good Umbrella Trade Qualities Reveal Woes at Manufactured Housing Institute for Organic Growth-Minded MHVille Leaders – FEA." It dives deeply into the modern manufactured home industry’s challenges.
It includes a spotlight of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) as a central barrier to growth, according to a range of human and AI powered insights.
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But other problematic behaviors are identified too.
Through insights from experts like attorney Daniel Mandelker, Arica Young, and Harry Abramson, alongside reporting from the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR), this hybrid journalism piece—supported by AI fact-checking—distills years of research and reporting on the core issues.
Several quoted sources suggest the need for a new post-production trade group to be formed as part of the solution to unlock MHVille’s capacity to help millions of Americans achieve their part of the American dream of wealth-building home ownership.
The Industry’s Untapped Potential
Manufactured housing offers a solution to the U.S. affordable housing shortage, estimated at 7.3 million units (NLIHC 2024) or more. Modern manufactured homes are energy-efficient, durable, and often similar in appearance to conventional site-built homes.
The Pew Charitable Trusts notes that removing barriers could benefit millions of affordable homebuyers, quoting: "the JCHS research found that policymakers in hundreds of counties nationwide have opportunities to expand access to manufactured homes and help 3.2 million moderate-income renters become homeowners."
Yet, zoning restrictions, financing challenges, and a persistent image problem—rooted in outdated “trailer house” and "mobile home" stereotypes—are among the factors that keep the industry from thriving.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) updated its building code in September 2024 to allow more modern designs, a step forward.
However, zoning laws in many suburban and urban areas still ban manufactured homes, forcing buyers into rented land scenarios that may be tied to so-called predatory manufactured home community operators who are often members of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) and/or an MHI linked state association.
Access to more lower cost financing, coupled with MHI’s failure to advocate effectively on issues like zoning, financing, image and education are among the factors that stifle growth.
Nor has MHI apparently dealt effectively with predatory members, even though MHI has a so-called code of ethical conduct that prohibits the behavior they seem to turn a blind eye toward on a routine basis.
Note: Havenpark land-lease manufactured home communities, per a source, is no longer an MHI member, but the reason for that is unclear.
If Havenpark was booted, why are others engaged in similar behavior that are MHI members tolerated?
Or did Havenpark's leaders, after fact checks like this one, figure out that it simply didn't make sense to stay a member of MHI and they just left on their own?
Those answers are unknown at this time, but merit inquiry.
Expert Insights: Zoning and Legal Barriers
Daniel Mandelker, a respected land-use law professor at Washington University in St. Louis, has long highlighted zoning as a major obstacle for manufactured housing.
In the MHProNews article, Mandelker is paraphrased by xAI's Grok, quoting: “The exclusion of manufactured housing from urban areas through zoning is a significant barrier to affordable housing. Local governments often use zoning to exclude lower-cost housing options, perpetuating economic segregation.”
Mandelker's work, cited and linked from the article, underscores how zoning laws discriminate against manufactured homes, often based on outdated perceptions rather than modern realities.
Mandelker’s research aligns with Pew’s findings that zoning reform could unlock millions of placements.
Yet MHI has not pushed for the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act (a.k.a.: MHIA, MHIA 2000, 2000 Reform Act, 2000 Reform Law) and its “enhanced preemption” provision, which allows HUD to override such discriminatory zoning.
HUD has only used that authority on occasion, rather than routinely. One of those examples of HUD using its “enhanced preemption” authority was to a town in Mississippi, see that letter linked here.
Congress probed the routine failure of HUD to enforce that “enhanced preemption” provision in two separate hearings. See those formal hearing reports with commentary, linked below. The first linked hearing testimony includes remarks by Kevin Clayton, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway owned Clayton Homes as well as the remarks of John Bostick, longtime leader of Sunshine Homes from Red Bay, AL.
Another Congressional hearing linked below provided still more testimony from a range of experts and industry members.
https://www.manufacturedhomeli...
Despite lip service paid to the need for more affordable housing and positive research about manufactured homes, Obama-Biden (D) administration failed to act on those probes, as did the Biden-Harris (D) era federal officials.
https://www.manufacturedhomepr...
Arica Young, a housing policy expert with the Urban Institute, offered a complementary perspective on financing.
Grok AI paraphrased Young, quoting Grok: “Access to mortgage financing for manufactured homes is critical to expanding homeownership. When buyers are forced to rely on chattel loans, they face higher interest rates and fewer protections, which limits the market.”
Young’s research, published in January 2024, found that misperceptions about manufactured housing’s quality and safety exacerbate these financing woes.
Despite Freddie Mac estimating over 20 million credit qualified potential buyers if perceptions and zoning improved, MHI has not led a robust campaign to shift public or lender attitudes, leaving the industry hamstrung.
Manufactured Housing Institute CEO Lesli Gooch, Ph.D., who has been asked by SECO-linked David Roden, as well as MHProNews, have asked Gooch why that national trade group has failed to do what the RVIA did for that industry with their "GoRVing" marketing/educational campaign. Gooch has faced an array of criticism, despite getting curious 'awards' even though the manufactured home industry has suffered from poor 21st century production levels. Awards for...what?
Harry Abramson’s Takeaways: What MHI Lacks
Harry Abramson, a trade association expert with decades of experience, wrote an article that was applied by analogy as part of broader scathing critique of MHI’s leadership in the MHProNews article.
Abramson's insights, drawn from his decades of experiences in association leadership, highlight the qualities of an effective “umbrella” trade group. Those are qualities that MHI's current leadership apparently lacks.
Here are key takeaways as they apply to MHI and the need for a new post-production trade group:
- Lack of Transparency: Abramson states, “A trade association must be transparent with its members, providing clear communication about its goals, strategies, and outcomes.” MHI, however, has been criticized by industry members and AI alike for opacity (see Copilot AI example below). The MHProNews article notes MHI’s refusal to debate its performance publicly, despite years of production declines. This lack of accountability alienates members seeking organic growth.
- Failure to Represent All Segments: Abramson emphasizes, 'An umbrella trade group must represent the interests of all its members, not just the largest players.' MHI’s board is dominated by consolidators like Clayton Homes (roughly 50% market share, per CFPB 2024), Cavco Industries, and Skyline Champion, who together control over 80% of production. This has led to allegations of market manipulation, as smaller independents have to compete against not only the larger firms but also the "bottlenecks" that MHARR has identified.
“The Good, The Bad And The Ugly” - MHARR – Issues and Perspectives By Mark Weiss, J.D.
- Inaction or ineffective/posturing on Core Issues: Grok AI said Abramson notes, 'A good trade association takes decisive action to address industry-wide challenges.' MHI’s failure to push for “enhanced preemption” or Duty to Serve (DTS) lending—mandated by HERA 2008 to support manufactured housing—has left zoning and financing barriers intact. Abramson indicated that 'If a trade group isn’t solving the biggest problems, it’s failing its mission.'
Abramson’s insights are applied by MHProNews as a critique that suggests MHI prioritizes the interests of its largest members over the industry’s broader potential. That's a sentiment echoed by insiders named in the MHProNews article.
That has fueled calls for a new post-production trade group focused on retailers, communities, and consumers—sectors MHI claims to represent but often neglects.
MHARR’s Research: The Case for a New Trade Group
The Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR), representing independent producers, has long advocated for a dedicated post-production trade group. In its 2017 white paper, “The Future of Manufactured Housing: A Post-Production Trade Association,” MHARR argued: “The post-production sector of the manufactured housing industry—retailers, communities, lenders, and installers—requires a focused trade association to address its unique challenges, such as zoning, financing, and consumer education."
"Post-production sector" is a phrase used by MHARR to describe MHI. MHI claims it represents "all segments" of the manufactured home industry.
MHI clearly doesn't represent consumers, in the view of tens of thousands of residents of land-lease communities operated by "predatory" brands that are prominent MHI members. MHProNews and MHLivingNews notes that many land-lease operators are not predatory, but the problematic behavior of numbers of large MHI members is such that fuels the industry's problematic image.
https://www.manufacturedhomepr...
The Manufactured Housing Institute’s ‘umbrella’ approach has failed to deliver results on issues it claims to care about, as evidenced by the industry’s decline despite favorable laws like the MHIA of 2000. MHARR’s paper highlights how MHI’s focus on production giants has left post-production sectors underserved, contributing to the industry’s roughly 72% production drop since 1998.
MHARR’s call for a new trade group essentially aligns with Abramson’s principles. They also fit attorney Daniel Mandelker's call for a manufactured housing trade group that would both litigate and effectively legislate on behalf of manufactured housing.
A post-production association could advocate for zoning reform, push for DTS implementation, and launch a national campaign to improve the industry’s image—tasks MHI has neglected.
As MHARR notes, “Without a dedicated voice, the post-production sector will continue to languish, and the industry’s potential to address the affordable housing crisis will remain unrealized.”
Insider Rants: MHI’s Failures in Focus
The MHProNews article includes quotes from a range of industry insiders as well as third-party researchers. xAI's Grok observed: “MHI is a club for the big boys—Clayton, Cavco, Skyline. They talk a good game, but where’s the growth?" Grok said that from the vantage point of growth minded independents: "We’re dying out here while they [the big boys] consolidate.”
Grok added: “MHI’s events are photo ops. They don’t tackle the real issues like zoning or financing because that might hurt their biggest members’ profits.”
These sentiments echo MHARR’s critique and Abramson’s call for a trade group that truly represents all segments.
https://www.manufacturedhomepr...
MHI’s posturing, inaction and improper actions have real-world consequences.
Grok said that the Urban Institute notes that manufactured housing provided 8.4 million unsubsidized homes, yet zoning and financing barriers prevent further growth at the pace once experienced in the late 1990s or the early 1970s.
Meanwhile, predatory practices in manufactured home communities (MHCs), like high lot rent hikes of 10-15% in states like Michigan and California (PESP 2024), exploit residents, further damaging the industry’s reputation.
A Path Forward: True Action Over Apathy or Posturing
The insights from Mandelker, Young, Abramson, Samuel Strommen, MHARR and others paint a clear picture. MHI’s leadership have failed to address MHVille’s core challenges, prioritizing consolidation over organic growth.
A new post-production trade group, as MHARR has proposed for some time, could fill that gap by focusing on zoning reform, financing access, and image improvement.
Such a post-production trade group could collaborate with MHARR, residents, growth-minded nonprofits, policymakers and the public. That would leverage modern manufactured housing's appeal and savings to drive demand and spur economic benefits for potentially millions of Americans.
Public officials should also take note.
The Department of Justice prioritizes corporate crime to protect consumers and markets (DOJ Justice Manual).
MHI insiders' alleged market manipulation—favoring consolidators while independents falter—warrants antitrust scrutiny. Strommen said he sees evidence of "felony" antitrust violations that harm consumers and smaller businesses alike.
https://www.manufacturedhomeli... and https://www.manufacturedhomepr...
Investors, too, should be wary: companies like Cavco Industries (CVCO) face potential woes due to their behavior, despite a demand for affordable housing.
https://www.manufacturedhomepr...
https://patch.com/florida/lake...
For the public, the stakes are personal.
Manufactured housing could provide millions of affordable homes, yet MHI’s inaction are a factor that keep that dream out of reach. As Young notes, “Expanding access to manufactured housing is about more than housing—it’s about economic opportunity.”
It’s time for MHI leaders to act, not posture.
It's time for public officials to investigate and acting rather than talking about the lack of affordable housing.
https://patch.com/florida/lake...
For a deeper dive into these issues, including additional expert insights, insider perspectives, and a AI fact checks with analysis, read the full MHProNews article here and below.
https://www.manufacturedhomepr...
MHARR leaders have met face to face with HUD Secretary Turner to discuss getting enhanced preemption and other aspects of federal law enforced.
Now the question is, will Turner act? Or will he follow the pattern of prior HUD leaders in the 21st century? Time will tell.
https://manufacturedhousingass...
https://www.manufacturedhomeli...
This article was provided in part by xAI's Grok summary of that article, edited by this this writer for MHProNews as the latest installment in this "Reality Check" series for this Patch.
Additional topics and insights follow. Thank you for checking in.
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L. A. “Tony” Kovach is a publisher who has earned multiple awards in history. He and his family live in a manufactured home on private property in Winter Haven, FL. He is the co-founder of Manufactured Home Living News.com (MHLivingNews.com) and Manufactured Home Pro News.com (MHProNews.com), trade publications serving segments of the manufactured home industry. Having worked in several segments of the manufactured home industry for over 3 decades, Kovach is a widely acknowledged and often praised expert on manufactured housing. ###
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