Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Foreward.  Susan M. Wachter, writing as Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) said, “Most new homes in the United States are site-built to State and local codes, but an increasing number are “manufactured homes,” designed and constructed to meet the requirements of the preemptive Federal Manufactured Home Construction and …

In just over three weeks, this video below entitled “Seattle is Dying” by KOMO, a local ABC TV affiliate there, has broken 2.1 million views. It is an hour-long and compelling documentary that ends with hope based upon some promising solutions.  But it first lays out one troubling fact and example after another.   Misplaced compassion is part of their …

“There’s nothing in the middle of the road  but a yellow stripe and roadkill.” – variation of a Texas maxim.   Seeking bipartisanship can be dangerous, as the dark humor noted above reminds readers. But let’s risk finding common ground for the next few minutes.   Affordable homes ought to be a non-partisan or bi-partisan issue.  The topic of this column, properly …

“During my time at MHI, I was often asked the same question, “What must happen for business to return – for manufactured housing to begin growing again? ” My stock answer would usually start with ‘financing’ and end with a general comment about the need to bring ‘value’ to our customers.” The person making that comment was Chris Stinebert. It …

America woke up today to division. But perhaps 75 percent (+/-) of the nation’s people could come together on a plan that demonstrably could do the following. Increase the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by some $2 Trillion Annually, without new federal spending. Provide proven, new affordable home ownership opportunities that left and right agree could boost the personal wealth …

The first step to solving a problem, said the late Zig Ziglar, is to admit that a problem exists.   Manufactured homes are widely misunderstood. But why? The facts – when carefully examined – speak well about today’s manufactured homes, as a few video interviews on this page from experts and actual homeowners alike suggests. So why is there such …

There are Americans alive today who have lived in a true mobile home for over 50 years. The production of mobile homes in the U.S. ended on June 15,1976. Starting that day, mandatory federal construction, energy, durability, and safety standards went into effect. Those standards, by law, were administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). America’s most …

The scores of Elvis impersonators one can find are the only reminders needed that he is still seen as the ‘King of Rock and Roll’ today, as he was by millions in years gone by.   When you are a star, it seems surprising to people that someone with money and fame would pick a mobile home for their personal …

Fear affects decision-making every day. But often, “F.E.A.R.” is an acronym for “False Evidence Appearing Real.” Our research indicates that the solution to the affordable housing crisis is hiding in plain sight, but fear and prejudice have kept it from being widely embraced. In this analysis, we’ll discuss what experts – including those outside the industry, sources such as the …

ABC News did the following exposé about the host of problems found in the conventional “site-built” housing industry.     The above is one of many such videos.  See another example in a local news video, below.     This isn’t to pick on what D.R. Horton, or any other conventional ‘site-builder.’ Rather, we start with a point that the …

It’s National Home Ownership Month, and today we’ll celebrate it by sharing some videos that includes a sneak peak into a 27 story custom hybrid palace, that is home to one of the world’s richest men.   The private residence known as Antilia, was built by tycoon Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani for his family of four. Wikipedia says “Ambani is an Indian business …

“Lucy and Desi” were TV and movie stars from the 1950s and 1960s.  The U.S. was rapidly changing in the post-World War II era. The Korean conflict came and went too, so veterans and millions of others were clamoring for affordable housing.   The nation was mobile, and millions were willing to move to get a better job. Those cute …

Pamela Anderson choice of manufactured home living gave a new meaning to the term, “upwardly mobile.”   Anderson is one of several “rich, famous and frugal” celebrities, millionaires or billionaires who have at various times in their lives opted for a manufactured home. Paradise Cove has attracted several stars over the years.  The locale has included Matthew McConaughey, Minnie Driver, …

Today we’ll keep it shorter than normal, because we want you to be able to focus on the infographic and data provided below.   We could sum this up like this.  There is a lot of misinformation about modern manufactured homes, starting with terminology.  From there, one can move on to issues of quality, durability, appreciation, and more. The infographic, …

There are over 8 million affordable housing units needed in America today. Third-party research reveals that the most affordable kind of quality, safe, durable, and economical homes in America today are manufactured homes.   The vast majority of Millennials want to own, but don’t want to sacrifice quality and green features. Baby boomers and retirees tend to want a single …