Allied Market Research (AMR) has claimed that their “Exclusive Research” points to a significant growth in Manufactured Housing by 2027. They say it will be $38.8 billion, several times what the current U.S. total dollar value would be. “Not a day goes by that I don’t get a google alert about some new modular industry research with wildly optimistic projections.  These reports are usually from companies in the business of nothing more than selling research reports on numerous industries.” So said Tom Hardiman, C.A.E.. Hardiman is the executive director of the Modular Building Institute (MBI). Hardiman had more to say to MHProNews, but first a few words from the Mark Weiss, J.D. President and CEO of the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR). Weiss also sounded-off about problematic so-called “research.” While they did not comment directly on AMR, MBI, MHARR, and the Manufactured Housing Institute – which was named in AMR report – were all asked to weigh in. Weiss said in part: “As with everything else in life, the adage “buyer beware” applies. Private, proprietary “studies” are often used to promote the interests of those doing the publishing and studying, especially in relation to a federally-regulated industry like manufactured housing.  As we’ve seen before, special interests can seek to manipulate public perceptions and the regulatory process in an effort to “legislate” greater use of their products or services.” More from MHARR and MBI will follow below.

MHI’s reaction to the MHProNews request for comment will be noted herein too.

But next, it is useful to see what AMR said that sparked the concern. Let’s note as a disclosure that MHProNews is not endorsing in any way this “research,” but rather is providing a fact-check and analysis in precisely that “buyer beware” spirit. While it is possible that growth rates like AMR claims could occur, as our recent and ‘red hot’ reports linked below indicate, there are reasons to believe that unless there are serious changes, that AMR’s projection – at least in the U.S. – will not come to pass.

 

 

With that disclaimer, here are some of the key parts of AMR’s questionable media release.

 

 

Manufactured Housing Market Worth $38,848 Million by 2027- Exclusive Research Report by AMR

Rapid population growth along with rapid urbanization has resulted in the need for affordable housing in developed and developing countries

PORTLAND, OR, UNITED STATES, August 10, 2021 [News Release] Manufactured housing is a revolutionary solution for the problem of affordable and quality accommodation globally. In manufactured housing, the housing unit is designed and manufactured in a factory and after that is transported and installed at desired site. According to MHI (Manufactured Housing Institute) based in U.S., cost of construction per square foot is considerably less for manufactured housing units as compared to site build traditional homes.

“Manufactured Housing Market by Number of Section, Location and Application: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020–2027,” the global manufactured housing market size was valued at $127,188.0 million in 2019, and is projected to reach $38,848.50 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 6.5% from 2020 to 2027.” …

 

Their ‘research’ then published a list of the top 10 firms “globally” in manufactured housing, but the list had apparent errors. More on that below.

Among the topics they claim to have researched are these:

• By Location
• Private Property
• MH Communities

Because some of the information is apparently flawed, MHProNews did two distinct outreaches to AMR. One was through the media release platform that AMR used. The other was directly to AMR website via their own email. The following message was sent at the date and time shown.

from:	L. A. “Tony” Kovach for MHProNews
to:	media@alliedmarketresearch.com, Help@alliedmarketresearch.com
date:	Aug 11, 2021, 7:03 AM
subject:	AMR Media Relations, Media Outreach about your 2027 Global Manufactured Housing Markets Press Release

AMR Media Relations or David Correa

Allied Analytics LLP,

We are the largest and runaway most read trade media serving manufactured housing industry professionals. Your press release linked below came to our attention.

Manufactured Housing Market Worth $38,848 Million by 2027- Exclusive Research Report by AMR – EIN Presswire (einnews.com)

Your report cites the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI). Our questions are as follows.

Q1) Did you contact and engage with the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) in researching and crafting your AMR research report?

 

Q2) Did anyone associated with the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) contact you in the aftermath of your press release?

 

For our mutual accuracy and clarity, please email your reply to each question.  Please hit reply and type your reply under each question. That will assure our mutual clarity and accuracy in our planned report on this topic. Your comments can be of whatever length you wish. State who at AMR to attribute a comment or reply to, please.

Attachment(s) are welcome. It can be a copy of the research, or a sample of the research, or any other document relative to the topic.

 

Thank you,

Tony

…[signature and other information] ##

##

Thus far, 2+ days after the outreach, AMR has declined to respond.

MHProNews has performed a similar expose and analysis on a different such report previously. In that case, there was a response, but it was arguably a series of emailed dodges that ducked substantive concerns while still aiming to sell their services without providing any evidence of the authenticity.

Rephrased, it was an apparent con job.

But this particular pitch invoked the name of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI).  With that in mind, MHProNews did the following outreach to MHI leaders and attorneys.

 

from:	L. A. Tony Kovach for MHProNews
to:	“Hodges, Tom” Clayton Homes General Counsel, MHI Chairman Lesli Gooch, CEO MHIDavid Goch @ WC-B Law, MHI outside attorney John Greiner @ Graydon Law, MHI outside attorney
cc:	“Clayton, Kevin” – President and CEO of Clayton Homes, Tim Williams, President and CEO of 21st Mortgage Corp, past MHI chairman. Eric Hamilton, President and CEO at Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance    (VMF)

date:

Aug 11, 2021, 5:51 AM

MHI Leaders and Attorneys,

This request for inquiry is about a report in a Google alert invoking MHI (see below). If you look carefully at their top 10, you should see that this is errant in parts, which calls into question the authenticity of the balance of their data. You may recall that Tom Hardiman weighed in on this issue with MHProNews previously.

Given that MHI’s name has been invoked, one might think that MHI has a vested interest in debunking this ersatz research practice.

Please send an emailed comment for publication. Advise what MHI plans to do to address the issue of apparently faux research.

Manufactured Housing Market Worth $38848 Million by 2027- Exclusive Research Report by AMR EIN News According to MHI (Manufactured Housing Institute) based in U.S., cost of construction per square foot is considerably less for manufactured housing units .

This obviously goes to the heart of what Tim Williams said in the statement above. It is also closer to what David Goch wrote about in his letter to Spencer Roane on MHI defending its integrity.

Thank you.

Tony

PS: We still have not seen a reply to yesterday’s inquiry. Feedback on that or other topics is welcome. Just 3 of your state affilates are BCC’d. Perhaps each will check in with you? ##

###

About a two days later, there has been no response from MHI, their outside attorneys, Clayton, 21^st, VMF, or others in the MHI orbit.

That noted, by contrast and as was noted above, MBI and MHARR both provided on point and timely statements on the record.

Here is the full response from Hardiman at MBI. Note that Hardiman also serve the Modular Home Builders Association (MHBA), but this reply was on behalf of MBI.

 

Hi Tony, I couldn’t open your link but (on the record):

Not a day goes by that I don’t get a google alert about some new modular industry research with wildly optimistic projections.  These reports are usually from companies in the business of nothing more than selling research reports on numerous industries.  I’m not sure who does their research but often it seems to lump together modular, manufactured, panelized, and industrialized construction across all markets.  Its just not practical and useful information and the costs are exorbitant.  MBI on the other hand, surveys our members annually and compiles the best research available on the commercial modular construction industry.  These reports are free for our members and about one-fourth the cost of these other research papers for non members. http://modular.org/HtmlPage.aspx?name=analysis

 

Tom Hardiman, C.A.E. Executive Director, Modular Building Institute

 

The full response from MHARR’s CEO Weiss is as follows.

“As with everything else in life, the adage “buyer beware” applies. Private, proprietary “studies” are often used to promote the interests of those doing the publishing and studying, especially in relation to a federally-regulated industry like manufactured housing. As we’ve seen before, special interests can seek to manipulate public perceptions and the regulatory process in an effort to “legislate” greater use of their products or services. At the same time, manufactured housing is a unique product, that requires special knowledge and expertise to fully understand, especially on a technical level and a cost-engineering level. Some who purport to “study” and “report” on manufactured housing simply don’t have that knowledge or expertise, or claim to, when they do not. Thus, it’s always necessary to consider the source and potential biases of those peddling such “information.”” –

Mark Weiss, J.D., President and CEO, Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR)

 

Williams said there should be a response to every problematic report about our industry. We should make our case to the public. He clearly gets it, or he would not have said it. So, fair enough. But then, where are the examples of MHI doing that on behalf of the industry with mainstream media or others in the last decade?

 

 

Additional Information, MHProNews Analysis and Commentary

Step by step, in a systematic fashion, by using facts, illustrations, properly sourced and attributed quotations, plus applied common sense, the reality of what the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) has become during the Berkshire Hathaway era of manufactured housing’s history has been revealed.

Whatever someone thinks of Joe Biden and his legitimate right (or not) to be in the White House, his campaign website statement is insightful. It also happens to be confirmed by the MHI. Here are both quotations.

Under Government Reform, the Biden-Harris website said: “In Washington, the ability to schedule a meeting with an elected official or his or her staff is a form of currency.”

An MHI News & Updates, while they were still sending the same information to members and nonmembers, said this: “MHI has worked to ensure that the manufactured housing industry’s priorities will be well-positioned when the 116th Congress convenes in January 2019. MHI has secured champions across government so that federal rules and regulations support the industry’s efforts to provide quality homes at affordable prices. MHI’s access to Washington policymakers is as strong as ever. This is due to our constant and comprehensive efforts with Congress and the Administration and the direct engagement from MHI members to their elected representatives.” That was demonstrably true during the Trump-Pence Administration. That MHI statement was demonstrably so during the prior Obama-Biden Administration. Those MHI remarks are true now under Biden-Harris.

What did MHI do during those years with their self-proclaimed and much-vaunted access to federal leaders?

In fairness, items like energy credits have been periodically renewed. But it was hardly MHI alone that did that, because others wanted those energy credits provided too.

While there are numerous issues of importance – such as the looming DOE energy standards – the manufactured home industry’s overarching key issues before Congress and the Washington Bureaucracy could be summed up in the simple notions of zoning, placement, and financing parity. That does not require new legislation. MHARR, MHI, state associations, and others made sure the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA or 2000 reform law) were enacted by widely bipartisan margins. That MHARR, MHI, other associations and affordable manufactured home advocates coalition similarly worked to enact the mandated Duty to Serve Manufactured Housing, Rural and Underserved Markets provision imposed on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (Government Sponsored Enterprises, GSEs or Enterprises). Because FHFA is the conservator and regulator of the GSEs, one might say that the Duty to Serve (DTS) mandate for securitizing affordable manufactured home lending applies to them too.

What has MHI done with their boasted access on getting those key provisions of existing law enforced?

The answer is ironically found in MHI’s own statements. While they do not say that they have failed to get those existing laws enforced, the fact that they have pressed the same issues time and again as being unfilled makes it plain that they have not achieved their own stated goals.

President Trump, as Clayton Homes founder Jim Clayton put it to MHProNews was a “disrupter.” During “Donald the Disrupter’s” tenure, MHI managed to fritter away the last 4 years of an administration that gave the industry its most visible advocate at HUD in the 21^st century. HUD Secretary Ben Carson did not just talk up manufactured housing in front of a manufactured housing crowd.  The two extended quotes are found on the MHProNews website, but are not found on MHI’s why?

One of the most fundamental point of marketing and lobbying is to cite your supporters and illustrate it with real people making authentic statements. If “endorsements” and “satisfaction” are meaningful, how is it possible that they would miss the obvious opportunities to cite volumes of authentic third-party research that debunks the myths wrongfully applied to manufactured housing? Meanwhile, they posture efforts with tepid items like the one below, that have so few views that it ought to be an embarrassment to the “Institute.”

 

MHProNews has systematically documented in the last few years that MHI puts up items on their website or in their advertorials that may appear to have nominal value. But they are routinely failed to use their best tools. It should be obvious that MHI’s photo and video ops are posturing, mere window dressing.

 

Some things can only be fully grasped by looking into the rearview mirror, as Warren Buffett noted. Despite Tim Williams/21^st/former MHI chair’s statements on engaging to correct every issue, it is MHI’s own pattern of behavior and MHI’s own members that demonstrate that it has not been done. So, it is no surprise that MBI and MHARR responded in a timely fashion on this, while MHI did not respond at all.

 

 

Sun’s Gary Shiffman said there is no national respiratory of reliable information in the manufactured home community world. Where has MHI been on that multi-decade need? Or is a lack of consistent and reliable information on communities and other significant matters useful to the favored few at MHI?

 

 

There are more communities closing than opening. It has been so for decades. MHI has seminars while more communities close than open. In case someone in the Institute’s office in Arlington need a math lesson, that means that the available places to put a manufactured home are in decline.

 

The zoning and placement items are covered by laws that MHI knows about, but which the “Institute” has been unable or unwilling to get implemented. Either option, unable or unwilling belies their claim of clout.

 

By simply raising the issue with a city that was unfamiliar with HUD’s federal preemption, MHProNews was able to get a city relent. Why then does MHI not have an attorney that is working on that and that alone?

 

Zoning and placement are near the heart of a core issue. MHI claims the mantle of being the post-production and production umbrella (“all segments” of manufactured housing) trade group. That means they own the results and the status quo. One doesn’t have to be a genius to see that the industry is heading to a downturn. It is good that an MHI corporate member official has said as member, even if off the record.

 

 

But it isn’t as if others have not indirectly admitted the same, including MHI’s vocal supporters.

 

 

Years of MHI flooding federal officials with AstroTurf form-letter-emails have accomplished precisely what? Meanwhile, tick tock, the years click on, people age, some decide to give up the fight. Then, a consolidator gets their business, or it is sold off, or otherwise closes.

Despite the saber rattling by MHI attorneys, both inside and outside counsels, aimed at this publication, the reality appears to be that MHI is unwilling to publicly or legally challenge the evidence we have brought forth.

 

 

To the point of this apparently fake report that merits MHI protest because it invoked their name, in the example of David Goch to then MHI member Spencer Roane, Goch’s statements below should apply. So too should Tim Williams – 21^st Mortgage CEO, current MHI board member, and former MHI chairman. MHI has a media relations person that was supposed to engage on precisely such issues. What is that media relations professional doing for their MHI pay?

 

 

MHI touts their a part of a housing coalition. Pardon me? Was it the NAHB, or the apartment or other associations that helped get the MHIA of 2000 passed into law? It is absurd on its face – a charade – to think that MHI will get more help from non-industry associations than from a proven and steady advocate such as MHARR.

MHARR offered to partner with state associations to deal with the zoning and placement issues. The states, apparently fearing MHI and their mutual corporate masters, failed to get engaged.

 

 

Only time, facts, appropriately referenced quotations, and the evidence could have made this a case that an outsider within a short span of time researching our profession could accurately identify what has gone wrong.

 

 

 

Given a chance to respond to his well-documented allegations, Berkshire Hathaway, Clayton Homes, 21^st, MHI, and several other attorneys and leaders all declined. No surprise, how could they argue against the unchallenged facts and well footnoted evidence?

 

“Soon the industry will have a downturn for a variety of reasons and the non committed will suffer, maybe even fail.” “I’m still convinced that an integrated approach to our industry, including finance and development, is paramount to our industry’s viability.  But….. no one [at MHI] is walking the walk.” Again, for the fuller context and to demonstrate that this is but one of many on and off the record comments like it, please see the apparently most-read report in our industry, linked here and another here.

For years, MHI has said in their emails that: “If you have any questions, please contact MHI’s Government Affairs Department at 703-229-6208 or MHIgov@mfghome.org” or similarly to contact “info@mfghome.org.” Mere window dressing? Apparently so.

 

Once a year for several years on end, MHI’s president and CEO, in a document that MHI asserts is first reviewed by their board of directors, declares under ‘penalties of perjury’ that they work toward the following goal. “Improve the overall operating environment for the manufactured housing industry and expand the demand for manufactured homes by seeking fair and equitable treatment in the marketplace and regulatory and legislative arenas.” The original is in all caps, see that document linked here.

 

While others who are in bed with MHI tout that the best is yet to come, what they routinely do is fail to mention any of this history. The same type of cheerleading has been occurring with MHI for most if not all of the Berkshire era in manufactured housing.  The fact that MHI’s own president exited by saying that “the industry” – a common euphemism for MHI – needs to focus on protecting the value proposition for manufactured homeowners and residents speaks volumes.

 

 

Or the fact that an MHI award winner coyly said that the association’s – meaning MHI’s – big boy members are working for their own interests speaks volumes.

A prominent and notorious MHI member, Frank Rolfe, called out the MHI chairman.

 

But Rolfe’s own organization has stirred up controversial and largely negative from a resident’s perspective news headlines for years. To Stinebert’s point, if the industry wants strong and sustainable growth, residents have to be cared for, not exploited. But it seems that what the insiders at MHI, Lavin’s “big boy” members, actually desire is consolidation.

 

 

 

All of this falls into the bucket of what attempted MHI defender Andy Gedo admitted below about barriers of entry and the vaunted Buffett-Berkshire-Clayton-allies “moat.”

 

 

You simply do not get more clout that White House access. They had it during the Trump years, as these MHI photos exemplify.

 

 

But there is no evidence that Dr. Carson knew about enhanced preemption. The one who did know in the Trump years was Brian Montgomery.  What did MHI do with that knowledge and resource? Quite apparently nothing.

 

 

 

HUD Response to Federal “Enhanced Preemption” for Manufactured Homes, FHA Loan Exclusive, as Mainstream Housing Prices Surge Despite Pandemic, Unemployment Crisis

 

What is MHI doing now with the access with HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge? They finally teed up the correct question, but they got back the wrong answer. What has MHI done about it? If they have done anything at all, they have not said so publicly.

 

 

Yet, it was the late Howard Walker that said that transparency was to be valued. He said publicly traded firms have to be transparent. By implication, doesn’t the Biden-Harris statements favoring transparency and those of longtime MHI executive committee member Walker apply?

 

 

There are good reasons to believe that White House Resident Joe Biden, be he the authentic or not President of the United States (POTUS), was only posturing when he spoke about transparency or the need for more competition. The statements are factually accurate, but the question of if they will be implemented appears to be already answered. Wall Street is not the least bit concerned with the Biden comments on antitrust action.

 

 

 

It is obvious that Berkshire’s Buffett could have obtained what he needed from President Obama.

 

But he did not do so. It is only in hindsight that it is obvious that Williams’ posturing against the progressive agenda in Washington was an apparent example of what Capital Research Center has referred to on other occasions as “Deception and Misdirection.” It is all a charade. Kabukie theater. Razzle dazzle. Call it whatever you like, but no intelligent person  could be this incompetent as MHI and Clayton, et al.

 

 

It is only in hindsight that it is apparent that Buffett planned from early on to thwart DTS. It is the only way that “the moat” methodology in capital access would have yielded a benefit for Clayton Homes.

 

 

The moat requires a “durable competitive advantage.” If DTS were being implemented, then higher cost lending at Clayton Homes would not have been an advantage. Rather, if DTS made lower cost loans available to independents and all others, and Clayton had to use higher cost capital via Berkshire’s resources, then 21^st and VMF lending would have been a disadvantage.

Tim Williams said he was happy that the DTS pilot project failed to a group of MHI members. That illustrates several things, but it will be boiled down to these two. One, it strengthens that case made in the report linked above and here. Two, it only serves to prove that CFED turned Prosperity Now affordable housing advocate Doug Ryan was proven correct.

 

 

The vast majority of the evidence points in a clear direction.  That MHI is working for the consolidation of the manufactured housing industry from within. They are apparently okay with NOT implementing good laws. They are partnering with associations that are the competitors of manufactured housing, not the allies. Not that they need the help, but if they wanted it, they could always turn to MHARR. But you simply do not get more clout in Washington, D.C. than Buffett and Gates. Those two have investments that interlace with other powerhouses. A look at MHI’s members reveals Apollo, BlackRock, and Blackstone.

The case can be made that former California Governor Jerry Brown (D) was quite correct. There is a slow, steady move to monopolize America in a way that is feudalistic or neo-colonial.

 

Chapman University’s Joel Kotkin, previously with the Washington Post and a longtime Democrat that appears to have left that party, said that a new facism is arising in the U.S. He cited Nazi Germany, Benito Mussolini’s Italy and pre-World War II Japan as examples of what the U.S. is becoming.

 

 

Longtime left-leaning award-winning attorney turned reporter Glenn Greenwald said that there is a new authoritarianism in America, and it has nothing to do with President Donald Trump.  Greenwald ripped Bush and Obama era surveillance state and military-industrial-spy complex practices. He is arguably more of a classic liberal than a pure doctrinaire leftist.

 

The late Senator William Proxmire said that in Washington there are no coincidences. If you want to understand something, follow the money trail.

Award winning investigative journalist Sharyl Attkisson has spoken about the abuses in modern journalism. She said that if you want the truth, you double check the facts and follow the money trail.

 

 

The facts are apparent. They stand unchallenged publicly. Yes, MHI and their surrogates will regurgitate out their party line. Yes, Buffett bucks have been traced to MHAction, which in turn attacks bad practices in manufactured housing, but does so in a manner that benefits consolidators.

 

Former MHI chairman Nathan Smith said that he wants all of the communities for himself. It appeared to be a joke, but in hindsight, it is now clear that he is attempting to consolidate as much as possible through his Toronto Stock Exchange based publicly traded firm, Flagship Communities.

 

 

Smith pledge that MHI would no longer be a reactive association. That was an admission that MHI made several apparent misses, such as the SAFE Act and Dodd-Frank. But in hindsight, the misses just keep on keeping on.  MHI staff have been documented to be misleading to their own members. MHI’s own CEO has been documented to

A prima facie case is defined in part by Oxford Languages as “based on the first impression; accepted as correct until proved otherwise.”

MHI has declined as has their attorneys. But on example after example, MHI seems to say the right things, but then fails to do what is necessary. By contrast, much smaller MHARR has been consistent in it battle for manufactured housing independents and by extension, consumers. Because Stinebert was correct. When consumers when, the independents win – more to the point, ‘white hat’ ethical brands – win.

It is no conspiracy theory to see that the housing portions of the bills moving through Congress will harm manufactured and modular housing alike. Who says so? MHBA’s Hardiman, among others.

 

 

MHARR has raised the alarms on numerous items at play.

 

Meanwhile, MHI postures efforts without doing. This allows their larger brands to continue to consolidate.

Following 2½ years of downturn during an affordable housing crisis, for the last 4 months, manufactured housing has been moving ahead. But as Sun’s recent earning’s call evidenced, RVs are outselling manufactured homes (MH) by about 4 to 1. In 1998, it used to be MH over RVs by about 3 to 2.  That is how effective the subversion of the industry has been. And while his numbers are arguably too low, Kevin Clayton has helped document it in his own Congressional testimony. Let’s look one more time…

 

 

The framers of the U.S. Constitution, and the signers of the Declaration of Independence before them understood human nature and history quite well. The Constitution was supposed to limit the powers of the federal government, while making it robust enough in times of war, for purposes of commerce, currency, etc. The Declaration aptly observed that “accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.” Buffett has made a similar observation.

 

Buffett, said his close ally Gates, had found the weaknesses in markets and learned to exploit them.

 

 

Self-proclaimed longtime Buffett fan Robin Harding, in the Financial Times said that Buffett’s moat method was focused on undermining competition in a monopolistic manner.

 

 

Democratic lawmakers have called out Clayton’s near monopolistic grasp over manufactured home lending. But the CFPB’s comments to MHProNews made it clear that those concerns have not been addressed.

 

The bulk of the evidence points toward the contentions that MHProNews, based on tips, years of research, MHARR’s work, and that of others that points to the undermining of inherently affordable manufactured housing. The research of James A. Schmitz Jr. and David Fettig have called “sabotaging monopolies” broadly fits that pattern too. Schmitz, Fettig, and other colleagues of theirs have specifically mentioned HUD and manufactured housing in several of their research reports as an example of how private interests undermined the most proven part of the affordable housing market. Per Schmitz’s and Fettig’s research, homelessness and the affordable housing crisis is due in large part to the thwarting of manufactured housing.

 

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Housing Center has said that the affordable housing crisis is being caused by federal policies.

 

Mark Weiss has explained that the flawed thinking of Fudge was debunked long ago by fellow her Democrats that helped enact the MHIA.

Samuel Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain, said that it was easier to lie than to prove a lie.

 

 

 

Abraham Lincoln observed that no one is intelligent enough to maintain their deception over a long period of time.

 

 

The bottom line is this. There are good laws that if they were robustly enforced would rapidly grow the supply of affordable housing in the U.S. The experience of California with ADUs makes that point, based on their experience with state-based preemption. The “enhanced preemption” manufactured housing enjoys could enjoy a similar surge, but only if existing laws are enforced.

 

 

There is not much that the industry’s monopolistic oligarchic insiders fear. But what they likely dread is an organized effort by consumers and professionals to press lawmakers and public officials to do their jobs. If they did so, it is likely that Berkshire and several major brands would be stripped of their corporate wealth and thus their political power. If Strommen is correct, and several legal minds believe he is, then what has been occurring in manufactured housing is not just wrong, it is illegal.

 

 

This is not a victimless crime. Besides MHARR and industry members, MHBA’s Hardiman pointed out quite correctly that existing manufactured home owners are harmed by this pattern of MHI behavior.

 

 

On a personal note, in high school typing class years ago, we drilled on the line “Now is the time for all good men [men meaning humans, women and men] to come to the aid of their country.”

Not only do we have to come to the aid of our country, but good women and men must come to the aid of the most proven part of the affordable housing industry. HUD Code manufactured homes are the solution to the affordable housing crisis that is hiding in plain sight. In hindsight, it is apparent that class warfare has been deployed by insiders that have subverted the manufacutred housing option. They have been joined by Clayton, which now has a conventional housing arm. Berkshire has a strong real estate division.

 

 

Cui bono? Who benefits? The consolidators who have used the “Iron Triangle” of “sabotaging monopolies” to subvert our once many times larger industry. Few things can be more important than affordable housing.

 

We are in it to win it. The money powers have been beaten back several times before in U.S. history. That means the robber barons of our era can be overcome again.

Others are backing MHARR, which merits more support from every independent producer.

But in addition, other things can be done to use the evidence against the market manipulators to defeat them at their own game by presenting the facts and calling for full enforcement of good existing laws. Those who appear to have violated state/federal laws, and there are several that fit that class, should be pressed to be held to account. It is Friday the 13th. Perhaps today is MHI’s lucky day. The day when the white hat in our profession, along side authentic affordable housing advocates, decide to rise up and take back their rights for a robust and sustainable manufactured home industry?

 

###

Next up is our business daily recap of yesterday evening’s market report and related left-right headlines.

The Business Daily Manufactured Home Industry Connected Stock Market Updates.  Plus, Market Moving Left (CNN) – Right (Newsmax) Headlines Snapshot. While the layout of this daily business report has recently been modified, several elements of the basic concepts used previously are still the same. The headlines that follow below can be reviewed at a glance to save time while providing insights across the left-right media divide. Additionally, those headlines often provide clues as to possible ‘market-moving’ items.

 

Market Indicator Closing Summaries – Yahoo Finance Closing Tickers on MHProNews…

Headlines from left-of-center CNN Business = evening of 8.12.2021 

• This is peak everything
• A workman arranges a beam on a frame at a new housing site in Madison County, Miss., Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Prices for U.S. consumers rose in July at the slowest pace since February, a sign that Americans could gain some relief after four months of sharp increases that had elevated inflation to its fastest pace in more than a decade. Most economists agree that the primary drivers of higher prices have been categories of goods and services that were most disrupted by the pandemic, from new and used vehicles to hotel rooms, airline tickets and building materials.
• Stocks are near records. Home prices and inflation are soaring. When will it end?
• Key inflation measure hit a new record high in July — yet again
• America’s prices keep rising with no end in sight
• From cereal and doughnuts to clothes, here’s what’s getting more expensive
• Major companies are recruiting more HBCU grads than ever before
• USPS wants to charge you peak shipping fees this holiday season
• Another big company hit by a ransomware attack
• One of India’s most famous designers is teaming up with H&M
• The original Barneys department store is turning into a Spirit Halloween
• These foods disappeared from grocery stores last year. Now they’re back
• This startup is creating ‘real’ dairy, without cows
• IHOP is adding booze to the menu at some locations
• How Wendy’s plans to keep you coming back for breakfast
• $600 million gone: The biggest crypto theft in history
• ‘Vaccine passports’ are taking off. How to prove your status on your phone
• Bill Gates speaks onstage during the Goalkeepers 2018 event, at Jazz at Lincoln Center on September 26, 2018 in New York City.
• Bill Gates pledges $1.5 billion to climate projects in the infrastructure bill
• The final touches are applied to a new MLB cornfield ballpark next to the cornfield ballpark depicted in the movie “Field of Dreams” near Dyersville, Iowa on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. The New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox will play the first MLB game in Iowa on Thursday, August 12th.
• If you build it, they will pay: ‘Field of Dreams’ tickets cost $1,400
• Pedestrians walk past the German multinational footwear company brand Reebok store is seen in Hong Kong on August 02, 2021.
• Adidas is selling Reebok for less than it originally paid
• TECH
• Attendees use Oculus VR Inc. Go virtual reality (VR) headsets during the F8 Developers Conference in San Jose, California, U.S., on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Facebook Inc.s Oculus virtual-reality division will sterted shipping its new Quest and Rift S headsets on May 21.
• Why Silicon Valley is betting on making this dystopian sci-fi idea a reality
• Apple to start checking photos for child abuse imagery
• It’s a new smartphone era for Google
• Dancing robot dog teams up with K-pop band BTS
• This company uses technology and nature to cut your air conditioning bill
• VACCINES
• United Airlines mandates Covid-19 vaccines for all US employees
• How to show Covid-19 vaccination status on your phone
• Why big chains aren’t requiring vaccines for customers
• NYC to require vaccines for entry to restaurants and gyms
• More companies are requiring vaccines for workers, but some unions could slow the effort down

Headlines from right-of-center Newsmax – evening of 8.12.2021

• Poll: Just Over Half of Voters Say It’s Not a ‘Real Infrastructure Bill’
• The Rasmussen poll finds many share the opinion of Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., who recently denounced the $1.2 trillion package wending its way through Congress as weighed down by Green New Deal and welfare measures that have nothing to do with actual infrastructure. [Full Story]
• Newsmax TV
• NY Rep. Schmitt: Cuomo Impeach Inquiry Must Continue
• Zeldin: Cuomo Sticking Around to Destroy Evidence? |
• Megyn Kelly: Chris Cuomo Has ‘Lost All Credibility,’ CNN Next? |
• Andrew Giuliani: Cuomo Unleashed ‘Hell,’ Not Done ‘Hell of a Job’ |
• Malliotakis: Still Questions On Cuomo’s Nursing Homes Data |
• Former Gov. Pataki: Cuomo’s Downfall Leaves Opening for GOP |
• Pete King: Cuomo’s $5.1M Book Deal ‘Absolutely Scandalous’ |
• More Newsmax TV
• Newsfront
• CIA Weighs Creating Special China Unit in Bid to Out-Spy Beijing
• The Central Intelligence Agency is weighing proposals to create an independent “Mission Center for China” in an escalation of its efforts to gain greater insight into the U.S.’s top strategic rival, according to people familiar with the deliberations. The proposal, part of a…… [Full Story]
• Poll: Majority of Democrat Voters Prefer Socialism to Capitalism
• A recent FOX News polled showed a majority of Democratic voters say [Full Story]
• NAACP Calls for DOJ Probe of Texas Dem Arrest Warrants
• After the Texas GOP House Speaker approved 52 warrants for state [Full Story]
• ‘Woke’ MLB Team ‘Sold Out Fan’ in Racial Slur Flap
• A Colorado Rockies fan who just wanted a family photo with the [Full Story] |
• Top WHO Official: First COVID-19 Patient May Have Been Infected by Bat While Working at Wuhan Lab
• Top WHO Official: First COVID-19 Patient May Have Been Infected by Bat While Working at Wuhan Lab
• The world’s first COVID-19 patient may have been infected by a bat [Full Story]
• With Cuomo Out, Will Ocasio-Cortez Target Schumer?
• New York’s influential “woke” left Democrats did a victory dance [Full Story] |
• San Francisco First Major US City to Mandate Full Vax for Indoor Activities
• San Francisco, California, is set to become the first major American [Full Story]
• Texas Gov. Abbott Tells White House to Let Texas Produce Our Oil
• After the White House was forced to urge the Organization of the [Full Story]
• Trump: Many Turning Off Fox News
• Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Fox News Channel is [Full Story]
• Fauci: Booster Shots ‘Inevitable’ for Everyone
• Anthony Fauci, the White House chief medical adviser, said it is [Full Story]
• US to Temporarily Send 3,000 Troops to Protect, Evacuate Diplomats From Kabul
• The Pentagon on Thursday said it would send about 3,000 additional [Full Story]
• Jay Leno Hangs Out of Plane in Daring Mid-Air Stunt
• Comedian Jay Leno has gone viral after video of him climbing out of a [Full Story]
• Russia Arrests Top Hypersonic Research Scientist in Treason Case
• A Russian court on Thursday ordered a 73-year-old leading specialist [Full Story]
• Media, Holocaust Bills Test Poland’s Ties With US, Israel
• Media, Holocaust Bills Test Poland’s Ties With US, Israel
• Poland is looking at a more difficult relationship with two allies, [Full Story]
• Daily Half-Hour Walk Can Greatly Boost Survival After Stroke
• After a stroke, survivors can greatly increase their odds for many [Full Story]
• Poll: Just Over Half of Voters Say It’s Not a ‘Real Infrastructure Bill’
• Fifty-one percent of likely voters agree with a statement from Sen. [Full Story]
• Trump Endorses Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin Congressional Race
• Former President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Derrick Van Orden [Full Story]
• Mike Lindell Says He Was Attacked
• MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, an ardent supporter of former President [Full Story]
• Over 800 Physicians Urge DeSantis to Repeal Ban on School Mask Mandates
• Hundreds of physicians have signed a letter addressed to Florida Gov. [Full Story]
• 9/11 Widow: Biden Continues to Shield Saudis’ Involvement in Attacks
• Terry Strada, whose husband died in the World Trade Center on 9/11, [Full Story]
• Cruz Endorses Nicole Hasso for Iowa House Seat
• Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on Thursday endorsed Republican Nicole Hasso [Full Story]
• Poll: Workers Fears of COVID-19 Falling
• The number of Americans who said that fear of contracting COVID-19 [Full Story]
• Related
• Teachers Union Backs Vaccine Mandate
• HHS Orders Shots for Its Health Workers
• Texas Senator Ends 15-Hour Filibuster, Voting Bill Passes
• A Texas state senator ended a 15-hour filibuster Thursday morning in [Full Story]
• Trump Appeals Ruling on Handing His Financial Records to the House
• Lawyers for former President Donald Trump have appealed this week’s [Full Story]
• GOP Group Warns Lawmakers Not to Undo Trump’s Tax Reform
• A Republican group led by people including former Vice President Mike [Full Story]
• Gottlieb: Businesses Won’t Need More Precautions If They Mandate Vaccines
• Businesses that require that their office-based workers get their [Full Story]
• US Moving ‘Significant’ Number of Employees Out of Kabul Embassy
• The State Department is expected to announce the relocation of a [Full Story]
• Parents Recorded Threatening Experts Over Tennessee School Mask Mandate
• Members of a group of more than two dozen parents were caught on [Full Story]
• San Francisco Woman Wanted for Feeding Coyotes
• A woman is wanted for feeding wild coyotes in the Bernal Hill area of [Full Story]
• Trump to Meet With Former Liz Cheney Ally About Primary Challenge: Report
• Former President Donald Trump was expected to meet Thursday with [Full Story]
• More Newsfront
• Finance
• US Postal Service Proposes Some Temporary Holiday Shipping Price Hikes
• The United States Postal Service (USPS) said on Tuesday it is proposing to temporarily hike prices for some package shipments for the 2021 peak holiday season.USPS said the rate changes were similar to 2020. The proposed hikes that cover priority mail and other package… [Full Story]
• Disney Beats Quarterly Revenue Estimates as Theme Parks Recover
• CDC Limits Boosters, Facebook Delays Office Return
• Biden Urges Congress to Lower Prescription Drug Costs
• PRECIOUS-Gold Holds above $1,750 as Early Fed Taper Talk Ebbs
• More Finance
• Health
• Jha to Newsmax: Pregnant Women Have ‘Good Outcomes’ With COVID Shots
• Pregnant women are having “really good outcomes” after having their COVID-19 vaccinations, so it “makes sense” for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to urge expectant mothers to… [Full Story] |
• What Breakthrough Cases Mean for COVID-19 Vaccines
• Incomplete Polyp Removal During Colonoscopy Can Bring Cancer Danger
• FDA Plans to Clear Third Covid Shot for Transplant Patients
• 5 Foods to Avoid and 5 to Enjoy Over the Age of 50

 

 

Manufactured Housing Industry Investments Connected Equities Closing Tickers

Some of these firms invest in manufactured housing, or are otherwise connected, but may do other forms of investing or business activities too.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • NOTE: The chart below includes the Canadian stock, ECN, which purchased Triad Financial Services, a manufactured home industry lender
                        • NOTE: Drew changed its name and trading symbol at the end of 2016 to Lippert (LCII).
                        • NOTE: Deer Valley was largely taken private, say company insiders in a message to MHProNews on 12.15.2020, but there are still some outstanding shares of  the stock from the days when it was a publicly traded firm.  Thus, there is still periodic activity on DVLY.

 

Summer 2021…

Berkshire Hathaway is the parent company to Clayton Homes, 21^st Mortgage, Vanderbilt Mortgage and other factory built housing industry suppliers.
· LCI Industries, Patrick, UFPI, and LP each are suppliers to the manufactured housing industry, among others.
· AMG, CG, and TAVFX have investments in manufactured housing related businesses. For insights from third-parties and clients about our publisher, click here.
Enjoy these ‘blast from the past’ comments.

MHProNews. MHProNews – previously a.k.a. MHMSM.com – has celebrated our 11th year of publishing, and is starting our 12th year of serving the industry as the runaway most-read trade media.

Sample Kudos over the years…

It is now 11+ years and counting…

Learn more about our evolutionary journey as the industry’s leading trade media, at the report linked below.

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Disclosure. MHProNews holds no positions in the stocks in this report.

That’s a wrap on this installment of “News Through the Lens of Manufactured Homes and Factory-Built Housing” © where “We Provide, You Decide.” © (Affordable housing, manufactured homes, stock, investing, data, metrics, reports, fact-checks, analysis, and commentary. Third-party images or content are provided under fair use guidelines for media.) (See Related Reports, further below. Text/image boxes often are hot-linked to other reports that can be access by clicking on them.)

By L.A. “Tony” Kovach – for MHProNews.
Tony earned a journalism scholarship along with numerous awards in history. There have been several awards and honors and also recognition in manufactured housing. For example, he earned the prestigious Lottinville Award in history from the University of Oklahoma, where he studied history and business management. He’s a managing member and co-founder of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHProNews, and MHLivingNews.com. This article reflects the LLC’s and/or the writer’s position, and may or may not reflect the views of sponsors or supporters.