According to Gallup: “Americans’ confidence in the mass media to report the news fully, fairly and accurately is at its lowest point since 2016, when Republicans’ trust fell sharply.” The drop in public trust of media spans self-described Democrats, Republicans, and independents. “This low confidence reading for the fourth estate [i.e.: news media] comes at a time when trust in each of the three branches of the federal government is also low.” That same report by Gallup said: “In addition, Gallup in June found confidence readings in both TV news and newspapers that were near their historical lows and last December found a record-low-tying rating of the honesty and ethics of journalists.” Left-leaning Axios said about that 10.19.2023 survey that: “Younger Democrats, in particular, tend to be much less trusting of the media, according to Gallup data.” That begins to sets the stage for the op-ed by William Haupt III (WH3) shown in Part I below as well as the news-analysis by MHProNews in this preface and in Parts II and III of this report.
Whether someone personally likes or agrees with the implications of Gallup’s survey or Haupt‘s thought-provoking op-ed that refers to Gallup (Part I), both merit credit and consideration. For instance. It would be difficult to find a credible source that says there is no affordable housing crisis in America. It would be equally difficult to find a major party candidate that asserts there is no affordable housing crisis. So, when candidates and media are widely in agreement that affordable housing is a genuine issue, how is it possible that after more than five decades that the U.S. hasn’t solved the affordable housing challenge?
Because the claim to fame and the premise of manufactured housing is precisely that it is the most proven form of permanent affordable housing, how can it be that manufactured housing is struggling to return to 100,000 new manufactured homes annually? Especially when nearly 25 years passed since widely bipartisan groundbreaking legislation favorable to the industry was enacted?
- “The first casualty when war comes is truth,” was coined by Hiram Johnson a Republican politician from California who served in the United States Senate…” – The Guardian.
- “In war, truth is the first casualty. It’s a military maxim attributed to Aeschylus, the father of Greek tragedy.” – UMass Amherst.
- According to the left-leaning New York Times: “There’s class warfare, all right,” Mr. [Warren] Buffett said, “but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.” (11.26.2006).
- “Language is a weapon of politicians, but language is a weapon in much of human affairs.” – Noam Chomsky (BrainyQuotes).
- “In the US, there is basically one party – the business party. It has two factions, called Democrats and Republicans, which are somewhat different but carry out variations on the same policies. By and large, I am opposed to those policies. As is most of the population.” – Noam Chomsky (BrainyQuotes).
As a stating the obvious disclosure, MHProNews has evolved from its launch in mid-October 2009 several times. When trust in media is low, as the facts that follow reflect, a trade journalist shouldn’t ignore that lack-of-public trust reality. As a publisher, we survey the landscape across the left-right media, cultural, and political divides, not because we are trying to find an artificial middle ground. It is because the job of media should be to report what is factual: meaning backed by evidence, is supported by reason and/or is true. If some person, entity, or organization is seemingly guilty or credibly accused of wrongdoing, that obviously should not be off-limits for media. Some journalism instructors would and have said that exposing wrongdoing is near the heart of what media is supposed to do. Namely, be a watchdog that informs the public as a check against the powerful while not neglecting good or interesting news.
Among the headlines on the left-leaning MSN news aggregator function on 4.8.2024 is this one: “In Less Than a Decade, You Won’t Be Able To Afford Homes in These 80 Southern ZIP Codes.”
Numbers of entrepreneurs have deeply engrained in them the notion that every problem is an opportunity in disguise. With that problems are opportunities mindset, that otherwise troubling headline is also an opportunity for the goal and solution oriented in our industry and others in production keen to provide solutions to the affordable housing crisis. Since some $2 billion dollars has reportedly been invested in recent years by developers of various types of factory-built housing other than HUD Code manufactured homes, clearly there is a significant level of investor appetite for solving the problem.
The fact that giants in private equity are investing billions into the manufactured home industry might be construed as another indicator that investors are aware of the need for affordable housing and are willing to tap into the market in various ways.
With that predicate, the following was made available by The Center Square (formerly Watchdog.org) to MHProNews. William Haupt III’s (i.e.: WH3) op-ed was published on 4.8.2024. Haupt’s op-ed is sprinkled with a clever use of quotable quotes. The typo on “Gallup” below is in the original (as regular MHProNews readers know, we get typos too). WH3’s insights will be used to frame the manufactured housing focused analysis that follows in Parts II and III.
Part I
Op-Ed: America’s trust in media falls to an all-time low
- By William Haupt III | The Center Square contributor
“Let me say for the billionth time: Reporters don’t root for any side. Period!” – Chris Cillizza, CNN
There was a time when gum shoe beat reporters patrolled the halls of smoke filled meeting rooms and the dark alleys of their communities, state capitals and Washington, D.C., to be the first news hacker to break a story in the morning headlines or on the evening news. Those were the best of times when the scoop-digging newshounds were America’s eyes and ears of their governments.
This transitioned into an era when media made an attempt to keep us informed; even if it was news written by pugnacious reporters who mixed opinions with half-truths and called it news. But sadly, even that tainted era is now a footnote in history. The Fourth Estate has traded its duty of fair and balanced factual reporting for a seat on government’s doorstep to serve as their obedient lapdogs.
At one time, news organizations communicated the difference to readers between the news and opinions. They would reveal the sources of their news and at times clarify they could not divulge their contacts. Today, they mix bits of fact, pieces of fiction and opinions together and call it news.
“Any dictator would admire the uniformity and obedience of the U.S. media.” – Noam Chomsky
A recent Gallop media confidence poll shows since President Joe Biden took office, only 5% of Republicans and 12% of independents believe that media is unbiased in their reporting. Democrats rated the current news coverage a bit higher at 35%. But that is still the lowest on record for all Democrats.
Confidence in TV news is similar. Democrats and independents’ confidence are now at historical low points of 20% and 8%, respectively. Meanwhile, Republicans with a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in television news is at a record low of 6%. These are the lowest numbers on record.
According to Columbia Review, Americans trust in media is less than medicine, education, or major corporations. In the 1970s, faith in the media began its rapid decline. Americans felt media failed to fully cover the Iran hostage crisis as well as Jimmy Carter’s foreign and domestic policy failures.
Edelman’s annual trust barometers revealed over half of Americans think reporters mislead people, saying things they know are false or exaggerations. And 59% feel they slant the news to support their political ideology over the truth, while 71% believe the media no longer tries to be nonpartisan.
“One who speaks portions of truth in order to deceive, is a craftsman of destruction.” – Criss Jami
Former New York Times editor Daniel Okrent wrote, “Today, only 50% of The Times’ readership resides in New York, but the paper’s heart, mind and habits are embedded here. You can take the paper out of the city, but without an effort to take the city out of the paper, readers share our worldview.”
A poll by liberal CNN in early February asked voters what they thought of Biden’s presidency and what he’s done right since entering office. The top answer by a wide margin was “nothing at all.”
Over 50% of those surveyed couldn’t come up with one single success since Biden took office.
You’d have to be deaf, dumb and blind, and living in Dorothy’s Land of Oz not to understand why American’s opinion and trust in newspaper and TV media has fallen so low in the past few years.
The scribbling on the newsroom walls became clearly evident when the New York Times, Politico, The Los Angeles Times and social media giants Facebook and Twitter and others covered up and suppressed accurate reporting about Hunter Biden’s laptop scandal in 2020. Instead of making a mea-culpa to their readers, media said the GOP exploited Hunter Biden’s laptop incident attempting to discredit Joe Biden. They claim a legitimate source said it was trivial “Russian disinformation,” nothing more.
The media blackout worked. Pollster John McLaughlin found that 36% of Biden voters said they were unaware of this, and 4.6% would have changed their minds if they had known about it. This gave Joe Biden the election and the media continues to run cover for Biden’s failed presidency.
The media struggles to prove to its viewers that it is “fair and balanced.” Yet this is the media that competes for fake rhetoric and scandals to criticize Donald Trump during and after the election is over. This same media remains totally unfair and unbalanced towards Biden each day of the week.
For three years news outlets have continued to cover up Joe Biden’s failures and his unpopularity. They’ve been sensationalizing stories about Donald Trump to turn the public’s focus away from Biden’s policy and legislative blunders by heaping scorn on Trump. This keeps Trump in the news rather than Joe Biden.
“In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” – George Orwell
Media downplayed Biden’s catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it “challenging.” The huge spike in illegal border crossings has been excused by Biden’s press allies as “seasonal.” Border security is an ongoing disaster, and Vice President Kamala Harris jokes about it while media hides from it. Media camouflaged Biden’s failed energy policies, blaming Russia for the high cost of petroleum.
The media praised Biden’s American Rescue Plan as a bold move to save the economy. When it caused the highest inflation in decades, media said it was transitory. With record high violent crime fueled by the left’s cries to defund the police, media continues to blame everyone but Biden.
“Defunding the police will cut down on crime and improve community relations.” – Kamala Harris
Since the hulking organs of the mainstream media reside in New York, Washington and other metropolises where liberals run government, they also control the news media. The residency pattern where these news outlets are located are the most politically blue areas of the country.
As they became more liberal, their newsrooms have become biased liberal opinion think tanks.
George Orwell told us, “Our greatest enemies are lies and half truths.” The greatest danger to maintaining democracy is allowing government to abuse their powers with help from the media to mask it from the public. Vladimir Lenin successfully turned the press into his personal propaganda machine to replace the new Russian Provisional Government with his brand of dictatorial socialism, Leninism. And since 1917, Russia has been under some form of totalitarian, tyrannical leadership.
Although media has failed as watchdogs over government, on-line nonprofit news networks have enabled the nation to continue talking to itself about politics. These dedicated journalists have filled the gap created by print and TV media. If you rely on social media, the fishwrap, or TV news to keep you informed about politics and government, you are living in Dorothy’s fantasy Land of Oz. It is time to return to the real world if you care about your freedoms and liberties.
“Those who control the present, control the past and those who control the past control the future.” – George Orwell ##
Part II – Additional Information with More MHProNews Analysis and Commentary
According to polling by Gallup and that new op-ed by William Haupt III (WH3) shown in Part I above, trust in the U.S. media is at or near record lows and the trust in government is too.
While that has potential implications for the 2024 U.S. presidential, House, Senate and other races, it also has clear implications for critical issues such as the affordable housing crisis and manufactured housing’s role in it.
As MHProNews has been periodically reminding readers for months, some 65-70 percent of the population, per various surveys, believes the nation is on the wrong track.
Both major parties’ candidates routinely blame the other. Too few in media are looking behind the curtain and reporting on who is funding campaigns, who owns what media, and whose agenda is being promoted. Too few consider the points made by Chomsky, quoted above, but provided in a shorter form here.
“In the US, there is basically one party – the business party. It has two factions, called Democrats and Republicans, which are somewhat different but carry out variations on the same policies.” While that may be an oversimplification, noting that Chomsky’s thoughts have been unpacked in the report deeper dive linked here, they are grounded in the reality that donors fund campaigns. Politicians in many instances feel beholden to donors. Thus, the so-called “donor class” has influence with both major parties.
Individuals like centi-billionaire Warren Buffett know that to be true, which sheds light on his remark quoted above: “There’s class warfare, all right, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.”
Given the premise of the quotes provided in the preface by Chomsky, Buffett’s infamous quote, and remarks about deception is part of warfare, we the people are in a declared war with the financial elites that operate much of both major political parties. That is simple logic. More on the significance of that further below.
1) Two of the graphics from the Gallup survey cited by Axios and quoted in the preface above are shown below.
Keep in mind Axios’ observation about the partisan view of younger Democrats in looking at the next graphic.
2) “Younger Democrats, in particular, tend to be much less trusting of the media, according to Gallup data,” said left-leaning Axios. With youth in mind, consider again (or ICYMI, for the first time) what Manzanita Miller said about fresh surveys of younger adults. It matters politically, and it matters when it comes to the next generation of affordable housing seekers. Programming notice: additional insights on Gen Z are planned in an upcoming report.
3) MHProNews routinely curates its own selection of topics. Do industry events or sponsors influence the timing of certain reports? Of course. Some events get priority over others, and each is weighed. There are topics in draft mode on the ‘back end’ of the MHProNews website that have been there for days or longer, which got ‘bumped’ in favor of an issue that in our editorial judgment deserved precedence. No doubt we might do this or that differently.
For example. Yesterday, we published a report that was originally scheduled for last week that got bumped in favor of the report on Palm Harbor Homes and Cavco Industries, linked below, about their operations being hit by charges of unsafe working conditions in some of their production centers. Upon request, a federal official promptly provided additional information to MHProNews which added keen historic context. That exclusive addition to the federal press release clarifies that this most recent warning is far from a one and done incident. Per MailChimp metrics, response and interest in that topic below has been very high.
With respect to that Cavco facing fines item, among the Google new alerts for 4.8.2024 was this one.
Texas Home Manufacturer Faces $272K Penalty for Safety Violations – Insurance Journal An Austin, Texas subsidiary of one of the nation’s largest producers of modular and manufactured homes faces $272,479 in penalties after federal …
|
Here is another Google alert on the Palm Harbor-Cavco story.
Modular home manufacturer facing $272K OSHA fine – BLR Safety
The Austin, Texas-based subsidiary of one of the nation’s largest producers of manufactured and modular homes faces $272,479 in Occupational …
|
It is obviously in mainstream news. It was featured here shortly after the federal press release.
That Cavco-PHH story makes for an interesting test case of how news is handled in manufactured housing by others who claim to be covering industry news.
4) Everyone in manufactured housing trade media obviously could have covered that Cavco news item, which begs the question. Why didn’t they?
Ironically, because others in MHVille trade media/bloggers apparently fail to cover genuine news, MHProNews and/or MHLivingNews benefit. Why? Because when rivals routinely won’t cover issues that may make any of the ‘“big boys” in manufactured housing look less than grand, it means that our coverage is all the more elevated by default. Their loss becomes our gain. Frankly, coverage of topics apparently deemed taboo by others in the orbit of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) is part of the magnet that attracts readers like you.
Indeed, per informed sources, all of the major firms have either a management, C-suite, or top-level professionals and/or their attorneys reading MHProNews routinely. Something similar holds true for numbers of trade associations, also per sources deemed reliable.
- That disclosed, is the Cavco story cited above, or the slam on MHI by a higher profile member referenced below, mentioned on MHI’s home page or ‘news’ blog page on this date? Not a chance. The most recent item on the MHI ‘news’ segment as of 4.9.2024 at 9:60 AM ET is from March, with one still visible post being dated from December 2023.
- Is there a report on MHInsider, or ManufacturedHomes.com – an MHI award winner – on that topic or the next one featured by either platform on 4.8.2024? No.
- Is February 2024 manufactured home production data available on either MHInsider or ManufacturedHomes.com? On 4.8.2024, a check indicates that the answer is no.
- ManufacturedHomes.com reportedly has several MHARR members as sponsors. If so, it begs the question: why does that site lack the monthly MHARR production/shipments data report? Or why doesn’t that site offer other press releases by MHARR to industry members? MHARR makes their items available to others with proper attribution and link backs. So, given MHARR members’ purported support of ManufacturedHomes.com, why is it that they carry MHI’s water instead of MHARR’s facts and industry information?
- As noted, on the evening of 4.8.2024, there was no monthly production report for February 2024 from either trade publishers respective news blogs. The only visible production report on the ManufacturedHomes.com news blog on that date is this:
8,383 NEW HUD CODE MANUFACTURED HOMES SHIPPED IN OCTOBER – A 5.5% INCREASE FROM SEPTEMBER 2023
6) With that backdrop, there is more to know about MHI friendly and MHI award-winner ManufacturedHomes.com.
On their version of an about us page, on 4.8.2024 they state the following.
Every day thousands of people buy their new manufactured home. Our passion is connecting them with the right dealers who have the tools necessary to efficiently guide them through the process.”
That statement above is demonstrably false. Given that they claim expertise in the industry, the question should be asked. Isn’t that statement so obviously untrue that it was posted as being intentionally deceptive?
Thousands means multiple.
So, “thousands” means their claim implies that at least 2000 new manufactured homes are being sold daily. But that average daily production has never occurred in any year in the entire history of the post-HUD Code manufactured housing industry.
The last peak for the manufactured housing industry production is shown in the graphic below. It occurred in 1998, which was the highest year on record since the HUD Code went into effect on 6.15.1976. That year, manufactured housing just topped 1,000 new homes produced average for each day of the year.
Here is the math: 373,143/366 (because 1976 was a leap year) = almost 1,020 homes average produced for each day that year.
When ManufacturedHomes.com errantly claims that thousands of homes are sold daily in 2024, here is that math. 365 days x 2,000 = 730,000 new manufactured homes annually. Not even in the mobile home era did the industry achieve that average result. The reality is far more modest and sobering.
Note: to expand this image below to a larger or full size, see the instructions
below the graphic below or click the image and follow the prompts.
7) “Deception and misdirection” are a theme that MHProNews has credited to the insights from Capital Research Center (CRC) and which has been duly tested as the phrase applies to manufactured housing.
That noted, yesterday we published the article on Frank Rolfe and Andrew Keel and multiple slams on MHI, among numbers of other topics covered, the report that was originally set for last week. Early indications are that it too is a hot topic among our readers. That is true even though it weighed in on what might be a record length for our publication. While we plan to monitor reader engagement on that in depth report, as noted, early data is promising. That report on Rolfe slamming MHI once again follows on the increased engagement metrics on MHProNews supplied by Mailchimp: “in the last 7 days: “Click Rate up 71% Open rate up 9.3% Clicks per unique opens up 56%.” In the current eblast (i.e.: emailed MHProNews update) the number two article is still the Cavco article. Even though supposedly over 1,000 often higher-level industry pros went to an MHI event, last week was big for readership. Apparently some who missed last week’s top report (on Cavco hazardous workplace concerns), are still catching up on reading this week.
- In passing, let’s note once more that Cavco leaders have still not responded to MHProNews’ inquiry on that topic.
- Neither have MHI leaders responded to our inquiries about the Rolfe-Keel report.
Some additional observations about media in manufactured housing, in no particular order of importance.
8) Manufactured Home Pro News (MHProNews) has been demonstrated to be the largest and most read trade media serving the U.S. manufactured housing industry, a point that left-leaning Bing’s AI powered Copilot has supported. This matters for several legal and ethical reasons explored in reports like the one linked here. In fairness, before providing the following data from SimilarWeb, one should note that SimilarWeb can be wrong (for instance, it is way off our site’s metrics, per respected Webalizer generated data). That disclosed, SimilarWeb is popular and widely used, so thus the following.
Are the concerns about the accuracy of SimilarWeb data on third-party website traffic and statistics? If so, what are those concerns?
9)
Facts matter. Words matter, as Noam Chomsky observed. Words matter legally, ethically, and their ability to potentially manipulate people, as will be demonstrated further below. That noted, per their respective claims are the following.
From their respective websites on this date are the following statements.
- “MHInsider is the leading information source for the manufactured housing industry, providing the manufactured housing news, legislative updates, operational insight, data, statistics, and trends for manufactured housing professionals.”
- According to MHI’s new landing page: “The latest news to give you a full perspective on the manufactured housing industry. From manufacturers to land-lease communities, retail to financial services, and suppliers to installers, we help you keep abreast of what’s happening in every aspect of the industry.”
- On ManufacturedHomes.com news blog is this claim in all caps: “WELCOME TO THE DEFINITIVE ONLINE RESOURCE FOR MANUFACTURED HOMES.”
Each of those claims are apparently factually incorrect and/or are deceptive and misleading. For instance. Per SimilarWeb on the date/time shown.
Note: to expand this image below to a larger or full size, see the instructions
below the graphic below or click the image and follow the prompts.
Note: to expand this image below to a larger or full size, see the instructions
below the graphic below or click the image and follow the prompts.
10) It is possible that MHVillage and ManufacturedHomes are larger than MHProNews in terms of total traffic, because they are a listing/selling focused types of sites. That noted, Webalizer data tells MHProNews that we get millions of visits and millions more pageviews annually, and at a rate of pageviews per visitor that surpasses that of CNN or Fox News (bigger sites, more traffic than ours, but per SimilarWeb and Webalizer data have fewer pageviews per visitor than MHProNews). Webalizer is connected to servers, so, they should have superior data. Presumably, MHI, ManufacturedHomes.com, and MHInsider – if they wanted to be far more transparent – could give data from their server metrics. But that is not what they do. Instead, they use hyperbole and claims without evidence. So, the only known evidence is that the three combined would be dwarfed by the traffic on MHProNews, perhaps several times over.
MHProNews has repeatedly established an audience size, reputation for accuracy, detail, and analysis that is simply unmatched in manufactured housing. We cover topics that others in MHVille trade media routinely ignore. Because we don’t publish fluff, our articles continue to attract readers weeks, months, or years after being published. See real world examples from last month linked below. There are several reasons that these issues matter to consumers, potential investors, sponsors, and others.
11) The following Q&As with Bing’s AI powered Copilot are using their blue or “balanced” setting, as is our custom on MHProNews.
a)
When knowingly false or misleading information is provided to perspective investors and/or potential consumers in manufactured housing, what are the possible legal consequences in the U.S. for those involved in spreading that false information?
b)
Is it accurate to say that a misuse of the internet, “wires,” U.S. Mail or other means of propagating knowingly inaccurate information could also lead to potential RICO related problems, civil and/or criminal? And if misinformation is used to manipulate a market, can’t it lead to potential antitrust or SEC related issues? Confirm, clarify, or elaborate as needed.
Part III – Considering Why Manufactured Housing is Underperforming During an Affordable Housing Crisis and Why Public Confidence in Media and Government Are Low
While trust in media is low, and a cautious and critical eye is useful and arguably necessary, evidence suggests that specialized media are often more trusted. Clearly citing sources, providing a high degree of transparency are said by media experts to contribute to audience trust. Making corrections, when necessary, is also said to contribute to audience trust.
According to CBS on this date, a new survey reveals that about half of Americans are struggling to afford housing. With that in mind, let’s consider the following, in no particular order of importance.
1) That said, consider again the following facts and insights, per HUD.
The regulatory environment — federal, state, and local — that contributes to the extensive mismatch between supply and need has worsened over time. Federally sponsored commissions, task forces, and councils under both Democratic and Republican administrations have examined the effects of land use regulations on affordable housing for more than 50 years. Numerous studies find land use regulations that limit the number of new units that can be built or impose significant costs on development through fees and long approval processes drive up housing costs. Research indicates higher housing costs also drive up program costs for federal assistance, reducing the funds available to serve additional households.
2) The solution must include more housing production.
The United States needs more housing, and more varied types of housing, to meet households’ needs throughout the country.
3) Elaborating on the above, per HUD.
Without significant new supply, cost burdens are likely to increase as current home prices reach all-time highs…”
Summing up, zoning, regulations, and too little supply are all contributing factors.
4) Once more, per HUD.
Operation Breakthrough’s biggest accomplishment, however, was the adoption of the HUD Code, which introduced the industry and the world to manufactured housing.
5) That is from Regina C. Gray, Director, Affordable Housing Research and Technology Division, Office of Policy Development & Research. She elaborated for HUD as follows.
We believe that manufactured housing, once used interchangeably with the term “mobile homes,” is an important segment of the housing stock with the potential to increase the supply of affordable housing for low-income Americans. Since the establishment of the HUD Code, manufactured housing (and offsite construction in general) has undergone many technological, design, and financing changes that have made it indistinguishable in many respects from conventional site-built housing. In fact, in our recent engagements with international delegations, officials have characterized the HUD Code as a precursor to innovation in industrialized construction. Although discussions to modernize the HUD Code are ongoing, nations such as Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Japan look to the code to demonstrate the benefits of industrialized housing construction.
Gray is saying that people from Europe and Asia are coming to the U.S. to study and better understand HUD Code manufactured homes.
6) A recent report also from The Center Square and Daily Signal posted below indicates that large segments of the population have been priced out of conventional housing and are increasingly under pressure from high rents too.
7) The recent Masthead documents in a systematic yet rapid-fire fashion using HUD’s standards for what is affordable housing and U.S. Census Bureau income data, along with other clearly cited sources that most Americans could afford a new manufactured home.
8) Meaning, the cure to the affordable housing crisis, as HUD researcher Regina Gray have said needs to include manufactured housing.
8) Few if any have taken a more critical view of Frank Rolfe’s business practices than MHProNews and MHLivingNews. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)’s White Paper on manufactured housing in 2014 – about a decade ago – cited MHLivingNews when it came to Frank Rolfe and his arguably notorious remarks cited by the New York Times. To Rolfe’s credit, despite that, Rolfe accepted an invitation to a live panel discussion that this writer for MHProNews held at the now defunct Tunica Manufactured Home Show. When asked a sharp question live by this writer, he responded. He criticized MHI then live in front of dozens of industry professionals. Just days ago, Rolfe once more took issue with MHI.
Industry Pros Question the Effectiveness of the Manufactured Housing Institute –
Bob Crawford and Frank Rolfe from Manufactured Home Living News.
Smiling in the audience for the discussion above was Darrel Krolewski Datacomp/MHVillage/MHInsider, who has publicly praised MHProNews as the preeminent source for industry news.
9) There is plenty of apparently self-serving fluff and fufu by Rolfe and Andrew Keel in the interview in the report linked above. Both Rolfe and Keel declined comment prior to the publishing of the report above. There is plenty of fact checks that result in the apparent revelation where Rolfe, Keel or both said something that was misleading or demonstrably incorrect. It is a deep dive, but it does have some gems. Included in it were Rolfe’s remarks that MHI ‘blew it’ when it came to working with HUD while HUD Secretary Ben Carson was in charge there. MHProNews has periodically reminded readers of the enduring value of what Dr. Carson had to say about manufactured housing. So, why is it that others in MHVille trade media, or MHI itself, fails to reach back and connect the dots between Carson’s comments, useful ones by Gray, Blumenthal or others at HUD to the failure to enforce useful federal law?
10) Per HUD’s prior Secretary Carson.
Our nation’s shortage of affordable housing is ultimately an issue of supply and demand. With millions of people in need, high demand is already guaranteed.
Or this from Dr. Carson.
Manufactured housing has emerged out of the limestone and stepped into the limelight, to address precisely this need.
According to MHI reports, the average cost per square foot of a manufactured home is nearly half that of a site-built home…These dramatic cost savings in construction enable responsible citizens to secure housing that may be considerably less expensive than renting or purchasing a site-built home.
And yet, even at this lower price, manufactured homes appreciate in value at a rate similar to site-built homes, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency Housing Price Index. Sustainable homeownership is the number one builder of financial capital for most American families. For example, the average net worth of a renter is $5,000 [dollars], while the average net worth of a homeowner is $200,000 [dollars]. That’s an extraordinary 40-fold difference. But with comparable home appreciation rates to site-built homes, manufactured homes exhibit their own extraordinary potential to be a wealth creation tool for ordinary, everyday American families.
11) MHI is well aware of these remarks. So, why aren’t they and similarly useful information publicly posted on their website?
a) Rather than looking back at the previously shared quotes in the preface or Part I, MHProNews will provide them again below.
- “The first casualty when war comes is truth,” Senator Hiram Johnson (CA-R) – The Guardian.
- “In war, truth is the first casualty. It’s a military maxim attributed to Aeschylus, the father of Greek tragedy.” – UMass Amherst.
- According to the left-leaning New York Times: “There’s class warfare, all right,” Mr. [Warren] Buffett said, “but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.” (11.26.2006).
- “Language is a weapon of politicians, but language is a weapon in much of human affairs.” – Noam Chomsky (BrainyQuotes).
- “In the US, there is basically one party – the business party. It has two factions, called Democrats and Republicans, which are somewhat different but carry out variations on the same policies. By and large, I am opposed to those policies. As is most of the population.” – Noam Chomsky (BrainyQuotes).
WH3 quoted Chomsky and George Orwell like this.
- “Any dictator would admire the uniformity and obedience of the U.S. media.” – Noam Chomsky
- “In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” – George Orwell
- “Those who control the present, control the past and those who control the past control the future.” – George Orwell
b) William Haupt III brought together some important concepts as it relates to both media and how it applies to government, which Gallup said both are at or near record lows. The affordable housing crisis solution are known. It should be an all of the above approach. All forms of legitimate housing should be advanced according to existing laws, which in the case of manufactured housing benefits from “enhanced preemption” under the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA, 2000 Reform Law, 2000 Reform Act).
Note: to expand this image below to a larger or full size, see the instructions
below the graphic below or click the image and follow the prompts.
12) Let’s focus on a single item from the above, made available courtesy of MHARR, but which was highlighted and presented as below by MHProNews.
13) To our knowledge, neither ManufacturedHomes.com, nor MHInsider, nor MHI, nor others in their orbit have taken the time or made a similar effort as is provided here to show just how outrageously easy solving the affordable housing crisis could be. Yet, our dwarfed rivals could easily read our reports and make one of their own by using similar facts.
14) Buffett. Gates. BlackRock. Vanguard. State Street. ELS. These and other leaders and firms are quite well aware of the manufactured housing industry’s potential.
15) If MHI corporate and staff leaders sincerely wanted to get enhanced preemption, or the Duty to Serve (DTS) manufactured home lending, or other items enforced, they clearly have the clout necessary to do so.
16) Another Q&A with Copilot.
What is the combined assets under management for BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street? How much is the total U.S. GDP in 2023
Certainly! Let’s break down the numbers:
- Combined Assets Under Management (AUM) for BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street:
- Total U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023:
In summary, these financial institutions wield immense influence over the global economy, and the U.S. GDP continues to be a powerhouse on the world stage. …”
Note what Copilot said: “these financial institutions wield immense influence over the global economy, and the U.S.”
Is it accurate to say that BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street also have ties with investments by Warren Buffett led Berkshire Hathway and those of Bill Gates?
Indeed, it is accurate to state that BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street have connections with Berkshire Hathaway, led by the legendary investor Warren Buffett. Let’s explore these ties:
- BlackRock:
- BlackRock, a global investment management firm, holds a stake in Berkshire Hathaway.
- While BlackRock’s investment portfolio is vast and diverse, it includes shares of Berkshire Hathaway.
- However, it’s essential to note that Berkshire Hathaway does not reciprocate by holding BlackRock’s stock in its own portfolio1.
- Vanguard:
- Vanguard, another major asset management company, is also a shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway.
- Vanguard’s investment strategy often involves passive index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
- As part of its diversified holdings, Vanguard includes Berkshire Hathaway shares in some of its funds.
- Like BlackRock, Berkshire Hathaway does not directly invest in Vanguard’s securities23.
- State Street:
- State Street, a prominent financial services provider, is yet another institutional shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway.
- State Street manages various investment products, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
- Berkshire Hathaway’s stock is part of State Street’s investment offerings.
- As with BlackRock and Vanguard, Berkshire Hathaway does not hold State Street’s securities in its portfolio23.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Warren Buffett himself is a significant shareholder in Berkshire Hathaway. His investment prowess has shaped the company into a global conglomerate. Alongside Warren, other individual shareholders include his sister Susan A. Buffett and Ronald L. Olson2.
As for Bill Gates, while he is not directly tied to these asset management firms, he has been associated with Warren Buffett through their philanthropic endeavors. Both Gates and Buffett are part of the Giving Pledge, a commitment by billionaires to donate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes. Their shared commitment to philanthropy has strengthened their personal connection, although it doesn’t directly impact their investment ties4.
In summary, these financial giants—BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street—have indirect connections to Berkshire Hathaway, but their relationships extend beyond mere investment holdings. …”
And Gates’ investment fund also has Berkshire stock, right? Clearly, the Gates Foundation also holds Berkshire stock, right?
Indeed, Bill Gates’ investment fund does indeed have holdings in Berkshire Hathaway. Additionally, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has also invested in Berkshire stock. These investments reflect the foundation’s commitment to diversifying its portfolio while supporting philanthropic initiatives. The Gates Foundation’s involvement with Berkshire Hathaway aligns with its broader mission to address global health, education, and poverty challenges. 🌟📈
In the realm of finance and charity, Where wealth and purpose intertwine, Bill Gates, a name of prominence, Navigates investments, both bold and fine.
His investment fund, a strategic vessel, Sails through markets, seeking returns, And within its holdings, there lies a gem, Berkshire Hathaway, where value discerns.
Warren Buffett’s empire, a conglomerate grand, With subsidiaries, stocks, and businesses vast, Bill Gates, the visionary, sees promise there, A partnership forged, a financial contrast.
But beyond the balance sheets and stock tickers, Lies the Gates Foundation, a beacon of light, Philanthropy’s canvas, where impact is painted, Health, education, equity—its noble fight.
And within this canvas, Berkshire’s shares reside, A bridge between wealth and benevolence’s call, For when fortunes align with purpose profound, The world transforms—a brighter future for all. 🌎✨ …”
17) It is ridiculous and/or naive to think that manufactured housing corporate and staff leaders, if they so wished, couldn’t put the pressure on HUD, the FHFA, FHA, DOE, or the Biden White House to get virtually anything that they wanted. Some of the deepest pockets in the world are involved, and they have a stake in firms that are well represented on the MHI board of directors, and/or membership, or state association affiliates.
Consolidation is the name of the game at this point in time in MHVille. The evidence is clear. There is no need to read between the lines. It has been explicitly stated.
Any one of those stories may get more traffic in a month than all of the “news posts” on ManufacturedHomes, MHInsider, MHI’s news, etc. do in a month.
18) Manufactured housing is struggling because that is what the powers that be want at this time. MHI and their blogging allies will not expose those facts. Frank Rolfe, may toss an periodic grenade MHI’s way, but he won’t lay out the case like this, will he? At least, so far, he has not done so. Because these are birds of a feather who are into consolidation. They will accept a measure of push back from Rolfe, because they can’t afford to let anyone who is ‘in the know’ off the reservation.
19) Even before Samuel “Sam” Strommen came along with his research and observations, MHProNews/MHLivingNews were making similar points. In fact, much of what Strommen wrote include footnoted references to MHProNews.
20) The solutions could be summed up with the words properly “enforce good existing laws.” Antitrust, RICO, and other laws should be enforced. Enhanced preemption and the Duty to Serve should be properly enforced. Even the DOE Energy Rule, if existing laws were properly enforced, would not be the challenge that it is today.
More is ahead in a planned, and more focused follow up. Stay tuned.
Part IV – is our Daily Business News on MHProNews stock market recap which features our business-daily at-a-glance update of over 2 dozen manufactured housing industry stocks.
This segment of the Daily Business News on MHProNews is the recap of yesterday evening’s market report, so that investors can see at glance the type of topics may have influenced other investors. Thus, our format includes our signature left (CNN Business) and right (Newsmax) ‘market moving’ headlines.
The macro market moves graphics below provide context and comparisons for those invested in or tracking manufactured housing connected equities. Meaning, you can see ‘at a glance’ how manufactured housing connected firms do compared to other segments of the broader equities market.
In minutes a day readers can get a good sense of significant or major events while keeping up with the trends that may be impacting manufactured housing connected investing.
Headlines from left-of-center CNN Business – 4.8.2024
- Spirit Airlines furloughs 260 pilots to save money
- This photograph taken on April 26, 2021 in Paris shows a physical imitation of the Bitcoin crypto currency.
- Made (or lost) money on bitcoin or other crypto last year? The IRS wants details
- The Truth Social app on a smartphone arranged in New York, US, on Friday, March 22, 2024.
- Trump’s net worth has tumbled by $2 billion since Truth Social stock peaked last month
- Mandatory Credit: Photo by ITV/Shutterstock (374836at)
- ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ searches surge on Spotify
- US lawmakers unveil a plan to give all Americans a right to online privacy
- In this March 23, 2018, file photo provided by KTVU, emergency personnel work a the scene where a Tesla electric SUV crashed into a barrier on U.S. Highway 101 in Mountain View, Calif. The Apple engineer who died when his Tesla Model X crashed into the concrete barrier complained before his death that the SUV’s Autopilot system would malfunction in the area where the crash happened. The driver of another Tesla involved in a fatal crash that California highway authorities said may have been on operating on Autopilot posted social media videos of himself riding in the vehicle without his hands on the wheel or foot on the pedal. The May 5, 2021, crash in Fontana, a city 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Los Angeles, is also under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The probe is the 29th case involving a Tesla that the federal agency has probed.
- Tesla heads to court after Apple engineer’s family says Autopilot caused his fatal crash
- A factory of chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. under construction in Phoenix, Arizona in December 2022.
- Biden to give Taiwan’s TSMC $6.6 billion to ramp up US chip production
- Tesla CEO Elon Musk is pictured during a visit at the company’s electric car plant in Gruenheide near Berlin, eastern Germany, on March 13, 2024, as employees resumed work after production had to be halted due to a suspected arson attack that caused a power outage. Damage to the lines knocked out power to the plant as well as cutting electricity to surrounding villages since power lines supplying the factory were set on fire in the early hours of March 5, 2024. Far-left activists from the “Vulkangruppe” (Volcano Group) have claimed responsibility for the sabotage, saying they aimed to achieve “the biggest possible blackout of the gigafactory”, a reference to the Tesla plant.
- ‘We have reached the limit.’ Clash with Elon Musk prompts calls for social media controls in Brazil
- People walk past the New York Stock Exchange Thursday, March 21, 2024.
- Why 2024 will be a year of fits and starts for dealmaking on Wall Street
- The CEO of JPMorgan Chase says AI has the potential to augment virtually every job.
- AI could be as consequential to the economy as electricity, says Jamie Dimon
- Russia, chopsticks, oversupply: Everything you want to know about Janet Yellen’s China visit
- Oil price surge is the No. 1 threat to the US economy, Moody’s economist warns
- Another big Chinese property developer faces a liquidation suit
- Southwest Boeing 737-800 flight from Denver loses engine cover, FAA investigating
- Why some people feel good about their bank accounts but bad about the economy
- Biden’s manufacturing industry is expanding. That could be bad for inflation
- A ticket sold in Oregon has won the nearly $1.33 billion Powerball jackpot
- What’s wrong with Tesla?
- Iowa women’s basketball sets another ratings record in Final Four win over UConn
- Will the total solar eclipse disrupt your cell service?
- Teachers are using AI to grade essays. But some experts are raising ethical concerns
- Looking for a late-night meal? America’s closed
- ‘Not going out.’ Is it last orders for London’s nightlife?