“Compared with the unregulated mobile/trailer homes of the past, the manufactured homes built after 1976 have a higher level of safety, durability, and quality, and the small fraction of the homes damaged during hurricanes attests to their safety and durability.” – Scholastica “Gay” Cororaton, CBE, National Association of Realtors (NAR). Pew Research reported in November 2024 that “Additional Manufactured Housing Could Benefit Millions of U.S. Homebuyers.” That quote by Cororaton and that reference to Pew’s recent research begin to tee up an array of rebuttal evidence available which was not mentioned by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) in their post and infographic entitled: “Manufactured Homes Particularly at Risk Due to Tornados, Fires, and Hurricanes.” Seriously? This MHProNews editorial analysis will broadly look at the apparent miscues, failures, and related topics linked to the arguably misleading National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) 2.10.2025 post about the supposed “Particular Risk” “Manufactured Homes” face “Due to Tornados, Fires, and Hurricanes.” Perhaps the headline should read that there are risks to manufactured housing as an industry due to paltering, the apparent straw man fallacy, and seemingly agenda and conflict challenged articles, infographic and the nonprofits that report on manufactured homes. The problem isn’t limited to NLIHC, the underlying research from the Urban Institute. Because there is an apparent failure of the Manufactured Housing Institute (a.k.a.: MHI or on occasion by MHI insiders “the Institute” or “the industry”) to publicly respond to their apparently misleading infographic, brief, or the underlying ‘research.’ This platform waited essentially two weeks before publishing this item, which ought to be plenty of time for MHI to respond or get NLIHC or the Urban Institute to respond and correct as needed.
As a teaser for one takeaway from the probe that follows, according to well-rated artificial intelligence (AI) powered Copilot:
“The omission of counter-research and the potential conflict of interest suggest a need for greater transparency and accountability from these organizations.”
Here is the screen shot of the top-of-fold section of the NLIHC page in question. The orange callout boxes, plus the comments, are added by MHProNews and are supported by the fact check, analysis and commentary buttressed by AI powered Copilot that follows.
Part I Q&A’s with Bing’s Artificial Intelligence powered Copilot regarding the ‘Research’ “Memo to Members” published on 2.10.2025 by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
1) A series of questions and answers (a.k.a.: chat thread) with left-leaning Bing’s Artificial Intelligence powered Copilot helps frame some of the issues in the headline topic and related.
Copilot the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) did a brief “memo to members” and infographic on 2.10.2025 entitled: “Manufactured Homes Particularly at Risk Due to Tornados, Fires, and Hurricanes.” MHProNews is preparing a report on that topic, but has the Manufactured Housing Institute, any of their state affiliates, their social media postings, any other online remarks, or the Institute’s members who are often allied bloggers or trade media responded to that arguably misleading title and post?
If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
2) Related to that is this follow up, which will be incorporated into a planned deeper dive into the underlying claims cited and linked by the NLIHC made by the Urban Institute.
That NLIHC brief is based on research published by the Urban Institute, correct? Has Manufactured Housing Institute, any of their state affiliates, their social media postings, any other online remarks, or the Institute’s members who are often allied bloggers or trade media responded to that arguably misleading and potentially conflict of interest ridden so-called research?
If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
3) This follow up with Copilot is also relevant.
Did either the Urban Institute or the National Low Income Housing Coalition research in question include this quote: “Compared with the unregulated mobile/trailer homes of the past, the manufactured homes built after 1976 have a higher level of safety, durability, and quality, and the small fraction of the homes damaged during hurricanes attests to their safety and durability.” – Scholastica “Gay” Cororaton, CBE, National Association of Realtors (NAR).
If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
4)
Isn’t it accurate to say that neither the NLIHC nor the Urban Institute research report linked here: https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/Building_Climate-Resilient_Manufactured_Housing_Stock.pdf mentions Scholastica “Gay” Cororaton useful research into the market for manufactured housing? Isn’t it also accurate to say that the Urban Institute’s document does directly not mention their long ties to billionaire Warren Buffett and Buffett-linked entities, including, but not limited to nonprofits associated with Buffett?
If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask! : :
5) Shifting gears to address fire safety.
Didn’t the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) specifically look at fire risks associated with modern manufactured homes vs. the often underregulated mobile homes and trailer houses built pre-June 15, 1976 when the HUD Code went into effect? Didn’t NFPA’s research reveal that modern manufactured homes were often as or more safe as conventional construction and were far safer than pre-1976 mobile homes and trailer houses? Did either the Urban Institute’s research mention that or did the NLIHC mention that research?
However, neither the Urban Institute’s research nor the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) mentioned this specific NFPA research in their reports. …”
6) Note that two typos were corrected in the Q&A that follows on windstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
Didn’t Manufactured Home Living News look at a specific report by the Associated Press (AP) that considered the purported “risks” of living in a manufactured home at this link here: https://www.manufacturedhomelivingnews.com/associated-press-ap-helps-document-how-incredibly-safe-mobile-and-manufactured-home-residents-actually-are-from-tornadoes-surprising-facts-despite-several-tragic-deaths-explored/ and citing that plus other linked research and sources effectively debunk the risk because it was so statistically modest? Furthermore, hasn’t MHProNews and MHLivingNews cited the wind tests done by IBHS and reported by NBC News and others which further indicates that modern manufactured homes that are properly installed are hurricane and windstorm resistant, as Cororaton, MHProNews, MHLivingNews, and others have reported?
Furthermore, MHProNews and MHLivingNews have cited the wind tests done by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), which were also reported by NBC News and others. These tests indicate that modern manufactured homes, when properly installed, are hurricane and windstorm resistant. This aligns with the findings reported by Scholastica “Gay” Cororaton, MHProNews, MHLivingNews, and others.
7) Two more typos (middle of the night, sorry) are also corrected below in the next Q&A with Copilot.
But neither the NLIHC nor the Urban Institute mention those articles and research did they? Can you find that research cited by MHProNews and MHLivingNews conducted by the IBHS on the Manufactured Housing Institute website? If not, isn’t it curious at least or troubling a worst, since they reportedly had at least one representative at that location during that wind test by IBHS?
If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
8) Two more typos (again, middle of the night, sorry) are also corrected below in the next Q&A with Copilot.
It could be that paltering, the strawman fallacy, and possibly conflicts of interest may be at play in this NLIHC item and related, isn’t that a fair concern? After all, it seems that the NLIHC, and the Urban Institute, have ignored relevant research that may not have fit with their thesis, right? Furthermore, if the Urban Institute didn’t specifically disclose their longstanding links to Warren Buffett, isn’t that a potential conflict of interest? Could it be that the NLIHC and the Urban Institute either want to push an agenda and/or don’t want to upset possible donors linked to the research on supposed manufactured housing risks when the risks are statistically much lower than the rate of fatal accidents in conventional housing bathrooms every year?
Furthermore, the Urban Institute’s longstanding links to Warren Buffett and Buffett-linked entities, including nonprofits associated with Buffett, could indeed represent a potential conflict of interest. This lack of disclosure raises questions about the objectivity of their research.
It is also possible that the NLIHC and the Urban Institute may want to push an agenda or avoid upsetting possible donors linked to the research on supposed manufactured housing risks. The risks associated with modern manufactured homes are statistically much lower than the rate of fatal accidents in conventional housing bathrooms every year. …
9) A summary Q&A conducted by this writer for MHProNews with Copilot is as follows.
Lets sum up. MHProNews and MHLivingNews have looked at and reported in depth on these issues raised by the NLIHC and the Urban Institute multiple times over the years, correct? Yet, those items are not mentioned. Furthermore, while the Manufactured Housing Institute mentions some of those issues, they apparently fail to mention some of the stronger possible research defenses for modern manufactured homes as this Q&A thread has revealed, right? So, there ought to be concerns about why the Manufactured Housing Institute is often failing to do the basic job of protect-educate-promote (P.E.P.) that a good umbrella trade association ought to practice, is that fair? Additionally, for whatever reasons, the NLIHC and the Urban Institute have apparently failed to consider research and reporting that runs counter to their thesis, right? Shouldn’t those items have been addressed by the Manufactured Housing Institute, since 21st Mortgage Corp CEO Tim Williams – a prior MHI chairman – said that there is a good argument to be made that the Institute should respond to every errant article and report? Isn’t there some hypocrisy, apparent failures, perhaps the unrefuted concern of the Institute’s unstated agenda of industry consolidation at work, or other problematic behaviors in evidence?
- MHProNews and MHLivingNews: These platforms have indeed looked at and reported in depth on the issues raised by the NLIHC and the Urban Institute multiple times over the years. However, their findings and reports are not mentioned in the NLIHC or Urban Institute documents.
- Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI): While MHI mentions some of these issues, they apparently fail to highlight some of the stronger possible research defenses for modern manufactured homes, as revealed in this Q&A thread. This raises concerns about why MHI might be failing to fulfill its protect-educate-promote (P.E.P.) role effectively, which is expected of a good umbrella trade association.
- NLIHC and Urban Institute: These organizations appear to have failed to consider or mention research and reporting that contradicts their thesis. This is evident from the omission of relevant studies, such as those by the NFPA, IBHS, and others that highlight the safety and durability of modern manufactured homes.
- Conflict of Interest: The Urban Institute’s undisclosed ties to Warren Buffett and related entities represent a potential conflict of interest. This lack of transparency raises questions about the objectivity of their research.
- Need for Response: According to 21st Mortgage Corp CEO Tim Williams, a former MHI chairman, there is a strong argument that the Institute should respond to every misleading article and report. The failure to address such criticisms suggests potential hypocrisy, unfulfilled responsibilities, and possibly an unstated agenda of industry consolidation by MHI.
In summary, there are multiple areas of concern regarding the handling and representation of research on manufactured homes by the NLIHC, Urban Institute, and MHI. The omission of counter-research and the potential conflict of interest suggest a need for greater transparency and accountability from these organizations.”
10) In fairness to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, they are widely known and often cited by media, researchers and public officials.
But that is precisely why the organization that Influence Watch says is ‘left leaning’ should protect their brand by providing balance and accurate information, including briefs and infographics like the one shown herein and on their website in the cited article.
Per Influence Watch:
“It is a nonprofit organization that advocates for left-of-center policy that would increase funding for housing programs. 1”
“In its 2021 annual report, National Low Income Housing Coalition argues that tax credits and subsidies for the development of low-income housing are used to make expensive property more affordable in the short term, but such properties generally return to the market price once the subsidy ends. 4″
So, instead of making the evidence-based case that manufactured housing is essential to solve the affordable housing challenge, because the known math demonstrates that without millions of more HUD Code manufactured homes, the affordable housing crisis can’t be solved, the NLIHC is apparently more focused on tax credits and subsidies. Those policies have demonstrably failed to solve the housing crisis.
11) This article opened with this quote: “Compared with the unregulated mobile/trailer homes of the past, the manufactured homes built after 1976 have a higher level of safety, durability, and quality, and the small fraction of the homes damaged during hurricanes attests to their safety and durability.” The remarks by former MHI chairman Tim Williams are clearly NOT being followed up on, which begs the question: did Williams just posture that without ever intending to do what he himself said was logical?
12) Williams/21st, Berkshire Hathaway owned Clayton Homes, and others in the Warren Buffett acolyte orbit need to be examined based upon the details. A former Buffett acolyte called his followers a cult that he has left. In “The Cult of Warren Buffett” dated 4.24.2023, Gary Mishuris, CFA, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Silver Ring Value Partners, said this. Citing Amanda Mantell:
A cult-specific language. A charismatic leader. Shared beliefs about the world. A community of cult members who create an echo-chamber of support and reinforcement of the cult’s beliefs.
Mishuris then said the following.
Over my 20+ years of investing I have met many young Buffett acolytes blindly quoting the great man’s investing wisdom without fully understanding it.
Mishuris illustrated like this.
Let me give you an example. One of the most well-worn Buffett-ism is: “I would rather buy a great business at a fair price than a fair business at a great price.” …
That’s what Buffett says in public. …
He has tens of billions of excess capital. He knows plenty of great businesses. They have traded at “fair,” whatever that means, prices over the years. He hasn’t bought them. Why? He is waiting for bargains that promise high rates of return. And paying “fair” prices for businesses doesn’t accomplish that on average. It’s that simple.
Speaking of returns. I happened to pull up Berkshire’s 20 year stock performance as compared to the S&P 500. Here is what I found:
Mishuris makes the case that the cult of Buffett is based in part on illusions. Mishuris said Buffett led-Berkshire and the S&P 500 returns for the 20 years that cover most of the time he has owned Clayton Homes, 21st Morgage Corporation, Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance (VMF) et al in MHVille are nearly identical.
It may be that Berkshire owned Vanderbilt’s lending may have dodged a bullet when the Trump Administration 2.0 has suspended the actions of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
13) Manufactured homes, per an array of research – just some of which has been presented or linked from this report with analysis – are required by federal law to perform in a dynamically similar fashion to conventional housing while allowing for performance based rather than prescriptive building standards. Research often supports that conclusion and other research has in recent years revealed that manufactured homes appreciate in a similar rate to conventional housing. Put differently, what NLIHC itself previously said is an important feature of manufactured housing affordability and value in this newer item unpacked above was undermined by their recent and arguably flawed claim about ‘risks’ involving manufactured housing.
14) Follows up on this report are planned with NLIHC, MHI and MHI linked operations, and the Urban Institute. Watch for those in the days ahead. Until then, this is what the evidence-supported takeaway should be for manufactured housing pros and all others.
15) Other related and emerging topics are linked above and below. Watch for those follow ups mentioned in #14.
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By L.A. “Tony” Kovach – for MHProNews.com.
Tony earned a journalism scholarship and earned numerous awards in history and 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.
Connect on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/latonykovach
Related References:
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