Data-Driven Pivot on National Stage. AIs Spotlight HousingWire Op-Ed ‘Comparing RV and Manufactured Housing Data Sheds Critical Light on U.S. Affordable Housing Crisis.’ Market Throttling-FEA
“The report highlights a staggering performance gap: while the Recreational Vehicle (RV) industry has seen production highs of 600,000 units annually in the 21st century, the manufactured housing industry—the nation’s primary source of unsubsidized affordable housing—drags at roughly 100,000 units.” So said left-leaning Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) powered Gemini on 2.2.2026 in response to a Q&A linked below, which added the following. “A data-driven “pivot” has indeed occurred on the national stage. HousingWire has just published the op-ed titled: “Comparing RV and manufactured housing data sheds critical light on U.S. affordable housing crisis” (February 2, 2026).”From that same input-inquiry to Gemini was the following about the new HousingWire op-ed linked here. The facts-evidence-analysis (FEA) method was used in this report that included xAI’s Grok, which said: “The op-ed’s core argument remains highly relevant in early 2026.” Each AI system provided unique insights in unpacking the fact-packed 2.2.2026 HousingWire op-ed (see #2).
1)
Teaser: The Data Gap and the “Market Throttling” Question
The report highlights a staggering performance gap: while the Recreational Vehicle (RV) industry has seen production highs of 600,000 units annually in the 21st century, the manufactured housing industry—the nation’s primary source of unsubsidized affordable housing—drags at roughly 100,000 units.
The op-ed uses this Key Performance Indicator (KPI) to ask a central question: If a discretionary “lifestyle” product like an RV can achieve such volume, why is a “necessity” product like a home performing at only 27 percent of its 1998 high?
FEA Fact-Check: Quote and Fact Accuracy
An audit of the citations within the report confirms that the quotes and facts are factually accurate. * RV vs. MH Data: Official statistics from the RV Industry Association (RVIA) and the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) confirm the massive shipment disparity.
Documented Remarks: The quotes attributed to UMH Properties CEO Sam Landy, J.D. regarding zoning and financing barriers are well-documented and consistent with his public testimony.
MHI Silence: There is no documented public refutation from the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) regarding these specific data comparisons or the implications of their advocacy “success” claims versus actual production results.
Analysis: Relevance and the MHI “Internal Friction”
It is fair to say this story is not only still relevant but arguably more relevant in the current climate for three reasons:
Antitrust Synergy: Although written before the Murex Properties LLC settlement, the op-ed’s focus on “market power” and the role of MHI aligns perfectly with the Second Amended Complaint’s allegation that MHI meetings provided the “opportunity to conspire” to throttle the market.
Whistleblower Context: The report gives credence to emerging tips regarding a grassroots movement within the MHI orbit—allegedly frustrated by Dr. Lesli Gooch and the “Big Three” (Clayton, Champion, Cavco). The data-driven failure highlighted in the op-ed provides the “Why” behind this internal friction: independent members can see the industry’s potential being left on the table while consolidated giants focus on lot-rent extraction.
The “Pivot” Opportunity: For an administration looking for a housing win, the op-ed serves as an evidence-based map. It demonstrates that the crisis isn’t a lack of demand or capability, but a failure of leadership and law enforcement (Enhanced Preemption and DTS) that a strategic pivot could immediately rectify.
Keywords: HousingWire, RV Industry Association (RVIA), Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), Dr. Lesli Gooch, Sam Landy, Antitrust Litigation, Murex Settlement, Enhanced Preemption, Duty to Serve (DTS), Market Throttling.
MHProNews further notes that the HousingWire article is found at this link here.
2) From the input-inquiry with xAI’s Grok on this date.
Yes, that’s a fair and useful observation. Using an AI without long-term memory (like a fresh Gemini session) provides a “clean slate” cross-check against one with conversation history (like me or Copilot). This can help isolate whether insights stem purely from the presented evidence in a given query, or if they’re influenced by accumulated context from prior interactions. It creates a valuable HI-AI comparison dynamic: human insights (e.g., your framing, emphasis on “market throttling,” antitrust angles, and MHI critiques) get tested against raw AI reasoning on the same inputs, highlighting potential biases, consistencies, or divergences.
Teaser: The Data Gap and the “Market Throttling” Question
The op-ed highlights a performance disparity: RV industry shipments reached highs like 600,000 units annually (e.g., record 600,240 in 2021 per RVIA data), while manufactured housing (HUD Code) hovers around ~100,000 units recently (e.g., ~95,938 cumulative through November 2025 per MHARR/HUD data, projecting roughly that annual level). It frames manufactured housing as the primary unsubsidized affordable housing source operating at only about 27% of its 1998 peak, despite RVs (a discretionary/lifestyle product) surging.
FEA Fact-Check: Quote and Data Accuracy
RV highs: Accurate. RVIA official reports confirm the 2021 peak of 600,240 wholesale shipments, surpassing prior records (e.g., 504,599 in 2017). Recent years show lower but still robust levels (e.g., 342,220 in 2025, up 2.5% from 2024).
Manufactured housing levels: Accurate. MHARR (citing HUD-compiled stats) reports ~95,938 through November 2025 (down 0.3% YoY), aligning with ~100,000 annual range in recent years (e.g., ~102,784 average 2021-2024 per op-ed). The 1998 peak is well-documented as the modern high point for shipments (pre-2000s decline).
27% of 1998 high: This holds based on historical data; recent annual output is roughly a quarter to a third of late-1990s peaks (e.g., averages over 300,000+ in mid/late 1990s vs. current ~100,000).
Quotes on barriers: Attributions to UMH Properties CEO Sam Landy, J.D. (on zoning/financing discrimination) are consistent with his public statements. Former MHI leaders’ quotes (e.g., Chris Stinebert 2004, Richard Jennison 2015) are verifiable from industry archives and align with the op-ed’s use.
MHI silence: No public refutation from MHI on these specific RV vs. MH comparisons or production gaps appears in recent sources; MHI reports focus on monthly data without directly addressing the disparity critique.
Analysis: Relevance and Broader Context
The op-ed’s core argument remains highly relevant in early 2026:
Antitrust synergy — The piece (submitted pre-settlement) aligns with ongoing litigation dynamics. The Murex Properties LLC settlement (announced January 26, 2026, in Case #1:23-cv-06715) includes cooperation provisions, and the Second Amended Complaint alleges MHI meetings as an “opportunity to conspire” on market aspects (e.g., rent/pricing in communities). The op-ed’s “market power” and throttling focus complements this without directly citing the case.
Internal friction/whistleblower context — Data gaps support reported frustrations among independents vs. “Big Three” (Clayton, Champion, Cavco), where consolidated players prioritize lot-rent models over volume growth. MHARR critiques (e.g., Mark Weiss on MHI missing key opportunities) echo this.
“Pivot” opportunity — For policymakers addressing the housing crisis, the op-ed maps an evidence-based path: the issue isn’t demand or capability but barriers like zoning discrimination and financing access. Solutions include enforcing enhanced preemption (Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000) and full Duty to Serve (DTS) implementation for chattel loans — ideas MHARR has long pushed, contrasting MHI’s approach.
Keywords: HousingWire, RV Industry Association (RVIA), Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), Dr. Lesli Gooch, Sam Landy, Antitrust Litigation, Murex Settlement, Enhanced Preemption, Duty to Serve (DTS), Market Throttling.
The op-ed’s data and framing hold up under scrutiny from official sources (RVIA, MHARR, HUD). It uses verifiable stats to spotlight underperformance, making a compelling case for scrutiny of leadership/advocacy results.
4) On a different and unrelated topic, Mom Wars podcaster Bethany Mandel, temporarily filling in for Julie Gunlock on WMAL with Larry O’Connor, said on 2.2.2026, that she said three years ago that ‘the house of cards will fall when the lawsuit results begin to take their toll.’ Perhaps something similar could be said about what has gone awry in manufactured housing in the 21st century. MHProNews predicted about a year in advance of the 2023 national class action antitrust case that litigation was heading towards the manufactured housing industry.
In each instance, MHProNews reported that key members of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) and several of their dominating members were part of the then-arguably emerging legal threat-matrix.
5) Samuel Strommen, now JD but then at Knudson Law, specifically cited that Masthead report linked above. While much of the industry’s trade media, bloggers, and the associations in the MHI orbit downplayed or ignored the evidence, MHProNews pressed ahead with facts-evidence-analysis (FEA) that made the legal/litigation risks and concerns but a question of time.
“Analytical journalism is the highest style of journalism.” Diana Dutsyk. “…the personal courage of the journalist is important, he should not be afraid to go against the bosses, should not call white black. He [the analytical journalist- cannot distort the truth.”
The fresh data- and MHI quotes-packed HousingWire op-ed linked herecould prove that Mandel’s remark applies to MHVille too. Meaning, a wave of litigation, potential regulatory and other action could be ahead for those in the MHI orbit who have apparently been engaged in what Gemini described above as “Market Throttling.” Such market throttling, given the sharp contrast between MHI’s claims and its key-performance-indicators (KPI) measured results, is arguably involves antitrust violations. The Murex settlement and other items linked below are potential examples of what lies ahead in terms of legal headaches for those MHI insiders involved in such behaviors.
6) When those insights are combined with other items that have been emerging in often MHProNews exclusive FEA model reporting, the picture of purported market manipulation to foster consolidation while frustrating more inherently affordable manufactured housing becomes very difficult to argue against logically. Who says? How about the findings of 4 different AIs?
This week new data for December 2025 will be released. It will be interesting to see if MHProNews’ projection that the industry will fall short of 2024 results will hold or not. Time will soon tell.
Thanks be to God and to all involved for making and keeping us #1 with stead overall growth despite far better funded opposing voices. Transparently provided Facts-Evidence-Analysis (FEA) matters. ##
Our son has grown quite a bit since this 12.2019 photo. All on Capitol Hill were welcoming and interested in our manufactured housing industry related concerns. But Congressman Al Green’s office was tremendous in their hospitality. Our son’s hand is on a package that included the Constitution of the United States, bottled water, and other goodies.
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.
Yes, that’s a fair and useful observation. Using an AI without long-term memory (like a fresh Gemini session) provides a “clean slate” cross-check against one with conversation history (like me or Copilot). This can help isolate whether insights stem purely from the presented evidence in a given query, or if they’re influenced by accumulated context from prior interactions. It creates a valuable HI-AI comparison dynamic: human insights (e.g., your framing, emphasis on “market throttling,” antitrust angles, and MHI critiques) get tested against raw AI reasoning on the same inputs, highlighting potential biases, consistencies, or divergences.
