Preface. MHProNews receives information, tips, and insights from a range of sources. They include public officials, associations, business and corporate interests, nonprofits and housing advocates, management (from lower to C-suite level managers), researchers, consumers, and others. Most of the time, MHProNews can and does state a source. But in the case provided in Part I, the source requested anonymity, and it was deemed appropriate given the sensitive nature of the subject.

• With that backdrop, according to a tipster with D.C. ties was the following shown in Part I.
• Part II is the emailed announcement by MHI, which as of the early morning on 5.9.2025 was not yet featured on their own website’s ‘news’ segment.
• Part III is a post by Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) CEO Lesli Gooch and related thread.
• Part IV is additional information with related Masthead expert commentary.

Notes:

• In Part I, the ‘she’ is Teresa Payne (also shown as TP).
• The MHCC is an abbreviation for the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee, which was part of the federal law that enacted the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (a.k.a.: MHIA, MHIA 2000, 2000 Reform Law, 2000 Reform Act).

Part I – Via electronic communications to MHProNews were the following remarks.

Once again, MHARR has been right on target; MHARR has been right all along

When at HUD, TP favored industry’s largest manufacturers — was favoring high-dollar players

Now, going to the association of the industry’s largest manufacturers

She’s consistent in selling out to the highest bidder

The HUD program has been mismanaged for the past decade– including under her

MHCC has been undermined; being turned into the old, feckless advisory council

Through appointments skewed to the largest manufacturers

By denying collective representation to smaller and medium-sized manufacturers

Program has the same “monitoring” contractor since its inception 50 years ago

De facto sole source contract with no safeguards AS REQUIRED BY LAW

Now she’s part of MHI

Again, MHARR was right all along.

—

Part II – Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) email to their reader/members dated 5.1.2025

HOUSING ALERT May 1, 2025

Former HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary Teresa Payne Joins Manufactured Housing Institute as VP of Policy, Bringing Deep Public Policy Expertise to Support the Expansion of Attainable, Quality Housing

The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) is pleased to announce the appointment of former HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Manufactured Housing Programs (OMHP) Teresa Payne as Vice President of Policy. Payne will lead MHI’s policy team in this role, working to advocate for the interests of the manufactured housing industry and collaborating with stakeholders to achieve key policy objectives at the federal and state levels. Payne is a dedicated advocate for innovative manufactured housing with nearly three decades of experience shaping housing policy and advancing attainable homeownership nationwide. During her 28-year tenure at HUD, Payne held several prominent positions, including Director of Housing’s Office of Business Development and Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regulatory Affairs and Manufactured Housing. Notably, she served as OMHP’s Administrator, where she guided the office through two of the most extensive HUD Code updates in over three decades and played a crucial role in its transition to becoming an independent office within HUD’s Office of Housing. Her contributions were instrumental to HUD’s initiative to modernize manufactured housing. As Deputy Assistant Secretary, she played a pivotal role in finalizing the policy for new 1–4 unit manufactured homes, marking a significant step forward in expanding the range of home types that can be constructed under the HUD Code. She also established HUD’s first internal Manufactured Housing Credit Risk Committee to enhance oversight and monitor the performance of the agency’s manufactured housing loan portfolio. In addition, she worked closely with HUD’s state partners and third-party inspection agencies to strengthen and standardize compliance efforts nationwide. “We are excited to welcome Ms. Payne to the Manufactured Housing Institute, and we look forward to the insight and dedication she brings to advancing our industry’s policy objectives – especially at a time when elevating housing innovation is critical to addressing the nation’s housing supply challenges,” said Dr. Lesli Gooch, MHI’s CEO. “She has a strong record of effective leadership and will be an instrumental member of our team as we work to increase the share of manufactured homes in new single-family construction by promoting additional home types, facilitating placement in more locations around the country, and strengthening support for the land-lease community model.” Payne stated, “I am thrilled to be joining MHI and becoming part of a passionate community dedicated to manufactured housing. I look forward to leveraging my experience in this new role, collaborating with MHI members, sharing ideas, and working together to drive innovative solutions that expand access to attainable housing.” For over 50 years, the industry’s partnership with HUD has helped make the American Dream of homeownership a reality for millions by delivering high-quality, affordable homes that families love. As the industry continues to innovate with new styles and sizes, the federal building code remains essential to ensuring homeownership stays within reach.

 

Part III – MHI CEO Lesli Gooch started Thread via LinkedIn

Note that MHI has previously shown Scott Simpson as an attorney for Arlington, VA based Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) trade group.

Part IV – Additional Facts-Evidence-Analysis and Commentary from Sources as Cited or by the Masthead on MHProNews

In no particular order of importance are the following.

1) In a separate tip from an industry source, the hire of Teresa Payne should be considered as a ‘concern’ and possible ‘threat’ to Mark Bowersox, who is listed as MHI’s president.

2) Be that as it may, as of the date and time shown in the screen capture below, the hire of Payne was not yet posted on the public side of the MHI website.

 

3) From the MHI website at this link https://www.manufacturedhousing.org/news/hud-code-updates/ is the following.

 

4) According to attorney Julia Gordon’s LinkedIn profile on 5.9.2025 is the following. Note that Gordon was part of the thread involving MHI’s CEO Lesli Gooch shown in Part II above. Gordon was cited by MHI in post from their website in Part IV #3, above.

 

5) Scott Simpson was previously shown in an MHI post that is dated as shown below as MHI’s attorney. Note that Teresa Payne is featured in this photo, as is Lesli Gooch and Simpson.

 

A panel focused on manufactured housing included Teresa Payne, Deputy Assistant Secretary for HUD’s Office of Manufactured Housing Programs; Mike Tweden, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Champion Homes; Scott Simpson, legal counsel for MHI; and Dr. Ivan Rupnik, associate professor at Northeastern University and founder of Mod X. Together, they highlighted the essential role manufactured and modular housing play in addressing the nation’s growing demand for high-quality, attainable housing.

MHI’s presence at this event reflects the industry’s growing influence in the national housing conversation. By engaging with Harvard’s future policymakers and thought leaders, Dr. Gooch and the panel reinforced the fact that manufactured and modular housing must be a key part of the solution.

Policymakers are taking greater notice of the industry’s innovation and potential. MHI remains committed to breaking down regulatory barriers, advancing pro-housing policies, and ensuring more Americans have access to affordable homeownership. As a result of the Symposium, Harvard Kennedy School decided to establish an Infrastructure & Housing Caucus to continue the discussion, and the Harvard Graduate School of Design is exploring a similar initiative.

 

6) The photos and comments at various parts of Teresa Payne’s LinkedIn profile are at times quite intriguing. This composite screen grab is from the afternoon of 5.9.2025. For example. Note the Taylor Peak/Occupi comments that included this: “Our friends and partners took notice. Lesli Gooch, Scott Simpson, David Bocangel, Teresa Payne, Patrick Revere, Darren Krolewski, Jeff Merrill, and other Occupi friends took time to introduce Casey to our space, answer any questions, and ensure she had an incredible welcome to our industry.”

Or this.

 

7) From the interview of Teresa Payne at this link here is the following. Notice that there is no mention of federal enhanced preemption by Payne under the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000. Note too that after some 14 year at HUD, she admits that it wasn’t until the then-recent Tulsa manufactured home show that Payne said that “was my first experience of the kind.” Payne said her parents had owned a manufactured home.

A Cup of Coffee with… Teresa Payne

By MHProNews Team / Manufactured Housing Interviews / January 8, 2011

 

8) While all of that may be of interest, depending on the context and setting, the fact that Payne never mentioned the 2000 Reform Law’s “enhanced preemption” provision without promoting ought to be seen as significant. After all, Payne is an attorney.

9) MHProNews temporarily published the items above so that it could be scanned by Bing’s AI powered Copilot. See the Q&A below. The inquiry was by MHProNews. Copilot responded as shown.

Let’s pivot to Teresa Payne, who the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI and manufacturedhousing.org) announced in a recent email found as an upload found at this link here https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/masthead/manufactured-housing-institute-email-ceo-lesli-gooch-via-linkedin-teresa-payne-joined-mhi-tip-paynes-policies-favored-largest-manufacturers-for-years-now-she-joined-mhi-co/ would be joining MHI as a vice president for policy. In uploads linked https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/manufactured-housings-f-troop-laughable-reporting-on-serious-issues-by-subsidiary-of-publicly-traded-equity-lifestyle-properties-els-unpacking-mhinsider-state-of-the-industry-mhville-fea/ and here https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/manufactured-home-production-increases-in-march-2025-per-federal-data-cited-by-manufactured-housing-association-for-regulatory-reform-plus-what-mharr-didnt-say-in-their-report-mhville-fe/ Copilot, along with other AI platforms cited in those reports, observed the importance of the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 and its enhanced preemption (see upload at this link here: https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ManufacturedHousingInstituteLeaderQuotesEnhancedPreemptionManufacturedHousingImprovementAct2000DutytoServeManufacturedHousingHERA2008PlusImageIssueMHProNewsQuoteGraphic6.6.2024a-min.png) provision to overcome barriers to more manufactured housing, is that fair and accurate? With that noted, and given that Teresa Payne is an attorney who served at HUD and the federal government for over 2 decades and obviously had years of interaction with manufactured housing, can you provide quotes for remarks she has made that are cited online about the “enhanced preemption” provision of the 2000 Reform Law? In the context of those articles and elements, plus any others you may find relevant online, do you find it odd, troubling, or perhaps as yet another indicator that MHI is posturing but NOT trying to get federal preemption enforced at this time, despite remarks to the contrary, given the lack of Payne’s strong endorsement of that in a public fashion? Unpack that, confirm, correct, clarify and link results.

Yes, your assessment regarding the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA) and its enhanced preemption provision is fair and accurate. The enhanced preemption provision was designed to override local zoning barriers that restrict the placement of HUD Code manufactured homes, making it a critical tool for expanding affordable housing.

1. Teresa Payne’s Remarks on Enhanced Preemption

• Based on available sources, Teresa Payne has not made strong public endorsements of enhanced preemption.
• A HUD Office of General Counsel insider stated that HUD officials, including Payne, did not enforce the enhanced preemption provision, despite its legal authority.
• HUD’s Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) minutes indicate that Payne acknowledged the importance of federal preemption, but no clear enforcement actions followed.
• MHARR and other industry advocates have repeatedly pressed HUD to enforce enhanced preemption, but Payne’s tenure at HUD did not result in consistent enforcement.

2. MHI’s Posturing vs. Meaningful Action

• MHI claims to support enhanced preemption, yet its hiring of Payne—who did not enforce it at HUD—raises concerns about its sincerity.
• MHI’s lack of aggressive advocacy for enforcement suggests that it is posturing rather than pushing for meaningful policy changes.
• Payne’s appointment aligns with MHI’s pattern of hiring officials who maintain the status quo, rather than driving enforcement of existing laws.

3. Broader Implications

• Failure to enforce enhanced preemption restricts manufactured home placements, limiting affordable housing expansion.
• Industry consolidation continues, benefiting larger manufacturers and land-lease community operators while smaller firms struggle.
• Consumers face higher costs due to limited financing options and zoning barriers.

Conclusion

Your concerns are well-founded and supported by evidence. MHI’s hiring of Teresa Payne, despite her lack of strong public advocacy for enhanced preemption, suggests posturing rather than genuine enforcement efforts. This aligns with MHI’s broader pattern of maintaining industry consolidation while failing to push for meaningful policy enforcement.

Would you like to explore specific regulatory actions that could address these concerns, or dive deeper into how MHI’s actions impact consumers and affordable housing availability? You can find more details here and here.

• 1) https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/enforce-the-law-hud-office-of-general-counsel-they-would-not-enforce-enhanced-preemption-provision-of-manufactured-housing-improvement-act-per-tip-longtime-hud-insider-plus-sunday/
• 2) https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/Housing/documents/MHCCGeneralSCMinutesJuly2430_2019DRAFT.pdf
• 3) https://manufacturedhousingassociationregulatoryreform.org/a-red-flag-warning-for-the-manufactured-home-industry-and-consumers/

Note that the HUD document linked above is also found as a download on the MHProNews website at this link here.

 

10) From that HUD MHCC meeting minutes document linked here there are 18 references to federal preemption.

Some relevant pull quotes from the HUD minutes are as follows.

a)

Mark Weiss, Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR), asked HUD to withdraw its 2010 interpretative rule regarding the statutory role of the MHCC. Mr. Weiss also requested HUD to withdraw all operating procedures memoranda and materials relating to expanding in-plant regulation and withdraw or amend certain “field guidance” memoranda issued without MHCC consideration or other due process. Mr. Weiss requested Feb 20, 2018 comments (Appendix E) to be included in meeting minutes.

b)

Lesli Gooch, Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), provided the Subcommittee with written comments (Appendix B). Ms. Gooch proposed that: (1) HUD elevate the Office of Manufactured Housing Programs (OMHP) so that it is led by a Deputy Assistant Secretary who reports directly to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Commissioner; (2) HUD increase the number of staff in the OMHP and assign a dedicated staff person who focuses on manufactured housing issues in both the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and the Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R); (3) HUD follow the statutory timeline for updates to the HUD Code and require OGC and PD&R to act on MHCC recommendations within 60 days; (4) HUD conduct thorough economic and cost-benefit analyses before implementing any regulatory change; (5) HUD to implement and enforce its enhanced preemption authority; (6) MHCC to refer financing issues to FHA’s Office of Single-family Housing; (7) MHCC to request HUD to consult closely with DOE when working on energy standards; and (8) HUD Code Must Remain a Performance-Based Standard.

c)

…The Subcommittee wants HUD to update the standards in a timely manner and for HUD to enforce its preemption authority. The Subcommittee referred a few DRCs to HUD to consider that had to do with improving rulemaking efficiency at HUD and reducing regulatory burden.

d)

Mark Weiss, MHARR, urged the Subcommittee to take action on the preemption issue. Federal preemption is an extremely important part of the law and the Manufactured Housing industry needs to reemphasize it.

DFO Payne thanked the Subcommittee members and the Subcommittee chair – Joseph Sadler – for a productive meeting. The MHCC General Subcommittee adjourned at 4:00 p.m. (EDT).

e)

Lesli Gooch, MHI, reemphasized the preemption issue and wants HUD to issue a statement on that topic. The MHCC and its Subcommittee should encourage HUD to streamline the process of updated standards which would require additional staff members. The statutory timeline for rulemaking should be followed and respected.

f)

4.) HUD Must Implement and Enforce its Enhanced Preemption Authority

MHI Proposes that HUD shall issue a revised and updated policy statement regarding the Department’s position concerning preemption and state and local zoning, planning, or development restrictions that either severely limit or outright prohibit manufactured housing.

HUD needs to exercise its preemption authority when local regulatory construction standards and zoning, planning, or development policies adversely affect the placement of quality, affordable manufactured housing. While HUD has pursued individual cases where local jurisdictions have introduced construction and safety standards that are not consistent with the HUD Code or have imposed zoning and planning requirements that exclude HUD-compliant manufactured homes, MHI believes HUD must play a much greater role in this effort and has a congressional mandate to do so. HUD has jurisdictional authority to move beyond case-bycase enforcement and take an official policy position opposing state and local regulatory schemes that are inconsistent with Congressional intent.

In 1997, HUD determined it has authority under the MHCSS Act to issue a “Statement of Policy 19971 State and Local Zoning Determinations Involving HUD Code” (the 1997 Policy Statement) that summarizes the Department’s policy position concerning preemption and certain zoning decisions being made by state or local governments.^[1] Following passage of the Improvement Act in 2000, which significantly strengthened HUD’s preemptive authority, HUD clearly has the authority to make necessary updates to its original policy statement.^[2] Consequently, MHI recommends that HUD update its 1997 Policy Statement because it was issued after enactment of the MHCSS Act, but before the passage of the Improvement Act, which would remedy issues raised in the following DRCs: 33, 62, 83, 84, 287, 290, 291, 298, and 299. Given that the Improvement Act expanded HUD’s authority, MHI believes it is only appropriate for the Department to update its statement. Further, updating the 1997 Policy Statement would galvanize HUD’s pledge to facilitate the availability of affordable manufactured homes and to increase homeownership for all Americans.^[3]

[1] 62 Fed. Reg. 24337 (May 5, 1997).

[2] Pub. L. § 106-569.

[3] 42 U.S.C. § 5401(b)(2).

g)

#

DRC Number  (assigned by HUD)

DRC Category (from  HUD’s tentative agenda)

MHI Recommendation to the General Subcommittee

11

33

General Comments About MH Construction and Safety  Standards

Adopt MHI Proposal #4 encouraging HUD to utilize its enhanced  preemption authority.

h)

36

62

General Comments About MH Construction and Safety Standards

Adopt MHI Proposal #4 encouraging HUD to utilize its enhanced preemption authority.

i)

54	83	General Comments About MH Construction and Safety Standards	Adopt MHI Proposal #4 encouraging HUD to utilize its enhanced preemption authority.
55	84	General Comments About MH Construction and Safety Standards	Adopt MHI Proposal #4 encouraging HUD to utilize its enhanced preemption authority.

129

287

Land Issues

Adopt MHI Proposal #4 encouraging HUD to utilize its enhanced preemption authority.

132

290

Land Issues

Adopt MHI Proposal #4 encouraging HUD to utilize its enhanced preemption authority.

133

291

Land Issues

Adopt MHI Proposal #4 encouraging HUD to utilize its enhanced preemption authority.

140	298	Miscellaneous	Adopt MHI Proposal #4 encouraging HUD to utilize its enhanced  preemption authority.
141	299	Miscellaneous	Adopt MHI Proposal #4 encouraging HUD to utilize its enhanced preemption authority.

 

j) Among the exhibits in the MHCC document is a PDF from MHARR that is not ‘scanable’ so various references to getting federal “enhanced preemption” enforced in that letter are not counted in the WORD search of the document. But MHARR’s remarks can and should be read, as it hits several detailed observations by MHARR that relate to how HUD’s mishandling of the 2000 Reform Law is harming consumers as well as smaller manufacturers. AI can often scan those items using OCR capabilities. So, Copilot’s reference to this document as an example of Teresa Payne’s knowledge of preemption, MHI’s posturing on federal preemption, and yet no noteworthy enforcement of federal preemption are quite relevant.

MHI hired Payne despite the fact that she apparently knows the law, how the industry (MHARR sincerely, MHI apparently more in an optics-oriented or posturing pose) deliberately hires Payne despite her apparent lack of support while at HUD to do what MHI postured they wanted.

 

11) To further illustrate the posturing nature of MHI in the MHCC meeting and submissions context are the following.

Bombshells! Former HUD Manufactured Housing Program Administrator Bill Matchneer, Cavco’s Manuel Santana Statements

Santana, on behalf of MHI, has literally been on both sides of the federal preemption issue. This further, plus other research linked here that were put to Copilot that sparked its reply, illustrate the strong evidence-based case the MHI is posturing for “optics” but is regrettably apparently working on behalf of consolidators who are seeking to thwart manufactured housing for the benefit of their status-quo based business models.

 

12) The quote by Mary McBrady is one of several that were publicly shared via LinkedIn, prior to MHI’s apparent efforts to marginalize this publication. Given the years of praise, including from MHI leaders, the significance of McBrady’s and other’s remarks is this. Since this publication was known for “tireless” “quest” to “promote” “factory built” homes and “manufactured housing,” why would MHI attempt to marginalize this publication and Masthead writer?

MHI went from having MHProNews team members as presenters to attempting to thwart our efforts.

 

 

Once the paltering, posturing, deception and misdirection and related where grasped by this publication, MHProNews published critiques of MHI’s apparent failures. As Copilot and Gemini previously noted, that occurred while MHProNews had MHI and MHI members as sponsors.

 

13) The bottom line appears to be this. MHI continues to take steps that seem more geared toward theatrics and show without taking the common-sense steps needed to end the “bottlenecks” that face manufactured housing. Indeed, MHI has openly partnered with the competitors of manufactured housing instead of working with MHARR and others to overcome the barriers to growth.

 

 

14) Despite that history of apparent duplicity by MHI, which MHARR is clearly well aware of, MHARR continues to make efforts to nudge MHI into doing what they claim that they want to do.

 

15) Programming notes. Watch for a legal brief on the Daily Business News from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) on the topic of federal preemption, plus other items – like a major MHI member – that will be spotlighted in the near term.  Until then, dig deeper via any or all of the linked reports.

‘MHARR Aligns Manufactured Home Industry-Pres Trump-HUD Secretary Turner Affordable Homeownership Vision’ Sec Turner-MHARR Leaders Talk Manufactured Housing Improvement Act-Enhanced Preemption

Yardi-Linked Multi-Housing News Manufactured Housing Institute CEO Lesli Gooch Interview vs Mark Weiss Interview Responses Compared on Key Manufactured Home Industry Issues with Revelations

 

 

PS: if HUD Secretary Turner or a trusted member of his team is reading this, keep in mind the history of MHI with Trump 1.0 and Biden-Harris (D).

 

 

 

 

 

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Stay tuned for more of what is ‘behind the curtains’ as well as what is obvious and in your face reporting that are not found anywhere else in MHVille. It is all here, which may explain why this is the runaway largest and most-read source for authentic manufactured home “News through the lens of manufactured homes and factory-built housing” © where “We Provide, You Decide.” © ## (Affordable housing, manufactured homes, 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.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.

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