The acronym FEA is short for Facts-Evidence-Analysis. Once you or anyone else clearly sees the truth of a subject that was previously obscured it becomes more difficult not to see it going forward. An example will help paint the picture. “The U.S. population in 1998 was approximately 272 million. The population in 2024 is estimated to be around 340 million.” That’s according to U.S. Population by Year via multpl.com. Total manufactured home production in the U.S.A. in 1998 was 373,143. By 2024, total U.S. manufactured home production was only 103,314. So, what happened to the manufactured housing industry that explains that sharp drop in production even as the population grew and the need for affordable housing is often called “a crisis” by experts and millions who seek affordable housing? Curiously, many within manufactured housing routinely sidestep that entire topic. Which may be a sign that more attention needs to be paid to that question and related, not less. Hold those thoughts for Part II of this article that will include artificial intelligence (AI) boosted insights. In Part I are other headline topics that include the latest from the Washington, D.C. based Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR).
Part I
June 2, 2025
TO: MHARR MANUFACTURERS
MHARR STATE AFFILIATEST
MHARR TECHNICAL REVIEW GROUP (TRG)
FROM: MHARR
RE: MHARR CONTINUES TO ADDRESS CRITICAL INDUSTRY ISSUES
The Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) continues to address critical manufactured housing industry issues with disproportionate potential impacts for smaller industry businesses.
MHARR, in recent days, has engaged with Congress extensively regarding multiple pending and draft bills that could have serious repercussions if not addressed and corrected properly.
Most recently, MHARR held meetings in the House of Representatives regarding draft bills that:
(1) would make optional the current “permanent chassis” requirement; and
(2) require the approval of the HUD Secretary for manufactured housing standards (such as the U.S. Department of Energy – DOE- manufactured housing “energy conservation” standards) emanating from a federal agency other than HUD.
While MHARR supports the purpose and intent of each of these bills, it nevertheless has serious concerns with certain aspects of their language that could potentially undermine those beneficial purposes for both the industry and consumers.
Accordingly, MHARR advised the House subcommittee considering these bills, that the Association will soon submit proposed language to correct these issues and ensure that the final bills will not have negative side-effects and/or other deficiencies.
MHARR will continue to keep members and the broader industry advised of its activities on these and other pending legislative matters.
On a related matter, MHARR was present in federal court in the Western District of Texas on May 28, 2025, as the court held a status conference in the litigation over the pending DOE May 31, 2022 manufactured housing “energy conservation” standards.
Although DOE has already indicated that the implementation of these standards will be delayed beyond their originally-scheduled dates, the principal revelation to emerge from the judicial status conference is that DOE now plans to re-open (within the next 90 days), the rulemaking on the energy standards themselves, in order to receive further public comment and input on their substance.
While this is a positive development and MHARR will submit further comments on the standards emphasizing their lack of any positive cost-benefit for manufactured housing consumers, MHARR will also continue to seek the total withdrawal and repudiation of the May 31, 2022 standards by both DOE and HUD.
As it has continually, MHARR will closely monitor all of these proceedings and take further steps to protect, defend and advance the interests of smaller industry businesses.
cc: Other Interested HUD Code Manufactured Housing Industry Members
Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR)
1331 Pennsylvania Ave N.W., Suite 512
Washington D.C. 20004
Phone: 202/783-4087
Fax: 202/783-4075
Email: MHARRDG@AOL.COM
Website: www.manufacturedhousingassociation.org
—
Part II – Additional MHVille Facts-Evidence-Analysis and MHProNews Commentary
In no particular order of importance are the following.
1) It is now June 3, 2025. There is still no article on the public facing side of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) website that promotes June as National Homeownership Month. For more on that topic, see the postscript linked here.
2) The National Association of Realtors (NAR). The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). NAREB-the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. These are 3 of many national trade groups that actively promote June as National Homeownership month. So, why doesn’t MHI do the same or more?
3) It is pre-dawn on June 3, 2025. There is also nothing visible from MHI in their ‘news landing’ page about the legislation being considered by Congress that MHARR has been spotlighting previously as well as in more recent weeks.
There is also nothing from MHI on a public update of the DOE energy rule case. This is how the “MHI news” section looks on the date and time shown. Nothing on as June as National Home Ownership month.
Some MHI defenders may wonder or muse, well, MHARR doesn’t promote National Homeownership Month either. That’s true. But MHARR’s focus is production related issues, not post-production or marketing. MHARR says as much about themselves: “The Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform – MHARR – is a Washington, D.C.-based national trade association representing the views and interests of independent producers of federally-regulated manufactured housing.”
By contrast, MHI says that they represent “all segments” of the industry and have made that claim for years. MHI is an ‘umbrella’ style trade group, or at least that is their claim.
4) Let’s go back to the data in the opening paragraph of the preface.
“The U.S. population in 1998 was approximately 272 million. The population in 2024 is estimated to be around 340 million.”
“Total manufactured home production in the U.S.A. in 1998 was 373,143. By 2024, total U.S. manufactured home production was only 103,314.”
By whatever metrics someone may want to use, manufactured housing is contracting.
The first post below was uploaded on February 25, 2024. There is still no known public response by MHI to the topics raised above or below.
The post immediately above is from an interview of prior MHI president and CEO Chris Stinebert. His name has been scrapped from the public side of the MHI website. Why? Stinebert and other 21st century MHI presidents/CEOs are apparently missing, why are they now Orwellian unperson’s for MHI, as are several of MHI’s former vice presidents?
5) The following Q&A is the confirm of a longer thread with Grok at the link shown below and here.
Okay, Grok. Now, in 100 words or less, is this PDF linked here faithful to the Q&A (chat thread) that we just engaged in? https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Q-A-GrokOnMHARRnewsTopicsVsMHI_NewsOnThisDate6.3.2025IncludingOnNationalHomeOwnershipMonthMHProNewsFactCheck.pdf Clarity and accuracy for readers is the goal to confirm the fidelity of the chat for hybrid journalism’s sake.
Yes, the PDF at the linked URL is faithful to our Q&A chat thread. It accurately captures our discussion on MHARR’s June 2, 2025, update regarding manufactured housing legislation, the DOE energy rule delay, and HUD engagement. It also reflects our findings on MHI’s lack of 2025 National Homeownership Month promotion on manufacturedhousing.org, their limited response to MHARR’s critiques, and their failure to address shipment declines or zoning/financing barriers. The PDF maintains clarity and fidelity to our conversation, ensuring accuracy for hybrid journalism purposes as of June 3, 2025.
6) Both Copilot and Gemini previously found evidence to support and logical reasons to believe that MHI was posturing for “optics” and other reasons then their claim that they wanted to see the industry grow organically. If organic growth is MHI’s goal, they have clearly gone about it in a problematic and apparently failed fashion as measured by the key performance indicator (KPI) of annual national manufactured home production.
Far more documentary examples of Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) linked firms that are focused on industry consolidation are found in the graphic linked here.
7) Q&A with Copilot on the subjects covered above and related. The inquiry is by MHProNews and the reply from Copilot follows their black logo.
New topic, but still manufactured housing, Copilot. Copilot, scan the upload and/or the item linked here: https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DraftofMHARR-Engages-Congress-on-Pending-Manufactured-Housing-Legislation-For-Q-A-with-Copilot-by-MHProNews-on-6.3.2025-about-3.57-AM.pdf First, review the information in the article, feel free to follow any and all links other online sources deemed appropriate to confirm if the information in the article is apparently faithful to the sources cited. Then, once that has been confirmed, respond to this line of inquiry and concern. Market manipulation that purportedly impacts millions of Americans is a serious issue legally and morally, is it not? Aren’t some antitrust laws and some RICO or other statues written in a way that would allow for the prosecution of those involved in certain kinds of market manipulation to be charged with offenses that could include significant prison sentences as well as large fines? Unpack that article, uploaded and linked, and provide potential readers with an objective analysis that is faithful to all known online information on the topics under discussion. Let’s apply the standard of Occam’s Razor and avoid ambiguities.
Market Manipulation: Legal & Moral Implications
Market manipulation that impacts millions of Americans is indeed a serious legal and moral issue. Antitrust laws and RICO statutes provide mechanisms for prosecuting individuals and corporations engaged in collusion, price fixing, bid rigging, and monopolistic practices.
Key Legal Frameworks for Prosecution
- Antitrust Laws (Sherman Act, Clayton Act, FTC Act)
- Sherman Act prohibits price fixing, bid rigging, and monopolistic behavior.
- Clayton Act (Section 7) restricts mergers that substantially lessen competition.
- FTC Act bans unfair methods of competition.
- RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act)
- RICO allows prosecution of individuals or entities engaged in long-term collusion or fraudulent schemes.
- Violators can face significant prison sentences and large fines.
- DOJ-FTC Merger Guidelines (2023)
- Presumption of illegality applies when mergers increase market concentration.
- Federal regulators can unwind prior acquisitions if they reduce competition.
Application to Manufactured Housing
- Industry consolidation has led to reduced competition, limiting consumer choices.
- MHI-linked firms have openly stated their focus on consolidation, raising antitrust concerns.
- Federal regulators could intervene to block mergers or unwind past acquisitions.
Occam’s Razor: Simplest Explanation
The simplest explanation for manufactured housing’s underperformance is that market manipulation and regulatory capture have restricted competition, benefiting large corporate interests while stifling independent businesses.
Would you like me to explore how these findings impact affordable housing policy and industry transparency further? Let me know how you’d like to proceed!
MHProNews notes that Copilot referenced blocking possible acquisitions or mergers. See the article linked here and below for that context.
8) Q&A with Gemini on the content shown above and at this link here and below. Question is by MHProNews. The reply is by Gemini following its logo.
Gemini, scan the upload and/or the item linked here:
https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DraftofMHARR-Engages-Congress-on-Pending-Manufactured-Housing-Legislation-For-Q-A-with-Gemini-by-MHProNews-on-6.3.2025-about-4.17-AM-ET.pdf
First, review the information in the article, feel free to
follow any and all links or other online sources deemed appropriate to confirm
if the information in the article is apparently faithful to the sources cited. Then,
once that has been confirmed, respond to this line of inquiry and concern.
Market manipulation that purportedly impacts millions of Americans is a serious
issue legally and morally, is it not? Aren’t some antitrust laws and some RICO
or other statues written in a way that would allow for the prosecution of those
involved in certain kinds of market manipulation to be charged with offenses
that could include significant prison sentences as well as large fines? Unpack
that article, uploaded and linked, and provide potential readers with an
objective analysis that is faithful to all known online information on the
topics under discussion. Let’s apply the standard of Occam’s Razor and avoid
ambiguities. Link results.
I have reviewed the provided document titled “DraftofMHARR Engages Congress on Pending Manufactured Housing Legislation-For Q-A with Gemini by MHProNews on 6.3.2025 about 4.17 AM ET.pdf”.
Based on my review, the MHARR report on pending manufactured housing legislation appears to be faithful to the cited sources and aligns with broader concerns about industry consolidation, regulatory failures, and market manipulation. The article discusses MHARR’s engagement with Congress on key legislative issues, including the permanent chassis requirement and HUD oversight of energy standards, while also highlighting MHI’s lack of transparency on these matters.
Market manipulation that impacts millions of Americans is indeed a serious legal and moral issue. Antitrust laws and RICO statutes provide mechanisms for prosecuting individuals and corporations engaged in collusion, price fixing, bid rigging, and monopolistic practices.
Here’s an objective analysis of the legal frameworks and their application to manufactured housing, adhering to Occam’s Razor:
Key Legal Frameworks for Prosecution
- Antitrust Laws (Sherman Act, Clayton Act, FTC Act):
- The Sherman Act prohibits price fixing, bid rigging, and monopolistic behavior.
- The Clayton Act (Section 7) restricts mergers that substantially lessen competition.
- The FTC Act bans unfair methods of competition.
- RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act):
- RICO allows prosecution of individuals or entities engaged in long-term collusion or fraudulent schemes.
- Violators can face significant prison sentences and large fines.
- DOJ-FTC Merger Guidelines (2023):
- A presumption of illegality applies when mergers increase market concentration.
- Federal regulators can unwind prior acquisitions if they reduce competition.
Application to Manufactured Housing
- Industry consolidation has led to reduced competition, limiting consumer choices within the manufactured housing sector.
- MHI-linked firms have openly stated their focus on consolidation, raising antitrust concerns.
- Federal regulators could potentially intervene to block mergers or unwind past acquisitions.
Occam’s Razor: Simplest Explanation The simplest explanation for manufactured housing’s underperformance is that market manipulation and regulatory capture have restricted competition, benefiting large corporate interests while stifling independent businesses.
For further details and context, you can refer to the following:
- DOJ-FTC Merger Guidelines:
- Maris Jensen Univ. Study on Market Foreclosure:
- Consolidation of Key MH Industry Sectors:
…—
MHProNews notes: the sources and screen shot to document the accuracy of the above from Gemini as shown at the links here and the PDF is linked here.
9) Once you or anyone else clearly sees the truth of a subject that was previously obscured it becomes more difficult not to see it going forward. MHI is apparently posturing for “optics” while the industry is steadily consolidating into the hands of several of its largest members in an oligopoly style. Regulatory capture is another apparent part of the puzzle picture, per AI and known evidence.
It reportedly took about a decade of whistleblowing before federal officials took Harry Markopolos seriously enough to do their respective jobs. It is arguably approaching a good time to package up such insights and present the research and findings to various authorities. Stay tuned for more from MHProNews.
See also: https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/consolidation-of-key-mh-industry-sectors-ongoing-growing-concern-mhi-hasnt-addressed-because-doing-so-would-implicate-their-own-members-plus-sunday-weekly-mhville-headlines-recap/
Another relevant Q&A with Gemini is linked here. But there are now scores of such interactions with various AI systems that span more than two years. MHI leaders can’t, won’t, or don’t respond to standing invitations to refute the mounting evidence.
Reminder. There are sound reasons why AI has said that MHProNews has more than 6x the combined readership of MHI and its affiliated bloggers and trade media.
Again, our thanks to free email subscribers and all readers like you, as well as our tipsters/sources, sponsors and God for making and keeping us the runaway number one source for authentic “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. 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.
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
