“People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures.” – F. Matthias Alexander. To set the context for the exploratory expert analysis on the facts regarding manufactured homme production and shipments in all 50 United States, and Laurie Goodman with the Urban’s Institute (UI) and other remarks found in Part II of this article, consider some fascinating expressions and pull quotes from new or previously cited sources. Because it will be useful to some to explain the meaning of some expressions used herein, Bing’s AI powered Copilot was asked:

> “What does the expression ‘no more sacred cows’ mean? Give an example.”

The expression “no more sacred cows” is not an idiom in the traditional sense, but rather a mash-up of two expressions. Let’s break it down:

1. Sacred Cow: Originally derived from Hinduism, a sacred cow represents an idea or principle that is immune from criticism, often unreasonably so. For instance, in British politics, the National Health Service (NHS) has become a sacred cow, with politicians hesitating to criticize it12. Another example could be an English grammar rule that is considered untouchable, like the belief that every sentence must have a verb.
2. Cow Tipping: This urban legend involves sneaking up to cows and pushing them over. While it’s not a real pastime, the concept is humorous and absurd.

Now, when we combine these two ideas, the phrase “no sacred cow remains untipped” is used for comic effect. It suggests that every principle of English grammar is challenged, much like the playful act of tipping over cows. So, when someone says “no more sacred cows,” they mean that nothing is off-limits for scrutiny or criticism. …”

Copilot responded to another inquiry like this.

The quote “People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures” is attributed to F. Matthias Alexander123. This thought-provoking statement emphasizes the critical role that habits play in shaping our lives. Rather than focusing solely on grand decisions or external circumstances, Alexander suggests that our daily routines and behaviors significantly impact our long-term outcomes. By cultivating positive habits, we pave the way for a more successful and fulfilling future4.…”

> “Give some context to this quotation: “When you want to help people, you tell them the truth.  When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear.” ― Thomas Sowell”

Certainly! The quote you’ve mentioned is attributed to Thomas Sowell, an American economist and political commentator. Sowell is known for his thought-provoking insights on economics, politics, and society. Let’s delve into the context of this quote:

“When you want to help people, you tell them the truth. When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear.” — Thomas Sowell 123

This powerful statement highlights a fundamental aspect of human communication. Here’s what it implies:

1. Truth and Altruism: When our intention is to genuinely assist others, we prioritize honesty. We share information, even if it might be uncomfortable or inconvenient. This aligns with the idea that helping people involves providing them with accurate knowledge, even if it challenges their existing beliefs.
2. Self-Interest and Deception: Conversely, when our motives are self-serving, we may choose to tell others what they want to hear. This can involve bending the truth, withholding information, or presenting a more favorable version of reality. It’s a pragmatic approach driven by personal gain.

Example Illustration: Imagine a financial advisor who genuinely cares about their clients’ financial well-being. When advising them on investments, the advisor provides candid insights, even if it means cautioning against risky choices. In this case, the advisor prioritizes helping the clients over personal gain.

Now consider a different scenario: A salesperson aiming to close a deal. To secure the sale, they might emphasize only the positive aspects of a product, downplaying any drawbacks. Here, the salesperson’s self-interest leads them to tell the potential buyer what they want to hear.

In essence, Sowell’s quote reminds us of the delicate balance between truthfulness and self-interest in our interactions with others. It invites reflection on our own motivations and the impact of our words on those around us. …”

 

> “So can Sowell’s pithy quote be a kind of cautionary tale against the dangers posed by those who posture, palter, and project instead of expressing a completely revealing set of truths?”

Indeed, Thomas Sowell’s succinct quote serves as a cautionary reminder about the complexities of communication and the motivations behind our words. Let’s dissect it further:

1. **Posturing and Paltering:
   • Posturing: This refers to adopting a particular stance or attitude to create a certain impression. People may posture to appear more knowledgeable, virtuous, or influential than they truly are.
   • Paltering: It involves selectively revealing partial truths while omitting crucial information. Paltering can be deceptive, as it manipulates perception without outright lying.
2. Projecting:
   • Projecting: In this context, it means projecting one’s desires, biases, or self-interest onto others. When we project, we assume that others share our preferences or viewpoints.
3. The Cautionary Tale:
   • Sowell’s quote warns against prioritizing self-interest over honesty. When we tell others what they want to hear, we may gain short-term benefits (such as approval or personal gain), but it comes at the cost of truthfulness.
   • By emphasizing the contrast between helping people (truth-telling) and helping oneself (telling what they want to hear), Sowell underscores the ethical dilemma.
4. The Dangers:
   • When individuals consistently prioritize self-interest, it erodes trust and undermines genuine communication.
   • Posturing, paltering, and projecting can lead to misunderstandings, broken relationships, and societal discord.
   • In public discourse, these behaviors contribute to misinformation, echo chambers, and polarization.
5. The Call for Authenticity:
   • Sowell’s quote encourages us to reflect on our intentions. Are we seeking truth or merely seeking advantage?
   • It reminds us that authenticity—expressing a completely revealing set of truths—is essential for meaningful connections and informed decision-making.

In summary, Sowell’s words serve as a cautionary beacon, urging us to navigate the delicate balance between self-interest and honesty. By doing so, we contribute to a more transparent and compassionate world. 🌟🗣️”

Note that the Institute for Building Technology & Safety‎ (IBTS) gathers the details on manufactured housing production under a long-standing contract with HUD. So, the data that follows are thus ‘official’ statistics. Per their website: “IBTS maintains data regarding the required certification HUD labels and Data Plates for manufactured homes. The IBTS certification is based on production reports provided by the home manufacturer.” “From this need, the Institute for Building Technology and Safety was born. Established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, IBTS was tasked with undertaking contract, grant, and cooperative agreement work on behalf of government entities across the nation.” According to the HUD website at this link on 2.20.2024: “The Manufactured Housing Survey (MHS) is sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The MHS produces monthly regional estimates of the average sales price for new manufactured homes and more detailed annual estimates including selected characteristics of new manufactured homes. In addition, MHS produces monthly estimates of homes shipped by status. The statistics on shipments of new manufactured homes are produced by the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS)…”

 

Part I – Manufactured Housing Industry Production Data from all 50 States, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico

Institute for Building Technology & Safety‎
Shipments and Production Summary Report 12/01/2023 – 12/31/2023

 

Shipments
State	SW	MW	Total	Floors
Dest. Pending	6	2	8	10
Alabama	165	168	333	503
Alaska	3	2	5	7
Arizona	53	84	137	221
Arkansas	58	66	124	190
California	28	155	183	348
Colorado	27	15	42	57
Connecticut	11	2	13	15
Delaware	6	19	25	44
District of Columbia	0	0	0	0
Florida	153	342	495	842
Georgia	130	187	317	505
Hawaii	0	0	0	0
Idaho	3	23	26	50
Illinois	28	10	38	48
Indiana	57	41	98	139
Iowa	38	5	43	48
Kansas	5	8	13	21
Kentucky	91	146	237	383
Louisiana	201	100	301	399
Maine	19	19	38	57
Maryland	45	8	53	61
Massachusetts	6	9	15	24
Michigan	71	64	135	199
Minnesota	40	21	61	82
Mississippi	139	132	271	403
Missouri	77	35	112	147
Montana	5	14	19	34
Nebraska	3	4	7	11
Nevada	7	15	22	37
New Hampshire	6	11	17	28
New Jersey	9	12	21	33
New Mexico	38	68	106	174
New York	35	57	92	149
North Carolina	152	215	367	582
North Dakota	2	2	4	6
Ohio	59	45	104	149
Oklahoma	56	81	137	218
Oregon	21	44	65	114
Pennsylvania	48	45	93	138
Rhode Island	1	2	3	5
South Carolina	108	234	342	576
South Dakota	10	14	24	38
Tennessee	61	185	246	431
Texas	565	651	1,216	1,872
Utah	3	16	19	35
Vermont	4	3	7	10
Virginia	45	51	96	147
Washington	10	70	80	152
West Virginia	26	60	86	146
Wisconsin	25	17	42	59
Wyoming	18	4	22	26
Canada	0	0	0	0
Puerto Rico	0	0	0	0
Total	2,777	3,583	6,360	9,973
THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE PROVIDED AS A MONTHLY
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE. REPRODUCTION IN PART OR
IN TOTAL MUST CARRY AN ATTRIBUTION TO IBTS, INC.

Production
State	SW	MW	Total	Floors
States Shown(*)	201	215	416	632
Alabama	537	559	1,096	1,659
*Alaska	0	0	0	0
Arizona	52	82	134	218
*Arkansas	0	0	0	0
California	23	141	164	310
*Colorado	0	0	0	0
*Connecticut	0	0	0	0
*Delaware	0	0	0	0
*District of Columbia	0	0	0	0
Florida	47	192	239	433
Georgia	188	300	488	791
*Hawaii	0	0	0	0
Idaho	15	54	69	126
*Illinois	0	0	0	0
Indiana	262	140	402	542
*Iowa	0	0	0	0
*Kansas	0	0	0	0
*Kentucky	0	0	0	0
*Louisiana	0	0	0	0
*Maine	0	0	0	0
*Maryland	0	0	0	0
*Massachusetts	0	0	0	0
*Michigan	0	0	0	0
Minnesota	45	42	87	129
*Mississippi	0	0	0	0
*Missouri	0	0	0	0
*Montana	0	0	0	0
*Nebraska	0	0	0	0
*Nevada	0	0	0	0
*New Hampshire	0	0	0	0
*New Jersey	0	0	0	0
*New Mexico	0	0	0	0
*New York	0	0	0	0
North Carolina	167	230	397	627
*North Dakota	0	0	0	0
*Ohio	0	0	0	0
*Oklahoma	0	0	0	0
Oregon	33	122	155	285
Pennsylvania	123	178	301	479
*Rhode Island	0	0	0	0
*South Carolina	0	0	0	0
*South Dakota	0	0	0	0
Tennessee	374	583	957	1,540
Texas	710	745	1,455	2,202
*Utah	0	0	0	0
*Vermont	0	0	0	0
*Virginia	0	0	0	0
*Washington	0	0	0	0
*West Virginia	0	0	0	0
*Wisconsin	0	0	0	0
*Wyoming	0	0	0	0
*Canada	0	0	0	0
*Puerto Rico	0	0	0	0
Total	2,777	3,583	6,360	9,973
(*) THESE STATES HAVE FEWER THAN THREE PLANTS.
FIGURES ARE AGGREGATED ON FIRST LINE ABOVE
TOTALS TO PROTECT PROPRIETARY INFORMATION.

Ashok K Goswami, PE, COO, 45207 Research Place, Ashburn, VA

Part II – Additional Information with More MHProNews Analysis and Commentary

“The puzzle is why there’s so little [manufactured housing] being shipped when it’s a much better product than it used to be,” said Laurie Goodman, an Urban Institute fellow.” Millions of Americans need and want an affordable home. As the quote from Goodman via NewsNation recently reported, manufactured housing: “has historically been a more affordable option.” “Advocates are pushing for legislative change but are met with opposition,” Goodman said. For insights on that topic, including more from and about that NewsNation report, see the article linked below.

 

The data in the report linked above should be considered in the light of the following insights, per Copilot.

• “the U.S. population has grown by approximately 23.92% from 1998 to 2024.”
• HUD Code manufactured home production in 1998 was 373,143 dwellings.
• HUD Code manufactured home production in 2023 was 89,169 dwellings.
• Doing the math (see the report for details) “if manufactured housing production had grown at the same rate as the population, it would be approximately 446,117 dwellings today.”

Kristin Millington, director of manufactured housing and self-storage at Dallas-based Crow Holdings Capital, told BisNow that: “Some of the most profitable investments are in industries where demand is outpacing supply.” Millington added: “That’s the exact dynamic we see present in the manufactured housing space, and we don’t really see that changing.”

That remark confirms what MHProNews has been reporting for some years about the openly stated by some Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) members statements that limited new development is viewed as a plus to manufactured home land-lease community consolidators. There are, however, apparent problems with that approach. “Developers [of new manufactured home communities are] have a very hard time getting these approvals,” Millington said. “There’s an element of NIMBYism.”

Limiting “places to put” a manufactured home means there are obvious constraints on building new homes and thus placements.

 

 

This appears to be classic ‘wink and a nod’ conspiracy and collusion to accept the limitations of manufactured housing from and by members of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI). MHI ‘officially’ says that they want more production, that they want more competitive financing options, and that they want more manufactured housing opportunities. But their board is thoroughly laced with individuals who in many cases appear to be ‘in on’ the ‘wink and a nod’ approach taken by MHI, which is directly contradicted by several of their own higher profile members. That smacks of a sly form of market manipulation. That topic was explored in the new report linked below by a prior top federal DOJ antitrust enforcer, Makan Delrahim.

 

 

Tipping Over the Sacred Cows at MHI

Elevating Housing Innovation; Expanding Attainable Homeownership The Manufactured Housing Institute is the only national trade organization representing all segments of the factory-built housing industry. We are your trusted partner, advocate and industry leader.”

 

While it is apparent that some believe in this business model, and some are touting how profitable it is for their operation’s plans, it is obviously not without legal, regulatory, and other risks.

 

 

 

An early version of the quote-graphic above was “Uploaded on: May 6, 2020” by MHProNews. MHProNews and MHLivingNews have been cautioning readers for some years that this appeared to be evidence of a serious antitrust violation.  Again, see the report linked here and learn how a top federal antitrust enforcer described the need to enforce competition law. Quotes and insights from both Democrats and Republicans are provided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Rolfe and Reynolds operations have thus far had mostly wrist-slaps by public officials is a mystery.  But it is one that may be answered in time, because hundreds of thousands of individuals living in those manufactured home communities that are being operated by so-called “predatory” owner/operators have a strong motivation to discover more of the realities behind what is harming their interests.

 

 

But it isn’t only residents of those communities that are being harmed by this business model that accepts a status quo of industry underperformance. It is also independent producers of HUD Code manufactured homes. A case can be made that it is also smaller investors. And most certainly it is also the growing numbers of homeless, taxpayers, and essentially most Americans. Who says?  Beyond the insights and warnings from the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR), there are also the claims made by several consolidators themselves.  For instance, when Cavco Industries asserts that they want to see manufactured housing enhanced preemption enforced, but then they fail to do what is obviously necessary to get that existing law enforced, those are potential problems waiting to boil over for Cavco, shareholders, corporate leaders and board members.

 

Gary Adamek of Fayette Country Homes said years ago that zoning and placement barriers were more harmful than Dodd-Frank. “These cities and smaller towns – when they pass these rules, and won’t allow a manufactured home in, there’s a segment of the population forced to rent for the long term, many for the rest of their lives.”

“It should be a municipality’s responsibility to supply housing choices compatible with the income of that zip code. They’re doing the opposite of that,” said Adamek. He added: “I believe it [zoning/placement barriers] is the largest silent hand that is negatively affecting our industry in the U.S. The municipalities have hurt us way, way more than Dodd-Frank.”

 

 

Fast forward a few years, and the Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association’s (PMHA) Mary Gaiski indicated that the problem Adamek and Legacy Housing officials described was a problem in her state too.

 

 

The harms from de facto and unstated policies tolerated by MHI are widespread.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tipping Over the Sacred Cow Worshipers of the Manufactured Housing Institute

There are some remarks that simply do not age well.

 

 

The spread of announced legal investigations and antitrust suits are reasons to think that a turn of the corner may be underway.

 

 

Barron’s and others have noted that Warren Buffett is risking his “good guy” image, due apparently to the spread of credible allegations and litigation against that giant conglomerate.

 

 

Programming note: MHProNews has a special report/interview pending. Stay tuned. Until then, learn more by diving into the linked reports or by surfing the sites.

“When you want to help people, you tell them the truth.  When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear.” ― Thomas Sowell” ##

 

PS: Note: there is no market report for yesterday because the markets were closed for Presidents’ Day. A blip on Presidents’ Day is included in the report below.

 

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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, 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.

This article reflects the LLC’s and/or the writer’s position and may or may not reflect the views of sponsors or supporters.

http://latonykovach.com

Connect on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/latonykovach

 

 

Related References:

The text/image boxes below are linked to other reports, which can be accessed by clicking on them.’

 

Freddie Mac Touts Financing ‘Nearly 29,000 Manufactured Home Community Pads w/Tenant Protections-Over 423K ‘Affordable Rental Units’ in 2023–Harvard on Penalizing Paltering; plus MHVille Markets

Harvard JCHS 2024 ‘Review of Barriers to Greater Use of Manufactured Housing for Entry-Level Homeownership’ – ‘Ubiquitous’ Desires – Flash Report and Analysis; plus MHVille Markets Update

‘If We Can Lose Our Businesses No Business is Safe’ – Institute for Justice Files Suit in Small Biz Case, IJ on Issues In-Beyond Manufactured Housing Like ‘Mobile Home’ Installer Licensing

Texas Real Estate Research Center – Texas Manufactured Housing Association Claim-Texas Housing Manufacturers Bullish Heading Into 2024-w/Analysis; plus Sunday Weekly MHVille Headlines Review