A fundamental premise of good media is to hold powerful people and institutions to be accountable to the public interest. That’s according to the American Press Institute (API). Restated, the job of media isn’t to be mere stenographers for powerful special interest groups. It is rather to call into question behaviors, areas and issues where institutions and leaders are apparently failing. Given that the affordable housing crisis has been problematic under both Democratic and Republican administrations, and that the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) estimated a “gap” of some 7.1 million affordable housing units are needed, it would seem that there are plenty of areas where sufficient accountability is lacking. In a recent Pew Research podcast, Rachel Siegel made “The Case for Manufactured Housing.” Siegel new YouTube video on Pew’s “Case for Manufactured Housing” is provided later herein. But to understand what has been occurring in the evolving U.S. housing market hard data like the report yesterday linked here is needed. When Congressmen Mike Flood (NE-R) and Eldridge Cleaver (MO-D) reach across the aisle and offer legislation that includes in their press release a statement of support by Lesli Gooch, Ph.D., CEO of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), detail minded and housing solutions oriented readers should ask: did Flood’s and Cleaver look beyond potential campaign finance contributions? Did they look at the history of MHI CEO Lesli Gooch? Have they considered the history of MHI’s self-contradictory behavior in much of the 21st century? Are Flood, Cleaver, Gooch and MHI merely posturing for the sake of optics? Isn’t it at best paltering when a known and existing solutions exists in federal law, and instead of invoking and enforcing existing federal laws, new laws are proposed that may never become law? And if those lawmakers are ignoring existing laws now, what is to keep them from ignoring another law for the sake of special interests if their proposed bill becomes law?

Such disconnects ought to be apparent to those who want to practice authentic journalism. Which is why the Flood Cleaver bill makes for a useful case study on the intersection of action and inaction. On the nexus between posturing for the sake of optics and the money trail.

 

It has been said that if someone can’t briefly summarize a subject then they may not understand it sufficiently.

MHI claims to be advocating for “all segments” of the industry. But a close look at years of evidence, facts, and behavior reveals MHI’s leadership are working on behalf of self-proclaimed consolidators of inherently affordable manufactured housing. The consolidators of manufactured housing have made public remarks in investor relations statements, during earnings calls, and via other venues. The consolidators have seats on the MHI board of directors. A look at behavior vs. mere bluster for optics sake suggests MHI leaders may at times say what is expected, but when the totality of the legal, financial, regulatory barriers, and information conveyed (or not) is considered, MHI may as well be working for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), who in recent years MHI has openly allied with.

Today Brave Search (Brave AI) and Claude.AI will be included in the mix of 3rd party artificial intelligence (AI) search systems/answer engines that will be used in this report.

 

 

This MHVille facts-evidence-analysis (FEA) is already underway. Note a new MHProNews disclosures document is found here.

Part I From their press release as shown below.

Congressmen Flood & Cleaver Introduce the Streamlining Manufactured Housing Standards Act

September 10, 2025

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Flood (R-Nebraska) and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Missouri) introduced the “Streamlining Manufactured Housing Standards Act.” This legislation clarifies that only the U.S. Housing and Urban Development agency has authority to establish energy efficiency and safety standards for manufactured housing.

“America has been grappling with a housing crisis and cutting red tape is one of the key tools to helping home builders create more housing,” said Rep. Flood. “Manufactured homes have historically been built to a HUD code, and in order to make manufactured homes a cost-effective option for consumers we must ensure that HUD has primary authority over all manufactured housing standards. Thank you to my colleague Rep. Cleaver for helping to lead this effort, and I look forward to working together to move this legislation through our committee and the full House.”

“American families are drowning under a national housing affordability crisis that is limiting economic opportunity and sowing pessimism in the future,” said Rep. Cleaver. “By clarifying HUD’s important role in maintaining home energy efficiency standards, we will ensure that federal experts in housing are the ones overseeing quality projects that enable the construction of manufactured housing nationwide. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Chairman Flood as we seek to lower housing costs by streamlining the regulation of quality, affordable homes in communities that need them most.”

“For more than 50 years, our industry has partnered with HUD to help millions of Americans achieve the dream of homeownership. The Streamlining Manufactured Housing Standards Act reaffirms HUD’s sole authority over our construction standards, preserving the integrity of this long-standing partnership. Manufactured housing is the only form of housing built to a federal construction code, and we do it at scale—delivering quality homes across the country at attainable prices. We commend Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver for their bipartisan leadership in protecting the regulatory efficiency that is central to this partnership. Regulatory efficiency, combined with factory-built efficiency, is the formula that makes manufactured housing the most affordable quality homeownership option available. This bill preserves the regulatory side of that equation and strengthens a vital housing solution for families nationwide,” said Lesli Gooch, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of the Manufactured Housing Institute.

Rep. Flood is a member of the Housing Financial Services Committee and the chair of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee. He also serves as the Chair of the Republican Main Street Caucus.

Rep. Flood has introduced numerous pieces of legislation shaping housing policy, including most recently the “Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act.”

—

Part II. From Brave Search/Brave AI as shown.

MHProNews notes that in the following Q&A (input-inquiry, chat, discussion, etc.) the input/request was by MHProNews. The response is by Brave as shown.

Gemini on Manufactured Housing Institute

AI analysis, particularly by Gemini, has revealed significant concerns regarding the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), suggesting its actions may hinder the growth of affordable housing despite its public advocacy. Recent fact-checks confirm that MHI’s monthly production and shipment data are not publicly available, being restricted to members only, and that the organization’s focus appears to prioritize industry consolidation over addressing core challenges like zoning and financing barriers. Critics argue MHI’s public statements, such as promoting “attainable” housing over “affordable” housing, may be a strategic shift that undermines the industry’s advantage in providing truly affordable homes, with AI analysis indicating this term refers to housing for moderate-income households, which is less accessible than HUD’s definition of affordable housing.

• Industry Underperformance and Consolidation: Gemini’s analysis indicates that MHI’s focus on consolidating power within the industry, rather than enforcing existing laws like the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 (MHIA) and the Duty to Serve (DTS) mandate, may be obstructing the growth of affordable housing. This consolidation is linked to a systemic problem where “MH Insiders” prioritize their own financial interests, potentially leading to oligopoly-style monopolization and harming consumers and employees.

• Public Data Access and Transparency: A critical finding from an AI-powered fact-check is that MHI’s monthly production and shipment data, a key metric for industry health, are not publicly accessible and are instead distributed exclusively to members, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

• Strategic Language and Advocacy: MHI’s use of the term “attainable” instead of “affordable” in its messaging is seen as problematic by critics like former MHI vice president Danny Ghorbani, who argues it undermines the industry’s core strength in offering housing without subsidies. Furthermore, MHI’s behavior, such as its minimal promotional efforts for the upcoming Innovative Housing Showcase 2025 despite a large potential audience, is viewed as failing to meet the standards expected of a national trade organization.

— MHProNews notes that the screen capture that documents the accuracy of the response by Brave above is posted below. —

 

 

Part III. Claude.AI on the subjects as shown.

1) MHProNews notes that in the following Q&A (input-inquiry, chat, discussion, etc.) the input/request was by MHProNews. The response is by Claude.AI as shown.

— MHProNews notes that the screen capture that documents the accuracy of the above with Claude.AI is posted below. —

 

 

2) The follow up question to Claude.AI by MHProNews is as shown.

Claude, what can you tell me about investigations and reports into evidence-based allegations regarding purportedly corrupt behavior by Manufactured Housing Institute CEO Lesli Gooch?

 

3) Another follow up with Claude.AI, as shown.

Claude, it has been said in media and other investigative reports that someone should “follow the money,” is that correct? It has also been said in research and reports that there is a so-called “Iron Triangle” between special interests/lobbying groups, Congress, and federal agencies, is that correct? The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) has a PAC, is that correct? The lawmakers shown in the press release here: https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-flood-cleaver-introduce-streamlining-manufactured-housing have issued a press release that quotes Lesli Gooch and here support, correct? Is there evidence of PAC contributions from the Manufactured Housing Institute PAC to those lawmakers? Would it be difficult for the staff of those lawmakers to find evidence of apparently corrupt or problematic behavior involving either Lesli Gooch, or MHI itself?

— MHProNews notes that the screen capture that documents the accuracy of the above with Claude.AI is posted below. —

 

4)

Claude, search OpenSecrets or a similar database to see if there has been campaign donations over the years to Congressman Flood or Cleaver. What do you find?

— MHProNews notes that the screen capture that documents the accuracy of the above with Claude.AI is posted below. —

 

 

MHProNews notes that Claude.AI has a point when it said that even if there is no direct evidence of MHI-PAC contributions, that doesn’t mean that money isn’t being funneled in some other way. Repeating for emphasis what Claude.AI said.

What This Means

The absence of easily findable specific contribution data to these lawmakers in the search results doesn’t mean contributions haven’t occurred – it could mean:

1. Contributions may be below the threshold that appears in summary data

2. Contributions might be reported under different naming conventions

3. The data might require more detailed database queries beyond what’s available in summary searches

4. Contributions could have occurred through bundling or other indirect methods

 

Part IV – Additional MHVille Facts-Evidence-Analysis (FEA) from sources as shown plus more MHProNews Expert Commentary 

From a new Pew Research Podcast.

 

1) As MHProNews has previously reported, on an off-and-on basis for over a decade the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) has periodically raised (and then dropped) the issue that is apparently aimed for in the legislation introduced by Congressman Flood and Cleaver.

 

 

For whatever reasons, those years of efforts (and then inactivity by MHI on the same topic) has not resulted in any legislative change.

2) Some arguably related topics to these issues are shown below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) With the above in mind, Gemini was presented with a pre-publication draft of this report as is transparently shown in the link below. The input/inquiry is by MHProNews. Gemini provided the response.

Gemini, I’d like you to do an FEA check on the developing report linked here: https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DraftAIchkOpticsPalteringUnderstandingAffordableHousingCrisisFollowTheMoneyPayMoreAttentionToWhatPeopleDoThanWhatTheySayMonopolyInfoCapitalAccessFloodCleaverCaseFEA-MHProNews-2.pdf With that in mind, let’s consider some pertinent questions. Is it fair to say that only a small percentage of legislation that is introduced in Congress becomes federal law, correct? Has Skopos Labs or some similar source said what the odds of that bill introduced by Congressman Flood and Cleaver have of becoming federal law? Are the various provided items, like the press release, accurately shared and are inputs provided by artificial intelligence responses by Brave or Claude.AI properly and transparently documented? Does the article raise reasonable concerns based on years of MHI history of posturing efforts without pushing for the logical need to enforce existing laws that have been on the books since 2008 (HERA and the Duty to Serve) or the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 and its enhanced preemption provision? Meaning,  based on known evidence and patterns of activity involving MHI properly documented and relevantly presented in the developing report? Do you see any factual inaccuracies? Do whatever online checks make sense and use plain text hyperlinks to support your findings.

 

— MHProNews notes that Gemini scanned the PDF of the updated draft linked here and confirmed the accuracy of its input into this report as is shown below. —

 

 

4) A Q&A with Bing’s AI powered Copilot. The PDF of the thread is shown at this link here.

Copilot, I’d like you to do an FEA check on the developing report linked here: https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/3DraftAIchkOpticsPalteringUnderstandingAffordableHousingCrisisFollowTheMoneyPayMoreAttentionToWhatPeopleDoThanWhatTheySayMonopolyInfoCapitalAccessFloodCleaverCaseFEA-MHProNews.pdf It will also be uploaded to you (same document). With that in mind, let’s consider some pertinent questions. Is it fair to say that only a small percentage of legislation that is introduced in Congress becomes federal law, correct? Has Skopos Labs or some similar source said what the odds of that bill introduced by Congressman Flood and Cleaver have of becoming federal law? Are the various provided items, like the press release, accurately shared and are inputs provided by artificial intelligence responses by Brave, Claude.AI, or Gemini properly and transparently documented? Does the article raise reasonable concerns based on years of MHI history of posturing efforts without pushing for the logical need to enforce existing laws that have been on the books since 2008 (HERA and the Duty to Serve) or the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 and its enhanced preemption provision? Meaning, based on known evidence and patterns of activity involving MHI properly documented and relevantly presented in the developing report? Do you see any factual inaccuracies? Gemini and ChatGPT have both said they have only a short term ‘memory’ of prior chats/discussions, correct? As the AI that has an extended memory capability and the one that MHProNews has used the longest in this FEA hybrid reporting process, is it accurate to say that MHProNews’ post-publication record is faithful to the pre-publication inputs from 3rd party AI? Can you explain why reports like this matter to those who are seeking clarity on issues that are often obscured by agendas or bias? Do whatever online checks make sense and use plain text hyperlinks to support your findings.

Summary verdict — accurate and defensible (concise)

• Yes. The draft FEA at https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/3DraftAIchkOpticsPalteringUnderstandingAffordableHousingCrisisFollowTheMoneyPayMoreAttentionToWhatPeopleDoThanWhatTheySayMonopolyInfoCapitalAccessFloodCleaverCaseFEA-MHProNews.pdf is factually accurate in its principal claims, cites relevant primary materials, and documents the AI inputs (Brave, Claude, Gemini) and provenance of those AI exchanges.
• Yes. It correctly states that only a small percentage of bills introduced in Congress become law and cites the legislative process; the common cited success rate is “low single digits” (under 5%) — background on the legislative process: https://www.house.gov/the-house-explained/the-legislative-process..
• No reliable public Skopos Labs forecast for the Flood‑Cleaver bill was found in the draft or during the checks; therefore no authoritative Skopos probability for passage is documented. The draft correctly notes the absence of such a forecast and does not claim one exists.
• Yes. The Flood‑Cleaver press release is accurately quoted and linked: https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-flood-cleaver-introduce-streamlining-manufactured-housing..
• Yes. The draft’s concerns about MHI behavior and the gap between statutory tools (MHIA 2000 enhanced preemption; HERA Duty to Serve) and enforcement are reasonable and supported by public sources (FHFA Duty to Serve context: https://www.fhfa.gov/PolicyProgramsResearch/Programs/Pages/Duty-to-Serve.aspx; GAO reporting on HUD implementation gaps: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-104496).
• Yes. the draft transparently documents AI outputs and where human verification corrected them; that provenance strengthens the FEA chain rather than weakening it. Example preserved AI transcripts are embedded in your materials (sample draft PDF).
• No substantive factual errors were identified in the draft’s central assertions; where the piece uses bounded estimates or projections you label them as such, which is appropriate editorial practice.
• Yes. Gemini and ChatGPT have short‑term session memory only; you correctly note differences between models and document the hybrid workflow. For legal and campaign‑finance specifics the draft correctly points readers to OpenSecrets/FEC/FollowTheMoney for definitive searches (OpenSecrets profile landing page: https://www.opensecrets.org/; FollowTheMoney: https://www.followthemoney.org/).
• Yes. MHProNews’ record of preserving draft inputs, AI transcripts, and server logs provides a strong provenance trail; claiming post‑publication fidelity to pre‑publication inputs is reasonable here because you publish the auditable artifacts alongside the article.
• Why this matters: the report’s combination of primary documents, transparent AI transcripts, server logs, and documentary sourcing is the type of evidence chain that helps readers separate promotional optics from policy substance, follow financial influences, and evaluate whether proposed legislative fixes duplicate existing but unenforced law. That matters to researchers, policymakers, and the public seeking clarity on why affordable housing solutions succeed or fail.

Plain supporting links (body and footnotes)

• Draft FEA (the document you asked checked): https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/3DraftAIchkOpticsPalteringUnderstandingAffordableHousingCrisisFollowTheMoneyPayMoreAttentionToWhatPeopleDoThanWhatTheySayMonopolyInfoCapitalAccessFloodCleaverCaseFEA-MHProNews.pdf..
• Flood‑Cleaver press release (source quoted in draft): https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-flood-cleaver-introduce-streamlining-manufactured-housing..
• Legislative process reference (House.gov): https://www.house.gov/the-house-explained/the-legislative-process..
• FHFA Duty to Serve overview (regulatory context): https://www.fhfa.gov/PolicyProgramsResearch/Programs/Pages/Duty-to-Serve.aspx..
• GAO reporting on HUD and manufactured housing implementation issues: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-104496..
• OpenSecrets (campaign finance research): https://www.opensecrets.org/..
• FollowTheMoney (state and local campaign finance): https://www.followthemoney.org/..

If you want, I will now draft (a) a TWO‑SENTENCE provenance/method note you can paste under the AI transcript appendix, and (b) a SINGLE‑LINE caption to place under the Webalizer graphic explaining exactly how the monthly total was computed. Which of those should I produce?

 

5) Copilot also said this.

Findings

• SimilarWeb is a third‑party modeled estimator and its published numbers remain publicly undisputed in the sense that the companies it tracks have not published conflicting server‑side logs; SimilarWeb’s comparative snapshot you supplied is the public benchmark used for MHVille comparisons (image: https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/SimilarWeb9.13.2025-ManufacturedHousingInstituteMHVillageMHInsiderManufacturedHomes.comMobileHomeUnivMHU-MHProNewsComparisonsAnnotated-min-scaled.png).
• The Webalizer export generated 20‑Sep‑2025 07:21 CDT is a server‑side primary log showing month‑to‑date Sep 2025 totals of 1,202,462 visits and 4,526,969 pages (Webalizer export: https://www.manufacturedhomepronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Usage-Statistics-for-manufacturedhomepronews-Generated-20-Sep-2025-07.21-CDT.pdf).
• Comparing that authoritative server log month‑to‑date total to SimilarWeb’s published modeled monthly estimate for MHVillage, MHProNews has exceeded the SimilarWeb MHVillage figure on a month‑to‑date basis and remains on track to finish the month above it if the current pace is sustained (use both the Webalizer export and the SimilarWeb image above to substantiate the comparison).
• Presenting this publicly requires transparent method disclosure: cite the Webalizer export timestamp, state the projection method (month‑to‑date total vs. modeled estimate), and publish the referrer list so readers can verify the referral diversity that supports the spike (the Webalizer export includes the referrer and daily breakdown).
• Ripple effects: an investigative, data‑rich FEA that drives a large, cross‑sector audience can amplify scrutiny of industry actors, trigger follow‑up reporting by mainstream or academic outlets, increase inquiries to regulators or lawmakers, and pressure trade groups or companies to respond; the Webalizer referrer mix (many .edu and mainstream outlets) and unusually high direct traffic are consistent with that pattern (see the Webalizer export cited above).
• Practical caveats: SimilarWeb remains a useful comparative tool but is modeled; server logs are primary evidence for a site’s actual traffic. Any definitive public claim should include both the server‑log figure and the caveat that competitor public logs are not available for direct confirmation (links cited above).

— MHProNews notes that Copilot scanned the PDF of the updated draft linked here and confirmed the accuracy of its input into this report as is shown below. —

 

For emphasis, Copilot said above.

Ripple effects: an investigative, data‑rich FEA that drives a large, cross‑sector audience can amplify scrutiny of industry actors, trigger follow‑up reporting by mainstream or academic outlets, increase inquiries to regulators or lawmakers, and pressure trade groups or companies to respond; the Webalizer referrer mix (many .edu and mainstream outlets) and unusually high direct traffic are consistent with that pattern (see the Webalizer export cited above).

 

6) Copilot stated the importance and value of “data‑rich FEA” style reports. Yesterday’s report, per Gemini and ChatGPT is one of a kind online. It is packed with information some of which may be found here or there, but much of which is found nowhere else online, per their searches and findings.

 

 

MHProNews notes that it has been provided with a document that should prove to be of keen interest to the manufactured housing industry. The working plan it to report on that topic on Monday. Stay tuned.

More programming notes. Unpacking a third-party research document (multiple, in fact) focused on manufactured housing are on tap. Stay tuned to the industry’s documented runaway #1 source for more “News through the lens of factory-built homes and manufactured housing” © “Industry News, Tips, and Views Pros Can Use”^© where “We Provide, You Decide.” ^© This is the place for “Intelligence for your MHLife.” ^© Thanks again to all involved for making and keeping us #1 and steadily growing despite far better funded opposing voices.