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Congressmen Flood, Cleaver Introduce ‘Streamlining Manufactured Housing Standards Act’

By
Patrick Revere
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hud headquarters building shot washington dc streetscape blue skies trees
The headquarters for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C.

Bi-Partisan Effort Aims to Clarify Regulatory Framework

U.S. Reps. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, and Emanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri, on Sept. 10, introduced the “Streamlining Manufactured Housing Standards Act.” This legislation clarifies that only the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has the 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,” Flood said. “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.

In a statement on the bill, Flood thanked Cleaver for helping to lead the effort.

“I look forward to working together to move this legislation through our committee and the full House,” he said.

Background on DOE Energy Rules in Manufactured Housing

A 2023 suit against the U.S. Department of Energy, brought by the Manufactured Housing Institute and the Texas Manufactured Housing Association, remains in the courts. In May of 2024, a large portion of the complaint was allowed to continue, and a section regarding the consideration of enforcement policies was dropped.

“American families are drowning under a national housing affordability crisis that is limiting economic opportunity and sowing pessimism in the future,” Cleaver said. “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.” 

The center of the complaint is based on HUD’s role as the sole regulator for manufactured housing. In essence, the department should be able to work with and consider priorities from other bodies without being mandated to comply with rules written outside of HUD.

Advocates and industry professionals have expressed concern that, in this case and far too often, rules are written for other asset classes in the housing sector and then are crudely applied to manufactured housing.

outside meeting manufactured housing professionals hud innovative housing showcase 2025 mhi lesli gooch missouri congressman emanuel cleaver and staff in front of garage
MHI CEO Lesli Gooch has a conversation with Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, center right, and his staff on Monday, Sept. 8, during the 2025 Innovative Housing Showcase.

MHI Applauds Efforts to Streamline Regulatory Framework for Manufactured Housing

“For more than 50 years, our industry has partnered with HUD to help millions of Americans achieve the dream of homeownership,” MHI CEO Lesli Gooch said. “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,” Gooch said. “This bill preserves the regulatory side of that equation and strengthens a vital housing solution for families nationwide.”

Flood is a member of the Housing Financial Services Committee and the chair of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee. He serves as the Chair of the Republican Main Street Caucus, and has introduced numerous pieces of legislation shaping housing policy, including the recent “Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act.”

MHInsider is the leader in manufactured housing news and is a product of MHVillage, the top marketplace for manufactured homes.

Freddie Mac Adds Single-Section Homes to CHOICEHome® Program

By
Patrick Revere
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MH Advantage and CHOICEHome front yard soccer game
Courtesy photo

Fannie Mae Indicates Similar Plan for MH Advantage®

Freddie Mac, a government-sponsored entity that provides a secondary market for home loans, announced recently that its CHOICEHome® program will include financing for single-section homes with features that meet a pre-determined criteria.

“Under President Trump, U.S. Federal Housing is committed to delivering affordable homeownership and finding ways to grow our nation’s housing supply,” Freddie Mac Chairman William J. Pulte said. “Modern single-section factory-built homes can offer high-quality alternatives at a lower price point. Freddie Mac’s expansion of the CHOICEHome program helps make more homes accessible to more Americans through the conventional mortgage market.”

Freddie Mac ensures that CHOICEHome financed manufactured homes meet specific construction standards, which include features such as permanent foundations, energy-efficient designs, pitched roofs, attached garages, and enhanced durability and comfort of the home. These features also make for easier integration with existing neighborhoods that include site-built homes, including urban infill.

CHOICEHome mortgage brings conventional loan financing to modern factory-built homes that are built to exceed federal standards called for by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This financing typically offers a more affordable option than traditional site-built homes. The mean price of the newly accepted single-section home is around $200,000, including land in most markets, while a standard single-family site-built home can, on average, exceed $500,000.

MHI Applauds Freddie Mac’s Program Extension

The Manufactured Housing Institute applauded Freddie Mac for expanding its CHOICEHome program to include single-section CrossMod homes as a “pivotal step” toward unlocking greater access to attainable housing nationwide.

CrossMod homes combine the best of on-site and factory construction and have gained popularity in recent years due to the many advantages they offer over conventional manufactured homes. High-end, energy-efficient, and affordable, CrossMod factory-built housing appeals to underserved homebuyers who value homes built to rigorous federal standards for quality, safety, and durability, as well as curb appeal features like pitched roofs and garages. With manufactured homes costing up to 50 percent less per square foot than site-built homes, CrossMods present a compelling path to quality homeownership and are attainable for buyers of nearly every budget.

“Freddie Mac’s inclusion of single-section CrossMod homes in the CHOICEHome program is a meaningful advancement for increasing the supply of attainable housing in the country,” MHI CEO Lesli Gooch said. “These homes are ideally suited for infill development and smaller lots, helping communities meet growing demand with innovative, efficient housing solutions. MHI has consistently advocated for this change, recognizing that expanding financing options for single-section CrossMods will unlock new opportunities for homeownership and support the evolving needs of today’s housing market.”

Freddie Mac’s existing financing options include financing for multi-section factory-built homes with a 3 percent down payment option. As of today, Freddie Mac will include the same financing option for single-section, or single-wide, modern factory-built homes for the first time. Freddie Mac’s counterpart, Fannie Mae, posted to its MH Advantage landing page that plans are underway to include single-section homes in its program as well.

“We join the entire industry in celebrating Freddie Mac’s significant effort to add the single-section home design to their CrossMod mortgage program,” Clayton CEO Kevin Clayton said. “This important update will now provide attainable, energy-efficient homeownership to many more deserving families, helping to make these homes available in established neighborhoods and narrow urban lots.”

Freddie Mac Executive Vice President and Head of Single-Family Acquisition Sonu Mittal said support for modern single-section factory-built homes will play an important role in creating and promoting affordable housing in markets that need additional supply to help first-time homebuyers.

“Lenders can leverage our existing CHOICEHome mortgage offerings to finance these homes, and we are ready to purchase these loans now,” Mittal said.

GoliathTech Breaks New Ground in Home Installation

By
Patrick Revere
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manufactured home white black shutters covered patio hedges trees in background advanced home installation helical piles

Engineered Helical Pile System Gets Industry Attention

Over the last 15 years, GoliathTech Corporation, a manufacturer of helical piles for the commercial and residential construction industry, has quietly introduced a foundation system for manufactured homes that is beginning to have a significant impact on the industry.

Unlike its counterpart, the concrete pier and cinder block, helical piles are engineered and installed with measurable torque to provide the compression, tension, and lateral load support needed for every size manufactured home.

It is an emerging technology in the industry and ensures homes are anchored securely to the ground. 

Helical piles, also known as screw piles, have a long history dating back to the 19th century — first being used for the footings of lighthouses in difficult soil conditions where traditional footings were not feasible — and they continue to expand into new areas of business, including manufactured housing.

Although somewhat disruptive to the industry, the intention and practical use of a highly engineered solution like helical piles is not to displace all other solutions but to provide a much-needed improvement to how manufactured homes are secured. There have been some improvements to anchorage and lateral support systems over the years, of course. The difference with GoliathTech is a completely new foundation system, backed by measurable installation data.

illustration manufactured home advanced installation helical piles under home permanent install
An illustration of a manufactured home installed using helical piles. Image provided by GoliathTech.

“GoliathTech is a highly innovative company always in search of markets where helical piles can provide a solution, and the manufactured home industry was a perfect fit,” GoliathTech Vice President of OEM Relations Michael Coyle said. “We work well in frost climates where depths of 40 feet and deeper are common… Going south, we can provide an improved solution in areas that have expansive soil conditions where concrete runners are the norm.

Basically, anytime a concrete footing or runner is required, the GoliathTech system competes well cost-wise and is superior in every other way, Coyle said.

A typical system is installed to a depth of five to 10 feet with the use of a mini excavator or skid steer outfitted with a designated hydraulic motor, ensuring the pile is properly inserted into the ground. 

“With our piles, there is no concrete involved,” Coyle said. “As we achieve acceptance in the marketplace we’re seeing that we compete well in areas of the country like the Midwest and Northeast where frost is present and in states like Texas, Nevada, and Colorado where expansive soils are a problem.”

The process follows a specified foundation plan where torque and depth are determined for each footing. The operator monitors these factors in unison during installation, Coyle said. Once the installer hits the numbers, the team moves onto the next footing. The speed of installation also is a benefit. A foundation and a home are installed in a single day.

“There is no waiting for concrete to cure,” Coyle said.  “And it can be installed in any weather condition.”

Coyle said he believes GoliathTech is the first company to provide this type of industrial-strength anchorage with the engineered foundation system for homes.

Seven years ago, Clayton took notice and realized the system provided an improved foundation and improved ease of installation.

close up view illustration manufactured home advanced installation helical piles
A close-up look illustrates the anchoring system above the piles. Image provided by GoliathTech.

Working Piles Into the Code

GoliathTech is already working with some of the largest builders in the manufactured housing industry to identify areas where its technology can be most beneficial. Companies like Clayton, Cavco, and Champion have added the GoliathTech Foundation system to their DAPIA certifications and installation manuals. The company also has had meetings with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, discussing how the system is improving the foundation of a manufactured home. 

“While our customers realize that this system provides a massive improvement over existing systems,  it continues to be implemented through CFR-3280 as an alternate foundation,” Coyle said.

Coyle said GoliathTech would like to see a helical pile foundation system approved within HUD’s Permanent Foundation Guide for Manufactured Housing.

“The hold down capability is why the system is approved for use in all wind zones and flood zones under FEMA’s P-85 definition,” Coyle said.  “We’re going to do it in pieces. The first step is anchorage. The second step would be for them to approve the entire system.

“It will perform as well or better than a permanent foundation wall,” he said. “Once the specified depth and torque are reached, screw piles do not move. In many soil conditions, the same cannot be said for concrete footings.  They are reliant on the solidity of the underlying soil and those foundation walls are relying on that soil.”

One of the key benefits of the helical pile system is its versatility. For use in flood plains, for example, the system is designed to work at any height above grade. One of GoliathTech’s clients, a community owner in Montana with several lots in flood plains, were faced with very costly soil removal, engineered fill, and re-compaction costs. Using helical piles, those excavation costs were no longer required. 

Helical piles are driven deep into the ground, getting through the layers of problematic soil.

Once the piles reach the good soil and the specified depth and torque are reached, the foundation is secure.

Illinois-based HUD inspector Dan Mailin is a big proponent for the use of the system in flood plains because it removes a lot of the complexities synonymous with setting homes in these types of environments. 

Coyle said installers and community owners appreciate how solid the system is and the speed at which it can be installed. At the highest level of efficiency three crews can install 100 homes in a month.

“This is huge for community owners where time to occupancy and revenue is greatly reduced,” he said. “They are getting used to the idea of change once they see the benefits.”

MHInsider is the leader in manufactured housing news and is a product of MHVillage, the top marketplace for manufactured homes.

Congressman Headlines MH FacTOURy Summit

By
Patrick Revere
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northern indiana event center us rep congressman rudy yakym keynote address mh factoury summit 2025 audience listening manufactured housing
Congressman Yakym address manufactured housing professionals at the MH FacTOURy Summit on Aug. 19.

Elkhart, Northern Indiana Event Center Host Annual Education Program

U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym took to the lectern as the keynote speaker Aug. 19 at the 2025 MH  FacTOURy Summit at the Northern Indiana Event Center in Elkhart, Ind.

“This museum highlights what is so important and impressive about Elkhart County,” Yakym said of the event center, and associated RV/MH Hall of Fame attractions. “Elkhart is the most manufacturing-packed county in the entire U.S., not just manufactured housing, RV, marina, but in health care, furniture, and more.

“It’s with such incredible pride that we make these products,” he said.

In its fourth year, the event brings two days of educational seminars and factory tours to Elkhart, Ind. Industry professionals have the chance to learn from industry leaders, tour the region’s leading manufactured home building facilities, meet with factory representatives, see the latest manufacturing innovations, and foster new and ongoing business relationships.

“The MH FacTOURy Summit is a must-attend event for factory tours and educational seminars,” Indiana Manufactured Housing Association – Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council Executive Director Ron Breymier said. “Elkhart, Indiana has proven time and time again to be the center of manufactured home building and innovation in the Midwest, and we’re proud to host this event at the center of it all.”

At the Factories in Northern Indiana

Among the facilities toured by attendees this year included Adventure Homes, Cavco Nappanee, Champion Topeka, Clayton Middlebury, and Clayton Wakarusa. Attendees could choose from any of these five tours to attend throughout the day on Wednesday, August 21. 

One key theme present during the factory tours was the variety of product available and the efficiency at which it was made. 

“We build park models, HUD units, and Canadian units all out of one line here,” Jeff Tanner, a sales manager for Cavco Nappanee, said. “Nobody else builds more variety than we do here in the Midwest.”

Yakym said he will visit each of the counties in his district — Elkhart, South Bend, and Warsaw — at least three times each during the next month. Much of what he will be talking about to constituents, he said, is how to get people back to work, earning more and paying less.

“I am in Washington 35 weeks this year working on legislation,” Yakym told the nearly 100 attendees. “Costs have gone up up up… Absolutely through the roof. One of the ways we need to fix this (in housing) is by increasing supply.

“Everyone saw this coming, and very little has been done to address the need,” he said.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will reduce some regulations that add to housing cost, and under a CRA, Congressional Review Act, a range of rollback will be made permanent.

“Once we pass a CRA and it’s signed by President Trump, that item forever becomes ineligible to be reintroduced. It’s permanent,” Yakym said.

Changes are to include a Made in America provision and full acceleration on capital expenditures to help in the recovery of investment dollars. The congressman provided an example based on their efforts to continue to build the presence of manufacturing companies in Northern Indiana.

“You can depreciate 100 percent of the shell of that building in one year rather than having to wait on depreciation during the course of 30 years,” Yakym said. “You don’t need tax increases, you need tax relief and spending cuts from your government.

A big part of the American Dream, Yakym said, for many generations has been owning a home of your own.

“For most Americans, the wealth they have is tied up in their home. That’s what you all provide every day,” he told his audience. “We want to make home ownership more affordable.”

— MHInsider Writer and Editor Sean Vichinsky contributed to this story

MHInsider is the leader in manufactured housing news and is a product of MHVillage, the top marketplace for manufactured homes.

Cole Hosts 2nd Annual ‘Women of Distinction’ Event

By
Maria Horton
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manufactured housing industry women honored silver platters barry cole insurance

For the second year, longtime community owner and insurance provider Barry Cole has hosted an event in Costa Mesa, California, to honor the stellar work of women in the manufactured housing industry.

Cole, who owns and operates Manufactured Housing Insurance Services, said a pair of colleagues who are women, several years ago, mentioned how often there are luncheons and awards that focus on the work of men in the industry.

“They were right,” Cole said. “And it made me think ‘What could I do to establish a yearly program for women who might not have had the recognition they absolutely, surely deserve?’ Some have made their own success, and some have made others successful.

“This group is the genesis of those conversations,” Cole said.

The 2025 Manufactured Housing Women of Distinction gathering took place on June 13 at the Park Club in Costa Mesa, California. There was a pre-dining mixer, a welcome from the host, a menu that included an option for a rack of lamb or salmon, and the awards ceremony during which each person honored receives a personalized, engraved silver serving plate that can be mounted or displayed.

2025 Manufactured Housing Women of Distinction

Rheannon Arciniega – Bessir-Casenhiser
Victoria Brennan – Horizon Homes
Eileen Cirillo – Star Management
Susy Forbath – Cozen O’Connor
Deneen Gansert – Skyline Homes
Betsy Gibson – Boudreau Pipeline
Deena Gomez – Starcrest Escrow
Candy Holcombe – Watt Capital Developers
Patricia Jones – Universal Homes
L. Sue Lofton – Loftin Bedell PC
Nicole Luu – Galaxy Homes
Jean McGrath – Blue Carpet Homes
Julie Paule – Paule Consulting
Maria Solache – Manufactured Housing Insurance Services
Christie Warkin – Blue Carpet Homes

Cole said part of the inspiration for organizing an annual event to recognize industry women and the great work they’ve done is the experiences he has had working with and for women.

“I have had many minimum wage employees who have become successful like two of the  recipients last year, Belin Ramirez, who is now president of Express Escrow, and Natalie Costaglio, who is president of MCM,” Cole said.

“I have worked easily, effectively, and efficiently with and for many women,” he added. “I have collaborated with Vicky Derieg for over a half century and I worked for Chelu Travieso, an MH legend who was a mentor and friend. Those are just some examples. Oh yeah, and my wife Donna. We have our 40th anniversary in September.”

Many of the women honored in 2024 attended the event to support the new honorees.

“Onward, hopefully, we will have all MH associations and non-profits join in publicizing the efforts behind this event, bringing awareness of great manufactured housing women achievers,” Cole said. “But you are among the first to get the plate, so spread the word to your friends and associations.”

MHInsider is the leader in manufactured housing news and is a product of MHVillage, the top marketplace for manufactured homes.

2025 MH FacTOURy Summit to Begin in Elkhart

By
Sean Vichinsky
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hud code permanent chassis removal manufactured home manufactured housing
A new HUD-Code home under construction in the factory.

This year’s MH FacTOURy Summit is a two-day event hosted at the RV/MH Hall of Fame from Aug. 19-20, 2025.

The event brings two days of factory tours and educational seminars to Elkhart, Ind. Hundreds of industry professionals will have the chance to tour the region’s leading manufactured home building facilities, meet with factory representatives, see the latest manufacturing innovations, and foster new and ongoing business relationships. 

“The MH FacTOURy Summit is a must-attend event for factory tours and educational seminars,” Indiana Manufactured Housing Association – Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council Executive Director Ron Breymier said. “Elkhart, Indiana has proven time and time again to be the center of manufactured home building and innovation in the Midwest, and we’re proud to host this event at the center of it all.”

Now in its fourth year at the RV/MH Hall of Fame, the MHFacTOURy Summit is geared towards manufactured housing professionals, particularly retailers and community owners, property managers, sales personnel, marketing team members, and new employees in the industry. Those who attend can find new ways to stay ahead of the competition, grow a high-performing sales team, and learn about the newest trends and preferences in manufactured housing.

The keynote speaker for the event is Congressman Rudy Yakym, (R) – Indiana. 

The RV/MH Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will precede the 2025 Summit, on the evening of Monday, Aug. 18. The ceremony will honor 10 manufactured housing and RV veterans for their industry service and enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities Available For This Year’s MH FacTOURy Summit

Exhibit and sponsorship opportunities have also opened for the 2025 MH FacTOURy Summit. These are ideal ways to increase company exposure and show everything it has to offer.

Sponsors can sign up for exclusive opportunities throughout the event to boost their brand visibility among manufactured housing professionals across the country.

For more information regarding exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sue Bartee at (317) 247-6258 ext. 14 or email info@imharvic.org.

Visit www.mhfactourysummit.com today to register for the MH FacTOURy Summit or to learn more about the event. The MH FacTOURy Summit is an industry conference for manufactured housing professionals and is not open to the general public.

MHInsider is the leader in manufactured housing news and is a product of MHVillage, the top marketplace for manufactured homes.

RV/MH Hall of Fame Honors 2025 Class

By
Patrick Revere
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2025 hall of fame inductees green coats awards staircase
The RV/MH Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Photos by Shawn Spence.

On Aug. 18, the RV/MH Hall of Fame celebrated the 2025 class of inductees, five from each industry.

“Our selection committees held meetings to review in detail all the nominations submitted for consideration of induction in the 2025 class of RV/MH Heritage Foundation’s Hall of Fame,” outgoing Hall of Fame President Darryl Searer said. “The committees were impressed with the number and quality of nominations.”

The following individuals have accepted the Hall of Fame’s invitation to attend the 53rd annual induction ceremony. The gala event will take place at the Heritage Foundation museum and conference facility in Elkhart, Indiana, on August. 18.

Joe Stegmayer, chairman of the board for the hall, welcomed guests and set the stage for the evening.

“We are here to educate and remind people of the great contribution factory-built homes have provided over the years,” he said.

Manufactured Housing Industry Inductees

head shot kurt kelley 2025 class rvmh hall of fame
Kelley

Kurt Kelley — Texas-based Insurance Provider Mobile Insurance

Kurt Kelley, who was nominated by Spencer Roane, of SECO and Pentagon Properties, has worked at Mobile Insurance since 1991, has owned the business since 1998, and insures hundreds of manufactured home communities nationwide. He is a board-certified attorney, co-founder and managing member of the American Insurance Alliance, a community owner, founder and operator of the annual TexCo conference in Woodlands, Texas, and is the founder and publisher of Manufactured Housing Review. “Kurt Kelley is a valuable presence in Texas and throughout the U.S.,” former community owner/event organizer/industry writer George Allen said in a letter of support for Kelley’s nomination.

“I am flattered, honored and proud to be nominated to the MH Hall of Fame,” Kelley said following his induction.  The ceremony was well run and inspiring. Being recognized by one’s peers for a career of being a quality professional is truly humbling.”  

Bill W. Poynter — Kentucky Manufacturer and Retailer Guerdon Industries/Great American Homes and The Affordable Housing Mart

manufactured housing hall of fame award winner acceptance priscilla for bill
head shot bill poynter 2025 class rvmh hall of fame
Poynter

Bill Poynter, who was nominated by former Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute Executive Director Betty Whittaker, dedicated 34 years of his professional life to the RV and manufactured housing industries. He gave enumerable hours to the KMHI, the state certification and licensure board, and the Manufactured Housing Institute. “Bill was instrumental in the early development of regulations for the industry, as well as amendments to the laws and regulation,” Whittaker said. Poynter passed away in 2006.

“I do know that my husband would be thrilled by this,”Poynter’s wife Priscilla said in accepting the honor for her late husband. “The mobile home business was his life. He worked 6 1/2 days a week and had a great time of it.”

Mark Raukar — Michigan Manufactured Home Retailer Little Valley Homes

hall of fame rv/mh honoree inductee green jacket mark raukar
head shot mark raukar 2025 class rvmh hall of fame
Raukar

Mark Raukar, who was nominated by John Lindley, president of the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association, began working at Little Valley Homes in 1987 as a young man who was interested in helping run the family business, founded by father Matt Raukar and his uncle Ed Raukar. In addition to operating the retail business, which he has owned and operated since 2004, Raukar owns and operates six manufactured home communities in the state. He has volunteered time with the state association in Michigan, had been a longstanding member of the Michigan Manufactured Housing Commission, and has worked with MHI, and other groups. “Mark is always ready when asked and will go out of his way to make sure he can help to answer questions, give his expert opinion, or be present whenever there is an industry cause,” Lindley stated in his nomination remarks.

Raukar, in his acceptance comments at the dinner, said during his career he “wore many hats” including for advocacy efforts on the local, state, and national levels.

“To advocate for the industry on priorities, it’s such important work,” he said.

He thanked the corporate colleagues, the team he leaned on over the years.

“We have always worked side by side to move this industry forward. I wouldn’t be here without you,” Raukar said.

“We don’t just sell homes,” he said. “We create opportunities for families all across this country.”

Steve Schaub — Colorado-based Community Executive Yes Communities

speech lectern green jacket manufactured housing hall of fame inductee steve shaub yes communities
head shot steve schaub 2025 class rvmh hall of fame
Schaub

Steve Schaub, who was nominated by longtime colleague Karen Hamilton, has worked in the industry for more than 30 years and since 2017 has been president and CEO of Yes Communities, growing one of the nation’s largest portfolios of land-lease communities from 178 to nearly 300 communities. He founded and operated BaseCamp Capital from 2003 to 2017, has served as chairman for the National Communities Council, vice chair of the Urban Land Institute, and was recognized in 2019 as one of the Top 100 Business Entrepreneurs by Goldman Sachs. “Steve’s understanding of market shifts, regulatory environments, and customer needs has been instrumental in driving significant growth and innovation,” Clayton President Kevin Clayton stated in a letter of support for Schaub’s nomination.

Schaub emphasized thoughtful hiring as a way to grow an organization.

He said when they organized Yes Communities, they had three parks and $14 million. Yes now has more than 200 communities in 18 states, 1,500 employees, and is valued at more than $2 billion.

“I’m so blessed,” Schaub said.

Nelson Steiner — Florida-based Community Owner Steiner Communities

manufactured housing speech steiner inductee green jacket at microphone
head shot nelson steiner 2025 class rvmh hall of fame
Steiner

Nelson Steiner, who was nominated by Florida Manufactured Housing Association CEO Jim Ayotte, worked in the manufactured housing industry for more than five decades, leading Tampa’s Steiner Communities since the 1970s, starting with Fountain View Estates, a 546-homesite 55+ property. He also ran Park Place Housing Sales Centers, and received MHI’s Community of the Year award in 2005 for Windward Knoll in Thonotosassa, Florida. He gave countless hours to state and national trade associations, and was noted for “selfless contributions and strong character and charm” according to Ayotte’s nomination statement. “Nelson is a pure entrepreneur. To build a successful manufactured home community business from the ground up is a daunting challenge,” Murex Properties President Steve Adler said in support of Steiner’s nomination. “The developments that Nelson has built here in Florida were state of the art and continue to provide quality housing and lifestyles to many retired families.”

Steiner moved from Michigan to Florida with an interest in mobile home parks. 

“We thought we might build one or two and then come back up. We were very successful… We built more than 50 communities in Florida, and some in Colorado, too,” he said.

He thanked his family and his colleagues and expressed his gratitude. 

“Thank you for the honor of being here,”

RV Industry Inductees

Garry Bewernick — Distributor — Atlas Trailer, Chestermere, Alberta, CA
Thomas Irons — OEM/Supplier — ASA Electronics, Middlebury, Indiana
Jason Lippert — Supplier — Lippert Components, Elkhart, Indiana
Chad Reece — Manufacturer — Winnebago, Forest City, Iowa
Larry Trout — Dealer — Toppers RVs, Waller, Texas

MHInsider is the leader in manufactured housing news and is a product of MHVillage, the top marketplace for manufactured homes. Take a look at the 2026 Hall of Fame inductees!

Louisville 2026 Show Dates Announced

By
Sean Vichinsky
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Attendees line up to attend the 2025 Louisville Show at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Attendees line up to attend the 2025 Louisville Show at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

The Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation announced today that the 2026 Louisville Manufactured Housing Show will take place from Jan. 14 – 16.

At the 2026 Louisville Show, Louisville Show attendees can view more factory-built homes than at any other indoor event in the U.S from dozens of manufacturers, as well as learn from industry leaders as they share their expertise and insights for 2026 and beyond. The event brings out an array of new manufactured home designs, the latest in technology, the best in suppliers’ offerings and a look at all the newest amenities and system-built options the industry can offer.

“The Louisville Show is the best place to not only view dozens of model homes on display, but network with thousands of fellow manufactured housing professionals at the start of the 2026 business year,” MMHF Chairman Eric Oaks said. “With the growth that the Louisville Show has seen in recent years, we’re thrilled to welcome back attendees and exhibitors alike for an outstanding showing in 2026.” 

Attendee registration for the 2026 Louisville Show is expected to go live in September. To receive more information about the Louisville Show, including sponsorship opportunities and hotel block announcements, visit TheLouisvilleShow.com 

Those interested in exhibiting at the event or becoming a sponsor are urged to visit TheLouisvilleShow.com/exhibitors or call (616) 888-8030 today, as exhibitor booths and sponsorships are quickly selling out. 

“We’re working hard to bring even more homes and educational opportunities to the 2026 Louisville Show so that attendees get as much value as possible,” Darren Krolewski, Co-President and Chief Business Development Officer of show manager MHVillage, said. “If you want to get a grasp on where the future of the industry is headed, then the 2026 Louisville Show is a must-attend occasion.”

Once again held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KY, the Louisville Show will bring together manufactured housing professionals from all over the country. The precursor to the spring selling season, the event offers individuals from all corners of the industry the support and resources needed to make 2026 a strong sales year for their business.

The Louisville Show is an industry trade event not open to the general public. For more information about the event, visit TheLouisvilleShow.com.

AI Bots vs. AI Agents

By
Contributed Content
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manufactured housing industry technology mhinsider magazine cover nice home served up in a robot hand

Why Builders Should Care and What They Need to Know When Choosing AI-Enabled Software

By Erik Cofield

professional headshot erik cofield
Merlin AI VP of Strategy Erik Cofield.

As the home building industry continues to evolve, so do the tools that power it. Many custom and production builders, remodelers, manufacturers, communities and dealers are now adopting Enterprise Resource Planning software that includes artificial intelligence capabilities. But when diving into the AI features of modern ERP platforms, you’ll often hear two terms tossed around:

AI Bots and AI Agents

While they may sound similar, they serve very different purposes — and knowing the difference can help you choose the right ERP system for your business, although really, ideally, anyone in residential construction should look for an ERP system that has both.

Let’s walk through the core differences between AI bots and AI agents, how each functions, and how home builders of any type or size can leverage them to streamline operations, reduce overhead, and drive growth. The first time someone sees what AI agents can do, they are usually both a little scared and a little amazed.

What Are AI Bots?

AI bots are essentially rule-driven automation tools that respond to specific prompts or commands. You’ve likely interacted with them already — think of customer service chatbots or virtual assistants that schedule meetings, or a web form that answers some questions, but can’t really hold much of a conversation.

In ERP systems for residential construction, a few of the many uses for AI bots are to…

  • Answer basic queries (“What’s the budget status of Project A?”)
  • Generate reports (like monthly labor costs or inventory summaries)
  • Automate repetitive tasks (such as sending payment reminders, processing invoices, or updating schedules and notifying trades contractors or consumers)

How AI Bots Work

AI bots operate using predefined logic, often enhanced by natural language processing, or NLP. They’re reactive — they wait for a user command and then execute a task based on programmed rules or AI-enhanced understanding. They are considered “dumb” compared to AI agents, which are considered “smart” because an AI agent, once set up and trained, can take autonomous actions.

For example, in an ERP system, you might type:

“Show me all projects that are over budget this month.”

The AI bot recognizes the intent, pulls relevant data from your financial module, and returns a list almost instantly.

Key Characteristics of AI Bots: AI bots are…

  • Task-oriented and reactive
  • Fast with low-complexity execution
  • Ideal for structured data tasks
  • Limited in autonomy — they don’t make decisions without instruction

What Are AI Agents?

phone screen ai serving up pricing changes for community construction project
An example of how AI can provide information for pricing changes on a project.

AI agents take things a step further. These are autonomous or semi-autonomous systems that actively monitor, learn from, and interact with your ERP environment to make decisions or recommendations.

Instead of waiting for your command, AI agents might notice that your drywall inventory is running low on a fast-moving project and proactively initiate a purchase order — or alert your procurement team.

In an ERP for residential construction, use cases include AI agents helping with:

  • Labor forecasting
  • Vendor performance analysis
    Predictive maintenance on equipment (factories/workstations)
  • Supply chain risk management
  • Inventory management
  • Creating purchase orders
  • Creating an estimate (from, say, a pdf)

How AI Agents Work

ask ai on a phone material specs and quantity pricing
An example of AI-produced estimation work.

AI agents use a combination of machine learning, business rules, and real-time data to assess situations and make context-aware decisions. They may also collaborate with other systems (or agents) to complete more complex workflows. In the future, the situation will be: “My AI agent will interact with your AI agent.”

Unlike bots, agents don’t need constant direction — they continuously monitor your ERP environment, identify issues or inefficiencies, and take action, or escalate issues, based on what they learn.

Key Characteristics of AI Agents: AI Agents are…

  • Proactive and decision-capable
  • Context-aware and learning-enabled
  • Ideal for complex, dynamic environments
  • Able to collaborate with humans and other AI agents

How AI Bots Help Drive Efficiency

Here’s where AI bots shine in an organization’s ERP:

ai query on a phone screen profits and losses
This is an example of how AI can take a query on specific details of a project.
  • Real-Time Access to Key Metrics: Instead of digging through menus, just ask, “What’s the ETA on framing materials for Lot 12?”
  • Task Automation: Have a bot handle repetitive updates, such as progress reports or permit application status changes.
  • Simplified Training: New team members can ask bots for help or data without needing to master the full ERP system right away. These make implementation and onboarding both much easier on the user, and much more quickly for the company.

For instance, if a site manager types “Update Project Greenhill’s status to ‘Electrical Started,’” the bot immediately logs the update, notifies relevant parties, and triggers the scheduling of the next phase.

How AI Agents Transform Home Builder Operations

  • Predict Delays Before They Happen: By analyzing weather, labor availability, and supplier delivery timelines, agents can warn you days in advance that a project might miss its completion target.
  • Optimize Material Orders: Agents can analyze usage trends, lead times, and current inventory to auto-generate purchase orders, preventing costly delays due to material shortages.
  • Prevent Cost Overruns: Agents can flag budget creep in real-time by correlating field reports, change orders, and supplier billing.

For example, an AI agent notices a pattern of delays every time HVAC installs are scheduled on multi-story builds. It alerts your operations manager and recommends a shift in the workflow to avoid stacking subcontractors inefficiently.

What Should Companies Look for in ERP AI Capabilities

When shopping for an ERP system, consider asking the following:

Does the system offer both AI bots and agents?
You want short-term efficiency (bots) and long-term intelligence (agents).

Can bots be customized for your workflows?
For example, if you often ask for subcontractor performance metrics, your bot should learn to retrieve those instantly.

Are agents configurable to your business rules?
AI agents should reflect your company’s way of building — not just a generic model.

Is there transparency in decision-making?
Builders need to trust the system — look for ERPs where agents explain why they made a recommendation.

What’s the roadmap?
Ensure the vendor is investing in future AI development so your ERP evolves with your business.

AI in an ERP isn’t just a buzzword anymore — it’s a strategic advantage for builders ready to scale smarter and work more efficiently. AI bots can help a team move faster, while AI agents help the team to build better by offering insights, automation, and predictive intelligence.

Final Thoughts on AI Bots and Agents

It is very important to note that while some systems have most of these elements, no system has all of them wrapped up together. Builders may still need to add specific tools to whatever system they are using. Think of AI bots as a digital intern — and AI agents as a future project manager. The right ERP system should empower both.

As builders evaluate ERP platforms, it’s best to look beyond checkboxes and dig into how the system helps you build. Whether  a custom builder or a regional production builder, a modular factory, a manufactured home builder, a community, or a dealer, all of these companies can benefit from an ERP system, even if they won’t use the whole system, or won’t all use it the same way.

But embracing the right kind of AI can be the blueprint for growth.

Erik Cofield is the vice president of strategy for MerlinAI. He has 30 years of experience helping companies in residential construction. A member of NAHB, Cofield specializes in AI, sales and marketing strategy, business management, and leveraging technology in the sales process. He has provided consulting services to builders, developers, remodelers, and construction companies of all sizes and types. He is the author of books available through Amazon and can be reached at erik@merlinai.co.

MHInsider is the leader in manufactured housing news and is a product of MHVillage, the top marketplace for manufactured homes.

A Look Ahead at SECO

By
Patrick Revere
-
seco manufactured housing community owners meeting in atlanta september podium speaker and audience
Spencer Roane, one of the founders of SECO, addresses 2024 attendees in Atlanta.

Educational Panels, Industry Exhibitors, Model Homes Sept. 8-10

seco manufactured home community owners operators meeting atlanta september moderator panelists audience
Chris Nicely from ManufacturedHomes.com leads a panel of manufacturers talking about their new offerings in 2024.

The SECO Conference of Community Owners reconvenes in about a month at Atlanta’s Cumberland neighborhood, a bustling section of the metro that, among other things, hosts Truist Field, the home park for Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves and the host of this year’s MLB All-Star Game.

SECO is open to all manufactured housing professionals. SECO 2025 will take place Sept. 8-10.

SECO 25 will include an outdoor village-style setting with a collection of model homes featuring the latest designs, structural improvements, architectural features, and “oh wow” technologies that are driving the manufactured housing industry.

This year’s event also marks the beginning of a new relationship, with SECO partnering with the I’m HOME Annual Conference, Sept. 10-11, bringing a broader audience focused on affordable housing solutions and innovation. The I’m Home Conference is operated by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and will be held at an adjacent hotel, the Atlanta Marriott Northwest Galleria.

Tuesday, Sept. 9 will be a crossover day for I’M HOME attendees at SECO, including a collaborative 4 p.m. “Backyard BBQ” in the village.

What’s Happening at SECO 25?

kitchen and dining space interior of new manufactured home
A new manufactured home at SECO in 2024.

Following a breakfast and welcome on Monday Morning, Indiana Business Research Center Executive Director Dr. Philip T. Powell will present on the economics affecting manufactured housing, followed by Mobile Insurance’s Kurt Kelley providing information on challenges with liability and insurance, an introduction to the sponsors, and an industry lunch. Following lunch, attendees will be provided time to walk through the exhibit hall and to talk with colleagues. The afternoon agenda includes a lenders panel, a talk on Capex projects, and an overview on tree maintenance and liability management.

Tuesday of the event gets into a manufacturers panel, micro-sessions/money makers, a session on chattel financing, and a community owners panel. The half-day Wednesday to close out SECO 25 focuses on community lending programs with a half-hour wrap-up at noon.

Registrants and other guests of SECO 2025 will get the experience of staying at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel, which is a short walk from the ball field and entertainment district with many area attractions, including some of Atlanta’s best eateries.

Approximately 500 manufactured housing professionals are expected to attend SECO 25. The event includes a Monday evening add-on opportunity at Truist Park to watch the Braves host the Chicago Cubs.

MHInsider is the leader in manufactured housing news and is a product of MHVillage, the top marketplace for manufactured homes.

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