In rural Florida, a new development could offer one solution to the nation’s affordable housing crisis: a built-to-rent community populated with manufactured homes.

Manufactured housing — units constructed off site before being moved to a property — is another way to increase the housing supply quickly. But shifting away from nontraditional buildings would require an effort to convince surrounding communities of their value.

In policymakers’ hunt for a scalable, quick solution to the affordability crisis, one model has attracted more attention of late: manufactured housing. Manufactured housing received a prominent shoutout in the Biden administration’s affordable housing plan, which touted the potential role Freddie Mac could play in that market.

The Biden administration wants to put America’s house factories back to work. A new housing plan by the White House offers a set of actions designed to close the nation’s massive affordability gap. Among its proposals are steps that would lower costs for manufactured homes by expanding financing options.

A park model, as RVers who camp at commercial campgrounds probably know, is basically a cabin built on a single trailer chassis. Federal rules restrict them to less than 400 square feet, but they can be as much as 14 feet wide, which neutral observers might conclude stretches the definition of “vehicle.”

NATIONAL – After a decades-long slump in demand, and even longer as an unloved segment of the residential industry, manufactured housing is experiencing a surge in demand — and seeing a slow but steady change in how it is perceived.

NATIONAL – Amid a historic housing boom, one that’s pushing homeownership out of reach of many Americans, manufactured housing presents a partial solution to the affordability squeeze. Makers of manufactured homes have raised their game in recent years, and mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have responded by backing mortgages on higher-end prefab homes.

NATIONAL – As an overheated housing market – marked by double-digit price increases, bidding wars and inventory shortages – puts the dream of homeownership out of reach of many ordinary Americans, manufactured homes are growing in popularity because their cost is roughly half that of homes built on a permanent site.

NATIONAL – You have several options for loans depending on your down payment, credit score, and size of the home. The best fit could also come down to whether you want a mobile, manufactured, or modular home.

NATIONAL – For many young people, the idea of buying a house feels like an abstract concept far out of reach. In reality, homeownership could be well within their grasp, giving them a solid home base where they can continue building their lives. Owning a home — and one that’s sustainable, affordable, beautiful, and flexible — can be achievable for most anyone, with the right tools and mindset.

NATIONAL – Investors are pouring record levels of money into manufactured housing, seeking stability and yield as the need for affordable living options increases across the U.S.

WASHINGTON POST – A study from the Urban Institute found that manufactured housing is 35 to 47 percent less expensive per square foot than new or existing site-built homes…

NATIONAL – Multiple articles are published daily about the growing need for affordable housing. Unfortunately, the term ‘affordable housing’ often conjures up images of low-income, government-subsidized housing located in less desirable areas of the community.

NATIONAL – From the outside, the three-story home within sight of the Atlantic Ocean looked like one more large, newly minted home awaiting siding.

NATIONAL – Construction of new housing in the past 20 years fell 5.5 million units short of long-term historical levels, according to a new National Association of Realtors report.

NATIONAL – CraftMaster Homes was acquired this month by South Carolina-based Mungo Homes, part of Berkshire Hathaway’s Clayton Properties Group under the Buffet conglomerate’s Clayton Homes brand.

NATIONAL – Musk revealed in a tweet that he is now living in a humble $50,000 home that he rents from SpaceX on its launch site in Boca Chica, Texas.

NATIONAL – Clayton Homes recognizes and celebrates two important observances in June designed to empower affordable homeownership solutions. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has recognized June as “Manufactured Housing Month” and U.S. President Joe Biden has proclaimed the month “National Homeownership Month.”

NATIONAL – The pandemic has forced the federal government to be more nimble as it sets up programs and deploys relief money to states and local jurisdictions. That could help lay the groundwork for spending on housing through an infrastructure package.

NATIONAL – Manufactured housing rents and occupancy rates are back to pre-pandemic levels — not necessarily something experts predicted would be the case back in April 2020.

NATIONAL – The industry joins together in congratulating Charley Lott upon his retirement from Fleetwood Homes after 50 years as a manufactured housing executive.

NATIONAL – On Tuesday, the price per thousand board feet of lumber soared to an all-time high of $1,359, according to Random Lengths. Since the onset of the pandemic, the price of lumber has skyrocketed 280%.

SCOTLAND – Site work is getting under way this month on what is claimed to be Scotland’s largest social modular housing development.

NATIONAL – Manufactured homes are an important source of affordable housing buyers can customize to fit their needs and financial situations.

ENGLAND – Seventeen new modular homes in Darlington are all ready for their new residents, after contractors assembled the modules and completed the last details on site in just a few weeks.

CALIFORNIA – Completion of Hope on Hyde Park, which has an estimated budget of $40 million, is expected in the second quarter of 2022.