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According to the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) website home page on the date shown below and for well over a year are the following claims. “Elevating Housing Innovation; Expanding Attainable Homeownership.” According to former MHI vice president – and founding Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) founding president and CEO Danny Ghorbani – that language is problematic and undermines the industry’s advantage in offering affordable housing that are affordable without federal or other subsidies. That said, MHI’s home page claim continues: “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.” That claim of “trusted partner” by MHI is disputed by a range of sources cited in research found here.
But in fairness to MHI, they may be a “trusted partner” — for MHI insiders.
In response to an inquiry by MHLivingNews and according to Google‘s Gemini on 5.8.2025 is this explanation about “attainable” housing.
HUD doesn’t have a specific, official definition for “attainable housing.” While they do define “affordable housing” as costing no more than 30% of gross income, “attainable housing” is a broader term that generally refers to housing options that are affordable to moderate to middle-income households, often those with incomes between 80% and 120% of the area median income (AMI). This is sometimes referred to as “workforce housing” or the “missing middle”.
Elaboration:
HUD defines affordable housing as housing where the occupant’s monthly housing costs (including utilities) are no more than 30% of their gross monthly income. This definition is used for federal housing subsidy programs, and income levels are typically set at or below 60% or 80% of AMI, varying by household size.
Attainable housing is a more flexible term that doesn’t have a precise definition within HUD guidelines. It typically refers to housing options that are within reach of households with incomes that are above the threshold for traditional affordable housing but still struggle with affordability in high-cost areas.
Workforce housing is a related term that often refers to housing options targeted at the specific needs of local workers, who typically have incomes between 80% and 120% of AMI.
Part I
On the date and time shown, the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) used the term “attainable” home ownership instead of “affordable.” According to Gemini: “Attainable housing is a more flexible term that doesn’t have a precise definition within HUD guidelines.” Bold is added in the following: “It [attainable housing] typically refers to housing options that are within reach of households with incomes that are above the threshold for traditional affordable housing but still struggle with affordability in high-cost areas.” In other words, “attainable” means housing that is less “affordable” than the HUD definition for “affordable housing.”
That begs the question.
Why would the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) shift from a definition that has a specific and historic meaning defined by HUD that is more favorable to the manufactured housing industry?
Or why would MHI use a term that some in the conventional housing market embrace, precisely because they have less affordable housing than manufactured housing?
Why would MHI in essence surrender a term that is better and will have more search results for a term that is poorer for fewer search results?
MHI claims to be “your trusted partner, advocate and industry leader” that will help independent businesses and others “Grow your business.” But in the 21st century there is an evidence-based argument to be made that those claims are misleading and untrue. See Copilot and Gemini MHARR and other research and report results in the articles linked below.
More information on this topic are found in the MHProNews articles linked below.
Mobile Home and Manufactured Home Living News explores the good, bad, and ugly realities that keep the most proven form of affordable home ownership under-appreciated and misunderstood. MHLivingNews provides third-party research and other resource collections and reports not found on other sites. We also provide thought provoking analysis that are designed to open minds and hearts. This is the widely acknowledged best source for authentic news on mobile and manufactured home living, as well as the policies that impact this segment of housing that provides 22 million Americans with good, surprisingly appealing living.
On our MHProNews sister-site and here on MHLivingNews, we lay out the facts and insights that others can’t or won’t do. That’s what makes our sister site and this location the runaway leaders for authentic information about affordable housing in general, the politics behind the problems, and manufactured homes specifically.
That’s a wrap on this installment of “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 MHLivingNews.com.
Tony earned a journalism scholarship and earned numerous awards in history and in manufactured housing. For example, he earned the prestigious Lottinville Award in history from the University of Oklahoma, where he studied history and business management. He’s a managing member and co-founder of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHProNews, and MHLivingNews.com. This article reflects the LLC’s and/or the writer’s position, and may or may not reflect the views of sponsors or supporters.
Connect on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/latonykovach
Recent and Related Reports:
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