Press Release

Next Step and MHI Launch #ForeverHome Story Campaign

Multimedia campaign highlights manufactured home owners and families across the country

LOUISVILLE, KY (November 15, 2017) –  Next Step Network launches a multimedia storytelling campaign focused on families living in high value, energy-efficient manufactured homes.

“Too often, factory-built housing is unfairly stereotyped and stigmatized, unfairly casting the individuals and families that live in these homes,” said Stacey Epperson, president and founder of Next Step. “We are humbled by the stories of these homeowners that Next Step or our partners have had the privilege to work with, helping them purchase new, energy-efficient and affordable homes for themselves and their families.”

The multimedia campaign highlights 10 homeowners and families that have worked with Next Step, our nonprofit member organizations or our manufacturing partners to purchase their homes. Next Step Network members work with potential homebuyers to ensure that they have the education, tools and resources they need to successfully finance, purchase and maintain their own home.

“This campaign is one way to show the quality, beauty and affordability of manufactured homes and the positive profile of residents living in a land-lease community,” said Dick Jennison, President and CEO of the Manufactured Housing Institute. 

Twenty-two million Americans live in manufactured homes across the country. The average sales price of a new manufactured home is $70,600 – half the cost per square foot as a site-built home – and manufactured homes represent nine percent of new, single-family home starts. Eighty-one thousand homes were produced in 2016, with 34 percent of those placed in manufactured housing communities nationwide.  

MHI provided Next Step with grant funding for the campaign, and Clayton Homes provided in-kind filming and production services. Cavco Industries and Champion Homes also provided additional funding and support for the campaign.

All multimedia stories are available on Youtube.

Next Step Network^®mobilizes a national network of nonprofits to provide affordable housing tailored to the needs of communities that they serve. Their system – Manufactured Housing Done Right® – connects responsible financing, comprehensive homebuyer education and delivery of high-quality, ENERGY STAR® manufactured homes at scale, creating a model that brings more value to the customer. Learn more at www.nextstepus.org.

The Manufactured Housing Institute is the only national trade organization representing the factory-built housing industry.  Its members come from all sectors of the manufactured and modular housing industries and include builders, lenders, home retailers, community owners and managers, suppliers, 50 affiliated state organizations and others associated with the industry. Visit us on Twitter @MHIUpdate, and Facebook.

After six years of marriage, Robert – an Army veteran – and Chastity worked with Mountain Housing Opportunities and Clayton Homes to buy their own ENERGY STAR® manufactured home for their two young daughters to grow up in. Watch the Woody family story

“I know people all over this park. Where we ended up is like the perfect situation. I’m surrounded by good people.”

Learn how Richard was able to work with Clayton Homes and YES! Communities to replace his older home with a new, more accessible and energy-efficient home in the same community.  Watch Richard’s story

Jennifer was raising her two children as a single parent in their apartment. She was able to purchase her own ENERGY STAR® home, and is now can saving money that was previously going toward utilities and rent. Watch the Quintana family story

Joey and Brittney were high school sweethearts living with Brittney’s parents. Through the SmartMH program, they were able to purchase their own affordable, ENERGY STAR® home.  Watch the Jones’ story

Learn how Randy was able to work with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles to replace his old mobile home with a new ENERGY STAR® manufactured home – at no cost to him.  Watch Randall’s story