HUD Secretary Delivers Keynote Address at MHI Congress & Expo

At the Manufactured Housing Institute’s Congress & Expo in Orlando, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner delivered an impassioned call to action to nearly 1,500 manufactured housing industry professionals, urging them to use the innovation inherent in manufactured housing to tackle America’s housing crisis.

“The data tells us that we cannot keep running the same plays that have been failing for decades, with unacceptable results,” Turner said. “So I am challenging us to draft a new playbook—a playbook that builds on President Trump’s Day One executive order to reduce housing costs for the American people … and I know you all are up for the challenge too because I’ve seen it in the work you do, and I am excited to see more of it.”

Turner positioned manufactured homes as a key solution to improving housing affordability and access, praising the industry’s role in delivering both scale and quality.

“It’s easy to see how manufactured homes can dramatically expand the supply of affordable housing for Americans who need it the most,” he said. “But this industry is about more than just quantity, it’s about quality.”

He praised the industry’s innovation and its role in shaping modern housing solutions. “Manufactured homes are built by wisdom, and what I mean is that they’re made through novel, out-of-the-box strategies that make the building process simpler, more cost effective, and ultimately, more accessible for American families,” Turner said. “Harnessing innovation is vital in addressing this [housing affordability] crisis, and this innovation will be led by the creative engine of the private sector.”

Reinforcing the broader mission, Turner closed with a powerful reminder: “Access to homeownership is the cornerstone of the American Dream. A home isn’t just a place to live—it is a safe harbor … the backbone of a strong America.”

HUD Secretary Turner Pledges to ‘Support and Expand the Availability of Manufactured Homes’

After delivering the keynote address at MHI’s Congress & Expo, Secretary Turner toured two HUD Code single-family manufactured homes and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) built by Champion Homes, Inc. and displayed during the event. During the tour, Turner had the opportunity to see the homes’ high-quality construction, durable materials and stylish design aesthetics.

After touring the homes, Turner spoke with MHI about the vital role of manufactured housing in addressing the significant housing deficit in the United States. He highlighted the creativity and thoughtful design in today’s manufactured homes, noting features like porches, elegant hardware, and efficient layouts that cater to modern homeowner needs.

Turner pointed out that manufactured housing is essential for providing affordable options without sacrificing quality.

“Every community needs housing, and manufactured housing plays a huge role in that,” he said. “From the affordability standpoint, from the quality standpoint, from the speed to market standpoint, from a cost saving standpoint, and from an environmental standpoint, manufactured housing is very important – a huge part of the equation.” His commitment to this sector underscores the broader goal of ensuring that all Americans have the freedom to choose where and how they live.

Turner said that manufactured housing will be a priority for HUD. “Our job is to work with industry leaders to support and expand the availability of manufactured homes.” By collaborating with stakeholders such as MHI, he aims to remove bureaucratic barriers that often hinder housing opportunities. As Turner observed, the expertise and dedication from those in the manufactured housing sector are crucial for making these options available to the American public, helping them achieve the dream of homeownership.

Industry Pros Learn & Grow at MHI Congress & Expo

Nearly 1,500 manufactured housing industry professionals gathered at the 2025 MHI Congress & Expo in Orlando May 5-7. They experienced top-tier educational sessions, dynamic speakers and the latest industry innovations in the expo hall.

Attendees selected educational experiences from three workshop tracks: a Newcomers Track for industry entrants, an Industry Hot Topics Track addressing current challenges, and a Networking Roundtables Track for peer-to-peer learning and discussion.

This year the expo hall included a new feature: Learning Labs that offered 20-minute sessions with innovators shaping the future of manufactured housing.

A major highlight of the event was “The Neighborhood,” an outdoor space with fully staged Champion Homes, games, and daily events, providing a relaxed and engaging networking environment.

Plan now to attend the next MHI Congress & Expo, April 7-9, 2026 in Las Vegas.