MHC News: 02/24/2026
Manufactured housing enters 2026 with strong occupancy and rising rents, but titling reform, zoning access, and operator education will drive true growth.
Manufactured housing communities poised for growth in 2026 as affordability crisis deepens - Northmarq
Manufactured housing communities (MHCs) enter 2026 with durable momentum, driven by sustained affordability pressures and limited new supply. Industry leaders describe manufactured housing as a “central tool in the national affordability toolkit,” supported by persistent demand and constrained development.
In the first half of 2025, manufacturers shipped 53,800 homes, up 5% year over year, marking one of the strongest first-half totals of the decade. Lower all-in costs and faster delivery continue to attract cost-sensitive buyers.
Community fundamentals remain tight. National occupancy reached 94.9%, with regions like the Pacific near 99%. Asking rents rose to $752 per month, up 7% year over year, reflecting a structural supply-demand imbalance rather than a short-term cycle.
However, zoning and siting barriers continue to restrict new community development, making infill and expansions the primary growth path.
Investment activity rebounded in 2025, with sales velocity up 66% year over year and cap rates compressing to 5.9%.
With scarce supply and steady demand, MHCs remain among the most resilient housing sectors entering 2026.
States Hold the Keys to Greater Mortgage Access for Manufactured Home Buyers - Pew
Manufactured homes could significantly ease the nation’s housing shortage, but outdated state titling laws often block buyers from accessing mortgages, forcing many into costlier financing.
A home titled as real estate qualifies for a mortgage, offering stronger consumer protections and lower costs. Homes titled as personal property must use “home-only” or chattel loans, which carry higher interest rates and fewer safeguards. Between 2018 and 2024, the median rate was 5.4% for mortgages versus 8.5% for home-only loans. On a $100,000 loan, mortgage borrowers save over $25,000, and in states like New Hampshire, where home-only mortgages are allowed, borrowers can save up to $49,000 over the loan’s life.
Despite this, most states automatically title manufactured homes as personal property unless buyers meet strict requirements, such as land ownership and permanent foundations. Even then, conversion processes can be complex.
Reforming titling laws, such as automatically granting real estate status when land is owned, could expand mortgage access, lower borrowing costs, and unlock manufactured housing’s full affordability potential.
The MH Trainer Launches as California’s Newest Manufactured Home Education Provider - Florida Today
The MH Trainer has launched as California’s newest manufactured home education provider, officially approved by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Built specifically for a B2B audience, including HCD dealers, salespersons, and park leadership, the platform delivers focused, California-specific training designed to strengthen compliance, competency, and professional growth.
Founded by California educator and industry professional Yvette Hitchens, The MH Trainer centralizes manufactured housing education into one accessible platform, offering accurate, practical instruction tailored to real-world job requirements.
Core programs include HCD Continuing Education, Preliminary Licensing education, and coursework for the Park Manager Training Program (PMTP). The curriculum addresses California’s unique regulatory environment, documentation standards, and operational complexities.
Courses are designed for dealers, sales teams, park managers, operators, and industry partners involved in manufactured housing transactions.
Continuing Education courses are available online now, while Preliminary Licensing and PMTP programs are launching soon, with a waitlist open for interested professionals.