Trailer Terminology is a Thing of the Past!

Did you know that the United States Congress even adopted the manufactured housing name to clearly illustrate that there is no comparison between yesterday's trailer and today's manufactured home. 

Offering state of the art facilities, expanded living space, and all the amenities of site-built homes, manufactured homes are here to stay! Manufactured homes are as varied and individual as site built homes with just as much to offer. Spacious living and dining rooms, elegant bedrooms complete with walk-in closets, bathrooms with recessed tubs and whirlpools, as well as modern kitchens complete with major appliances are commonly found in today's manufactured homes. 

Built to a uniform national building code, manufactured homes are appealing because of enhanced quality, design innovations, and affordability. They are truly homes of which to be proud!

Say "goodbye" to yesterday's trailers.

Say "hello" to today's manufactured homes!

Thanks To The HUD Code, There's No Slacking Off In This Industry

Manufactured homes have to meet or exceed one tough set of standards. These regulations cover nearly every conceivable aspect of home building, including design, construction, strength, durability, fire resistance, energy efficiency, ventilation, wind resistance and installation procedures. 

This so-called HUD Code is the short title of the "National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974." The law establishes "a reasonable standard for construction, design, and performance of a manufactured home, which meets the needs of the public, including the need for quality, durability and safety." 

The HUD Code is both national and preemptive. This means each State or political subdivision of a State must adopt the Code without modification.

The History of Manufactured Housing

We've Come a Long Way, Baby!

The first manufactured home dates back to 1764 when a two-story panelized frame dwelling was shipped from London to Cape Ann, MA. By the early 1900s, the English were building custom vans; and an American devised a fifth-wheel hitch to attach a travel wagon to his roadster. 

Assembly line production began in 1926 in New York; although most mobile homes were used for vacations. The first models had no indoor plumbing. 

Campgrounds, or trailer parks, soon began sprouting up on the outskirts of many towns. During Word War II, production increased as the U.S. government purchased mobile homes so workers could live near plants. 

By the late 1940s, trailer lengths had increased to more than 30 feet and small bathrooms were added. Some people also began making them their permanent homes. 

In the 1960s, two-section mobile homes became popular and a mobile home construction code was developed by the Mobile Home Craftsmen Guild. During the 1970s, one mobile home was built for every three site-built homes. In 1978 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development established a national building code for manufactured housing, which changed the industry to what we see today... Meeting the demands of todays consumer. 

"Manufactured" vs "Mobile"

IT'S A FACT:

Nearly 80% of manufactured houses purchased in Oklahoma each year permanently remain at one home site. That is the reason the term "manufactured house" is now used instead of "mobile home". "Manufactured house" applies to homes built since 1976, the year HUD began a national building code for manufactured housing. Only pre-1976 houses are called "mobile homes".

Manufactured Homes Do Appreciate In Value

Manufactured homes do appreciate in value.

Studies since the early 1980's consistently show that today's modern manufactured homes appreciate in value under the same circumstances as site-built housing such as when the home is placed on a quality home-site and is well maintained. Oklahoma is part of a national trend toward manufactured housing. 

• One out of three new homes sold in the U.S. is a manufactured home.
• Local zoning ordinances, which arbitrarily discriminate against manufactured homes, are subject to legal challenge. 
• Progressive Oklahoma cities are now setting zoning standards based on housing features such as the size and shape of the house, type of siding and type of roof. Currently over 165,966 Oklahoman's live in a manufactured home. 
• Planning officials recognize that residents often cannot tell - nor do they care - whether a house was originally built on site or in a factory. 
• Over half of the new manufactured homes currently coming into Oklahoma are multi-section homes. 
• Properly placed on home site, multi-section homes are often virtually indistinguishable from site-built homes of the same size. 
• Home ownership makes for better citizens. Owners of manufactured housing register and vote at a higher rate than the population at large. 
• Today's manufactured homes are built to tough federal standards for fire and other safety considerations. 
• Tough federal construction and safety standards mean that a manufactured home provides safe, secure and affordable housing. For example, the incidence of fire in a modern manufactured home is lower than for site-built houses. 

Statistically Speaking:

In 2012 the total number of manufactured homes statewide was approximately 165,966.  Of the 165,966 homes, 68,017 manufactured homes are listed as personal property (do not own the land) and approximately 97,949 or 59% on real property (land/home combined) based on OTC-Ad Valorem records. 

According to the latest released (2011) U.S. Census Bureau's Community Survey there are 1,656,132 housing units in Oklahoma.  Of those housing units there were 156,165 declared Manufactured/mobile homes.  Which ever number you choose to use 165,966 or 156,165 it still comes up to 9% of all housing units in Oklahoma are manufactured/mobile homes.

Another interesting statistic is manufactured homes represent about $3.12 Billions IN VALUE and about $32.6 Million in Ad Valorem Tax.

The Manufactured Housing Association of Oklahoma represents all segments of the manufactured housing industry. Members include manufacturers, retailers, community owners/developers, as well as financial, insurance, service and supply companies, which serve the industry.

MHAO's History

For more than 45 years, the Manufactured Housing Association of Oklahoma has led the way as the voice of the manufactured housing industry in Oklahoma. Through determination and pride the manufactured housing industry today has earned its place in Oklahoma's housing market. Today, the industry is known for providing a safe, affordable and innovative housing alternative for thousands of Oklahomans yearly. 

It all started from a handful of pioneering individuals with vision. Today we have nearly 300 members and associates. MHAO has dedicated itself to a spirit of cooperation, striving for quality and excellence in construction, sale and placement of all manufactured homes. 

MHAO members - retailers, manufacturers, finance/insurance, supplier/service, and community owners/developers - work together speaking with one voice through its elected officers, on both state and national levels. 

The Manufactured Housing Association of Oklahoma is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing its members with tools and information needed to help shape a successful business environment and a profitable housing market in home sales. 

As we explore the new millenium, MHAO will continue to develop programs and make opportunities available for its members, fostering growth through professional development seminars, workshops and providing the most up-to-date information available to the industry. The members of MHAO have and will continue to make a difference. MHAO membership is an investment in the future of affordable housing. 

In 1998 MHAO moved into their new building at 6400 S. Shields in Oklahoma City.