Why Manufactured Housing is the Smartest Choice for Affordable, Sustainable Living
(Source: Excerpts from report by Rose Graham, Divisional Sales Manager, Roots Management Group).
According to the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), manufactured homes are a vital component of affordable housing in the United States, providing homes for over 22 million people nationwide.
These homes now represent 9% of all new housing, making them the most affordable type of non-subsidized housing available today.
With an average cost of $82,000 compared to $128,000 for site-built homes (excluding land costs), manufactured homes offer an incredible value.
Here are the reasons behind the benefits of manufactured housing:
Reduced Waste in Construction: Manufactured homes are built in factory settings, which significantly reduce material waste. In contrast, a single site-built home can generate up to 8,000 pounds of waste much of which ends in landfills. Factory construction allows excess materials to be reused on other projects, minimizing environmental impact.
Lower Carbon Footprint: Building homes in a controlled environment reduces the number of trips workers and materials need to make to the site, compared to traditional construction, which requires multiple deliveries and on-site processes.
Energy Efficiency: Manufactured homes often incorporate energy- efficient windows, insulation and appliances during the construction process. This ensures they meet or exceed modern energy standards, making them more sustainable than many older stick-built homes.
Efficient Land Use: Manufactured home communities maximize land usage efficiently. They typically use smaller lots with communal green spaces, reducing maintenance needs like lawn mowing, which helps lower emissions.
Today’s manufactured home features open floor plans designed to maximize natural light and functional space. Modern, state-of-the-art appliances, granite or quartz counter-room kitchen islands, double pane windows, and built-in systems for smart lighting, thermostats, and security are just a few of the updates that reflect the evolution of this industry.
Manufactured homes have come a long way since their introduction as “mobile homes” in the 1920’s and 1930’s when they were initially developed to meet the demand for portable housing for families on the move due to construction of national highways.
