This Week In Manufactured Housing News: November 4th – 11th

People across the country this week are thinking big—and small—when it comes to manufactured housing: from companies taking the stock market leap and large-scale affordable housing efforts, to the architectural legacy of prefab homes and little spaces with lofty style. Read up!

Tackling Affordable Housing in Appalachia. The Commercial Observer takes a look at Freddie Mac’s new initiative aimed at increasing affordable housing options across Appalachia—with a shout out to manufactured housing, of course.

Must-Read Story of the Week. “Architects, environmentalists and some forward-thinking builders all embrace prefab construction,” says the Seattle Times in an evocative new piece. “So why are advocates of prefab houses still talking about ‘disrupting’ the home-building industry?”

In-The-News IPOs. Bedford, Texas-based manufactured housing company Legacy Homes filed this week for an initial public offering of $69 million. It plans to list on the Nasdaq under the symbol LEGH.

City Hall Showdown. In the Chicago suburb of Elgin, the battle continues over the potential construction of a (much needed) 55-plus resident owned community of manufactured homes.

Think Small. And in Walla Walla, Washington, ultra-fancy prefab homes are being built with everything from stained glass to log cabin accoutrements. “I think if people want to live in smaller homes, they should have the freedom to do so. Especially with the recent adoption of safety standards and quality improvements in smaller, manufactured housing, I think we should…allow this housing to exist in residential areas.”