AREUEA Policy Forum

The AREUEA Policy Forum aims to build bridges between research and policy making in real estate and urban policy.

"Is the time right for the manufactured housing sector to deliver affordable homeownership opportunities?”

October 2, 2026 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET

Register Here

Participants

Casey Dawkins (Professor of Urban Studies and Planning and Associate Dean for Research, University of Maryland
Tara Roche (Project Director, Housing Policy Initiative, The Pew Charitable Trusts)
Karl Eckhart (VP, State & Local Government Affairs, National Association of Home Builders)

Policy Forum Recording (coming soon)

Description:

The forum will open with a short presentation from Casey Dawkins. The panelists will then discuss the evolution of the manufactured housing sector, whether the new rules and potential small-mortgage pilot programs might unlock the industry, and what is necessary for the sector to thrive as an important component of the housing market.

Speakers:

Casey J. Dawkins is a Professor of Urban Studies and Planning, Associate Dean for Research, and a faculty member of the National Center for Smart Growth at the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation. He is also an Associate Editor for the journal Housing Policy Debate and serves on the Maryland Board of Architects. His current research addresses federal affordable housing policy, manufactured housing, and the link between local land use regulations and housing affordability.

Tara Roche leads Pew’s housing policy initiative, conducting original analyses of the safety, affordability, and availability of small mortgages and alternative financial arrangements used to purchase manufactured homes and other low-cost housing. Roche’s previous Pew work focused on researching everyday financial products—including small-dollar loans, mobile payments, and student loans—to inform policy recommendations that protect consumers from harmful practices and promote safe, transparent credit.

Karl Eckhart is Vice President of Intergovernmental Affairs at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), where he works with state and local home builder associations on housing advocacy. He rejoined NAHB in 2017, after earlier roles at NAHB and the National Association of REALTORS.

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