Government

Ongoing settlement negotiations between Bank of America and the Justice Department to resolve an investigation into the bank's role in the mortgage crisis reached a stalemate Monday as the government reportedly rejected the bank's earlier $12 billion offer.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced it has entered into a Voluntary Compliance Agreement with the Englewood Housing Authority (EHA) in Englewood, Colorado. The settlement resolves allegations that EHA violated the Fair Housing Act when it implemented a point system at Orchard Place Apartments.

Introduced last year by a bipartisan group of representatives led by Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Michigan), H.R. 3211 (the "Mortgage Choice Act of 2013") would amend the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) to exempt fees from affiliated title companies from counting toward the 3 percent point and fee threshold established in the Qualified Mortgage (QM) rule implemented earlier this year. It would also clarify the treatment of insurance and taxes held in escrow.

CFPB Director Richard Cordray appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Tuesday morning to give the Semi-Annual Report of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. At the hearing, a myriad of topics were discussed, including mortgages, student loans, as well as proposed data collection efforts for the National Mortgage Database.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a recent agreement with the owner, builder, architect, and manager of a Seattle apartment complex. The settlement resolved issues stemming from allegations of discrimination against people with disabilities by failing to design and construct the 56-unit complex in a way that meets accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act.

In its latest monthly National Housing Survey, Fannie Mae found 57 percent of Americans still believe the economy is on the wrong track, flat from April's survey. Meanwhile, 38 percent said the economy is on the right path, up from 35 percent in the last survey but still down from last year's highs.

Bank of America is negotiating a settlement of at least $12 billion to end investigations into alleged misconduct related to toxic mortgages, according to media reports. Citing reports from "people familiar with the negotiations," the Wall Street Journal reported late Thursday that the megabank has been working fervently over the week to come to an agreement with the Justice Department and put an end to speculation on the potential size of the settlement.

After surpassing expectations in April, the labor market performed slightly better than anticipated in May, according to numbers released Friday by the Department of Labor. According to the government, the economy added 217,000 new jobs last month, beating out a consensus forecast of 213,000 among economists surveyed by Econoday. The gain—a retreat from April's downwardly revised estimate of 282,000 jobs added—left the national unemployment rate unchanged at 6.3 percent.

Among the 36 million people who moved between 2012 and 2013, a new study from the United States Census Bureau found that the most important reason to move was to find a new/better home or apartment. The study reported that 8 percent cited a desire for cheaper housing, while 5 percent said the most important reason for moving was to be closer to work or for an easier commute.

First Lady Michelle Obama, the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the creation of the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness at an event at the White House. At the event, more than 75 mayors and county and state officials from across the country pledged they are committed to ending veteran homelessness in their communities.