The federal government's policies have been largely focused on traditional homeownership. But has it been effective?
Read More »Did Advocates to Eliminate GSEs Engage in a Conflict of Interest?
Stakeholders in the mortgage industry question whether or not a takeover by Wall Street banks would help the industry. Some say not only would it not help the industry, but it would be harmful. Did three top housing policy officials advocate for their private sector clients after leaving their government positions?
Read More »Chris Christie Wants Parties to Find Common Ground on Housing Policy
Christie responded that the way to do it is to bring all the Republicans and Democrats from Congress and put them together and ask each side what it can live with and to stay together until they come up with a list of items that both sides agree on. And as president, he said, he would support the list that the sides agree on.
Read More »Ask the Economist: How Have Zero Interest Rates Affected the Housing Industry?
Ask the Economist is an ongoing series in which DS News talks with an economist about the most pressing issues facing the nation's housing industry and the economy. This installment features Rodney Ramcharan, Associate Professor of Public Policy and Research Director of the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate.
Read More »Will Rep. Hensarling Seek to Become the Next Speaker of the House?
As Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Hensarling has been a major figure in housing finance reform for almost three years. He has been an outspoken opponent of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, having recently chaired a series of three hearings in the Committee on the impact of the controversial law five years since it was enacted.
Read More »HUD Touts a Year of Progress Since Castro Became Secretary
During his first year as the nation's top housing official, Castro has made several policy changes with the intent of increasing opportunity for more Americans to obtain affordable, sustainable housing. Several of those changes are outlined in an announcement from HUD on Monday titled "Year of Progress: Delivering on the Promise of Opportunity."
Read More »Legislation, Not FHFA’s Administrative Actions, Should Drive Housing Policy, Analyst Says
Holtz-Eakin, former director of the Congressional Budget Office, wrote on the American Action Forum's blog, "The Daily Dish," earlier this week that logic would dictate large reforms to the housing finance system following the crash, yet no such large reform has taken place.
Read More »Senior Treasury Official Named Main Housing Adviser for Obama Administration
Stegman, who has been with Treasury for four years, will be the main housing adviser for the Obama Administration in his new position with the NEC. He will be replacing Seth Wheeler, who is planning to leave the NEC in June after two years.
Read More »Counsel’s Corner: Status Quo Will Prevail in Housing Policy for Foreseeable Future
Counsel's Corner is an ongoing series in which DS News talks with default servicing attorneys around the country about the most pressing issues facing the default servicing industry. This installment features Andrew Herman, Counsel for Washington, D.C.-based Miller & Chevalier.
Read More »FHA Commissioner Reaffirms Commitment to Middle Class, Administration’s Role
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Acting Commissioner Biniam Gebre reaffirmed his organization's commitment to America's middle class as well as the role of the Administration and defended the FHA's recent lowering of the mortgage insurance premiums in statement released Thursday. Gebre's statement provides a preview of his upcoming appearance at the Five Star Government Forum on March 18 in Washington, D.C., where he will sit down for a one-on-one interview with Five Star Institute President and CEO Ed Delgado to discuss FHA's recent housing policy changes and the future of the organization.
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