The pause was ultimately rescinded following court injunctions. In the meantime, participants in government-insured mortgage programs faced uncertainty.

VA sets return-to-office requirements for employees; Indecomm adds FHA underwriting; RHS interest rates increase; number of downpayment assistance programs grows.

Mortgage servicers will be able to offer the mortgage recovery advance option as a standalone feature or as part of a 30- or 40-year loan modification, the Rural Housing Service said.

The USDA’s Section 502 loan program could be the answer to the affordable housing crisis in towns near tourist attractions.

The new proposal from USDA’s Rural Housing Service would eliminate the need for a second lien in new servicing options for non-performing home loans.

Looser pooling requirements for delivering reperforming loans to Ginnie; FHA revises policy handbook; FHA updates instructions for use of GSE model forms; FHA hiring; VA revises various forms; VA offers loan review API; CHLA calls for permanent PTAP; RHS proposes loosening loss-mitigation standards.

A last-minute budget deal resulted in funding increases for many HUD housing-related programs.

Outlook for Wells’ participation in FHA market unclear; Biden signs legislation to improve VA appraisals; MBA calls for higher fee on mortgage assumptions; VA revises forms; FHA hosting webinar on quality assurance; Rural Housing Service updates program guidelines.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of FHA mortgages, among other measures.

At a congressional hearing, industry stakeholders called for increased funding to boost technology and staffing at rural housing programs.