Housing advocates say weaker goals don’t give the GSEs enough incentive to support underserved communities; lenders say they give needed leeway when markets are unpredictable.
The FHLBank is extending the terms and reducing the haircut on collateral pledged by non-depository CDFIs and state-chartered HFAs (which technically aren’t even members).
A new advisory bulletin streamlines the application process for an affordable housing subsidy and makes the rules more compatible with those of other affordable housing funders.
Affordable housing and community development advocates say taxpayers aren’t getting enough for the government subsidy of the FHLBanks. The FHLBanks say critics misunderstand their federal support.
The Council of Federal Home Loan Banks said Treasury’s proposal that the FHLBanks use their excess retained earnings to support affordable housing is asking them to operate on minimum capital levels.
Industry players had raised concerns that the original proposal would have been too broad and included misconduct that didn’t affect safety and soundness.
Newly published comment letters show that housing and community advocacy groups support FHFA’s plan to use member incentive programs to encourage more mission-oriented lending by the FHLBanks.