Thousands of stakeholders responded to FHFA’s RFI on the prospect of the GSEs establishing tenant protections for the multifamily properties they back. Most respondents were tenants.
Under the terms recommended in FHFA’s review of the Federal Home Loan Banks, 85 current members would fail to meet the 10% mortgage-related asset rule.
Stricter energy codes would lower residents’ housing costs, improve their health and make them more resilient to the impacts of climate change, according to environmental and consumer groups.
The government-sponsored enterprise has collaborated with state housing finance agencies to develop standardized loan documents to simplify the use of downpayment assistance programs.
Although the GSEs financed fewer affordable units in small multifamily properties, the number of affordable units in Fannie- and Freddie-financed high-rises and garden apartments spiked from 170,000 to 248,000.
FHFA Director Sandra Thompson said workforce housing exemptions should still encourage multifamily borrowers to preserve affordable housing for “extended periods.”
The regulator’s plan to refocus the FHLBanks on housing finance may take some time to get underway. Changing the eligibility requirements for membership, though, doesn’t seem to be likely.
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