FHA extends foreclosure moratorium tied to LA wildfires; HUD rescinds Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule; CSBS seeks Ginnie servicing reforms; RHS delays servicing changes; Rate offers complimentary, temporary insurance for first responders; bill in Senate would speed mortgage processing at Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The pause was ultimately rescinded following court injunctions.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.

Congressional lawmakers next week are expected to take up legislation meant to finalize fiscal 2024 funding bills before the latest continuing resolutions lapse.

Loans to communities ranked with a high social vulnerability index made up roughly 22% of Rural Housing Service-guaranteed single-family home loans in the fourth quarter of 2023. (Includes data table.)

Endorsements of FHA and VA insured loans increased by 9.2% in the third quarter while total first-lien originations declined. (Includes three data tables.)

Correspondent sales of government-insured loans declined by 28.6% on an annual basis in 2022, though Veterans United boosted its sales by 13.8%. (Includes data chart.)

The USDA needs an influx of resources to boost staffing and improve information technology to meet the needs of its home loan programs.

Federal housing agencies will continue to collaborate on loss-mitigation options following their teamwork when responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.