Ginnie Mae is shutting down its long-running Targeted Lending Initiative (TLI) because it has not made much of an impact on lending to underserved urban and rural areas in recent years. Launched in 1997, the TLI was designed to encourage lenders to finance housing in underserved areas through a reduced guaranty fee. In 2005, the program played a major role in offering relief and financial assistance to homeowners in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. Under the TLI, Ginnie Mae’s guaranty fee is reduced...