LIHTC and GSE programs both use the same flawed system for determining whether a project is “affordable,” revealed David Brickman, former CEO of Freddie Mac.

In her first long-form interview since taking over as FHFA acting director, Sandra Thompson insisted that expanding the GSEs’ books of business won’t make them riskier.

FHFA announced the suspension of the caps on the GSEs’ purchase of second-home and investor-property mortgages on Sept. 14. By Sept. 15, the price of these loans jumped more than a percentage point.

The FHFA’s inspector general found that the regulator’s supervision of the GSEs is based on policy statements not standards prescribed by Congress.

Thompson puts her stamp on the agency, even while rumors suggest the Biden administration could replace her with a permanent director.

The mortgage industry’s warnings that the restrictions placed on the GSEs would tighten credit availability for less qualified borrowers were not lost on the Biden administration.

The changes would reduce Fannie’s and Freddie’s capital requirements and increase incentives to issue CRT transactions.

The support of the powerful House Financial Services Committee chair improves the chances that FHFA Acting Director Sandra Thompson’s job becomes permanent. It also casts doubt on the rumored nomination of CRL President Mike Calhoun.

Homeowners in manufactured housing communities will no longer have to relocate their house before selling it. Also, the seller will have the right to sublease the pad site to the new owner.

The agency will allow the GSEs to boost LIHTC investment by $350 million each and expand the sale of REO properties to owner-occupants and nonprofits.