FHA took new steps this week to help expand homeownership to borrowers whose work history and income took a hit earlier in the pandemic but are now stable.

American Financial Network has agreed to pay roughly $1 million to settle allegations it fraudulently originated FHA loans.

The government agency is investing $470,000 in a sweat equity program in which homebuyers in rural southwest Pennsylvania will contribute to the construction or rehabilitation of their houses.

FHA commissioner starts blog; HUD CFO sworn in; FHA plans competitive sale of vacant-home loans; FHA updates single-family policy handbook; HUD plans counseling conference; Ginnie posts roundtable video; HUD extends nomination deadline for tribal advisory committee; Congressional subcommittee considers 2023 appropriations; VA clarifies underwriting for hemp-related income.

Officials from FHA, VA and USDA’s Rural Housing Service recently discussed how to help borrowers through the challenges of today’s volatile housing market.

UWM’s “Government Elite” program offers pricing advantages on FHA and VA loans for borrowers that meet minimum credit scores.

HUD said its newly implemented technology upgrades will help homeowners and buyers more quickly locate housing counseling agencies.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said its members support the 40-year loan term as an additional loss-mitigation option, and not the only option.

HUD could bring resources to bear on the affordable housing supply challenge by conducting research, collecting data and looking to successes of the past, FHA Commissioner Julia Gordon said.

Fairway Independent Mortgage, Movement Mortgage and Caliber Home Mortgage were the top three lenders in USDA’s Rural Housing Service single-family housing guaranteed loan program.