The Mortgage Bankers Association recommended the Department of Housing and Urban Development publish its proposed Section 184 guidelines in a policy handbook similar to FHA’s rather than in a Code of Federal Regulation.

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

FHA is taking comments through April 17 on a request for information on the barriers consumers and lenders face in accessing the FHA 203(k) rehabilitation mortgage program.

FHA will expand its loss-mitigation options to borrowers at risk of default even if COVID-19 wasn’t the cause of their economic challenges.

The Urban Institute has called on federal housing agencies to accommodate automated valuation models as their starting points, with human appraisers checking the accuracy of the data as a back-up.

One of the keys for lenders facing financial difficulties is to communicate early and often with Ginnie Mae, according to the agency’s chief risk officer.

Trade groups recommended VA establish a permanent partial claim program that allows servicers to combine a partial claim with a loan modification for borrowers that need to reduce their monthly payments.

Looser pooling requirements for delivering reperforming loans to Ginnie; FHA revises policy handbook; FHA updates instructions for use of GSE model forms; FHA hiring; VA revises various forms; VA offers loan review API; CHLA calls for permanent PTAP; RHS proposes loosening loss-mitigation standards.

If the largest servicer of HECMs couldn’t handle the financial burden posed by mandatory buyouts of the loans, what hope is there for others? FHA is being urged to make changes to HECM policies. (Includes data chart.)

A proposal to streamline servicing and claim requirements for FHA mortgages is in the works, along with expanded loss-mitigation options for VA servicers. VA also plans to issue a final rule on cash-out refis.