Vacant loan sale held by HUD; FHA extends comment deadline on servicing defect taxonomy; VA policy agenda includes plans to finalize a rule for cash-out refis; VA informs on certain appraisal policies; Ginnie Mae reminds issuers to complete renewals or certifications for master agreements; Ginnie revises definition of high-balance loan limits.

The latest version of the Biden administration’s Build Back Better agenda retained several key programs intended to support homeownership.

The mortgage industry is applauding the passage of a False Claims Act amendment that would address language in a previous version that could have led to unintended consequences for FHA and VA lenders.

FHA/VA loans in COVID-19-related forbearance continue to drop; VA updates eligibility rules on specially adapted housing grants; HUD plans a fair housing event; Ginnie non-agency early buyout securitization planned; VA to host advisory committee meeting on homeless veterans.

Officials from VA and Ginnie Mae detail plans to modernize technology systems to better serve borrowers, investors and regulators.

HUD releases climate adoption and resilience plan; FHA seeks feedback on HECM-related changes to its single-family housing policy handbook; HUD awards loan servicing contract; FHA is hiring.

The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs removed from a hearing agenda a draft bill that would have allowed veterans two concurrent uses of a VA guarantee entitlement.

The House Committee on Financial Services last week marked up legislation that would devote $322 billion in funding to affordable housing, including for a pilot program to expand small-dollar lending options for homes that cost up to $100,000.

During a recent conference, officials from government agencies spoke about their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and the top challenges facing them next year.

The Congressional Budget Office estimate compares to a record 2020 that saw VA guarantees total more than $375 billion.