Issuance of Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities increased modestly during January. Issuance backed by USDA recovered to recent highs after a partial shutdown halted endorsements late last year. (Includes two data tables.)

November issuance of Ginnie Mae single-family mortgage-backed securities increased as lower interest rates continued to drive refinance activity. (Includes two data tables.)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service is considering subsidizing a portion of its guaranteed home loans.

The Trump administration’s 2026 discretionary budget would eliminate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s single-family home direct loan program, a small program that saw record interest in 2024.

FHA extends foreclosure moratorium tied to LA wildfires; HUD rescinds Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule; CSBS seeks Ginnie servicing reforms; RHS delays servicing changes; Rate offers complimentary, temporary insurance for first responders; bill in Senate would speed mortgage processing at Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The pause was ultimately rescinded following court injunctions. In the meantime, participants in government-insured mortgage programs faced uncertainty.

VA sets return-to-office requirements for employees; Indecomm adds FHA underwriting; RHS interest rates increase; number of downpayment assistance programs grows.

Congressional lawmakers next week are expected to take up legislation meant to finalize fiscal 2024 funding bills before the latest continuing resolutions lapse.

Loans to communities ranked with a high social vulnerability index made up roughly 22% of Rural Housing Service-guaranteed single-family home loans in the fourth quarter of 2023. (Includes data table.)

Endorsements of FHA and VA insured loans increased by 9.2% in the third quarter while total first-lien originations declined. (Includes three data tables.)