Freddie Hosts Employee Panel on Affordable Housing. In commemoration of Black History Month, Freddie Mac’s ARISE employee resource group invited all employees to a panel discussion on the company's commitment to affordable housing, particularly in the African-American community. The GSE said that the panelists began by discussing the importance of homeownership in all communities, while recognizing that there is a gap between white and non-white homeownership rates. Panelists discussed ways that Freddie is helping close this divide via programs including Home Possible mortgages that offer low downpayment options for low- to moderate– income homebuyers, reducing one of the financial barriers that impede African-American families from homeownership. And they talked about the GSE’s commitment to financing affordable rental properties. Investors Unite Podcast Launch.