HUD RELEASES ITS GSE DETERMINATION LETTERS TO THE PUBLIC

The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it is releasing many of the determination and policy letters that HUD has issued to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac since 2004. HUD is also releasing the Annual Housing Activity Reports on housing goal performance that it receives each year from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This material is now available on the HUD website.

HUD's revised regulatory website now includes a "Regulatory Reading Room" that links website users to determination and policy letters that HUD has issued to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on activities that include employer assisted housing plans, international activities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, whole loan real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs), and other activities. The letters also address HUD's policies related to counting certain types of mortgage purchases for housing goals credit.

A second new webpage, called "Housing Goals Information," provides access to Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's Annual Housing Activity Reports to HUD, including data tables, on housing goals performance from 2002 through 2006.

HUD is the mission regulator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two housing government sponsored enterprises, or GSEs, that were chartered to support the secondary market for residential mortgage loans. HUD is responsible for ensuring that GSEs engage in activities that are consistent with their charter authorities. HUD also sets, monitors, and enforces affordable housing goals that each GSE is required to achieve annually.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development, and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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