Affordable housing

In a contentious hearing in the House Financial Services Committee, congressional Democrats evinced serious skepticism about the Federal Home Loan Bank System. That could bode ill for the Home Loan banks should control of the House flip in November.

The Federal Home Loan Bank System is a vital part of the country's housing market, but over the years, misunderstandings and misleading statistics have muddied the picture when it comes to assessing their importance.

A proposal issued last week by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. could lead banks to limit grants they give to nonprofits in exchange for Community Reinvestment Act credit.

House Republicans floated discussion legislative drafts aimed, in part, at strengthening the Federal Home Loan Banks' role providing liquidity to the financial system.

While disparate impact has never been under greater legal pressure, its influence on the future of housing policy and even employment continues to grow, showing that reducing discriminatory effects is good for business.

The Chicago-based homeowners received a $41,000 check to pay down a portion of their existing mortgage, freeing them from the lock-in effect, DREAM product provider Takara said.

Industry comments are favorable, but with statements like "no bill is perfect" and "bold action is needed," groups want changes before it goes to the president.

Branchless and out-of-state banks are harvesting deposits in Florida and lending them out elsewhere, a situation that leads to serious underinvestment in desperately needed infrastructure and affordable housing.

President Trump's criticism of large institutional investors prompted inclusion of a sales timeline for build-to-rent properties in the ROAD Act, which in turn pushed NAHB to withdraw its support.

The bank announced Tuesday its Blueprint for Housing Opportunity plan, a five-year commitment dedicated to increasing the supply of housing.

The Housing for the 21st Century Act includes provisions covering policy, manufactured homes and rural infrastructure introduced in a prior Senate proposal.

Financial literacy advocate John Hope Bryant has joined with a Los Angeles-based developer in an effort to raise up to $300 million from banks to preserve and construct low-income housing around the country.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency director should spend less time on partisan attacks and social media posting, and more on trying to resolve the housing crisis.

Judge Sparkle Sooknanan granted the National Fair Housing Alliance a temporary restraining order which requires HUD to resume distribution of enforcement funds.

The Community Investment and Prosperity Act would increase the statutory cap for bank investment into community development projects, unlocking "billions in capital" that can be directed to affordable housing.

The Senate advanced the One Big Beautiful Bill Act through a procedural vote, opening the legislation for debate followed by Monday's vote-a-rama.

The president should unwind the federal government's stake in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and direct the proceeds to a housing remainder trust designed to close critical gaps in real estate lending.

When supposed "fraud" becomes the headline, real solutions get pushed to the margins. In the case of housing, the real crisis is about housing affordability and supply.

The 11 Federal Home Loan banks play an essential role in the housing market and in local economies. Cutting their community ties would damage their ability to fulfill that mission.

A bill being introduced by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., would compel the Federal Home Loan Bank System to contribute 30%, or a minimum of $200 million, of each bank's net earnings into affordable housing or other community development programs.