2015-2017 Enterprise Housing Goals

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is issuing a final rule regarding the housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) for 2015 through 2017. The Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, as amended (the Safety and Soundness Act), requires FHFA to establish annual housing goals for mortgages purchased by the Enterprises. The housing goals include separate categories for single-family and multifamily mortgages on housing that is affordable to low-income and very low-income families, among other categories. The final rule establishes the benchmark levels for each of the housing goals and subgoals for 2015 through 2017. In addition, the final rule establishes a new housing subgoal for small multifamily properties affordable to low-income families. The final rule also adds or revises a number of other provisions in the housing goals regulation in order to provide greater clarity about the mortgages that will qualify for the goals or subgoals. In addition, the final rule makes a number of clarifying and conforming changes, including revisions to the definitions of ``rent'' and ``utilities'' and to the rules for determining affordability of both single-family and multifamily units. The final rule also establishes more transparent agency procedures for FHFA guidance on the housing goals. FHFA also discusses here its plans to require more detailed Enterprise reporting to FHFA on the Enterprises' purchases of mortgages on single-family rental housing.