AFREF sent comments calling on the Federal Home Loan Banks to substantially increase funding for the Affordable Housing Program, and enact executive compensation reform if the banking system is going to continue to benefit from significant public subsidies.
AFREF joined experts in the field in submitting comments calling on the FHFA Office of Financial Technology to ensure that new applications of fintech to housing finance do not violate consumer protections or fair housing violations. Specific recommendations are made to avoid algorithmic bias and e-signature fraud, along with a general principle of caution when approving new fintech practices.
AFREF joined a letter calling on HUD to increase the affordability of FHA insurance mortgages by lowering the FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium by 25 to 35 basis points and ending the life of loan requirement on the FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums.
AFREF and 34 allies sent a letter regarding the Safety and Soundness Act, which requires FHFA to establish annual housing goals for mortgages purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). This letter supports the proposal’s move towards a methodology that focuses on the percentage, not number, of affordable housing units financed by the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs). However, the proposal fails to hold the GSEs to adequate lending standards and refine what counts as affordable housing units.
This letter seeks policy reforms that will prevent GSEs from financing loans that contribute to displacement and substandard living conditions for low income tenants and tenants of color. It also objects to FHFA goals being set at levels that are below recent performance by the Enterprises.
AFREF joined a letter responding to a request for information from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy about how federal agencies can better support collaboration with other levels of government, civil society, and the research community regarding the production and use of equitable data.
AFREF joined civil rights and consumer advocacy organizations in responding to the Appraisal Standards Board’s request for comment on the proposed changes to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice that would add nondiscrimination language to USPAP’s Ethics Rule. The letter recognizes the history and persistence of racial discrimination in appraisals and makes several specific recommendations for fighting discrimination in the appraisal process.
AFREF sent a letter to FHFA on their Duty to Serve plans.
Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund (AFREF) and partners submitted comments to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on their proposed revision to the regulations that implement the Community Reinvestment
Private equity firms have become some of the country’s biggest corporate landlords. Americans for Financial Reform estimated that as of June 2022, at a minimum, private equity firms owned real estate rented by around 1.6 million families.
AFR joined a letter calling on Congress to include historic, equity-minded housing investments in a revised budget reconciliation bill to narrow the racial wealth gap and increase fair and sustainable homeownership opportunities for communities of color.