FHFA to form affordable housing committee

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has revealed plans to establish a Federal Advisory Committee on Affordable, Equitable, and Sustainable Housing.

The committee will focus on regulatory or policy changes addressing affordable, equitable, and sustainable housing needs. It will provide advice and input on how FHFA’s regulated entities – Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks – can remove barriers to access to such housing and long-term sustainability.

FHFA said it is looking for members of the committee who are engaged in the financing, development, and/or administration of affordable, equitable, and sustainable housing and housing policy, and who have relevant expertise in at least one of the following areas:

• Fair housing, fair lending, or civil rights;
• Single-family lending, servicing, development, mortgages, or capital markets;
• Multifamily lending, servicing, development, mortgages, capital markets, or investments (i.e. Low-Income Housing Tax Credits);
• Consumer, tenant, or community advocacy;
• Market technology;
• State, local, or tribal government housing policies and programs; and
• Academic or non-academic affiliated housing research. 

In a statement, FHFA director Sandra Thompson said that forming the advisory committee will better position FHFA to fulfill its strategic goal of supporting access to affordable, equitable, and sustainable housing.

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“Today’s announcement exemplifies our commitment to transparency, ongoing dialogue with stakeholders and the public, and thoughtful policymaking that connects equitable access with safety and soundness,” Thompson added.

The committee’s charter will begin 15 days after publication in the Federal Register. FHFA will solicit applications and nominations for membership in a subsequent notice in the Federal Register.