​​While the number of U.S. home appraisals and median appraised values declined year-over-year between the second quarters of 2022 and 2023, both indicators increased between the first and second quarters of 2023.​

​​FHFA's 2019 OMWI Annual Report to Congress describes the measures taken under the Dodd-Frank Act to increase diversity and ensure inclusion throughout the FHFA workforce and in our business activities, including procurement.  The Report describes how FHFA achieved its objectives by continuing existing programs that have been effective, as well as developing and implementing new strategies and initiatives to support a diverse workforce and maintain an inclusive organizational culture.

​​​​​​The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA or Agency) is committed to fostering a diverse representation in our workforce at all levels of the Agency. This commitment also extends to the Agency’s contracting and procurement efforts, where, in 2022, FHFA executed contracts with Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses (MWOBs) at the highest rate in the Agency’s history.

As the regulator and conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) and regulator of the Federal Home Loan Banks, FHFA staff regularly evaluate complex issues and answer hard questions.  The questions about whether to require the Enterprises to update their credit score requirements, and to which model or models, are among the most difficult we have faced.

I am excited to announce the debut of a new communications tool—our new blog called FHFA Insights.  The blog is located on the Agency website, www.FHFA.gov, and is designed to serve as a resource for a wide range of stakeholders, including homeowners, renters, policy makers, media and the general public.

​After the announcement on April 14, 2016 that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be offering a one-time Principal Reduction Modification program, one of the main questions we received was "where are eligible borrowers located?" Today, we are launching an interactive online map on FHFA.gov that highlights the top 10 states where these potentially eligible borrowers live. The program, however, is open to eligible borrowers nationwide.

The largest number of potentially eligible borrowers can be found in:

​​​​The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is kicking off a new social media campaign, #HARPNow, to let more than 367,600 homeowners across the U.S. know that now is the time to take advantage of the Home Affordable Refinance Program®, or HARP®, before it expires on December 31, 2016.

On July 17, 2018, FHFA published a proposed regulation on capital requirements for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises).  FHFA is seeking comments on all aspects of the proposed rule.

The proposed rule would implement a new framework for risk-based capital requirements and a revised minimum leverage capital requirement for the Enterprises.

​​FHFA has adopted more robust radon testing requirements for multifamily properties backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). This policy enhancement ensures that properties financed by the Enterprises continue to provide safe and sustainable housing for tenants across the United States. FHFA’s determination to reevaluate the Enterprises’ radon standards is based on a growing body of research that raises concerns about human exposure to naturally occurring radon gas. 

On June 27, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) hosted nearly 100 stakeholders for a workshop focused on ways to create and preserve affordable housing for moderate-income households – also known as “workforce housing.”  The term workforce housing is often used to describe households that earn between 60-120 percent of area median income (AMI).  During the workshop, participants discussed the possible need for an industry standard definition, and whether or not “workforce housing” is the best description for this segment of the rental market.