SUMMARY: The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is issuing and seeking comment on an interim final rule to implement section 1218 of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Recovery Act), which requires the FHFA to allow the Federal Home Loan Banks (Banks) until July 30, 2010, to use Affordable Housing Program (AHP) homeownership set-aside funds to refinance low- or moderate-income households’ mortgage loans. This rulemaking relocates the AHP regulation to the FHFA rules, and adds new provisions that allow the Banks to use AHP set-aside funds to provide direct subsidies to low- or moderate-income households who qualify for refinancing assistance under the HOPE for Homeowners Program established by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) under Title IV of the Recovery Act.

ADDRESSES: This interim final rule is effective October 17, 2008. The FHFA will accept written comments on the interim final rule on or before December 16, 2008.

COMMENTS: Submit comments to the FHFA using any one of the following methods:

• E-mail: comments@fhfb.gov. Please include RIN 2590-AA04 in the subject line of the message.

• Fax: (202) 408-2580.

• Mail/Hand Delivery: Federal Housing Finance Board, 1625 Eye Street, NW., Washington, DC 20006, Attention: Public Comments/RIN 2590-AA04.

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. If you submit your comment to the Federal eRulemaking Portal, please also send it by e-mail to the FHFA at comments@fhfb.gov to ensure timely receipt by the agency. Include the following information in the subject line of your submission: Federal Housing Finance Agency. Interim Final Rule: Affordable Housing Program Amendments: Federal Home Loan Bank Mortgage Refinancing Authority. RIN 2590-AA04.

We will post all public comments we receive without change, including any personal information you provide, such as your name and address, on the FHFA Web site at www.fhfa.gov/SupervisionRegulation/RegulationFederalRegister/Pages/Open-for-Comment.aspx.