Delivering on our Plan – Duty to Serve News
Modified Fannie Mae Duty to Serve Plans are available at FHFA.gov or below in the Resources section.
Solar panels and housing values – We researched the relationship between property values and solar panels. See our preliminary findings, Exploring the Influence of Solar Panels on Housing Values.
Chattel lending analysis – Our manufactured housing team shares key findings in Chattel Lending - Learning and Analysis from 2018 Outreach Activities.
Shared equity programs – Fannie Mae has a long-standing commitment to shared equity programs that help preserve affordable housing. See our Shared Equity Portfolio Analysis.
Native American research – We examined the unique cultural views of homeownership among seven tribes in New Mexico. Read our Fannie Mae Perspectives blog and the full report.
Energy efficiency resources for homeowners – Reducing utility bills can help preserve long-term housing affordability. Our new Energy Efficiency page educates consumers about this important topic.
Manufactured Housing Data – For a better understanding of the credit performance of manufactured home mortgage loans, and how to access a subset of our data, see our Manufactured Housing Loans analysis.
Manufactured Housing Communities (MHCs) – Investor interest in MHCs remains robust. Learn more in our Multifamily Affordable Market Commentary.
Renting in Middle Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta – Rural areas in these regions face a variety of challenges including inadequate rental housing, but there are signs of improvement. Learn more.
Every day, we work to expand access to mortgage credit and affordable housing in all areas of the U.S. And now we’re committing to do even more — in some of the toughest markets in the country.
Duty to Serve Rule
In December 2016, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued the Duty to Serve Underserved Markets rule. This rule ensures that Fannie Mae continues providing leadership to facilitate a secondary market for and improve the availability of home financing for very low- to moderate-income families in three underserved markets:
- Manufactured housing – Exploring innovative financing options for one of the largest affordable housing opportunities
- Affordable housing preservation – Helping keep established properties available as low-cost housing alternatives
- Rural housing – Supporting the financing of housing for targeted high-needs rural regions and populations
We are committed to addressing the challenges outlined in the Duty to Serve rule, and welcome the opportunity to do more to support underserved markets in a safe and sound manner.
Learn what we’re already doing to make housing more accessible
Building on What We Do
Tackling tough housing challenges like those in the Duty to Serve rule is what we do best — demonstrated by all that we’re doing today to expand access to affordable housing through innovative mortgage products, tools, and resources.
For example, our HomeReady® mortgage offers low down payments and unique underwriting flexibilities. Desktop Underwriter® and Day 1 Certainty™ help lenders serve more home buyers with confidence. And our Multifamily programs support and sustain affordable rental housing in every market, every day.
What's Next
In January 2018, we began executing, analyzing, and testing the new approaches outlined in our Plan. We're reporting on our activities quarterly to FHFA, and it is evaluating our performance based on specified guidance available at FHFA.gov. As we move forward, we anticipate the opportunity to adjust our Plan annually to incorporate lessons learned, account for changing market conditions, or to make other appropriate adjustments.
We're excited for this opportunity to serve, and ask our partners, customers, and others to join us in making real progress to uplift underserved markets in America in a most fundamental way — providing access to a safe, affordable, sustainable home.