Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced that it is requesting public input on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's (the Enterprises) proposed Underserved Markets Plans under the Duty to Serve program.  Those plans were released today.

FHFA issued a final rule on Dec. 13, 2016 to implement the Duty to Serve provisions mandated by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.  The statute requires the Enterprises to serve three specified underserved markets – manufactured housing, affordable housing preservation, and rural housing in a safe and sound manner for residential properties that serve very low-, low-, and moderate-income families. 

The rule requires each Enterprise to adopt a three-year Underserved Markets Plan to fulfill this mandate.  FHFA requests public input on the Enterprises' proposed Underserved Markets Plans through its dedicated webpage, www.FHFA.gov/DTS, by July 10, 2017. 

"I strongly encourage stakeholders to submit feedback on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's proposed Duty to Serve Underserved Markets Plans," said FHFA Director Melvin L. Watt.  "FHFA will evaluate stakeholder input as part of our review process to ensure that the plans help the Enterprises meet their statutory obligations in a safe and sound manner." 

Each Enterprise will update their Duty to Serve Underserved Markets Plan after reviewing public input and FHFA feedback.  Each Enterprise's Duty to Serve Underserved Markets Plan must receive a non-objection from FHFA before becoming effective Jan. 1, 2018.  

The Objectives in the proposed and final Plans may be subject to change based on factors including public input, FHFA comments, compliance with the Enterprises' Charter Acts, safety and soundness considerations, and market or economic conditions.

Link:  Fannie Mae's proposed Underserved Markets Plan

Link:  Freddie Mac's proposed Underserved Markets Plan