October 1, 2013
The FHA and HUD have issued guidance and information as to the status of FHA loan operations during a government shutdown. At the time of this writing, the following is considered active FHA policy–in a document titled HUD Contingency Plan 2013, under the section titled, “Single Family Housing”, we find this information which applies to FHA single family home loans:
“The Office of Single Family Housing will endorse new loans under current multi-year appropriation authority in order to support the health and stability of the U.S. mortgage market. (FHA endorsements currently represent 15% of the market.) Approximately 80% of FHA loans are endorsed by lenders with delegated authority. The remaining 20% are endorsed through the FHA Homeownership Centers, leveraging FHA staff with a contractor that works on-site.”
Additionally, “The Office of Single Family Housing will maintain the minimum operations necessary to support FHA’s existing portfolio by operating both the FHA Call Center and the National Servicing Center’s Call Center, servicing Secretary-held notes and mortgages, and ensuring the continuity of FHA’s REO disposition process, which includes addressing REO health and safety violations and paying related contractor invoices in accordance with the Prompt Pay Act.”
Borrowers with concerns or issues related to their FHA home loans as related to the government shutdown should contact their loan officers or discuss the matter with the FHA directly.
In any case, regardless of the impact of a government shutdown on FHA loan services, borrowers are still obligated to pay monthly mortgage payments, refinance loan payments, closing costs, mortgage insurance and other related expenses as required according to signed agreements or commitments already made.
For more information, contact the FHA at 1-800 CALL FHA.
Do you have questions about FHA home loans? Ask us in the comments section.
Joe Wallace has been specializing in military and personal finance topics since 1995. His work has appeared on Air Force Television News, The Pentagon Channel, ABC and a variety of print and online publications. He is a 13-year Air Force veteran and a member of the Air Force Public Affairs Alumni Association. He was Managing editor for www.valoans.com for (8) years and is currently the Associate Editor for FHANewsblog.com.
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