Community Development

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HUD, OMB Streamline Home Appraisal Process, Effectively Disband Woke Biden-Era Task Force

On July 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner and the Acting Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Jeffrey Clark announced the termination of burdensome policies introduced under the Biden-era’s Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE) task force.  As part of the PAVE task force, members were directed to issue guidance on anti-discrimination obligations, review policies and practices, and issue new policies focused on “eliminating bias and advancing equity in home appraisals.”  Eliminating the core policies of the PAVE Task Force upholds President Trump’s Executive Orders, including Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing and Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis.  The termination of specific policies eliminates unnecessary regulatory hurdles imposed on lenders, appraisers, and other program participants, which will allow HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to better serve American homebuyers and homeowners.  Click the title to learn more.

HUD Launches “Express Lane” to Expedite Financing for Residential Care Facilities

On July 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the launch of a new “Express Lane” to expedite Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured refinancing applications under the FHA Section 232/223(f) Mortgage Insurance for Residential Care Facilities program. This new review process will significantly reduce processing times and accelerate access to critical financing for skilled nursing, assisted living, and board-and-care facilities.  “We’re eliminating needless delays that stand in the way of access to critical financing, which helps vulnerable Americans access vital services,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner. “The result is a new and innovative Express Lane that will slash wait times by up to 90 percent. Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re empowering the federal government to move urgently with commonsense compassion and deliver mission-minded results for the American people.”  Under the new process, FHA will prioritize the review of certain low-risk, low-leverage transactions to cut the time between application submission and the issuance of a Firm Commitment to 10 to 15 days. Previously, FHA managed reviews of all Section 232 applications based on the date of application submission, resulting in processing times of up to 150 days, regardless of the transaction.  Click the title to learn more.

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HUD Provides Foreclosure Relief to Texans Impacted by Floods

On July 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner announced that a 90-day foreclosure moratorium on Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured single-family mortgages in the areas of Kerr County, Texas, devastated by continuing severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding that began July 2, 2025.  “Our hearts break as we witness the catastrophe unfolding in Texas,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner. “The flash floods have claimed the lives of more than 100 Americans and displaced countless others. It is an unfathomable tragedy, and HUD will continue to provide resources and support as we pray for the Texas Hill Country community.”  There are more than 900 FHA-insured mortgages in the Kerr County Presidentially Declared Major Disaster Area (PDMDA).  HUD is working with mortgage servicers and others to assess the extent of the damage and destruction to properties with FHA-insured mortgages in the designated area.  Click the title to learn more.