[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 4, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38514-38522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18484]


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FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY

12 CFR Part 1291

RIN 2590-AA04


Affordable Housing Program Amendments: Federal Home Loan Bank 
Mortgage Refinancing Authority

AGENCY: Federal Housing Finance Agency.

ACTION: Interim final rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Section 1218 of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 
(HERA) requires the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to permit 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. On October 17, 2008, 
FHFA amended its AHP regulation to authorize the Banks to provide AHP 
direct subsidies under their homeownership set-aside programs 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 HERA. Based on the 
comments received on the amendments and continuing adverse conditions 
of the mortgage market, FHFA has determined that in order for the AHP 
set-aside refinancing program to be implemented successfully for the 
benefit of the intended households, the scope of the program authority 
should be broadened and the Banks should have greater flexibility in 
implementing the program. Accordingly, FHFA is issuing and seeking 
comment on an interim final rule that authorizes the Banks to provide 
AHP subsidy through their members to assist in the refinancing of 
eligible households' mortgages under eligible Federal, State and local 
programs for targeted refinancing in addition to the Hope for 
Homeowners Program. These programs would include the Administration's 
Making Home Affordable Refinancing program. The interim final rule 
permits the Banks to provide AHP direct subsidy to members and to use 
the subsidy for principal reduction and for loan closing costs, and 
requires that households obtain counseling for qualification for 
refinancing and foreclosure mitigation.
    In addition, the interim final rule enhances the ability of the 
Banks to respond to the mortgage crisis by providing greater 
flexibility to accelerate their future annual statutory AHP 
contributions for use in their AHP homeownership set-aside programs in 
the current year. The interim final rule also permits the Banks to 
adopt multiple housing needs under their Second District Priority 
scoring criterion under the AHP competitive application program.

DATES: The interim final rule is effective on August 4, 2009. FHFA will 
accept written comments on the interim final rule on or before October 
5, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments, identified by regulatory information number 
(RIN) 2590-AA04, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Mail/Hand Delivery: Federal Housing Finance Agency, Fourth 
Floor, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20552, Attention: Public 
Comments/RIN 2590-AA04.
    <bullet> E-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#85f7e0e2e6eae8e8e0ebf1f6c5e3ede3e4abe2eaf3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="01736466626e6c6c646f757241676967602f666e77">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include ``RIN 2590-
AA04'' in the subject line of the message.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://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 FHFA at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7604131115191b1b1318020536101e101758111900"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fe8c9b999d9193939b908a8dbe9896989fd0999188">[email protected]</span></a> to ensure timely receipt by the 
agency. Include the following information in the subject line of your 
submission ``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 http://www.fhfa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nelson Hernandez, Senior Associate 
Director, Housing Mission and Goals, 202-408-2819, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e6a8838a958988c8ae839488878882839ca6808e8087c8818990"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d799b2bba4b8b9f99fb2a5b9b6b9b3b2ad97b1bfb1b6f9b0b8a1">[email protected]</span></a>; Charles E. McLean, Jr., Acting Manager, 
Housing Mission and Goals, 202-408-2537, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8ac9e2ebf8e6eff9a4c7e9c6efebe4caece2eceba4ede5fc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="80c3e8e1f2ece5f3aecde3cce5e1eec0e6e8e6e1aee7eff6">[email protected]</span></a>; or 
Melissa L. Allen, Senior Policy Analyst, 202-408-2524, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4b062e272238382a650a27272e250b2d232d2a652c243d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eaa78f868399998bc4ab86868f84aa8c828c8bc48d859c">[email protected]</span></a>, Federal Housing Finance Agency, 1625 Eye 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20006; or Sharon B. Like, Associate General 
Counsel, 202-414-8950, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0e5d666f7c6160204267656b4e6866686f20696178"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c192a9a0b3aeafef8da8aaa481a7a9a7a0efa6aeb7">[email protected]</span></a>, Federal Housing Finance 
Agency, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20552. The telephone number 
for the Telecommunications Device for the Hearing Impaired is 800-877-
8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Comments

    FHFA invites comments on all aspects of the interim final rule, and 
will revise the rule as appropriate after taking all comments into 
consideration. Copies of all comments will be posted on the FHFA 
Internet Web site at http://www.fhfa.gov. In addition, copies of all 
comments received will be available for examination by the public on 
business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., at the Federal 
Housing Finance Agency, Fourth Floor, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20552. To make an appointment to inspect comments, please call the 
Office of General Counsel at 202-414-6924.

II. Background

A. HERA

    Effective July 30, 2008, Division A of HERA, Public Law 110-289, 
122 Stat. 2654 (2008), created FHFA as an independent agency of the 
Federal Government. HERA transferred the supervisory and oversight 
responsibilities over the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie 
Mae), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) 
(collectively, Enterprises), the Banks, and the Bank System's Office of 
Finance, from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight 
(OFHEO) and the Federal Housing Finance Board (FHFB) to FHFA. HERA 
provides for the abolishment of OFHEO and FHFB one year after the date 
of enactment. FHFA is responsible for ensuring that the

[[Page 38515]]

Enterprises and the Banks operate in a safe and sound manner, including 
being capitalized adequately, and carry out their public policy 
missions, including fostering liquid, efficient, competitive, and 
resilient national housing finance markets. The Enterprises and the 
Banks continue to operate under regulations promulgated by OFHEO and 
FHFB until FHFA issues its own regulations. See HERA at Sec.  1302, 122 
Stat. 2795.

B. The Banks' Affordable Housing Program

    Section 10(j) of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (Bank Act) requires 
each Bank to establish an affordable housing program, the purpose of 
which is to enable a Bank's members to finance homeownership by 
households with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income (low- 
or moderate-income households), and to finance the purchase, 
construction, or rehabilitation of rental projects in which at least 
20% of the units will be occupied by and affordable for households 
earning 50% or less of the area median income (very low-income 
households). See 12 U.S.C. 1430(j)(1) and (2). The Bank Act requires 
each Bank to contribute 10% of its previous year's net earnings to its 
AHP annually, subject to a minimum annual combined contribution by the 
12 Banks of $100 million. See 12 U.S.C. 1430(j)(5)(C). Section 1218 of 
HERA amended section 10(j) by adding a new paragraph (2)(C) which 
requires FHFA to allow the Banks until July 30, 2010, to use AHP 
homeownership set-aside funds to refinance low- or moderate-income 
households' first mortgage loans on their primary residences. See 12 
U.S.C. 1430(j)(2)(C). The Director of FHFA must establish the 
percentage of set-aside funds eligible for this use by regulation.
    The AHP regulation authorizes a Bank, in its discretion, to set 
aside a portion of its annual required AHP contribution to establish 
homeownership set-aside programs for the purpose of promoting 
homeownership for low- or moderate-income households. See 12 CFR 
1291.6. Under the homeownership set-aside programs, a Bank may provide 
AHP direct subsidy (grants) to members to pay for down payment 
assistance, closing costs, and counseling costs in connection with a 
household's purchase of its primary residence, and for rehabilitation 
assistance in connection with a household's rehabilitation of an owner-
occupied residence. See 12 CFR 1291.6(c)(4). Currently, a Bank may 
allocate up to the greater of $4.5 million or 35% of its annual 
required AHP contribution to homeownership set-aside programs in that 
year.

C. AHP Refinancing Initiative and Proposed Rule

    In January 2008, FHFB waived certain homeownership set-aside 
program provisions of the AHP regulation to allow the Federal Home Loan 
Bank of San Francisco (San Francisco Bank) to establish a temporary 
pilot program to provide AHP direct subsidy to enable eligible 
households with subprime or nontraditional loans held by a San 
Francisco Bank member or its affiliate to refinance or restructure the 
loans into affordable, long-term fixed-rate mortgages. See FHFB 
Resolution No. 2008-01 (Jan. 15, 2008). The authority will expire on 
December 31, 2009.
    In April 2008, FHFB published a proposed rule that would have 
extended the temporary authority to use AHP set-aside funds for 
mortgage refinancing or restructuring to all 12 Banks. See 73 FR 20552 
(Apr. 16, 2008). FHFB received 36 comments on the proposal. Commenters 
who supported use of AHP funds for refinancing, recommended flexibility 
in the rules governing use of the funds so that the Banks and their 
members would be able to assist a greater number of borrowers in 
distress, including allowing the use of AHP set-aside funds in 
conjunction with other Federal, State or local mortgage refinancing 
programs.

D. October Interim Final Rule

    Before FHFB took final action on the proposed amendments to the AHP 
regulation, section 1218 of HERA added section 10(j)(2)(C) to the Bank 
Act. Title IV of HERA also required establishment of the Hope for 
Homeowners Program, a temporary mortgage refinancing program under the 
FHA, which will expire on September 30, 2011. To implement the 
requirements of section 1218 of HERA, on October 17, 2008, FHFA 
published an interim final rule (``October amendments''), which added 
new Sec.  1291.6(f) to the AHP homeownership set-aside regulation 
authorizing the Banks, in their discretion, to temporarily establish an 
AHP set-aside refinancing program. See 73 FR 61660 (Oct. 17, 2008). 
Specifically, Sec.  1291.6(f) authorized the Banks to provide AHP 
direct subsidy to their members to assist in the refinancing of low- or 
moderate-income homeowners' mortgage loans under the Hope for 
Homeowners Program through the use of AHP subsidy to reduce loan 
principal and pay FHA-approved closing costs. By linking the use of the 
AHP subsidy with the Hope for Homeowners Program, FHFA intended to 
leverage and enhance the effectiveness of each program, ensure that the 
full range of Federal assistance to affected homeowners was available 
quickly, and provide the flexibility that the Banks and their members 
need to make the AHP refinancing program successful.
    FHFA received 38 comment letters on the October amendments, 
representing 40 commenters.\1\ Commenters included: 8 Banks; 2 Bank 
Advisory Councils; 3 trade associations; 2 housing advocacy and 
assistance organizations; and 25 individuals. Thirteen of the 40 
commenters supported the use of AHP subsidies for refinancing 
households with unaffordable mortgages. The other 27 commenters opposed 
the use of AHP subsidies for refinancing, citing the ongoing, critical 
need for AHP homeownership set-aside subsidies to assist home 
purchases.
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    \1\ Letters from two of the Banks also incorporate the comments 
of those Banks' respective Affordable Housing Advisory Councils 
(Advisory Councils).
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E. HERA Section 1201

    Section 1201 of HERA requires the FHFA Director to consider the 
differences between the Banks and the Enterprises in rulemakings that 
affect the Banks with respect to the Banks' cooperative ownership 
structure, mission of providing liquidity to members, affordable 
housing and community development mission, capital structure and joint 
and several liability. See 12 U.S.C. 4513(f). In preparing the interim 
final rule, the Director considered these factors and determined that 
the rule is appropriate, particularly because the rule implements a 
statutory provision of the Bank Act that applies only to the Banks. See 
12 U.S.C. 1430(j). Nonetheless, FHFA requests comment on whether these 
factors should result in a revision of the rule as it relates to the 
Banks.

III. Analysis of the Interim Final Rule

A. Definition of Eligible Targeted Refinancing Program: Sec.  1291.1

    The October amendments provided that a household's loan is eligible 
to be refinanced with AHP direct subsidy if the loan is secured by a 
first mortgage on an owner-occupied unit that is the primary residence 
of the household, and the loan is refinanced under the Hope for 
Homeowners Program. FHFA specifically requested comment on whether the 
Banks should be permitted to use AHP set-aside funds to assist 
homeowners refinancing under other programs intended to aid distressed 
homeowners, such as those offered by the Enterprises, FHASecure, or any

[[Page 38516]]

State housing finance agency programs. See 73 FR 61660, 61662 (Oct. 17, 
2008). Thirteen commenters supported AHP refinancing authority for the 
Banks but opposed limiting the authority to assistance under the Hope 
for Homeowners Program. The commenters stated that the Hope for 
Homeowners Program is too narrowly tailored to assist a large number of 
households and has attracted little lender interest. The commenters 
pointed out that there are other, successful Federal and State programs 
targeted to assisting households refinance their unaffordable 
mortgages, and that the Banks should be permitted to provide AHP 
subsidy in conjunction with these programs. Twelve of the 13 commenters 
specifically supported use of AHP subsidy with the FHASecure Program, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, and State and local 
housing finance agency programs. Ten commenters recommended that the 
Banks be permitted to provide AHP subsidy in conjunction with targeted 
refinancing or restructuring programs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, 
which had established the Streamlined Modification Program at the time 
of the October amendments. Since then, the Administration has 
superseded the Streamlined Modification Program with the Making Home 
Affordable Refinance and Modification programs for mortgages owned or 
guaranteed by the Enterprises. The commenters stated that each Bank 
should have discretion and flexibility to determine which programs in 
its district would make best use of AHP subsidy.
    In the past year or so, a number of State housing finance agencies 
established taxable bond programs to refinance households with 
unaffordable mortgages. To help State and local housing finance 
agencies address the need for refinancing households into affordable 
mortgages, HERA authorized the temporary use of tax-exempt mortgage-
revenue bonds for refinancing at-risk households with subprime 
mortgages. See HERA, Sec.  3021. Housing finance agencies are likely to 
increase their refinancing activity in light of this new authority. 
Most of the Banks work closely with the housing finance agencies in 
their districts, some of which are also housing associates of the 
Banks, and many Bank members are participating lenders in existing 
housing finance agency mortgage-revenue bond programs for home 
purchasers.
    In addition, as part of the Administration's Homeowner 
Affordability and Stability Plan, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now 
responsible for implementing the Making Home Affordable programs, which 
include the Home Affordable Refinance program for first mortgage loans 
owned or guaranteed by these agencies. Many Bank members are also 
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac approved seller/servicers that already 
participate in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac homeownership mortgage 
programs.
    Based on the comments and FHFA's review of Federal, State and local 
refinancing programs, FHFA has determined that the Hope for Homeowners 
Program has experienced limited usage due to statutory and regulatory 
restrictions and market conditions, rendering the current AHP 
refinancing authority of limited utility.\2\ To date, no Bank has 
implemented an AHP refinancing program pursuant to the current AHP 
regulatory refinancing authority. However, other Federal, State and 
local targeted mortgage refinancing programs could be used in 
conjunction with the AHP set-aside refinancing authority. Accordingly, 
the interim final rule provides that loans are eligible for refinancing 
with AHP subsidy if they are refinanced under an ``eligible targeted 
refinancing program,'' which is defined in Sec.  1291.1 as a program 
offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), USDA, 
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, a State or local government, or a State or 
local housing finance agency for the limited purpose of refinancing 
first mortgages on primary residences for households that cannot afford 
or are at risk of not being able to afford their monthly payments, as 
defined by the program, in order to prevent foreclosure. The Hope for 
Homeowners Program, as a HUD program, continues to be an eligible 
program that may be used in conjunction with the AHP set-aside 
refinancing program. Making the AHP subsidy available for State and 
local housing finance agency refinancing programs is consistent with 
the provision in HERA authorizing housing finance agencies to issue 
Federal tax-exempt mortgage-revenue bonds through the end of 2010 in 
order to refinance households that have subprime mortgages and are at 
risk of financial hardship. Including additional eligible targeted 
refinancing programs of other Federal, State and local agencies is also 
consistent with the requirement in section 10(j)(9)(G) of the Bank Act 
that the AHP regulation coordinate AHP activities with other Federal or 
federally-subsidized affordable housing activities to the maximum 
extent possible. See 12 U.S.C. 1430(j)(9)(G).
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    \2\ Recent changes to the Hope for Homeowners Program enacted by 
Congress may expand its usage.
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    FHFA believes that there should be sufficient demand among these 
eligible targeted refinancing programs to absorb the limited amount of 
AHP subsidy that will be available for refinancing. Eligible targeted 
refinancing programs do not include programs that permit households to 
refinance for any reason, programs that provide the full amount of 
subsidy or other financing concessions needed for a household to 
achieve an affordable mortgage in accordance with the program's terms 
(see discussion under the Eligible Uses of Subsidy section below), or 
programs that involve the modification or restructuring of the loans, 
rather than refinancing (i.e., paying off the original mortgage with 
the proceeds of a new loan).
    The interim final rule does not limit eligible targeted refinancing 
programs to those in existence as of the effective date of the rule. 
Federal, State and local agencies and housing authorities are likely to 
add or replace refinancing programs during the period of AHP set-aside 
refinancing authorization, based on refinancing needs and housing 
market conditions, and FHFA does not wish to preclude the use of AHP 
subsidy with such programs that are consistent with the purposes of 
this rule. USDA is a primary source of Federal funding for owner-
occupied housing primarily in rural areas, and although it has not 
announced a targeted refinancing program to date, it may do so in the 
future. A number of State housing finance agencies are also expected to 
implement targeted refinancing programs under their new tax-exempt 
mortgage-revenue bond authority in the near future. The FHASecure 
Program, which ended in December 2008 and assisted thousands of 
households in troubled mortgages, may be revived, or a program of a 
similar nature may be established.
    Several commenters suggested that FHFA permit AHP subsidy to be 
used in conjunction with private targeted refinancing programs 
including not-for-profit programs. One commenter recommended limiting 
the AHP refinancing set-aside program to assisting in the refinancing 
of loans originated by Bank members. Three commenters also supported 
the use of AHP subsidy to restructure or refinance mortgages originated 
by members and purchased by the Banks for their Mortgage Partnership 
Finance (MPF) and Mortgage Purchase Program (MPP) portfolios, as 
consistent with efforts by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to 
promote lender

[[Page 38517]]

modifications. The interim final rule does not authorize the use of AHP 
subsidy in conjunction with private refinancing programs, Bank-
sponsored targeted advances programs for refinancing, Bank member loan 
refinancing programs such as the San Francisco Bank AHP refinancing 
pilot program, or refinancing of MPF or MPP loans. Authorizing the use 
of AHP subsidy in conjunction with such private refinancing sources 
would require the establishment of minimum program standards for 
eligible refinancing, including affordability requirements for the 
refinanced loan, loan-to-value ratios and other lending terms. If AHP 
subsidy were permitted to be used in conjunction with refinancing 
member loans, the interim final rule would need to establish member 
contribution requirements to ensure that the subsidy was not rewarding 
members or the Banks for poor underwriting or investment decisions. The 
comments on the April 2008 AHP refinancing proposal, which was based 
largely on the San Francisco Bank AHP refinancing pilot program and 
which included explicit program loan underwriting and member 
contribution requirements, indicated that the circumstances of the 
pilot program were not applicable outside of the San Francisco Bank 
district.

B. Funding Allocation: Sec.  1291.2(b)(2)(i)

    The AHP regulation permits a Bank, in its discretion, to set aside 
annually, in the aggregate, a maximum of the greater of $4.5 million or 
35% of its annual required AHP contribution to provide funds to members 
participating in homeownership set-aside programs, including mortgage 
refinancing programs established under Sec.  1291.6(f). See 12 CFR 
1291.2(b)(2). Prior to the October amendments, the AHP regulation also 
required that at least one-third of a Bank's aggregate annual set-aside 
allocation to such programs be targeted for first-time homebuyers. The 
October amendments changed this requirement by allowing a Bank to 
allocate the maximum permissible homeownership set-aside allocation 
entirely to a mortgage refinancing program established under Sec.  
1291.6(f). See 12 CFR 1291.2(b)(2)(i)(A). The October amendments also 
provided that if a Bank sets aside funds solely for homeownership set-
aside programs other than a mortgage refinancing program established 
under Sec.  1291.6(f), at least one-third of the Bank's aggregate 
annual set-aside allocation to such programs shall be to assist first-
time homebuyers. See 12 CFR 1291.2(b)(2)(i)(B).
    All 27 commenters that opposed the October amendments opposed using 
AHP subsidies for refinancing at the expense of assisting new home 
purchases, especially at a time when there are fewer sources of 
purchase assistance and the decline in home prices is making 
homeownership possible for more low- or moderate-income households. Two 
of these commenters expressed concern that refinancing often does not 
prevent a household from losing its home due to factors other than the 
terms of the original mortgage and, therefore, does not constitute a 
better use of AHP subsidy than purchase assistance. Three commenters 
stated that the regulation should retain the existing homeownership 
set-aside requirement that a minimum one-third of the total set-aside 
allocation be allocated for first-time homebuyers in order to ensure 
that some minimum amount of AHP home purchase assistance is available.
    FHFA finds these comments to be persuasive. In the current market 
where many existing homeowners are unable to sell their homes and 
purchase move-up homes because their mortgages exceed their homes' 
value, efforts to promote new home purchases could contribute to 
recovery and stabilization of the housing market. Ensuring that at 
least some portion of AHP set-aside subsidies is available for home 
purchase assistance is also consistent with HERA's establishment of 
Federal funding for what is commonly referred to as the Neighborhood 
Stabilization Program (NSP). See HERA, Sec. Sec.  2301 through 2305. 
The NSP provides funding to State and local government programs for 
purchasing, rehabilitating and renting or selling foreclosed properties 
in order to mitigate the blight on communities resulting from the 
housing crisis. A number of State housing finance agencies are using 
NSP and mortgage-revenue bond funds to assist first-time homebuyers in 
purchasing these foreclosed properties.
    Consequently, the interim final rule reinstates in Sec.  
1291.2(b)(2)(i) the requirement that at least one-third of a Bank's 
total annual set-aside allocation shall be targeted to assist first-
time homebuyers, regardless of whether the set-aside allocation is 
being used for homeownership or refinancing assistance, or both. Thus, 
a Bank may use up to two-thirds of its annual set-aside allocation for 
the AHP set-aside refinancing program. If a Bank wants to increase the 
amount of AHP subsidy dollars available for refinancing assistance, the 
Bank may increase its total AHP set-aside allocation, and thereby its 
refinancing set-aside amount, by accelerating additional funding from 
subsequent years' AHP contributions as permitted under Sec.  
1291.2(b)(3) and discussed further below. In addition, the first-time 
homebuyers provision requires that the Bank allocate one-third of the 
Bank's set-aside funding for first-time homebuyers but does not require 
the Bank to commit or use the amount of the allocation for first-time 
homebuyers. If there is not sufficient demand for the first-time 
homebuyers allocation and the Bank does not commit the entire 
allocation to first-time homebuyers, then the Bank may ultimately carry 
over the unused portion of the first-time homebuyers allocation to 
other AHP set-aside uses, including refinancing.

C. Acceleration of Future AHP Contributions: Sec.  1291.2(b)(3)

    Under the Bank Act, a Bank is required to contribute at least 10% 
of its prior year's net earnings to its current year's AHP. See 12 
U.S.C. 1430(j)(5)(C). Section 1291.2(b)(3) of the current AHP 
regulation permits a Bank, in its discretion, to reallot (i.e., 
accelerate), from the subsequent year's required annual AHP 
contribution for use in the current year, an amount up to the greater 
of $2 million or 20% of its required annual AHP contribution for the 
current year. See 12 CFR 1291.2(b)(3). Prior to amendment in 2007, the 
AHP regulation based the percentage amount on the Bank's estimated 
amount of its required AHP contribution for the subsequent year, rather 
than on its required contribution for the current year.
    The current housing and financial crises have created unprecedented 
financial conditions not contemplated by the AHP regulation. Bank 
earnings declined in 2008, and the Banks' earnings potential in the 
near future is uncertain and more unpredictable than in previous years 
because of market instability. In this environment, a Bank that 
accelerates AHP funds from the subsequent year's required contribution 
may find that the subsequent year's actual required AHP contribution is 
less than the amount accelerated. At the same time, a Bank may have no 
required current year AHP contribution on which to base a percentage 
calculation, or even expectation of a required subsequent year AHP 
contribution. In 2009, two Banks with no 2008 earnings have no required 
AHP contributions, while several other Banks have very small required 
AHP contributions. The ability to accelerate funds from future required 
AHP contributions would enable these Banks to make some level of AHP 
funding available in 2009.

[[Page 38518]]

    Consequently, the interim final rule amends Sec.  1291.2(b)(3) to 
increase the maximum amount that a Bank may accelerate in any one year 
to the greater of $5 million (an increase from $2 million) or 20% of 
the Bank's required annual AHP contribution for the current year. In 
addition, because of the uncertainty of future earnings and the 
possibility that a Bank may find itself in the same situation of having 
little or no required AHP contribution in the subsequent year, the 
interim final rule allows a Bank to credit the amount of the 
accelerated contribution against required AHP contributions over one or 
more of the subsequent five years. This is consistent with FHFA's 
policy for treatment of excess AHP annual contributions, under which a 
Bank that restates its earnings with the result that its annual AHP 
contribution exceeded the statutorily required amount, may credit the 
excess contributions against required AHP contributions in future 
periods. See Advisory Bulletin 06-01, ``AHP and REFCORP Contributions'' 
(Jan. 25, 2006). FHFA specifically requests comment on the revised 
acceleration provision in the interim final rule, including whether it 
provides sufficient flexibility to enable the Banks to maintain 
adequate AHP contributions during the current housing market and 
economic crisis.
    As a technical matter, FHFA has found that use of the term 
``allot'' in the current AHP regulation to describe the acceleration 
process has been confused with the process of allocating AHP funding 
between the homeownership set-aside and competitive application 
programs, and may also be confused with the process of allocating AHP 
set-aside funds between the homeownership set-aside and refinancing 
set-aside programs. Accordingly, the interim final rule uses the term 
``acceleration,'' which was used prior to 2007, in lieu of the term 
``allot'' to describe the process of using future required AHP 
contributions in the current year.

D. General AHP Refinancing Program Authority; Retention Agreements: 
Sec.  1291.6(f)(1)

    Section 1291.6(f)(1) authorizes a Bank, in its discretion, to 
establish a homeownership set-aside program for the use of AHP direct 
subsidy by its members to assist in the refinancing of a household's 
mortgage loan that meets the requirements in Sec.  1291.6, except for 
certain specified provisions, as well as with the requirements of part 
1291. The October amendments exempted the AHP set-aside refinancing 
program from the provisions in Sec.  1291.6 governing five-year 
retention agreements on AHP-assisted household's units. See 12 CFR 
1291.6(c)(5). Thus, an AHP-assisted household under the refinancing 
program would not repay AHP subsidy in the event of a subsequent sale 
or refinancing of the unit during the five-year retention period. See 
12 CFR 1291.6(c)(5) and 1291.9(a)(7). This exemption from the AHP 
retention requirements was considered in light of the equity and 
appreciation sharing requirements of the Hope for Homeowners Program. 
See HERA, Sec.  1402(a) (National Housing Act sec. 257(e)(4)(B), and 
(k)); 73 FR 61660, 61663 (Oct. 17, 2008).
    Three commenters recommended that the Banks be able to require AHP 
retention agreements for repayment of the AHP subsidy in the event of a 
sale or refinancing during the five-year retention period. Four 
commenters stated that there could be cases where households receive 
AHP subsidy but subsequently fail to qualify under the Hope for 
Homeowners Program because they fail to make the first payment on their 
newly refinanced loan, and the Bank could not recover the AHP subsidy 
in such cases if the household subsequently sold or refinanced the 
home.
    Under the Banks' current AHP competitive application and home 
purchase set-aside programs, AHP retention agreements, which may be 
subordinate liens or other forms of legally enforceable agreements, are 
used in conjunction with all types of mortgage financing provided by 
all Federal, State and local agencies, including other FHA programs. 
Because the AHP regulation requires that AHP subsidy only be repaid 
from any net gain from the sale or refinancing, the AHP repayment 
requirement should not interfere with any appreciation or equity 
sharing requirements of the eligible targeted refinancing programs. 
Requiring AHP retention agreements for the AHP set-aside refinancing 
program would also maintain consistency between the refinancing program 
and all other AHP programs, which are subject to the retention 
agreement requirement. Accordingly, the interim final rule requires 
that a household assisted under the AHP set-aside refinancing program 
be subject to an AHP five-year retention agreement in accordance with 
Sec.  1291.6(c)(5).

E. Eligible Loans: Sec.  1291.6(f)(2)

    As discussed above, the interim final rule amends Sec.  
1291.6(f)(2) to make loans refinanced under other eligible targeted 
refinancing programs in addition to the Hope for Homeowners Program 
eligible for AHP refinancing subsidy. To be eligible for AHP 
refinancing assistance, a household must meet the terms of refinancing 
established by the eligible targeted refinancing program, such as the 
mortgage debt-to-income ratio, loan-to-value ratio, payment history, 
type of original loan (e.g., subprime or nontraditional), and reasons 
for delinquency. In addition, pursuant to HERA, the household must have 
an income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI), and the 
household's loan being refinanced must be a first mortgage on an owner-
occupied unit that is the household's primary residence. Two commenters 
recommended that FHFA establish parameters or details for eligibility 
and underwriting standards under which other programs' requirements 
would fall. In the October amendments, FHFA noted that it was not 
necessary to establish underwriting and other household and loan 
eligibility requirements for the AHP set-aside refinancing program, 
because the requirements and standards of the Hope for Homeowners 
Program provide adequate protections to borrowers whose loans will be 
refinanced and protect the integrity of the AHP. See 73 FR at 61662. 
The requirements and standards of the other eligible targeted 
refinancing programs included in the interim final rule similarly 
protect borrowers and the integrity of the AHP. Reliance on the 
requirements and standards of other lenders is also consistent with the 
AHP home purchase set-aside program, which does not establish specific 
requirements for underwriting a household's mortgage, leaving the 
establishment of such requirements to the individual lender. Five 
commenters supported this approach, and several commenters stated that 
FHFA should not limit eligible loans to subprime and nontraditional 
mortgages, or require that a household be delinquent in order to 
receive assistance.
    Consistent with the October amendments, for purposes of determining 
whether a household is at or below 80% of AMI under the AHP set-aside 
refinancing program, the interim final rule does not establish specific 
requirements for how a Bank should calculate a household's income. 
Thus, a Bank may make its own calculation of total household income, or 
may use the eligible targeted refinancing program's calculation of 
total household income for purposes of determining whether a household 
meets the 80% of AMI income limit. This is also consistent with the AHP 
home

[[Page 38519]]

purchase set-aside program, under which each Bank establishes 
requirements for how to calculate household income, which may include 
relying on the member's calculation of household income determined in 
the process of underwriting the mortgage. The Hope for Homeowners 
Program and the Home Affordable Refinance program do not require 
households to meet certain income limits in order to be eligible for 
the program, but do calculate total household income for purposes of 
determining loan underwriting ratios. State housing finance agency 
refinancing programs have specific household income limits under their 
mortgage-revenue bond programs (generally 100% of AMI), and calculate 
total household income for purposes of determining compliance with 
those income limits as well as for purposes of determining underwriting 
ratios. The housing finance agency refinancing programs vary in how 
they calculate total household income with regard to the income time 
period (past income or current income) and the income sources (only the 
mortgage borrowers or all adult household members) used. Ten commenters 
recommended that the Banks rely on the calculation of total household 
income determined by other programs providing the refinancing 
assistance where such programs calculate income.
    Section 1291.6(c)(2)(i) of the existing AHP regulation requires a 
Bank or member to determine a household's income eligibility at the 
time the member enrolls the household in the AHP homeownership set-
aside program. Consistent with this requirement, the Bank or member 
must determine that the household is at or below 80% of AMI at the time 
of enrollment in the AHP set-aside refinancing program. However, a Bank 
or member may use the total household income provided by the eligible 
targeted refinancing program regardless of when that program calculated 
the amount.

F. Eligible Uses of AHP Subsidy: Sec.  1291.6(f)(3)

    1. Reduction in Outstanding Loan Principal Balance
    The October amendments provided that AHP subsidy may pay to reduce 
the outstanding principal balance of the household's loan below the 
maximum loan-to-value ratio required under the Hope for Homeowners 
Program in order for the household to also meet that program's maximum 
debt-to-income ratio. 12 CFR 1291.6(f)(3)(i).\\ However, there may also 
be cases where the household meets the program's maximum mortgage debt-
to-income ratio but the outstanding principal balance of the loan 
exceeds the program's maximum loan-to-value ratio. To take into account 
such cases, the interim final rule amends the AHP regulation to permit 
use of the AHP subsidy to reduce the outstanding loan principal balance 
to the eligible targeted refinancing program's maximum loan-to-value 
ratio even if this results in the household having a mortgage debt-to-
income ratio below the program's maximum mortgage debt-to-income ratio. 
The maximum amount of AHP subsidy that may be provided for the 
refinancing is the least amount that results in the loan meeting both 
the program's maximum loan-to-value ratio and maximum mortgage debt-to-
income ratio. Consequently, there is no need for any AHP subsidy where 
a refinancing program already provides concessions and subsidy 
sufficient for a household to achieve an affordable mortgage in 
accordance with the program's terms. For example, the Fannie Mae and 
Freddie Mac Home Affordable Refinance program, with certain exceptions, 
does not require maximum mortgage debt-to-income ratios, so, generally, 
the AHP subsidy could be used only to reduce loan principal to achieve 
that program's maximum loan-to-value ratio. The interim final rule also 
clarifies that the applicable program underwriting debt-to-income ratio 
is the mortgage debt-to-income ratio.
2. Loan Closing Costs
    The October amendments also authorized a member to use the AHP 
subsidy to pay only FHA-approved loan closing costs in connection with 
the refinancing of an eligible loan under the Hope for Homeowners 
Program. 12 CFR 1291.6(f)(3)(ii).\\ One commenter opposed restricting 
the use of AHP subsidy for loan closing costs that are FHA-approved, 
noting that this is inconsistent with the provision in the AHP 
regulation that does not specify that AHP subsidy may pay only for FHA-
approved closing costs in connection with the purchase of a home under 
the homeownership set-aside program or under the competitive 
application program. See 12 CFR 1291.6(c)(4) and (8). To maintain 
consistency between the AHP homeownership and refinancing set-aside 
programs, the interim final rule removes the language restricting 
eligible closing costs to FHA-approved closing costs.
    Two commenters requested clarification that AHP subsidy may be used 
to pay FHA up-front insurance premiums under the AHP set-aside 
refinancing program. Because they are required for the mortgage 
financing, FHA up-front insurance premiums are eligible costs under the 
AHP homeownership set-aside and competitive application programs. 
Consequently, AHP subsidy may pay for such insurance premiums under the 
AHP set-aside refinancing program.
    The October amendments excluded the current requirement of the AHP 
homeownership set-aside program that the rate of interest, points, fees 
and any other charges for all loans made in conjunction with the AHP 
subsidy cannot exceed a reasonable market rate of interest, points, 
fees and other charges for loans of similar maturity, terms and risk. 
12 CFR 1291.6(c)(7). As part of the goal to achieve consistency, where 
applicable, between the requirements of the AHP homeownership set-aside 
and the refinancing set-aside programs, the interim final rule applies 
Sec.  1291.6(c)(7) to the refinancing set-aside program.

G. Eligible Lender Participants: Sec.  1291.6(f)(4)

    The October amendments stated that a Bank may provide AHP direct 
subsidy to members that are FHA-approved lenders for the purpose of 
refinancing an eligible loan with an FHA-insured loan by the member 
under the Hope for Homeowners Program. The October amendments also 
stated that a Bank may, in its discretion, provide the AHP subsidy to 
members that will provide the subsidy to FHA-approved lenders that are 
not members of the Bank for the purpose of refinancing an eligible loan 
if, after consulting with the Bank's Advisory Council, the Bank 
determines that such action would be in the best interests of borrowers 
in the Bank's district. 12 CFR 1291.6(f)(4). All 13 commenters 
supporting refinancing, opposed limiting participants in the AHP set-
aside refinancing program to FHA-approved lenders, noting that 
relatively few Bank members are FHA-approved lenders and many Bank 
members participate in housing finance agency mortgage-revenue bond 
programs and are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac approved seller/servicers. 
Several commenters also stated that assistance should be available to 
households based on their qualifications, regardless of whether the 
member providing the AHP subsidy is FHA-approved. In addition, the 
requirement that members be FHA-approved is too restrictive since the 
interim final rule permits the use of the AHP subsidy with other 
eligible targeted refinancing programs in addition to the FHA's Hope 
for Homeowners Program.

[[Page 38520]]

Accordingly, the interim final rule eliminates the FHA-approved lender 
requirement.
    Under the current AHP home purchase set-aside program, the Banks 
have discretionary authority to decide whether to permit a household to 
obtain a purchase-money mortgage from any lender or to require the 
household to obtain its mortgage from the member providing the AHP 
assistance.\3\ Consistent with this authority, Sec.  1291.6(f)(4) of 
the interim final rule permits a Bank, in its discretion, to require a 
household to obtain its refinancing loan through a member participating 
in the eligible targeted refinancing program that is providing the new 
mortgage to the household. The interim final rule also removes the 
requirement that a Bank must consult with its Advisory Council before 
determining that a household may use a lender other than a member of 
the Bank. This requirement is not specified in Sec.  1291.6(c)(2)(iii) 
with respect to the adoption of other optional household eligibility 
requirements under the home purchase set-aside program and, in any 
case, is redundant with the general regulatory requirement that the 
Banks consult with their Advisory Councils in adopting their AHP 
Implementation Plans. 12 CFR 1291.3(a) and (b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Requiring a household to obtain a new mortgage through the 
member is one of several types of optional household eligibility 
requirements that a Bank may establish under Sec.  
1291.6(c)(2)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

H. Household Counseling: Sec.  1291.6(f)(5)

    Section 1291.6(c)(2)(iii) of the current AHP regulation permits a 
Bank, in its discretion, to require homebuyers who are not first-time 
homebuyers to obtain homeownership counseling under the AHP home 
purchase set-aside program. See 12 CFR 1291.6(c)(2)(iii). The October 
amendments did not make the discretionary authority to adopt additional 
household eligibility requirements, such as counseling, applicable to 
the AHP set-aside refinancing program. Several commenters objected to 
the exclusion of counseling as an optional household eligibility 
requirement, noting the importance of counseling for households with 
troubled loans. The 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Bill recognized 
the importance of homeowner counseling by establishing and funding the 
National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) program to assist 
households seeking refinancing or restructuring of their mortgages in 
order to avoid foreclosure. See Public Law 110-161. The NFMC program, 
under the auspices of NeighborWorks America, is comprised of an array 
of counseling groups including NeighborWorks' partner organizations, 
the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, HUD's HOPE NOW counseling 
coalition, the National Urban League, USA Cares (military assistance), 
and State and local housing finance agency counseling programs. Most, 
if not all, of the State housing finance agency refinancing programs 
require households to be reviewed and vetted by these counseling 
organizations before applying to their programs. The Home Affordable 
Refinance program encourages households to seek counseling assistance 
to determine if they qualify for the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac refinance 
program. The NFMC program is playing an important role in counseling 
households to help them determine their options and qualifications for 
refinancing assistance under these Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and State 
housing finance agency eligible targeted refinancing programs.
    FHFA agrees that counseling is an important component of successful 
refinancing, and should be provided by competent and reputable 
counseling programs, such as the NFMC program or other counseling 
programs used by State or local government or housing finance agencies 
that may not be part of the NFMC program. These counseling programs can 
also serve as an efficient and effective means of identifying for 
households the assistance programs for which they may qualify. 
Accordingly, Sec.  1291.6(f)(5) of the interim final rule requires that 
a household seeking AHP assistance must obtain counseling for 
foreclosure mitigation and qualification for refinancing by an eligible 
targeted refinancing program, through the NFMC program or other 
counseling program used by a State or local government or housing 
finance agency. Bank members would refer interested households to an 
NFMC program participant, or to a State or local government or housing 
finance agency counseling program, which would determine whether the 
households are eligible to have their loans refinanced through an 
eligible targeted refinancing program. Households determined by a 
counseling organization to qualify for refinancing under an eligible 
targeted refinancing program would then be referred to participating 
Bank members, who would enroll the households in the AHP set-aside 
refinancing program upon determination of their AHP income eligibility.
    Under the interim final rule, the NFMC program and other 
permissible counseling organizations would thereby act as a gateway for 
households seeking refinancing assistance. The interim final rule does 
not establish a requirement for the type of educational counseling that 
may take a period of time that could delay the closing on the 
refinancing. Rather, the interim final rule requires the household to 
go to an NFMC program principally to determine if its loan can be 
refinanced by one of the eligible targeted refinancing programs and 
whether AHP subsidy will be needed in order for the household to obtain 
the refinancing. Although the household will benefit from accompanying 
foreclosure mitigation and credit counseling, the primary purpose of 
the interim final rule requirement is to ensure that the household 
receives counseling on a variety of available refinancing options that 
are suitable for that household. For example, a lender, such as an FHA 
lender or Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac seller/servicer, may be able to 
determine if a household is eligible for a specific program involving 
that lender, but is not likely to know if the household has other 
options if it is not eligible for the lender's specific program. 
Consequently, under the interim final rule, when a household contacts a 
member directly, the member would refer the household to the NFMC 
program or other State or local government or housing finance agency 
counseling program, to determine the household's eligibility before 
enrolling the household in the AHP refinancing program and committing 
AHP subsidy.
    All NFMC program counseling is free to households; therefore, the 
interim final rule does not authorize the use of AHP subsidy to pay for 
such counseling costs. FHFA specifically requests comment on whether 
households should be required to obtain counseling for foreclosure 
mitigation and qualification for refinancing by an eligible targeted 
refinancing program prior to enrollment in the AHP set-aside 
refinancing program.

I. Sunset Date: Sec.  1291.6(f)(6)

    The October amendments included a provision terminating the Banks' 
authority to commit AHP subsidy for refinancing after July 30, 2010, 
which is the expiration date of the two-year period in section 1218 of 
HERA. 12 CFR 1291.6(f)(5). FHFA specifically requested comment on 
whether the sunset date should be extended to be co-extensive with the 
sunset date of the Hope for Homeowners Program on September 30, 2011. 
See 73 FR at 61663. Two commenters supported an extension of this 
sunset date to coincide with the sunset date for the Hope for 
Homeowners Program. See HERA,

[[Page 38521]]

Sec.  1402(a) (National Housing Act sec. 257(r)). One commenter 
recommended that FHFA consider adopting the sunset dates of other 
refinancing programs. The interim final rule retains the sunset date of 
July 30, 2010 in redesignated Sec.  1291.6(f)(6). FHFA may reconsider 
an extension of the sunset date based on program performance as the 
sunset date approaches.

J. Competitive Application Program; Second District Priority Scoring 
Criterion: Sec.  1291.5(d)(5)(vii)

    Under the Banks' AHP competitive application program, the Second 
District Priority is the only one of nine scoring criteria in the AHP 
regulation for which a Bank may select a housing need that is not 
prescribed in the regulation. Unlike the First District Priority 
scoring criterion, the Second District Priority permits a Bank to 
establish only one housing need in its district. 12 CFR 
1291.5(d)(5)(vi), (d)(5)(vii). The current housing crisis has led to 
acute housing needs that the AHP regulation does not contemplate. These 
needs reflect a number of interconnected factors related to 
foreclosures and declining home values, which adversely affect all 
participants in the housing industry. The hardest hit areas must 
contend with blighted properties and declining communities where there 
is a critical need for sustainable and affordable homeownership and 
assistance to rental sponsors to absorb properties being sold to avoid 
foreclosure or that are in foreclosure. At the same time, there is an 
increased demand for affordable rental housing in the wake of 
households losing their homes, compounded by a significant decline in 
investors for low-income housing tax credits and housing finance agency 
bonds for rental production.
    FHFA believes that these housing market conditions have generated 
an urgent need for more flexibility in the Banks' capacity to respond 
under the AHP. The current scoring system in the AHP regulation can 
address foreclosed properties only marginally within the context of 
other, more general housing needs. Permitting the Banks to establish 
one or more housing needs under the Second District Priority scoring 
criterion would allow the AHP competitive application program to 
complement the efforts of the AHP refinancing set-aside and other 
targeted refinancing programs for foreclosure prevention and HERA's NSP 
for the disposition of foreclosed properties. Accordingly, the interim 
final rule amends Sec.  1291.5(d)(5)(vii) of the AHP regulation to 
permit a Bank to establish one or more housing needs in the Bank's 
district under the Second District Priority scoring criterion.
    FHFA believes that the severity of the housing market and the 
urgent need for housing assistance create exigent circumstances for 
amending the Second District Priority scoring criterion through an 
interim final rule. An immediate change is also necessary to allow the 
Banks and their Advisory Councils the opportunity to make any scoring 
revisions in this regard to their AHP Implementation Plans that would 
be applicable to their 2009 AHP competitive application funding rounds. 
FHFA specifically requests comment on whether this scoring change 
benefits the AHP competitive application program.

IV. Notice and Public Participation

    FHFA for good cause finds that the notice and comment procedure 
required by the Administrative Procedure Act is impracticable or 
contrary to the public interest in this instance. See 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(B). Section 1218 of HERA requires that FHFA's regulations 
authorize the use of AHP set-aside subsidy for mortgage refinancing for 
a two-year period commencing on July 30, 2008. Issuance of an interim 
final rule will enable the Banks to expedite implementation of AHP set-
aside refinancing programs pursuant to Sec.  1218. In addition, as 
discussed above, exigent circumstances exist for amending the Second 
District Priority scoring criterion through an interim final rule. The 
delay that would ensue during a proposed notice and comment rulemaking 
would significantly curtail the available period of time for 
implementation and operation by the Banks of AHP mortgage refinancing 
programs and revised Second District Priorities. In view of the number 
and nature of the changes being made by this rule, FHFA is requesting 
comments and will consider all comments received on or before October 
5, 2009 in promulgating a final rule.

V. Effective Date

    For the reasons stated in part IV. above, FHFA for good cause finds 
that the interim final rule should become effective on August 4, 2009. 
See 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).

VI. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection contained in the current AHP regulation, 
entitled ``Affordable Housing Program (AHP),'' has been assigned 
control number 3069-0006 by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 
The interim final rule does not substantively or materially modify the 
approved information collection. Consequently, FHFA has not submitted 
any information to OMB for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995. See 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    FHFA is issuing this regulation in the form of an interim final 
rule and not as a proposed rule. Therefore, the provisions of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act do not apply. See 5 U.S.C. 601(2) and 
603(a).

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 1291

    Community development, Credit, Federal home loan banks, Housing, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.


0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, FHFA hereby amends chapter XII 
of title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 1291--FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANKS' AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM

0
1. The authority citation for part 1291 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1430(j).


0
2. In Sec.  1291.1, add the following definition in alphabetical order:


Sec.  1291.1  Definitions

* * * * *
    Eligible targeted refinancing program means a program offered by 
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Federal National Mortgage 
Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation 
(Freddie Mac), a State or local government, or a State or local housing 
finance agency for the limited purpose of refinancing (i.e., paying 
off) first mortgages on primary residences for households that cannot 
afford or are at risk of not being able to afford their monthly 
payments, as defined by the program, in order to prevent foreclosure.
* * * * *

0
3. Amend Sec.  1291.2(b)(2)(i) and (b)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  1291.2  Required annual AHP contributions; allocation of 
contributions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Homeownership set-aside programs.--(i) Allocation amount; 
first-time homebuyers. A Bank, in its discretion, may set aside 
annually, in the aggregate, up to the greater of $4.5 million or 35% of 
the Bank's annual required AHP contribution to provide funds to members 
participating in homeownership set-aside programs,

[[Page 38522]]

including a mortgage refinancing set-aside program established under 
paragraph (f) of this section, provided that at least one-third of the 
Bank's aggregate annual set-aside allocation to such programs shall be 
to assist first-time homebuyers, pursuant to the requirements of this 
part.
* * * * *
    (3) Additional funding. A Bank may accelerate to its current year's 
program from future annual required AHP contributions an amount up to 
the greater of $5 million or 20% of its annual required AHP 
contribution for the current year. The Bank may credit the amount of 
the accelerated contribution against required AHP contributions under 
this part 1291 over one or more of the subsequent five years.

0
4. Amend Sec.  1291.5(d)(5)(vii) to read as follows:


Sec.  1291.5  Competitive application program.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (vii) Second District priority: Defined housing needs in the 
District. The satisfaction of one or more housing needs in the Bank's 
District, as defined by the Bank in its AHP Implementation Plan. The 
Bank may, but is not required to, use one of the criteria listed in 
paragraph (d)(5)(vi) of this section, provided it is different from the 
criterion or criteria adopted by the Bank under such paragraph.
* * * * *

0
5. Amend Sec.  1291.6(f) to read as follows:


Sec.  1291.6  Homeownership set-aside programs.

* * * * *
    (f) Mortgage refinancing program.-- (1) General. A Bank may 
establish a homeownership set-aside program for the use of AHP direct 
subsidy by its members to assist in the refinancing of a household's 
mortgage loan, provided such program meets the requirements of this 
paragraph (f) and otherwise meets the requirements of regulations in 
this part. The provisions of paragraphs (c)(2)(ii), (c)(2)(iii), 
(c)(4), (c)(6) and (c)(8) of this section, shall not apply to such 
program.
    (2) Eligible loans. A loan is eligible to be refinanced with AHP 
direct subsidy if the loan is secured by a first mortgage on an owner-
occupied unit that is the primary residence of the household, and the 
loan is refinanced under an eligible targeted refinancing program.
    (3) Eligible uses of AHP direct subsidy. Members may provide the 
AHP direct subsidy to:
    (i) Reduce the outstanding principal balance of the loan by no more 
than the amount necessary for the new loan to qualify under both the 
maximum loan-to-value ratio and the maximum household mortgage debt-to-
income ratio required by the eligible targeted refinancing program; or
    (ii) Pay loan closing costs.
    (4) Eligible lender participants. A Bank, in its discretion, may 
require that a household obtain its refinancing loan through a member 
participating in an eligible targeted refinancing program.
    (5) Counseling. Prior to enrollment in an AHP set-aside refinancing 
program established under this paragraph (f), a household must obtain 
counseling for foreclosure mitigation and for qualification for 
refinancing by an eligible targeted refinancing program through the 
National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling program or other counseling 
program used by a State or local government or housing finance agency.
    (6) Sunset.--(i) This paragraph (f) shall expire on July 30, 2010, 
and a Bank may not commit AHP subsidy to households under its AHP set-
aside refinancing program after such date.
    (ii) A lender may use the AHP subsidy committed by such date for a 
loan submitted to the eligible targeted refinancing program for 
approval on or before July 30, 2010 that is approved for refinancing 
under such program after such date.

    Dated: July 28, 2009.
James B. Lockhart, III,
Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency.
[FR Doc. E9-18484 Filed 8-3-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P


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