August 11, 2020

Brown, Colleagues Urge FHFA To Extend The Comment Period For Critical Capital Rule

Lawmakers To FHFA Director Mark Calabria: Let More Voices Be Heard

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs today led 9 Senate Democrats in a letter to Mark Calabria, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), urging the agency to extend the comment period for the proposed capital framework for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Senators cited the importance and complexity of the proposal, as well as the ongoing public health crisis, in calling for the extension. The Senators called on the agency to extend the comment period and allow for more thoughtful feedback on the critical rule, which will impact the entire housing finance system and the millions of homeowners and renters who depend on it.

“We request that you extend the comment period for the proposed rule to provide time for all interested parties to give the thoughtful comments and analysis that this proposal deserves,” wrote the lawmakers. “As our country struggles to address the lack of access to affordable housing and the continued inequities in our housing and economic systems, it is essential that we consider all voices and understand all impacts of the changes to our housing market that will come from a change in the capital rule.”

In addition to Senator Brown, the letter was signed by Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D- Nev), and Tina Smith (D-Minn).

A copy of the letter appears here and below:

The Honorable Mark A. Calabria

Director

Federal Housing Finance Agency

Dear Director Calabria:

We are writing regarding the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) Enterprise Regulatory Capital Framework Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (capital rule), which was published for comment on June 30, 2020.

The proposal that FHFA put forward would fundamentally restructure the regulatory capital requirements of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), collectively the Enterprises. The complex and nuanced framework that FHFA has proposed has significant differences from the last proposal, which was put forward in 2018.

The capital framework that FHFA ultimately adopts will affect not just the Enterprises but the entire housing finance system and the millions of homeowners and renters who depend on it. It will help determine what types of loan products are available, to whom, through which channels, and at what price. It will also determine what types of resources the Enterprises have to continue serving all parts of the housing market at all times. We must all understand the effects of the rule on renters and homeowners, especially those who have historically been underserved by our housing finance system, before a final rule is adopted.

We do not believe 60 days provides adequate time for all stakeholders to thoroughly review and provide thoughtful comments on this detailed proposal, particularly under the current circumstances. The coronavirus pandemic has required the entire country to turn its attention to adapting to new work environments, prioritizing health, and responding to the economic needs of the millions of families who are struggling to stay in their homes. Stakeholders wishing to provide comment on this critical rule will not have the time and attention that they otherwise might give to analyzing and providing insights on the rule.

Given the complexity of this undertaking and the many parts of the housing market that will be touched by this rule, it is essential that all voices are heard. Therefore, we request that you extend the comment period for the proposed rule to provide time for all interested parties to give the thoughtful comments and analysis that this proposal deserves. We further request that FHFA and, as appropriate, the Enterprises, provide their analysis of the rule’s projected effects on various populations of homeowners and renters, including the options available to households and at what price, as well as the many participants in the broader housing market. This includes the effects on small lenders and the affordable rental housing community.

As our country struggles to address the lack of access to affordable housing and the continued inequities in our housing and economic systems, it is essential that we consider all voices and understand all impacts of the changes to our housing market that will come from a change in the capital rule. We look forward to your response to this request, and to working with FHFA and all stakeholders to ensure that our housing finance system meets the needs of all homeowners and renters.

Sincerely,

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