FHFA Issues Housing Goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has proposed its 2021 housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Due to the economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 national pandemic, FHFA is proposing benchmarks for calendar year 2021 only, and those levels will remain the same as they were for 2018-2020. Once finalized, the proposed benchmark levels would extend those benchmarks that are currently set to expire on Dec. 31, 2020.
The 2021 single-family benchmarks are as follows:
- Low-income home purchase goal: 24%
- Very low-income home purchase goal: 6%
- Low-income areas home purchase subgoal: 14%
- Low-income refinance goal: 21%
The 2021 multifamily benchmarks are as follows:
- Low-income goal: 315,000 units
- Very low-income subgoal: 60,000 units
- Small multifamily low-income subgoal: 10,000 units
FHFA has asked interested parties to submit comments on the proposed rule to the Federal Register within 60 days.
For more information, email Michelle Kitchen or Becky Froass at NAHB or call Michelle at 800-368-5242 x8352 or Becky at x8529.
Latest from NAHBNow
Feb 10, 2026
Planning for IBS? Schedule a Stop at NAHB HQNAHB HQ has something for everyone. All registrants can participate in enrichment sessions, learn about NAHB membership, and network with attendees. NAHB members will have exclusive member-only areas with giveaways, snacks, charging areas, and more.
Feb 09, 2026
House Passes NAHB-Supported Major Housing PackageThe House this evening approved the Housing for the 21st Century Act, a major bipartisan housing package that takes much-needed steps toward addressing our nation’s critical lack of housing.
Latest Economic News
Feb 10, 2026
Credit Card Balances Rise in Q4 2025Overall consumer credit continued to expand in the fourth quarter of 2025, with growth in both nonrevolving and revolving credit. Nonrevolving credit, primarily student and auto loans, accounts for 74% of total outstanding consumer credit, while revolving credit, largely credit card balances, makes up the remaining 26%.
Feb 10, 2026
Weaker Demand, Unchanged Lending Conditions for Residential Mortgages in Fourth QuarterLending standards for most types of residential mortgages were essentially unchanged but overall demand was weaker in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the recent release of the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS).
Feb 09, 2026
Lower Rates Lift Mortgage Activity at Start of the YearMortgage application activity rose sharply in January, driven primarily by a surge in refinancing activity as mortgage rates declined to a new low. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, increased 12.9% from December on a seasonally adjusted basis and was 61.3% higher than a year earlier.