FHFA, Treasury Suspending Certain Portions of 2021 Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) announced today they are suspending certain policy provisions added in January 2021 to the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (PSPAs) that govern Treasury’s support for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises).
NAHB, together with the American Bankers Association, the Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Association of Realtors®, sent a letter to Treasury and FHFA on Sept. 9, 2021 recommending the policy changes that we believe have caused -- or had the potential to cause -- disruptions to the housing market. The suspended provisions include limits on the Enterprises’ cash windows (loans acquired for cash consideration), multifamily lending, loans with higher risk characteristics, and second homes and investment properties.
The suspended provisions include limits on the Enterprises’ cash windows (loans acquired for cash consideration), multifamily lending, loans with higher risk characteristics, and second homes and investment properties.
The Enterprises will continue to build capital under the continuing provisions of the PSPAs. FHFA also continues to direct the Enterprises to operate in a safe and sound manner consistent with their statutory mission, and to foster resilient housing finance markets given prevailing housing market conditions, which include elevated demand relative to available inventory. Additionally, FHFA is reviewing the Enterprise Regulatory Capital Framework and expects to announce further action in the near future.
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics
Jul 16, 2026
Builder Sentiment Stays Weak as Affordability Concerns PersistEconomic uncertainty and persistent affordability challenges driven by rising material prices, high land costs, and elevated mortgage rates continue to weigh on builder sentiment.
Membership
Jul 15, 2026
New Issue of Building Women Magazine Is Now AvailableThe latest edition of Building Women Magazine showcases career paths for women in the residential building industry, including 2026 Professional Women in Building (PWB) Chair Heather Laminack.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Jul 16, 2026
Builder Sentiment Stays Weak as Affordability Concerns PersistEconomic uncertainty and persistent affordability challenges driven by rising material prices, high land costs, and elevated mortgage rates continue to weigh on builder sentiment.
Economics
Jul 15, 2026
Building Material Prices Continue to Rise Despite Energy Price DeclinesResidential building material prices, excluding energy, rose 0.5% in June and were up 4.6% from a year ago. Lower energy prices were apparent in June, as energy input prices fell 10.3% over the month. Meanwhile, prices for services rose 5.2% over the year, and were up 1.0% from the previous month.
Economics
Jul 15, 2026
Single-Family Permitting Continued to Weaken Through MayState-level permitting activity continued to reflect a divided housing market through the first five months of 2026. Elevated mortgage rates and ongoing affordability challenges continued to weigh on single-family construction across much of the country, while multifamily permitting remained comparatively stronger, supported by gains in several regions despite continued weakness in parts of the South.