The Federal Housing Administration, generally known as "FHA", is the largest government insurer of mortgages in the world. A part of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), FHA provides mortgage insurance on single-family, multifamily, manufactured homes and hospital loans made by FHA-approved lenders throughout the United States and its territories.

The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (H.R. 1106 or S. 896) is a recently enacted public law in the United States. On May 20, 2009, the Senate bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama. The stated purpose of the act, a product of the 111th United States Congress, was to allow bankruptcy judges to modify mortgages on primary residences, among other purposes; however, that provision was dropped in the Senate and is not included in the version that was eventually signed into law. In addition, the bill amends the Hope for Homeowners Program as well as provide additional provisions to help borrowers avoid foreclosure.

On February 18, 2009, President Obama announced a comprehensive plan to help responsible homeowners avoid foreclosure by providing affordable and sustainable mortgage loans. The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, a $75 billion dollar federal program, provides for a sweeping loan modification program targeted at borrowers who are at risk of foreclosure because their incomes are not sufficient to make their mortgage payments. It also includes refinancing opportunities for borrowers who are current on their mortgage payments but have been unable to refinance because their homes have decreased in value.

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Pub.L. 110-289, 122 Stat. 2654, enacted July 30, 2008) designed primarily to address the subprime mortgage crisis, was passed by the United States Congress on July 24, 2008 and signed by President George W. Bush on July 30, 2008. It authorizes the Federal Housing Administration to guarantee up to $300 billion in new 30-year fixed rate mortgages for subprime borrowers if lenders write-down principal loan balances to 90 percent of current appraisal value.

The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, qualify for this relief.

The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) administers and enforces federal laws and establishes policies that make sure all Americans have equal access to the housing of their choice.

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), enforced by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) insures that consumers throughout the nation are provided with more helpful information about the cost of the mortgage settlement and protected from unnecessarily high settlement charges caused by certain abusive practices.

The policy statement applies to the Corporation in its corporate and receivership capacities. It confirms that section 1825(b) applies to all property held by the Corporation acting as receiver or in its corporate capacity, including property of the financial institutions for which the Corporation has been appointed receiver or property which the Corporation holds for liquidation.

The Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z), part of the Consumer Credit Protection Act, promotes the informed use of consumer credit by requiring disclosures about its terms and cost. It gives consumers the right to cancel certain credit transactions that involve a lien on a consumer's principal dwelling, regulates certain credit card practices, and provides a means for fair and timely resolution of credit billing disputes.

HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. Whether you're in foreclosure now or worried about it in the future, we have information that can help.

If you anticipate getting behind on your mortgage payments, or are behind, VA may be able to help. The information below addresses options you may have to bring your loan current and save your home from foreclosure. When your loan goes into default, your servicer/holder is responsible for contacting you, the mortgagor, to determine the reason for the default and attempt to make arrangements to cure the delinquency. If the problem can not be resolved by the time you are three payments past due, the servicer/holder is required to notify VA that your loan is in default. After this notice is received, VA will attempt to contact you to discuss your current situation and help you determine the best course of action.

The Federal Reserve Banks have established Foreclosure Resource Centers to help address local and regional challenges in their mortgage markets and local communities. The map below links to these regional foreclosure centers, where you’ll find resources for small municipalities, housing counselors, and consumer and community groups.

The FDIC -- along with fellow regulators and the banking industry -- is working vigorously to help consumers and the banking industry avoid unnecessary foreclosures and stop foreclosure "rescue" scams that promise false hope to consumers at risk of losing their homes. Banks that originate and service mortgage loans are encouraged to make prudent attempts to find solutions for homeowners having trouble making their mortgage payments. Exploring options that can keep homeowners in their homes may be one of the best ways for lenders to mitigate losses, preserve customer relationships, and maintain safe and stable neighborhoods.

This FDIC primer is a guide on how to identify a foreclosure rescue or loan modification scam and how to address the problem when you've already been scammed. To protect yourself from opportunity hunters and frauds: * Contact your lender or mortgage loan servicer and try to negotiate a payment plan. * Work with reputable non-profit housing or financial counselors. * Report suspicious activity.

The possibility of losing your home to foreclosure can be terrifying. The reality that scam artists are preying on the vulnerability of desperate homeowners is equally frightening. Many so-called foreclosure rescue companies or foreclosure assistance firms claim they can help you save your home.

HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country that can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, and credit issues. This page allows you to select a list of agencies for each state below. You may search more specifically for a reverse mortgage counselor or if you are facing foreclosure, search for a foreclosure avoidance counselor.

The website contains information on the Making Home Affordable Program, which is part of the Obama Administration’s comprehensive Financial Stability Plan to address the financial crisis. Homeowners at risk of foreclosure can access self-assessment tools and calculators to check if they are qualified to a modification or a refinancing of their mortgage loans.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated solely to achieving socially just public policy that assures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have affordable and decent homes. We hope you will use our website to learn more about housing affordability in your community and nationally, and to help you take action for better and more affordable housing choices.

PD&R is responsible for maintaining current information on housing needs, market conditions, and existing programs, as well as conducting research on priority housing and community development issues. The Office provides reliable and objective data and analysis to help inform policy decisions. PD&R is committed to involving a greater diversity of perspectives, methods, and researchers in HUD research.

HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. Whether you're in foreclosure now or worried about it in the future, we have information that can help.

Articles written by attorneys and experts worldwide discussing legal aspects related to Real Estate including: construction law, eminent domain, foreclosure, homeowners association, land use and zoning, landlord and tenant law, property law, property management.