“We continue to tinker around the edges of foreclosure prevention. We rush to give banks tax breaks, but we dawdle to help homeowners who through no fault of their own lost their jobs because of the economic crisis or bought defective loans that caused the economic crisis.”
“Let’s not be so quick to forget that we bailed out banks, but we’ve nickeled and dimed innocent borrowers. Moral hazard? The moral hazard is allowing borrowers to pay the price for the crimes of Wall Street.”
The changes to HAMP and FHA will include:
· Loan forbearances for unemployed homeowners for a period of 3-6 months, with a recommendation to servicers that they apply 31% of actual income (such as from unemployment benefits) towards the note.
· A requirement that servicers consider principal reduction as one option for borrowers as they conduct a Net Present Value test, but no requirement to do so. The program will provide new incentives to servicers for principal reductions. Borrowers will receive a principal reduction over three years under a “pay for success” plan.
· A new loan product offered through FHA approved originators, that will allow non-FHA mortgages that are underwater to be refinanced into a guaranteed loan product. FHA will refinance up to 97% of home value, with a second lien up to 115%. Borrower eligible for this program must have a minimum credit score of 500 and their total debt to income existing investors must agree to pay off at reduced amount. Total debt-to-income must be no more than 31%. Consumers must be current on their loans. Some strategic default and unemployed homeowners will qualify.
· Expanded incentives – as much as double – for second-lien extinguishment.
About the National Community Reinvestment Coalition
The National Community Reinvestment Coalition is an association of more than 600 community-based organizations that promote access to basic banking services, including credit and savings, to create and sustain affordable housing, job development and vibrant communities for America’s working families.
