Political Quotes

“In 1949, Congress enacted the Federal Housing Act, which provided Federal funding for slum clearance, urban renewal, and public housing. The act also expanded the FHA mortgage insurance program. To understand the origins of our current housing and financial crisis, it is critical to recognize the role played by the FHA--the Federal Housing Administration. The FHA was created in 1934. At the time, State and Federal laws prevented lenders from reducing their down payments and lengthening the terms of their loans. As I noted earlier, the typical mortgage required a 50-percent down payment and had a maturity of 5 years. These features were considered essential to maintaining the safety and soundness of the banking system. Lower down payments increased the risk of foreclosure because buyers had less equity in their houses. If home values declined, more borrowers might walk away from their homes instead of continuing to make payments on their mortgage. Longer terms increased the risk of insolvency among financial institutions because of an increase in interest rates or a decline in the economy. The FHA challenged conventional wisdom. It sought to waive all of the safety and soundness regulations that applied to the mortgages it insured.”