As the US debt continues to grow, HUD officials still fail to own up to the massive liabilities on their books that could cost taxpayers mightily. In a point by point refutation, Wharton professor Joseph (Joe) Gyourko responds to HUD's attack of his recent AEI report.

HUD recently issued its first official response to the report "Is FHA the Next Housing Bailout?", providing important insight into the perspective of HUD’s leadership on the issue of the solvency of the FHA insurance fund.

Reform focused on sustainable lending would have FHA target a projected average claim rate of 5 per 100 insured loans under normal circumstances and 10 per 100 insured loans under stress circumstances.  This rate is about five times the normal default level for prime loans and about half the FHA's traditional default level under normal circumstances.

The mortgage meltdown and ensuing financial crisis were the result of an unprecedented accumulation of weak and risky Non-Traditional Mortgages (NTMs). By mid-2008 about one-half of outstanding all loans were NTMs. The early 1990s is the appropriate benchmark since shortly thereafter government policies required the broad-based introduction of “flexible underwriting standards.”

If the government wants to assist low income families in becoming homeowners, it shouldwork through a government agency that does not have a directly conflicting agenda.

American Enterprise Institute (AEI) housing expert Edward Pinto assess the key facts to explain the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) deteriorating situation.

It's always painful to take on the myths and ideological narratives of the left. The pundits of the liberal (excuse me, "progressive") media make a pretense of listening to reason, but when their views are challenged, they become abusive.

In less than twenty-five years, government “affordable housing” and other housing policies have turned a healthy market into a financial ruin. Until Fannie and Freddie’s market dominance and the government’s role in the housing finance system are substantially reduced or eliminated, the United States will continue to have an inferior and unstable housing market.