Insurance News
Regulatory updates in plain English
Stay current with the latest from CMS, state departments of insurance, NAIC, the Federal Register, and Congress — rewritten so you can actually understand what it means for your practice.
21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Prohibition on Large Institutional Investor Purchases of Single-Family Homes
The Department of the Treasury is proposing new rules that will prevent large institutional investors from buying single-family homes. This is part of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The new rules will explain key terms and exceptions related to this ban, making it easier for everyone involved...
Mortgage and Loan Insurance Programs Under the National Housing Act-Debenture Interest Rates
The Federal Housing Administration has announced new interest rates for debentures related to insured loans and mortgages. Starting July 1, 2026, the interest rate for certain debentures will be 4.5%. For other debentures, the interest rate will be the higher of either the rate when the loan was com...
Multifamily Housing Preservation Pilot and Multifamily Housing Guaranteed Loan Notice of Loan-to-Cost Percentage Change for Option 3 (Continuous Guarantee)
The USDA's Rural Housing Service is making changes to help preserve low-income housing in rural areas. They are launching a pilot program that will allow for easier ownership transfers of multifamily housing properties. This includes changes to how loans are guaranteed and the use of Low Income Hous...
Reciprocal Deposits: Implementing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
The FDIC has updated its rules about brokered deposits to align with new laws from the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. This change affects financial institutions that handle reciprocal deposits, which allow banks to share deposits with each other. The new rules will help make it easier for these i...
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Public Housing Capital Fund Program
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is asking for permission to collect certain information related to the Public Housing Capital Fund Program. They want to hear from anyone interested in this matter, and they are giving a 60-day period for public comments on this proposed informat...
Mortgage and Loan Insurance Programs Under the National Housing Act-Debenture Interest Rates
The Federal Housing Administration has announced new interest rates for debentures related to loans or mortgages insured under the National Housing Act. Starting January 1, 2026, the interest rate for certain debentures will be set at 4%. For other debentures, the interest rate will be either the ra...
HUD's Implementation of the Fair Housing Act's Disparate Impact Standard; Amendments to HUD's Title VI Regulations
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is proposing changes to its regulations regarding the Fair Housing Act. Specifically, they want to remove rules that hold organizations accountable for practices that may have a negative impact on certain groups, even if there is no proof of disc...
Direct Multifamily Housing Subsequent Loans for Acquisition
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is changing its rules to allow owners of multifamily housing to use government loans to help buy properties. This means that if a property was originally financed by the RHS, the owner can now apply for funds to assist with purchasing it again. This change aims to mak...
Revising the Definition of “Manufactured Home” to Lower Housing Costs
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is changing the definition of 'manufactured home.' This change will allow parts of manufactured homes that are designed for upper floors to be built without needing a permanent base. This aims to help lower housing costs. Insurance agents should ...
Annual Indexing of Basic Statutory Mortgage Limits for Multifamily Housing Programs
HUD has announced changes to the basic mortgage limits for multifamily housing programs for the year 2026. This adjustment is part of the requirements set by the National Housing Act. Insurance agents should be aware of these new limits as they may impact mortgage insurance policies and client advic...
Rescission of Final Determination: Adoption of Energy Efficiency Standards for New Construction of HUD- and USDA Financed Housing
The government has canceled the recent decision that set new energy efficiency standards for new homes financed by HUD and USDA. This change affects builders and developers who were preparing to follow these standards. Agents should stay informed about any future updates regarding energy efficiency ...
Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Revisions
The proposed rule changes how housing programs under HUD treat gender. It will replace references to 'gender' and 'gender identity' with 'sex,' based on biological classification as male or female. This means that facilities like shelters can require proof of a person's sex to ensure safety in share...
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program-Limited Party Concessions
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is changing the rules for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. This change means that real estate commission fees will no longer count against the limits on what interested parties can contribute to a homebuyer’s costs. This update affects agents involve...
Changes Related to Insurance Requirements in Multi-Family Housing (MFH) Direct Loan and Grant Programs
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is changing the insurance requirements for its Multi-Family Housing Direct Loan and Grant programs. These changes will make insurance coverage types, amounts, and deductibles easier to understand and more in line with what is commonly used in affordable housing. This ...
Removal of Regulations for the Shelter Plus Care and the Supportive Housing Programs
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has officially removed the regulations for the Shelter Plus Care and Supportive Housing Programs. These programs have been combined into the new Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, following a law passed in 2009 aimed at improving housing assis...
Revisions to the Calculation of Annual Household Income and Net Family Assets in the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing and Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing Programs
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) has updated its rules for calculating annual household income and family assets for certain housing programs. This affects properties funded under the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing and Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing programs. The changes aim to make income repo...
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program-Income Producing Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Provisions
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is changing rules for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. These changes will allow borrowers to finance homes that include one or more income-producing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The updates also clarify that homes can have features for running a ...
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program
The Rural Housing Service has updated its rules to allow certain lenders in the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program to approve loans and get guarantees after the loan has closed. This change means that these lenders can use automated systems to handle the loan approval and closing process ...