Safeguard Properties

<- Return To Featured Resources

HUD: FHA INFO #18-34: Revised Loss Mitigation Options and Final 30-day Disaster Foreclosure Moratorium Extension for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Investor Update
August 16, 2018

Source: HUD

Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced the publication of Mortgagee Letter (ML) 2018-05, which revises the order of loss mitigation options for borrowers with FHA-insured mortgages whose property and/or place of employment is in the Presidentially-Declared Major Disaster Areas (PDMDAs) of Puerto Rico Hurricane Maria (DR-4339) or U.S. Virgin Islands Hurricane Maria (DR-4340).

This ML changes existing policy by allowing mortgagees to evaluate borrowers in the affected areas for the Disaster Standalone Partial Claim before the disaster loan modification. FHA believes this change will enable more borrowers impacted by those specific disasters to get into a permanent loss mitigation solution and keep their mortgage in good standing.

Additionally, the ML provides a final 30-day foreclosure moratorium for certain FHA-insured mortgages in affected counties in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that are still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. This moratorium will provide additional time for mortgagees to evaluate borrowers for the Disaster Standalone Partial Claim and other loss mitigation solutions in the waterfall.

Servicers are reminded of their obligation under HUD Regulation 24 CFR § 203.501 to evaluate borrowers for the full range of loss mitigation options permitted under FHA policy. FHA will continue to monitor servicers for compliance with this regulation.

Borrowers Considered for Disaster Standalone Partial Claim Before Disaster Loan Modification

The new policy announced under the ML permitting servicers to evaluate borrowers for a Disaster Standalone Partial Claim before a disaster loan modification provides for the following:

(1) allows borrowers to maintain their pre-disaster monthly principal and interest payment;
(2) retains their current interest rate and term of the FHA-insured mortgage;
(3) provides for the repayment of arrearages with a subordinate mortgage lien that is not repaid until the maturity of the FHA-insured mortgage, the sale of the property, or the payoff or non-FHA refinancing of the FHA-insured mortgage; and
(4) expands the borrower eligibility criteria for the Disaster Standalone Partial Claim first announced in ML 2018-01, dated February 22, 2018.

This guidance applies to all FHA Title II forward mortgages for those disaster-affected borrowers whose property and/or place of employment is in the following PDMDAs:

  • Puerto Rico – Hurricane Maria (DR-4339); and
  • U.S. Virgin Islands – Hurricane Maria (DR-4340).

FHA-approved mortgagees may immediately begin implementing the revised guidance in 2018-05; however, they must implement these policies no later than September 15, 2018. Additionally, the provisions in this ML may no longer be offered to borrowers on or after the MLs’ May 1, 2019, Sunset Date.

30-Day Foreclosure Moratorium

The ML also provides a 30-day foreclosure moratorium for certain FHA-insured mortgages secured by properties located in PDMDAs in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has identified as “affected counties” resulting from Hurricane Maria.

This 30-day foreclosure moratorium is effective immediately and applies to the initiation of foreclosures and foreclosures already in process.

Mortgagees should carefully read ML 2018-05 for eligibility and other requirements. Also, refer to today’s Press Release for additional information.

Quick Links
View all Press Releases in the Press Room on hud.gov at: https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories
View Mortgagee Letter 2018-05 and other Mortgagee Letters at: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/hudclips/letters/mortgagee

Resources
Contact the FHA Resource Center:

  • Visit our online knowledge base to obtain answers to frequently asked questions 24/7 at www.hud.gov/answers.
  • E-mail the FHA Resource Center at answers@hud.gov. Emails and phone messages will be responded to during normal hours of operation, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Eastern), Monday through Friday on all non-Federal holidays.
  • Call 1-800-CALLFHA (1-800-225-5342). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may reach this number by calling the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

Related Posts

HUD Allocates More than $2 Billion to Advance Equitable Disaster Recovery, Build Climate Change Resilience

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced the allocation of more than $2 billion ($2,040,617,000) in CDBG-Disaster Recovery and CDBG-Mitigation funds appropriated in the continuing resolution, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, signed into law on September 30, 2021.

Read More

HUD Employees Receive Management Excellence Award

A group of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development employees on Thursday were awarded the 2021 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals.

Read More

<- Back To Newsroom Next Article ->

Cookies enable us to provide the best experience possible and help us understand how visitors use our website. By browsing our website, you agree to our use of cookies.

x

CEO

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the Chief Executive Officer for Safeguard Properties, steering the company as the mortgage field services industry leader. He also serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Alan joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2002, and was named CEO in May 2010. His hands-on experience has given him unique insights as a leader to innovate, improve and strengthen Safeguard’s processes to assure that the company adheres to the highest standards of quality and customer service.

Under Alan’s leadership, Safeguard has grown significantly with strategies that have included new and expanded services, technology investments that deliver higher quality and greater efficiency to clients, and strategic acquisitions. He takes a team approach to process improvement, involving staff at all levels of the organization to address issues, brainstorm solutions, and identify new and better ways to serve clients.

In 2008, Alan was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business in its annual “40-Under-40” profile of young leaders. He also was named a NEO Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award finalist in 2013.

x

Esq., General Counsel and EVP

Linda Erkkila

Linda Erkkila is the General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Safeguard Properties, with oversight of legal, human resources, training, and compliance. Linda’s broad scope of oversight covers regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, insurance, litigation and claims management, and counsel related to mergers, acquisition and joint ventures.

Linda assures that Safeguard’s strategic initiatives align with its resources, leverage opportunities across the company, and contemplate compliance mandates. She has practiced law for 25 years and her experience, both as outside and in-house counsel, covers a wide range of corporate matters, including regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, compensation and benefits, litigation management, and mergers and acquisitions.

Linda earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. Linda was previously named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

x

COO

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the Chief Operating Officer of Safeguard Properties, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company in July 2010. Initially brought on as Vice President of REO, Mike’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision quickly propelled him to Vice President of Operations in 2013, and ultimately to COO in 2015. Over his 14-year tenure at Safeguard, Mike has been instrumental in driving change and fostering innovation within the Property Preservation sector, consistently delivering excellence and becoming a trusted partner to clients and investors.

A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mike earned a degree in Quantitative Economics. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Branch, where he specialized in supply chain management. Before his tenure at Safeguard, Mike honed his expertise by managing global supply chains for 13 years, leveraging his military and civilian experience to lead with precision and efficacy.

x

CFO

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard Properties. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Marketing, Accounting, and Information Security departments. At the core of his responsibilities is the drive to ensure that Safeguard’s focus remains rooted in Customer Service = Resolution. Through his executive leadership role, he actively supports SGPNOW.com, an on-demand service geared towards real estate and property management professionals as well as individual home owners in need of inspection and property preservation services. Joe is also an integral force behind Compliance Connections, a branch of Safeguard Properties that allows code enforcement professionals to report violations at properties that can then be addressed by the Safeguard vendor network. Compliance Connections also researches and shares vacant property ordinance information with Safeguard clients.

Joe has an MBA from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University’s Honors Accounting program.

x

Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties