HUD: FHA INFO #19-34: Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1 Updated
Investor Update
July 10, 2019
Source: HUD
Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) published the quarterly update to its Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1 (SF Handbook). Revisions include updated policy guidance, clarifications, corrections, and additions to SF Handbook Section I (Doing Business with FHA), Section II (Origination through Post-Closing/Endorsement), and Section V (Quality Control, Oversight and Compliance). Today’s publication includes:
• Updated definition of Minimum Decision Credit Score to address application of a median score;
• Clarification of the definition for Net Tangible Benefit, and the addition of a definition for Reduction in Term in the Streamline Refinances section; and
• Clarification of the incident end date policy for when inspections may be performed for properties located in Presidentially-Declared Major Disaster Areas (PDMDAs).
All stakeholders in FHA transactions should review and become familiar with the changes outlined in the SF Handbook Transmittal — available on HUD’s Client Information Policy Systems’ (HUDCLIPS) Housing Handbooks web page. While the PDF version of the SF Handbook is available today, the online version will be updated in the coming days. For reference, a version of the SF Handbook with text changes noted is also available and can be accessed from the SF Handbook Information Page.
Effective Dates
• Changes identified in the Transmittal that are incorporating previously published Mortgagee Letters are effective as previously announced in the corresponding Mortgagee Letter.
• Changes identified in Section II.A. Title II Insured Housing Programs Forward Mortgage may be implemented immediately, but must be implemented for mortgages with case numbers assigned on or after September 9, 2019.
• All other changes reflected in the Transmittal may be implemented immediately, but must be implemented no later than September 9, 2019.
Updates to Supplemental Documents
Concurrent with the release of the updated SF Handbook 4000.1, an updated Appraisal Report and Data
Delivery Guide, and updated Single Family Default Monitoring System codes were also released today.
Both documents are available on the SF Handbook Supplemental Documents web page and are effective September 9, 2019.
Quick Links
• Review the July 10, 2019, SF Handbook 4000.1 Transmittal at:
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh
• Access the online and/or portable document format SF Handbook 4000.1 from HUDCLIPS Housing Handbooks web page at:
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh
• View the SF Handbook Supplemental Documents at:
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/handbook_references
• View the redline version of the SF Handbook at:
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/handbook_4000-1
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.
