HUD: Missouri Storm and Flooding Recovery

Industry Update
March 15, 2019

Source: HUD

HUD APPROVES PLAN TO SUPPORT MISSOURI IN ITS RECOVERY FROM 2017 STORMS AND FLOODING

$58.5 million in federal recovery funds to rebuild damaged homes, businesses and infrastructure

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced its approval of the State of Missouri’s disaster action plan, which will invest $58.5 million to support the state in its recovery from the effects of severe storms, tornadoes, high winds and flooding that occurred in the Spring of 2017. Read Missouri’s recovery plan.

These funds are provided through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program and will address lingering unmet needs in impacted Southern Missouri counties, including seriously damaged housing.

“Today, we are taking an important step to help Missouri families recover from these powerful storms,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “HUD will remain steadfast partners to the state as it works to rebuild hundreds of homes and to assist renters and other vulnerable households.”

HUD requires that these recovery dollars be targeted to local communities that experienced the greatest impact and that all disaster relief funds will be spent in a manner that helps disaster victims. As a result, HUD will impose strict conditions and financial controls on the use of these funds.

Learn more about CDBG-DR and the State’s role in long-term disaster recovery (en español).

HUD: Georgia Disaster Recovery

Industry Update
March 15, 2019

Source: HUD

HUD APPROVES PLAN TO SUPPORT SOUTHERN GEORGIA COUNTIES IN THEIR RECOVERY FROM 2017 DISASTERS

$38 million in federal recovery funds to rebuild damaged homes, businesses and infrastructure

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced its approval of the State of Georgia’s disaster action plan, which will invest $38 million to support the state in its recovery from the effects of deadly tornados in January of 2017 as well as the impact of Hurricane Irma. Read Georgia’s recovery plan.

These funds are provided through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program and will address lingering unmet needs in impacted Georgia counties, including seriously damaged housing, businesses and infrastructure.

“Today, we are taking an important step to help Georgia recover from these disasters,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “HUD will remain steadfast partners to support Georgians as they rebuild their homes, restore their businesses and repair their critical infrastructure.”

HUD requires that these recovery dollars be targeted to local communities that experienced the greatest impact and that all disaster relief funds will be spent in a manner that helps disaster victims. As a result, HUD will impose strict conditions and financial controls on the use of these funds.

Learn more about CDBG-DR and the State’s role in long-term disaster recovery (en español).

FEMA Declared Disaster Iowa

FEMA Alert Update
July 18, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Iowa affected by severe storms and flooding that took place March 12 to June 15, 2019. The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • Appanoose
  • Davis
  • Henry
  • Lucas
  • Monroe
  • Wayne

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Iowa

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Iowa

MapAlert Disaster Viewer

 

FEMA Alert Update
July 9, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Iowa affected by severe storms and flooding that took place March 12 to June 15, 2019. The following county is eligible for assistance:

Individual Assistance

  • Muscatine

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Iowa

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Iowa

 

FEMA Alert Update
July 2, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Iowa affected by severe storms and flooding that took place March 12 to June 15, 2019. The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • Floyd
  • Keokuk
  • Wapello

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Iowa

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Iowa

MapAlert Disaster Viewer

 

FEMA Alert Update
June 19, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Iowa affected by severe storms and flooding that took place March 12 to May 16, 2019. The action extends the incident period through June 15, 2019.

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Iowa

 

FEMA Alert Update
June 11, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Iowa affected by severe storms and flooding that took place March 12 to May 16, 2019. The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • Buchanan
  • Clayton
  • Clinton
  • Des Moines
  • Jackson
  • Jones
  • Lee
  • Louisa
  • Mitchell
  • Muscatine
  • Ringgold
  • Scott
  • Worth

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Iowa (designated areas)

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Iowa

 

FEMA Alert Update
May 17, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Iowa affected by severe storms and flooding beginning on March 12, 2019 and continuing. The action closes the incident period on May 16, 2019.

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Iowa

 

FEMA Alert Update
May 10, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Iowa affected by severe storms and flooding beginning on March 12, 2019 and continuing. The following county is eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • Scott

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Iowa

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Iowa

 

FEMA Alert Update
May 8, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Iowa affected by severe storms and flooding beginning on March 12, 2019 and continuing. The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • Adams
  • Palo Alto

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Iowa

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Iowa

 

FEMA Alert Update
May 7, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Iowa affected by severe storms and flooding beginning on March 12, 2019 and continuing. The following county is eligible for assistance:

Individual Assistance

  • Louisa

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Iowa

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Iowa

MapAlert Disaster Viewer

 

FEMA Alert Update
April 15, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Iowa affected by severe storms and flooding beginning on March 12, 2019 and continuing. The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Individual Assistance

  • Pottawattamie
  • Shelby

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Iowa

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Iowa

 

FEMA Alert
March 23, 2019

FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Iowa affected by severe storms and flooding beginning on March 12, 2019 and continuing. The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Individual/Public Assistance

  • Freemont
  • Harrison
  • Mills
  • Monona
  • Woodbury

Public Assistance

  • Adair
  • Allamakee
  • Audubon
  • Boone
  • Bremer
  • Buena Vista
  • Butler
  • Calhoun
  • Carroll
  • Cass
  • Cherokee
  • Clay
  • Crawford
  • Dallas
  • Decatur
  • Dickinson
  • Emmet
  • Fayette
  • Franklin
  • Fremont
  • Greene
  • Guthrie
  • Hamilton
  • Hancock
  • Hardin
  • Harrison
  • Howard
  • Humboldt
  • Ida
  • Iowa
  • Jasper
  • Kossuth
  • Lyon
  • Madison
  • Mahaska
  • Marshall
  • Mills
  • Monona
  • Montgomery
  • O’Brien
  • Osceola
  • Page
  • Plymouth
  • Pocahontas
  • Polk
  • Pottawattamie
  • Sac
  • Shelby
  • Sioux
  • Tama
  • Union
  • Webster
  • Winnebago
  • Winneshiek
  • Woodbury
  • Wright

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster for Iowa

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Iowa

MapAlert Disaster Viewer

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

FEMA Declared Disaster Nebraska

FEMA Alert Update
October 10, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Nebraska affected by a severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding that took place March 9 to July 14, 2019.

The following county is eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • Arthur
  • Grant
  • Hooker

FEMA Release: Nebraska Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding (DR 4420 Designated Areas)

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Nebraska

 

FEMA Alert Update
September 30, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Nebraska affected by a severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding that took place March 9 to July 14, 2019.

The following county is eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • Hayes

FEMA Release: Nebraska Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding (DR-4420 Amendment 11)

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Nebraska

 

FEMA Alert Update
August 13, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Nebraska affected by a severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding that took place March 9 to July 14, 2019.

The following county is eligible for assistance:

Individual Assistance

  • Dawson

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Nebraska (Designated Areas)

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Nebraska

 

FEMA Alert Update
August 7, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Nebraska affected by a severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding that took place March 9 to April 1, 2019.

The action extends the incident period to July 14, 2019.

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Nebraska

 

FEMA Alert Update
June 4, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Nebraska affected by a severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding that took place March 9 to April 10, 2019.

The following county is eligible for assistance:

Individual Assistance

  • Holt

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Nebraska

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Nebraska

 

FEMA Alert Update
May 6, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Nebraska affected by a severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding that took place March 9 to April 1, 2019.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • Clay
  • Dawson
  • Kearney
  • Polk

FEMA Release: Designated Areas

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Nebraska

 

FEMA Alert Update
April 15, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Nebraska affected by a severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding that took place March 9 to April 1, 2019.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • Banner
  • Cheyenne
  • Dawes
  • Deuel
  • Franklin
  • Garden
  • Kimball
  • Phelps
  • Sheridan
  • Sioux
  • Webster

FEMA Release: Designated Areas

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Nebraska

MapAlert Disaster Viewer

 

FEMA Alert Update
April 10, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Nebraska affected by a severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding that took place March 9 to April 1, 2019.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Individual Assistance

  • Antelope
  • Boyd
  • Burt
  • Cuming
  • Hall
  • Howard
  • Madison
  • Nance
  • Pierce
  • Platte
  • Saline
  • Stanton

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Nebraska

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Nebraska


FEMA Alert Update
April 10, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Nebraska affected by a severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding beginning March 9, 2019 and continuing.

The action closes the incident period on April 1, 2019.

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Nebraska


FEMA Alert Update
March 30, 2019

FEMA issued an update to a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Nebraska affected by a severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding beginning March 9, 2019 and continuing.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Individual Assistance

  • Boone
  • Buffalo
  • Custer
  • Knox
  • Richardson
  • Thurston

Please be advised of the following tribal area eligible for Individual Assistance:

  • Santee Sioux Nation (Knox County, 68760)

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster Amendment for Nebraska

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Nebraska

MapAlert Disaster Viewer


FEMA Alert

March 21, 2019

FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Nebraska affected by a severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding beginning March 9, 2019 and continuing.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Individual/Public Assistance

  • Butler
  • Cass
  • Colfax
  • Dodge
  • Douglas
  • Nemaha
  • Sarpy
  • Saunders
  • Washington

Public Assistance

  • Adams
  • Antelope
  • Blaine
  • Boone
  • Box Butte
  • Boyd
  • Brown
  • Buffalo
  • Burt
  • Butler
  • Cass
  • Cedar
  • Cherry
  • Colfax
  • Cuming
  • Custer
  • Dakota
  • Dixon
  • Dodge
  • Douglas
  • Fillmore
  • Frontier
  • Furnas
  • Gage
  • Garfield
  • Gosper
  • Greeley
  • Hall
  • Harlan
  • Holt
  • Howard
  • Jefferson
  • Johnson
  • Keya Paha
  • Knox
  • Lancaster
  • Lincoln
  • Logan
  • Loup
  • Madison
  • Merrick
  • Morrill
  • Nance
  • Nemaha
  • Nuckolls
  • Otoe
  • Pawnee
  • Pierce
  • Platte
  • Richardson
  • Rock
  • Saline
  • Sarpy
  • Saunders
  • Scotts Bluff
  • Seward
  • Sherman
  • Stanton
  • Thayer
  • Thurston
  • Valley
  • Washington
  • Wayne
  • Wheeler
  • York

Please be advised of the following tribal areas eligible for Public Assistance:

  • Omaha Tribe of Nebraska (Thurston, Burt counties)
  • Ponca Tribe of Nebraska (Knox County)
  • Sac and Fox Nation (Richardson County)
  • Santee Sioux Nation (Knox County)
  • Winnebago Tribe (Thurston, Dixon counties)

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster for Nebraska

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Nebraska

MapAlert Disaster Viewer


Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae: AMN/HSSN Enhancements Coming

Investor Update
March 21, 2019   

Source:  Fannie Mae

During the weekend of March 23, 2019, Fannie Mae will implement Release 25.0, which includes the changes and enhancements described below for the CLM Suite: Asset Management Network (AMN)/HomeSaver SolutionsTM Network (HSSN).

To implement this release, CLM will not be available for processing from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time March 23, 2019. This downtime also applies to SMDU Case Management functionality. While SMDU Auto Decisioning functionality will be available, users may experience some intermittent outages because SMDU relies on some HSSN/DARTS case data. If you experience an exception, please wait a few minutes and resubmit the transaction.

AMN/HSSN General Update

Form 571 View Issued Checks Report –When a Servicer runs this report all records will be returned and they will no longer be limited to viewing only 5,000 records. The records will be displayed 5,000 per page so the user is able to navigate through the results as well as download and print the individual results pages.

Market Value Analysis Type – Servicers are now able to select “AVM” from the Market Value Analysis dropdown in HSSN when creating a Deed in Lieu case.

Servicer Changes to Non-Delegated Modification Advances

Updates have been made to the new parameter, “Servicer Changes to Non-Delegated Modifications Advances Tolerance” that was created in the previous release to allow Servicers to adjust the Advances amount after a Non-Delegated case has been approved for Trial status.

When the servicer makes a change in any of the fields in the Breakdown of Capitalized Advances section and attempts to transition the case from (a) “Approved for Trial” to “Closed”, (b) “Trial” to “Closed” or (c) “Approved” to “Closed”, if the new Fannie Mae calculated Post Mod P&I amount change is less than the Servicer Reported P&I on the Approved Estimated line item, regardless of the tolerance set by the parameter, so long as the amount is not negative, the existing edit “The P&I Amount X does not match the amount approved by Fannie Mae” will not trigger and the Servicer will be allowed to transition the Case to Closed status.

VA: Circular 26-19-07: Special Relief Following Alabama Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds and Tornadoes

Investor Update
March 8, 2019

Source: VA

1. Purpose. This Circular expresses concern about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan borrowers affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes in the state of Alabama, and describes measures mortgagees may employ to provide relief. Mortgage servicers and borrowers alike should review VA’s Guidance on Natural Disasters to ensure Veterans receive the assistance they need. (https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/documents/docs/va_policy_regarding_natural_disasters.pdf or https://www.benefits.va.gov/WARMS/docs/admin26/m26_04/Chapter_21.docx.)

2. Forbearance Request. VA encourages holders of guaranteed loans to extend forbearance to borrowers in distress as a result of the disaster. Careful counseling with borrowers should help determine whether their difficulties are related to this disaster, or whether they stem from other sources that must be addressed. The proper use of authorities granted in VA regulations may be of assistance in appropriate cases. For example, Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), section 36.4311 allows the reapplication of prepayments to cure or prevent a default. Also, 38 C.FR. 36.4315 allows the terms of any guaranteed loan to be modified without the prior approval of VA, provided conditions in the regulation are satisfied.

3. Moratorium on Foreclosure. Although the loan holder is ultimately responsible for determining when to initiate foreclosure, and for completing termination action, VA has requested on its website (https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans) that holders establish a 90-day moratorium from the date of a disaster declaration on initiating new foreclosures on loans affected by major disasters. VA regulation 38 C.F.R. 36.4324(a)(3)(ii) allows additional interest on a guaranty claim when eventual termination has been delayed due to circumstances beyond the control of the holder, such as VA-requested forbearance. Due to the widespread impact of the disaster, holders should review all foreclosure referrals to ensure that borrowers have not been affected significantly enough to justify delay in referral. Any questions about impact should be discussed with the VA Regional Loan Center (RLC) of jurisdiction.

4. Late Charge Waivers. VA believes that many servicers plan to waive late charges on affected loans, and encourages all servicers to adopt such a policy for any loans that may have been affected.

5. Credit and VA Reporting. In order to avoid damaging credit records of Veteran borrowers, servicers are encouraged to suspend credit bureau reporting on affected loans. VA will not penalize affected servicers for any late default reporting to VA as a result. Please contact the appropriate RLC with any questions.

6. Activation of the National Guard. Members of the National Guard may be called to active duty to assist in recovery efforts. VA encourages servicers to extend special forbearance to National Guard members who experience financial difficulties as a result of their service.

7. Rescission: This Circular is rescinded April 1, 2020.

By Direction of the Under Secretary for Benefits

Jeffrey F. London
Director, Loan Guaranty Service

FHFA: Foreclosure Prevention Report

Investor Update
March 21, 2019

Source: FHFA

Fourth Quarter 2018 Highlights

The Enterprises’ Foreclosure Prevention Actions:

•The Enterprises completed 41,062 foreclosure prevention actions in the fourth quarter, bringing the total to 4,283,836 since the start of conservatorships in September 2008. Of these actions, 3,591,985 have helped troubled homeowners stay in their homes, including 2,314,121 permanent loan modifications.

•Twenty-eight percent of modifications in the fourth quarter were modifications with principal forbearance.  Modifications with extend-term only accounted for 65 percent of all loan modifications during the quarter.

•There were 1,781 completed short sales and deeds-in-lieu during the quarter, bringing the total to 691,851 since the conservatorships began in September 2008.

The Enterprises’ Mortgage Performance: 

•The percentage of 60+ days delinquent loans dropped from 1.13 percent at the end of the third quarter to 1.08 percent at the end of the fourth quarter.

•The Enterprises’ serious (90 days or more) delinquency rate decreased to 0.73 percent at the end of the fourth quarter. This compared with 3.8 percent for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, 2.0 percent for Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, and 2.1 percent for all loans (industry average).

The Enterprises’ Foreclosures:

•Foreclosure starts increased 11 percent to 36,002 while third-party and foreclosure sales decreased 8 percent to 11,510 in the fourth quarter.

For an interactive online map that provides state data, click on the following link: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac State Borrower Assistance Map 

Related News Release

Freddie Mac: FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2019-6

Investor Update
March 13, 2019

Source: Freddie Mac

Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide
(Guide) Bulletin 2019-6 [pdf] announces:

•The Freddie Mac Servicer Honors and Rewards Program (SHARP)℠.

•Updates to our Servicer requirements for REO properties.

•Changes to the Servicer Success Scorecard.

•Updates to the Investor Reporting Change Initiative.

For more information:

•Read Guide Bulletin 2019-6 [pdf].

•Visit the Freddie Mac SHARP webpage.

Freddie Mac: UMBS to be Issued Based on Revised TBA Guidelines

Investor Update
March 11, 2019

Source: Freddie Mac

With the approval of revised guidelines for the “To-Be-Announced” (TBA) market, we announced today that we are set to issue the first Freddie Mac 55-day payment delay, TBA-eligible Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security™ (UMBS™) on June 3, 2019.

Our announcement follows the recent update to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association’s (SIFMA) good delivery guidelines to enable trading of UMBS issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in the TBA market.

As a reminder, we will no longer issue new Gold Participation Certificates (PCs) with a 45-day payment delay after May 31, 2019.

For More Information on Single Security

Single Security Market Adoption Playbook [pdf]

Single Security Readiness Checklist for Seller/Servicers [pdf]

•Single Security Webpage

FHFA: Refinance Report

Investor Update
March 14, 2019

Source: FHFA

•Total refinance volume in January 2019 was similar to December as mortgage rates fell in December after rising in previous months.  Mortgage rates decreased in January: the average interest rate on a 30‐year fixed rate mortgage fell to 4.46 percent from 4.64 percent in December.

In January 2019:

•Borrowers completed 438 refinances through HARP, bringing total refinances from the inception of the program to 3,494,833.

•HARP volume represented 1 percent of total refinance volume.

•Five percent of the loans refinanced through HARP had a loan‐to‐value ratio greater than 125 percent.

•Borrowers with loan‐to‐value ratios greater than 105 percent accounted for 21 percent of the volume of HARP loans.

•Thirty-one percent of HARP refinances for underwater borrowers were for shorter‐term 15‐ and 20‐year mortgages, which build equity faster than traditional 30‐year mortgages.

•HARP refinances represented 2 percent of total refinances in Illinois compared to 1 percent of total refinances nationwide over the same period.

•Borrowers who refinanced through HARP had a lower delinquency rate compared to borrowers eligible for HARP who did not refinance through the program.

•Nine states and one territory accounted for over 70 percent of the nation’s HARP eligible loans with a refinance incentive as of June 30, 2018.