[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 12, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1686-1696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-263]



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Part II





Department of Housing and Urban Development





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24 CFR Part 257



HOPE for Homeowners Program; Statutory Transfer of Program Authority to 
HUD and Conforming Amendments To Adopt Recently Enacted Statutory 
Changes; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 75 , No. 7 / Tuesday, January 12, 2010 / 
Rules and Regulations  

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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

24 CFR Part 257

[Docket No. FR-5340-I-02]
RIN 2502-AI76


HOPE for Homeowners Program; Statutory Transfer of Program 
Authority to HUD and Conforming Amendments To Adopt Recently Enacted 
Statutory Changes

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing 
Commissioner, HUD.

ACTION: Interim rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule implements the changes made to the HOPE for 
Homeowners (H4H) program by the recently enacted Helping Families Save 
Their Homes Act of 2009. Prior to enactment of the Helping Families 
Save Their Homes Act of 2009, rulemaking authority was under the Board 
of Directors of the HOPE for Homeowners Program (Board), and the 
regulations for the program are codified in a chapter of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) reserved for the Board.
    The H4H program is a temporary program that offers homeowners and 
existing mortgage loan holders (or servicers acting on their behalf) 
insurance on the refinancing of loans for distressed mortgagors to 
support long-term sustainable homeownership, including, among other 
things, allowing homeowners to avoid foreclosure. The statute also 
transfers program responsibility for the H4H program to the Secretary 
of HUD. Previously, the program was overseen by a Board consisting of 
HUD, the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Deposit Insurance 
Corporation, and the Federal Reserve Board. The Board will continue in 
an advisory capacity to the Secretary of HUD on the implementation of 
the program.
    HUD also takes the opportunity afforded by this rule to address the 
two public comments received on the January 7, 2009, interim rule 
issued by the Board. Comments received in response to this rule will be 
taken into consideration in the development of a final rule, to follow 
this interim rule.

DATES: Effective Date: March 15, 2010. Comment Due Date: March 15, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this rule to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, 
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., Room 
10276, Washington, DC 20410-0500. Communications must refer to the 
above docket number and title. There are two methods for submitting 
public comments. All submissions must refer to the above docket number 
and title.
    1. Submission of Comments by Mail. Comments may be submitted by 
mail to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department 
of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., Room 10276, 
Washington, DC 20410-0500.
    2. Electronic Submission of Comments. Interested persons may submit 
comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
http://www.regulations.gov. HUD strongly encourages commenters to 
submit comments electronically. Electronic submission of comments 
allows the commenter maximum time to prepare and submit a comment, 
ensures timely receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to make them immediately 
available to the public. Comments submitted electronically through the 
http://www.regulations.gov Web site can be viewed by other commenters 
and interested members of the public. Commenters should follow the 
instructions provided on that site to submit comments electronically.

    Note:  To receive consideration as public comments, comments 
must be submitted through one of the two methods specified above. 
Again, all submissions must refer to the docket number and title of 
the rule.

    No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile (FAX) comments are not acceptable.
    Public Inspection of Public Comments. All properly submitted 
comments and communications submitted to HUD will be available for 
public inspection and copying between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the 
above address. Due to security measures at the HUD Headquarters 
building, an advance appointment to review the public comments must be 
scheduled by calling the Regulations Division at 202-708-3055 (this is 
not a toll-free number). Individuals with speech or hearing impairments 
may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal 
Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Copies of all comments 
submitted are available for inspection and downloading at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Burns, Director, Office of 
Single Family Program Development, Office of Housing, Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., Room 9278, 
Washington, DC 20410-8000; telephone number 202-708-2121 (this is not a 
toll-free number). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may 
access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal 
Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

A. The HOPE for Homeowners Program

    The HOPE for Homeowners Act of 2008 (Title IV of Division A of the 
Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008) (HERA) (Pub. L. 110-289, 122 
Stat. 2654, approved July 30, 2008) amended Title II of the National 
Housing Act (NHA) to add a new section 257. Section 257 (12 U.S.C. 
1701z-23) establishes the H4H program, a temporary program within HUD's 
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) that offers homeowners and 
mortgage loan holders (or servicers acting on their behalf) insurance 
on the refinancing of loans for distressed mortgagors to support long-
term sustainable homeownership and avoid foreclosure. Section 257 
authorizes FHA to insure such refinanced eligible mortgages commencing 
no earlier than October 1, 2008, and the authority to insure new 
mortgages expires September 30, 2011.
    The fundamental principle behind the H4H program is that providing 
new equity and reducing monthly payments for distressed homeowners may 
be an effective way to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. Under the H4H 
program, refinanced mortgages are offered by FHA-approved mortgagees to 
eligible borrowers who are at risk of losing their homes to 
foreclosure. The refinanced mortgage insured by FHA can have a 
principal loan balance below the current appraised value of the home, 
creating new equity in the mortgaged property. Participating mortgagors 
share their new equity and future appreciation of the value of the 
property subject to the refinanced mortgage with FHA. All holders of 
outstanding mortgage liens on a property must agree to accept the 
proceeds of the H4H program mortgage as payment in full of all 
indebtedness under the existing mortgage(s). Participation in the H4H 
program is voluntary. No mortgagees, servicers, or investors are 
compelled to participate.
    Under section 257, as originally established by HERA, the H4H 
program was administered by a Board of Directors (Board) comprised of 
the Secretary of HUD, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Chairman of 
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve 
Board), and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal 
Deposit Insurance Corporation (or their designees). On October 6, 2008, 
at 73 FR 58418, the

[[Page 1687]]

Board published regulations in the Federal Register that established 
the core requirements for implementation of the H4H program. These 
regulations are codified in part 4001 of title 24 of the CFR.

B. The Board's January 7, 2009, Interim Rule

    Section 124 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 
(Pub. L. 110-343, 122 Stat. 3765, approved October 3, 2008) (EESA) 
amended section 257 of the NHA to provide additional flexibility and 
options to lenders participating in the H4H program. Among other 
things, section 124 of EESA authorizes upfront payments to a holder of 
an existing subordinate mortgage in lieu of providing the subordinate 
lien holder with a portion of HUD's 50 percent interest in the future 
appreciation of the value of the property. On January 7, 2009, at 74 FR 
617, the Board published an interim rule to implement the changes made 
by EESA, and provided the public with a 60-day period to comment on the 
regulatory amendments. The public comment period closed on March 9, 
2009.

C. The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009

    On May 20, 2009, the President signed into law the Helping Families 
Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (Division A of Pub. L. 111-22, 123 Stat. 
1632) (Helping Families Act). Section 202 of the Helping Families Act 
makes several amendments to section 257 of the NHA to enhance operation 
of the H4H program and to provide additional flexibility to 
participants. In addition, the Helping Families Act transfers 
responsibility, including rulemaking authority, for the H4H program 
from the Board to the Secretary of HUD. The Board will continue in an 
advisory capacity to the Secretary of HUD on the implementation of the 
H4H program.

II. This Interim Rule

    This interim rule implements the changes made to the H4H program by 
the Helping Families Act. The statutory revisions to the H4H program 
made by the Helping Families Act, in several instances, have superseded 
the regulatory amendments made by the January 7, 2009, interim rule. 
Nonetheless, HUD takes the opportunity afforded by today's publication 
to also address the two public comments received on the January 7, 
2009, interim rule issued by the Board.
    This section of the preamble discusses the regulatory amendments 
made in response to the Helping Families Act. Section IV of the 
preamble discusses the issues and suggestions submitted by the two 
public commenters on the January 7, 2009, interim rule and HUD's 
responses to these comments.

Key Changes Made to the H4H Program by the Helping Families Act

    1. Transfer of H4H program responsibility to HUD. As noted, the 
Helping Families Act transfers responsibility for the H4H program from 
the Board to HUD. This interim rule implements this statutory mandate 
by transferring the H4H program regulations to a new part 257 of HUD's 
regulations in title 24 of the CFR. With the exception of the 
regulatory amendments discussed below in this preamble, the substance 
of new part 257 is nearly identical to that of 24 CFR part 4001, which 
will be removed from the CFR in a future rulemaking. Where appropriate, 
the interim rule revises the H4H program regulations to replace 
references to the Board with references to HUD. Because the Board 
continues to serve in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of HUD on 
the administration of the H4H program, the interim rule does not remove 
24 CFR part 4000, which establishes the Board's procedures governing 
access to records under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). 
The procedures contained in part 4000 remain applicable to the Board's 
ongoing advisory responsibilities.
    2. Inheritance exception to present ownership interest requirement 
(Sec.  257.104). Section 257(e)(11) of the NHA requires that the 
residence covered by the H4H program mortgage be the only residence in 
which the mortgagor has a present ownership interest. The Helping 
Families Act amended this provision to allow the Secretary of HUD to 
establish an exception for a mortgagor who has inherited property. The 
interim rule implements this statutory flexibility by providing for 
such an exception.
    3. Eligible mortgagors (Sec.  257.106). Prior to amendment by the 
Helping Families Act, section 257 of NHA based the calculation of a 
borrower's debt-to-income (DTI) ratio on a March 1, 2008 date. 
Specifically, the borrower's DTI could be calculated as of March 1, 
2008, or as of a later date, due to mortgage resets occurring after 
that date, but under the mortgage terms in effect on March 1, 2008. The 
Helping Families Act streamlines this calculation by removing all 
references to March 1, 2008, and instead requiring that DTI be 
calculated based on the borrower's existing mortgages at the time of 
application for the H4H program mortgage. The interim rule implements 
the simplified DTI calculation provisions in new Sec.  257.106(a).
    In accordance with the Helping Families Act, the interim rule 
prohibits mortgagors with a net worth that exceeds $1 million from 
participation in the H4H program (Sec.  257.106(d)). For purposes of 
the statutory ban on millionaires, the interim rule defines net worth 
as the total dollar amount of all the liabilities subtracted from the 
total dollar amount of all the assets (other than retirement accounts) 
of the mortgagor.
    4. Underwriting requirements (Sec.  257.110). The interim rule 
provides additional flexibility regarding the loan-to-value (LTV) 
thresholds and the allowable total monthly payments under the H4H 
program mortgage. HUD believes this flexibility will facilitate 
participation in the H4H program.
    The H4H program regulations, prior to amendment by the Helping 
Families Act, defined that the initial principal balance of the H4H 
program mortgage as a percentage of the current appraised value of the 
property may not exceed 96.5 percent. The interim rule will no longer 
codify a regulatory cap on LTV. HUD has determined that any such cap is 
more appropriately established through Mortgagee Letter, given the 
temporary nature of the program and the urgency of the situations the 
program is intended to address. Removal of the codified LTV cap will 
allow HUD to more rapidly modify the H4H program in response to 
evolving housing market conditions. For these reasons, HUD's position 
is that removal from the codified regulations is the right approach; 
however, HUD specifically invites comment on removal of the LTV cap 
from the codified regulations.
    The rule continues to provide that the mortgagor's total monthly 
mortgage payment under a H4H program mortgage with an LTV greater than 
90 percent, excluding the upfront premium, may not exceed 31 percent of 
the mortgagor's monthly gross income. Moreover, as required under the 
current regulations, the sum of the total monthly mortgage payment 
under such a H4H program mortgage and all monthly recurring expenses of 
the mortgagor may not exceed 43 percent of the mortgagor's monthly 
gross income. (See Sec.  257.110(a)(2).)
    5. Mortgagor representations (Sec. Sec.  257.112 and 257.116). The 
Helping Families Act revises the existing required mortgagor 
representations. Specifically, the mortgagor is now required to provide 
a certification to the Secretary of HUD that the mortgagor has not: (1) 
Intentionally defaulted on an existing mortgage or other substantial

[[Page 1688]]

debt during the 5-year period ending upon insurance of the H4H program 
mortgage, (2) knowingly, willfully, and with actual knowledge furnished 
material information known to be false for purposes of obtaining the 
H4H program mortgage; or (3) been convicted under federal or state law 
for fraud during the 10-year period ending upon the insurance of the 
H4H program mortgage. The interim rule implements this requirement at 
Sec.  257.116(b)(1). For purposes of the required certification, the 
interim rule defines substantial debt to mean any individual liability 
of the mortgagor that exceeds $100,000.
    The Helping Families Act also requires that the mortgagee make a 
good-faith effort to determine that the mortgagor has not been 
convicted under federal or state law for fraud during the 10-year 
period ending upon insurance of the H4H program mortgage. The interim 
rule implements this provision at Sec.  257.112(b) by requiring that 
the mortgagor provide the mortgagee with a certification that the 
mortgagor has not been convicted of fraud during the previous 10-year 
period and requiring that the mortgagee take such other action as HUD 
may specify in administrative guidance. For purposes of reducing 
required paperwork and facilitating H4H program oversight, the interim 
rule allows this certification to be combined with the mortgagor 
certification to the Secretary of HUD, discussed above and required 
under Sec.  257.116(b)(1).
    6. Appreciation sharing and upfront payments (Sec.  257.120). This 
interim rule makes the following changes to the appreciation sharing 
and upfront payment provisions in order to implement the Helping 
Families Act, as well as to provide additional flexibility and thereby 
facilitate increased participation in the H4H program.
    First, the interim rule removes the consideration of capital 
improvement expenditures from the calculation of appreciation in value. 
Further, the interim rule no longer requires that a subordinate 
mortgage must have been originated on or before January 1, 2008, in 
order for the person or entity holding the subordinate mortgage to be 
eligible for a portion of FHA's interest in the appreciation in the 
value of the property.
    The interim rule implements the limitation on the amount of 
appreciation to which FHA is entitled. The Helping Families Act amends 
section 257 of the NHA to limit the FHA appreciation interest to 50 
percent of the appraised value of the property at the time the H4H 
program mortgage was originated. Accordingly, Sec.  257.120(b) of the 
interim rule provides that, upon sale or disposition of the property, 
FHA may be entitled to receive the lesser of up to 50 percent of the 
appreciation in value, or an amount equal to the appraised value of the 
property at the time when the existing senior mortgage was originated.
    The interim rule removes the current Appendix to the H4H program 
regulations and will no longer codify the specific amounts of the 
upfront payment and the risk-adjusted future appreciation payment. 
Regulatory codification of the specific amounts has the potential to 
delay needed adjustments. Accordingly, HUD has determined that these 
amounts are more appropriately set forth through a Mortgagee Letter, 
which will allow the Department to more expeditiously update the 
amounts in response to the availability of new economic data and 
feedback from H4H program participants.
    As noted above, section 124 of EESA authorizes upfront payments to 
a holder of an existing subordinate mortgage in lieu of providing the 
subordinate lien holder a portion of HUD's 50 percent interest in the 
future appreciation of the value of the property. HUD has implemented 
this authority through rulemaking. This interim rule clarifies the 
regulatory language to provide that the offer of an upfront payment is 
at HUD's discretion. HUD notes that, at least initially, FHA will be 
exercising the authority to offer upfront payments in lieu of any 
shared appreciation.
    7. Payment of allowable fees and closing costs no longer codified 
in regulation. New part 257 will no longer codify the sources that may 
be used to pay allowable closing costs incurred in connection with the 
refinancing and insurance of a mortgage under the H4H program. Similar 
to removal of the LTV cap in codified regulation, removal of allowable 
closing costs allows HUD to more quickly respond to changing 
conditions, such as new costs that may appear, and make a determination 
of whether they should be considered allowable costs. This is the type 
of item that is better addressed in more specific guidance, such as 
through a mortgagee letter. Although HUD's position is that removal 
from the codified regulations is the best approach, HUD specifically 
solicits comments on the exclusion in the codified regulations of 
sources that may be used to pay allowable closing costs.
    8. Revised upfront and annual mortgage insurance premiums (Sec.  
257.203). The interim rule implements the flexibility provided by the 
Helping Families Act regarding upfront and annual mortgage insurance 
premiums for H4H program mortgages. Prior to amendment by the Helping 
Families Act, section 257 of the NHA specified an upfront premium of 3 
percent of the amount of the original insured principal obligation of 
the H4H program mortgage, and an annual premium of 1.5 percent of the 
remaining insured principal balance. The Helping Families Act amended 
section 257 to provide for an upfront premium of ``not more than'' 3 
percent, and an annual premium of ``not more than'' 1.5 percent. The 
interim rule reflects these statutory changes at Sec.  257.203(a)(1) 
and (a)(2).
    9. Streamlined property preservation exception to subordinate lien 
restrictions (Sec.  257.303). The interim rule streamlines eligibility 
for the property preservation exception to the restriction on 
subordinate liens. Section 257 prohibits the mortgagor from granting a 
new second lien on the property during the first 5 years of the H4H 
program mortgage, except as the Secretary of HUD determines necessary 
to ensure the maintenance of property standards. The current H4H 
program regulations establish seven factors that must be met in order 
to qualify for the property preservation exception. This interim rule 
simplifies the determination of whether a subordinate lien qualifies 
for the exception by removing the seventh factor, regarding the sum of 
the unpaid principal balance and accrued and unpaid interest on the H4H 
program mortgage and the original principal balance of the new mortgage 
debt. Further, the interim rule clarifies that the restriction on 
subordinate liens does not apply to FHA loss mitigation actions (e.g., 
mortgage modifications and partial claims).

III. Discussion of the Public Comments on the January 7, 2009, Interim 
Rule

    Two public comments were submitted on the January 7, 2009, interim 
rule; one by a national organization representing mortgage bankers, and 
the other representing state and federal credit unions. Both commenters 
were generally supportive of the regulatory amendments promulgated in 
the interim rule, but also offered suggestions they believed would 
further enhance the H4H program. As noted earlier in this preamble, the 
statutory amendments made by the Helping Families Act have, in several 
instances, superseded provisions in the January 7, 2009, regulatory 
changes. Nevertheless, HUD appreciates the support expressed by the 
commenters and the suggestions for program improvements that were 
offered. The issues and suggestions submitted by the two public

[[Page 1689]]

commenters and HUD's responses to these comments are as follows.
    Comment: The process for becoming an FHA-approved lender is too 
burdensome. One of the commenters stated that the process for 
qualifying as an FHA-approved lender is very burdensome. The commenter 
expressed interest in working with FHA to discuss how the process may 
be streamlined.
    Response: The January 7, 2009, interim rule did not address the FHA 
lender approval process or solicit comment on this process, and 
therefore the comment is outside the scope of the January 7, 2009, 
interim final rule, which pertains solely to the H4H program 
regulations. Nevertheless, HUD appreciates the feedback on the FHA-
approved lender process. HUD is frequently reviewing its processes for 
the purpose of determining that the processes achieve their goal 
without being unduly burdensome.
    Comment: The upfront and future appreciation payments percentages 
are too low. One of the commenters stated that the amounts of the risk-
adjusted upfront payment and the risk-adjusted future appreciation 
payment provided for by the January 7, 2009, interim rule will 
discourage participation in the H4H program, and position FHA to only 
receive loans where foreclosure is imminent. The commenter stated that 
both payments should be significantly higher to encourage subordinate 
lien holder participation.
    Response: As noted above in this preamble, new 24 CFR part 257 no 
longer codifies the specific amounts of the upfront payment and the 
risk-adjusted future appreciation payment. As discussed, HUD has 
determined that these amounts are more appropriately set forth through 
Mortgagee Letter, which will allow the Department to more expeditiously 
adjust the specific amounts to reflect changes in market conditions and 
facilitate the participation of subordinate lien holders in the H4H 
program.
    Comment: Additional flexibility is necessary regarding allowable 
LTV and DTI ratios. One of the commenters suggested that the allowable 
LTV ratio of 96.5 percent not be limited to those mortgagors whose new 
total monthly payment under the H4H program does not exceed 31 percent 
of the mortgagor's monthly gross income. Further, the commenter 
suggested that servicers should be allowed to consider compensating 
factors as a basis for exceeding the current maximum DTI. The commenter 
stated that these changes would make the H4H program more accessible to 
mortgagors in high-cost areas, such as California, where borrowers are 
accustomed to spending a higher percentage of their gross income on 
housing.
    Response: As noted above, this interim rule revises the provisions 
regarding allowable LTV ratios to provide additional flexibility and 
address concerns, such as those expressed by the commenter regarding 
high-cost areas. Specifically, the interim rule no longer codifies a 
cap on LTV, since HUD has determined that any such cap is more 
appropriately established through Mortgagee Letter. Establishment of 
LTV limits through Mortgagee Letter will allow HUD to more rapidly 
modify the H4H program in response to evolving housing market 
conditions. The rule continues to provide that the mortgagor's total 
monthly mortgage payment under a H4H program mortgage with an LTV 
greater than 90 percent, excluding the upfront premium, may not exceed 
31 percent of the mortgagor's monthly gross income. Moreover, as 
required under the current regulations, the sum of the total monthly 
mortgage payment under such a H4H program mortgage and all monthly 
recurring expenses of the mortgagor may not exceed 43 percent of the 
mortgagor's monthly gross income. (See Sec.  257.110(a)(2).)
    Comment: Fully vetted legal documents should be provided for shared 
appreciation and shared equity mortgage documents. One of the 
commenters suggested that a servicer should not be liable for ensuring 
that the legal documents for the shared equity and appreciation 
mortgages are valid and enforceable in all states. The commenter 
suggested that appropriately vetted legal documents necessary for 
executing both types of subordinate loans should be provided by FHA. 
The commenter stated that the burden of performing the necessary legal 
review, and the associated costs and risks of litigation should the 
mortgages be found deficient, have deterred servicers from 
participating in the H4H program.
    Response: Lenders should modify the documents as may be necessary 
for compliance with state law. However, well-established document 
preparation services have modified, or are in the process of offering, 
state-compliant model security instruments for the H4H program. FHA-
approved lenders have long used these services.
    Comment: Endorsement time frame is not consistent with standard 
endorsement procedures. One of the commenters objected to the 
requirement that the lender include in the file evidence that the 
borrower has made the first payment within 120 days of closing. Under 
the H4H program regulations, if the borrower has not made such payment, 
the loan will not be eligible for payment of a claim under the H4H 
program. The commenter stated that this requirement is inconsistent 
with the standard endorsement rule for FHA loans that allows loans that 
are endorsed late to receive insurance benefits if such loans are 
current or brought current. The commenter wrote that while section 257 
of the NHA provides that insurance benefits will not be paid if there 
is a ``first payment default,'' FHA has the authority to interpret the 
term to mean ``a borrower who does not make the first payment or 
subsequent payments on the loan.'' The commenter wrote that adopting 
the interpretation suggested by the commenter, in combination with the 
retention of the current FHA endorsement policy, will limit the 
exposure of servicers to those cases where the borrower fails to make 
the first and subsequent payments on a late endorsement.
    Response: The H4H program regulations provide endorsement 
procedures that protect lenders from exposure and promote confidence in 
the insurance being provided. The change suggested by the commenter 
would actually increase a lender's exposure should the borrower not 
make the first payment since HUD is prohibited from paying a claim 
under such circumstances. To ensure that the lenders comply with the 
first payment default provision established in the law, this interim 
rule continues to require the lender to include in the file evidence 
that the borrower has made the first payment within 120 days of loan 
closing.

IV. Justification for Interim Rulemaking

    HUD generally publishes regulatory changes for public comment 
before issuing them for effect, in accordance with its own regulations 
on rulemaking in 24 CFR part 10. Part 10, however, does provide in 
Sec.  10.1 for exceptions from that general rule where the Department 
finds good cause to omit advance notice and public participation. The 
good cause requirement is satisfied when the prior public procedure is 
``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' For 
the following reasons, the Department finds that a delay in the 
effectiveness of this interim rule, in order to solicit prior public 
comment, would be contrary to the public interest and statutory 
direction.
    As noted above in this preamble, H4H is a temporary program. 
Section 257(r) of the NHA provides that the Secretary of HUD may not 
enter into any new commitment to insure an H4H program

[[Page 1690]]

mortgage after September 30, 2011. Further, the H4H program was enacted 
to help the federal government address the national housing crisis. As 
noted by Congress, the goal of the H4H program is, in part, ``to help 
stabilize and provide confidence in mortgage markets by bringing 
transparency to the value of assets based on mortgage assets'' (section 
257(b)(3)). The changes made by the Helping Families Act were designed 
to provide additional needed flexibility and address programmatic 
deficiencies identified by lenders, HUD, and Congress. The pressing 
need to address the housing crisis and the temporary nature of the H4H 
program demonstrate it was the intent of Congress that the benefits of 
the H4H program be made promptly available to the public. A delay of 
the effectiveness of this rule for the prior solicitation of public 
comment would be contrary to the public interest, by postponing the 
benefits that Congress sought to be made immediately available to 
homeowners and lenders.
    The majority of the regulatory amendments made by this interim rule 
closely track the statutory language of the Helping Families Act. The 
amendments are largely conforming in nature, updating the current H4H 
program regulations to reflect the language of the Helping Families 
Act. A delay in the effectiveness of these regulatory amendments is 
unnecessary because the Department does not have the discretion to 
revise statutory language in response to comments submitted by the 
public. Although not directly on point as to whether good cause exists 
for the omission of prior public comment, the Department also notes 
that, in the case of other regulatory changes, the interim rule revises 
existing program requirements to provide lenders and homeowners with 
additional flexibility and facilitate their participation in the H4H 
program. The interim rule does not impose new regulatory burdens on 
lenders and homeowners.
    Although HUD has determined that good cause exists to publish this 
rule for effect without prior solicitation of public comment, the 
Department recognizes the value and importance of public input in the 
rulemaking process. Accordingly, HUD is issuing these regulatory 
amendments on an interim basis and providing for a 60-day public 
comment period. All comments will be considered in the development of 
the final rule.

V. Findings and Certifications

Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reviewed this rule under 
Executive Order 12866 (entitled, ``Regulatory Planning and Review''). 
This rule was determined to be economically significant under Executive 
Order 12866. The docket file is available for public inspection between 
the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays in the Regulations Division, 
Office of General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
451 Seventh Street, SW., Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410-0500. Due to 
security measures at the HUD Headquarters building, please schedule an 
appointment to review the docket file by calling the Regulations 
Division at 202-708-3055 (this is not a toll-free number). Persons with 
hearing or speech impairments may access the above telephone number via 
TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at 800-
877-8339.
    The Economic Analysis prepared for this rule is also available for 
public inspection and on HUD's Web site at http://www.hud.gov. A 
summary of the findings contained in the Economic Analysis follows.
    The economic impacts of this rule stem largely from the changes to 
the H4H program to increase participation. Readjusting the parameters 
of the H4H program will not substantially change the benefits of 
preventing a foreclosure. The modifications will, however, 
significantly increase the number of refinancings by imposing less 
onerous constraints on lenders and borrowers. HUD estimates that, with 
10,000 participants annually, the H4H program will generate $273 
million in net benefits to society. H4H program participation could be 
as high as 137,500 over the life of the program, with commensurately 
higher benefits.
    While the benefits per refinancing are substantial, the aggregate 
impact depends upon participation. The success of the H4H program will 
largely depend upon alternative opportunities for borrowers to 
refinance or modify their loans and the ability and willingness of 
servicers and investors to embrace the program. HUD estimates that a 
little more than 750,000 nonprime borrowers experiencing foreclosure 
could potentially be helped through a revised H4H program, but that 
only 18 percent, or 137,500 households, will actually refinance through 
a revised H4H program due to various factors affecting the 
ineligibility of many of the potentially eligible homeowners. This 
number of 137,500 (or approximately 90,000 annually) should be viewed 
as a maximum.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
generally requires an agency to conduct a regulatory flexibility 
analysis of any rule subject to notice and comment rulemaking 
requirements, unless the agency certifies that the rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
This interim rule does not impose new regulatory burdens on homeowners 
and lenders participating in the H4H program. The regulatory amendments 
made by this interim rule closely adhere to the statutory language of 
the Helping Families Act. Accordingly, the majority of the amendments 
are largely conforming in nature, updating the current H4H program 
regulations to reflect the language of the Helping Families Act, and do 
not reflect the exercise of agency discretion to establish policy. 
Moreover, all of the regulatory changes--those mandated by the Helping 
Families Act and those where HUD is exercising policy discretion--
revise existing program requirements to provide lenders and homeowners 
with additional flexibility and facilitate their participation in the 
H4H program, and not to establish new regulatory burdens. Accordingly, 
HUD has determined that this interim rule will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    Notwithstanding HUD's determination that this rule does not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, 
HUD specifically invites comments from all entities, including small 
entities, regarding less burdensome alternatives to this rule that will 
meet HUD's objectives as described in this preamble.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements contained in this rule have 
been approved by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501-3520) and assigned OMB Control Number 2502-0579. In 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD may not conduct or 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of 
information, unless the collection displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.

Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    Executive Order 13132 (entitled ``Federalism'') prohibits, to the 
extent practicable and permitted by law, an

[[Page 1691]]

agency from promulgating a regulation that has federalism implications 
and either imposes substantial direct compliance costs on state and 
local governments and is not required by statute, or preempts state 
law, unless the relevant requirements of section 6 of the Executive 
Order are met. This rule does not have federalism implications and does 
not impose substantial direct compliance costs on state and local 
governments or preempt state law within the meaning of the Executive 
Order.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 
1531-1538) (UMRA) establishes requirements for federal agencies to 
assess the effects of their regulatory actions on state, local, and 
tribal governments, and on the private sector. This interim rule will 
not impose any federal mandate on any state, local, or tribal 
government, or on the private sector, within the meaning of UMRA.

Environmental Review

    A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the 
environment has been made in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 
part 50, which implement section 102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). The Finding of 
No Significant Impact is available for public inspection between the 
hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays in the Regulations Division, Office 
of General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 
7th Street, SW., Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410. Due to security 
measures at the HUD Headquarters building, please schedule an 
appointment to review the FONSI by calling the Regulations Division at 
202-708-3055 (this is not a toll-free number). Individuals with speech 
or hearing impairments may access this number via TTY by calling the 
Federal Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

List of Subjects

24 CFR Part 257

    Administrative procedures, Practice and procedure, Mortgage 
insurance, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

0
Accordingly, for the reasons described in the preamble, HUD amends 
chapter I of title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations by adding part 
257 to read as follows:

PART 257--HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS PROGRAM

Subpart A--HOPE for Homeowners Program--General Requirements
257.1 Purpose of program.
257.3 Scope of part.
257.5 Approval of mortgagees.
257.7 Definitions.
Subpart B--Eligibility Requirements and Underwriting Procedures
257.102 Cross-reference.
257.104 Eligible mortgages.
257.106 Eligible mortgagors.
257.108 Eligible properties.
257.110 Underwriting.
257.112 Mortgagee verifications.
257.114 Appraisal.
257.116 Representations and prohibitions.
257.118 Exit fee.
257.120 Appreciation sharing or up-front payment.
257.122 Forgiveness or waiver of prepayment penalties and default 
fees.
Subpart C--Rights and Obligations Under the Contract of Insurance
257.201 Cross-reference.
257.203 Calculation of up-front and annual mortgage insurance 
premiums for H4H program mortgages.
Subpart D--Servicing Responsibilities
257.301 Cross-reference.
257.303 Prohibition on subordinate liens during first 5 years.
Subpart E--Enforcement
257.401 Notice of false information from mortgagor-procedure.
257.403 Prohibitions on interested parties in insured mortgage 
transaction.
257.405 Mortgagees.

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1701z-22; 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).

Subpart A--HOPE for Homeowners Program--General Requirements


Sec.  257.1  Purpose of program.

    The HOPE for Homeowners (H4H) program is a temporary program 
authorized by section 257 of the National Housing Act, established 
within the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) of the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that offers to homeowners and 
existing loan holders (or servicers acting on their behalf), FHA 
insurance on refinanced loans for distressed borrowers to support long-
term sustainable homeownership by, among other things, allowing 
homeowners to avoid foreclosure. The H4H program is administered by HUD 
through FHA. As used in this subpart, the terms HUD and FHA are 
interchangeable.


Sec.  257.3  Scope of part.

    (a) Core requirements. This subpart establishes the core 
requirements for the H4H program.
    (b) Basic program parameters. (1) FHA is authorized to insure 
eligible refinanced mortgages under the H4H program commencing no 
earlier than October 1, 2008. The authority to insure additional 
mortgages under the H4H program expires September 30, 2011.
    (2) Under the H4H program, an eligible mortgagor may obtain a 
refinancing of his or her existing mortgage(s) with a new mortgage loan 
insured by FHA, subject to conditions and restrictions specified in 
section 257 of the National Housing Act and requirements established by 
HUD.
    (c) Other applicable requirements. Except as may be otherwise 
provided by HUD, the provisions and requirements in the FHA regulations 
at 24 CFR part 203, which generally are applicable to all FHA-insured 
single-family mortgage insurance programs, also apply with respect to 
the insurance of a refinanced eligible mortgage under the H4H program.


Sec.  257.5  Approval of mortgagees.

    (a) Eligibility. In order for a mortgage to be eligible for 
insurance under this part, the mortgagee originating the mortgage loan 
and seeking mortgage insurance under this part shall have been approved 
by HUD pursuant to 24 CFR part 202.
    (b) Mortgagee whose loan is to be refinanced. A mortgagee holding 
or servicing an eligible mortgage to be refinanced and insured under 
section 257 of the National Housing Act is not required to be an 
approved mortgagee as required in paragraph (a) of this section, unless 
the mortgagee seeks to be the originator of the refinanced mortgage to 
be insured by FHA.


Sec.  257.7  Definitions.

    As used in this part and in the H4H program, the following 
definitions apply.
    Act means the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
    Allowable closing costs mean charges, fees, and discounts that the 
mortgagee may collect from the mortgagor as provided at 24 CFR 
203.27(a).
    Board means the Advisory Board for the HOPE for Homeowners program, 
which is comprised of the Secretary of HUD, the Secretary of the 
Treasury, the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
System (Federal Reserve Board), and the Chairperson of the Board of 
Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the designees 
of each such individual.

[[Page 1692]]

    Contract of insurance means the agreement by which FHA provides 
mortgage insurance to a mortgagee.
    Default and delinquency fees means late charges contained in a 
mortgage/security instrument for the late or nonreceipt of payments 
from mortgagors after the date upon which payment is due, including 
charges imposed by the mortgagee for the return of payments on the 
mortgage due to insufficient funds.
    Direct financial benefit means the same as ``initial equity'' 
determined under Sec.  257.118(a).
    Disposition means any transaction that results in whole or partial 
transfer of title of a property other than--
    (1) A sale of the property; or
    (2) Any transaction or transfer specified at 12 U.S.C. 1701j-
3(d)(1) through (8).
    Eligible Mortgage means a mortgage as defined at Sec.  257.104.
    Existing senior mortgage means an eligible mortgage that has 
superior priority and is being refinanced by a mortgage insured under 
section 257 of the Act.
    Existing subordinate mortgage means a mortgage that is subordinate 
in priority to an eligible mortgage that is being refinanced by a 
mortgage insured under section 257 of the Act.
    FHA means the Federal Housing Administration.
    HOPE for Homeowners program (or H4H program) means the program 
established under section 257 of the Act.
    HUD means the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
    Intentionally defaulted for purposes of section 257(e)(1)(A) of the 
Act means the mortgagor:
    (1) Knowingly failed to make payment on the mortgage or debt;
    (2) Had available funds at the time payment on the mortgage or debt 
was due that could pay the mortgage or debt without undue hardship; and
    (3) The debt was not subject to a bona fide dispute.
    Mortgage has the same meaning as provided at 24 CFR 203.17(a)(1).
    Mortgagee has the same meaning as provided at 24 CFR 203.251(f).
    Mortgagor has the same meaning as provided at 24 CFR 203.251(e).
    Net worth means the total dollar amount of all liabilities 
subtracted from the total dollar amount of all assets (other than 
retirement accounts) of the mortgagor.
    Prepayment penalties mean such amounts as defined at 12 CFR 
226.32(d)(6) of the Federal Reserve Board's Regulation Z (Truth in 
Lending).
    Primary residence means the dwelling where the mortgagor maintains 
his or her permanent place of abode and typically spends the majority 
of the calendar year. A mortgagor can have only one primary residence.
    Program mortgage means the mortgage into which the existing senior 
mortgage is refinanced.
    Related party of a person means any of the following or another 
person acting on behalf of the person or any of the following--
    (1) The person's father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, brother, 
sister, stepbrother, stepsister, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, 
grandparent, grandson, granddaughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, 
brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, the spouse 
of any of the foregoing, and the person's spouse;
    (2) Any entity of which 25 percent or more of any class of voting 
securities is owned, controlled, or held in the aggregate by the person 
or the persons referred to in paragraph (1) of this definition; and
    (3) Any entity of which the person or any person referred to in 
paragraph (1) of this definition serves as a trustee, general partner, 
limited partner, managing member, or director.
    Secretary means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
    Substantial debt means any individual liability of the mortgagor 
that exceeds $100,000.
    Total monthly mortgage payment means the sum of:
    (1) Principal and interest, as determined on a fully indexed and 
fully amortized basis; and
    (2) Escrowed amounts. (i) The monthly required amount collected by 
or on behalf of the mortgagee for real estate taxes, premiums for 
required hazard and mortgage insurance, homeowners' association dues, 
ground rent, special assessments, water and sewer charges, and other 
similar charges required by the note or security instrument; or
    (ii) For mortgages not subject to escrow deposits, 1/12 of the 
estimated annual costs for items listed in paragraph (2)(i) of this 
definition.

Subpart B--Eligibility Requirements and Underwriting Procedures


Sec.  257.102  Cross-reference.

    (a) All of the provisions of 24 CFR part 203, subpart A, concerning 
eligibility requirements of mortgages covering one-to-four family 
dwellings under section 203 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 
1709) apply to mortgages on one-to-four family dwellings to be insured 
under section 257 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1701z-22), 
except the following provisions: 203.7 Commitment process; 203.10 
Informed consumer choice for prospective FHA mortgagors; 203.12 
Mortgage insurance on proposed or new subdivisions; 203.14 Builder's 
warranty; 203.16 Certificate and contract regarding use of dwelling for 
transient or hotel purposes; 203.17(d) Maturity; 203.18 Maximum 
mortgage amounts; 203.18a Solar-energy system; 203.18b Increased 
mortgage amount; 203.18c One-time or up-front MIP excluded from 
limitations on maximum mortgage amounts; 203.18d Minimum principal loan 
amount; 203.19 Mortgagor's minimum investment; 203.20 Agreed interest 
rate; 203.29 Eligible mortgage in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii or the Virgin 
Islands; 203.32 Mortgage lien; 203.37a Sale of property; 203.42 Rental 
properties; 203.43 Eligibility of miscellaneous types of mortgages; 
203.43a Eligibility of mortgages covering housing in certain 
neighborhoods; 203.43d Eligibility of mortgages in certain communities; 
203.43e Eligibility of mortgages covering houses in federally impacted 
areas; 203.43g Eligibility of mortgages in certain communities; 203.43h 
Eligibility of mortgages on Indian land insured pursuant to section 248 
of the National Housing Act; 203.43i Eligibility of mortgages on 
Hawaiian Home Lands insured pursuant to section 247 of the National 
Housing Act; 203.43j Eligibility of mortgages on Allegany Reservation 
of Seneca Nation Indians; 203.44 Eligibility of advances; 203.45 
Eligibility of graduated payment mortgages; 203.47 Eligibility of 
growing equity mortgages; 203.49 Eligibility of adjustable rate 
mortgages; 203.50 Eligibility of rehabilitation loans; 203.51 
Applicability; and 203.200-203.209 Insured Ten-Year Protection Plans 
(Plan).
    (b) For the purposes of this subpart, all references at 24 CFR part 
203, subpart A, to section 203 of the Act shall be construed to refer 
to section 257 of the Act. Any references at 24 CFR part 203, subpart 
A, to the ``Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund'' shall be deemed to be to 
the Home Ownership Preservation Entity Fund.
    (c) If there is any conflict in the application of any requirement 
of 24 CFR part 203, subpart A, to this part, the provisions of this 
part shall control.


Sec.  257.104  Eligible mortgages.

    A mortgage eligible to be refinanced under section 257 of the Act 
must:
    (a) Have been originated on or before January 1, 2008.
    (b) Be secured by a property that is:

[[Page 1693]]

    (1) Owned and occupied by the mortgagor as his or her primary 
residence; and
    (2) The only residence in which the mortgagor has any present 
ownership interest, except for property acquired by the mortgagor 
through inheritance.
    (c) Meet such other requirements as HUD may adopt.


Sec.  257.106  Eligible mortgagors.

    A mortgagor shall be eligible to refinance his or her existing 
mortgages under section 257 of the Act only if:
    (a)(1) The mortgagor has, as of the date of application for the H4H 
program mortgage, a total monthly mortgage payment of more than 31 
percent of the mortgagor's monthly gross income; or
    (2) If the mortgagor's existing senior mortgage or existing 
subordinate mortgage, if any, is an adjustable-rate mortgage that by 
its terms resets after the date of application for the H4H program 
mortgage, the mortgagor will be likely to have a total monthly mortgage 
payment (based on mortgages outstanding on the date of application for 
the H4H program mortgage) of more than 31 percent of the mortgagor's 
monthly gross income calculated as of the date the mortgagor applies 
for the H4H program mortgage;
    (b) The mortgagor does not have an ownership interest in any other 
residential property, except for a property that the mortgagor has 
inherited;
    (c) The mortgagor has not been convicted of fraud under federal or 
state law during the 10-year period ending upon insurance of the H4H 
program mortgage;
    (d) The mortgagor does not have a net worth, as of the date the 
mortgagor first applies for the H4H program mortgage, which exceeds $1 
million.
    (e) The mortgagor meets such other requirements as HUD may adopt.


Sec.  257.108  Eligible properties.

    (a) A mortgage may be insured under the H4H program only if the 
property that is to be the security for the mortgage is a one-to-four 
unit residence.
    (b) The following property types are eligible to secure a mortgage 
insured under the H4H program:
    (1) Detached and semi-detached dwellings;
    (2) A condominium unit;
    (3) A cooperative unit; or
    (4) A manufactured home that is permanently affixed to realty and 
is treated as realty under applicable state law, except state taxation 
law.


Sec.  257.110  Underwriting.

    A mortgage may be insured under the H4H program only if the 
following conditions are met:
    (a) Loan-to-value and income thresholds. The loan-to-value (LTV), 
payment-to-income, and debt-to-income ratios of the H4H program 
mortgage do not exceed the thresholds set forth in either paragraph 
(a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section.
    (1) Program mortgage with LTV ratio of 90 percent or less. (i) The 
initial principal balance of the H4H program mortgage (excluding the 
amount of the up-front premium) as a percentage of the current 
appraised value of the property does not exceed 90 percent;
    (ii) The total monthly mortgage payment of the mortgagor under the 
H4H program mortgage does not exceed 38 percent of the mortgagor's 
monthly gross income; and
    (iii) The sum of the total monthly mortgage payment under the H4H 
program mortgage and all monthly recurring expenses of the mortgagor do 
not exceed 43 percent of the mortgagor's monthly gross income.
    (2) Program mortgage with LTV of greater than 90 percent. (i) The 
initial principal balance of the H4H program mortgage (excluding the 
amount of the up-front premium) as a percentage of the current 
appraised value of the property exceeds 90 percent (up to any limit 
established by HUD through Mortgagee Letter);
    (ii) The total monthly mortgage payment of the mortgagor under the 
H4H program mortgage does not exceed 31 percent of the mortgagor's 
monthly gross income; and
    (iii) The sum of the total monthly mortgage payment under the H4H 
program mortgage and all monthly recurring expenses of the mortgagor do 
not exceed 43 percent of the mortgagor's monthly gross income.
    (b) Past credit performance. The mortgagor must have made at least 
six full payments on the existing senior mortgage being refinanced 
under the H4H program.
    (c) The H4H program mortgage shall have a maturity of not less than 
30 years and not more than 40 years from the date of origination.
    (d) Nonoccupant co-borrowers. A mortgage loan may be insured by the 
FHA under the H4H program, even if one of the mortgagors on the loan 
(i.e., a co-signer) does not reside at the residence securing the loan, 
provided that the nonresident mortgagor relinquishes all interests in 
the property that is to be security for the mortgage before an 
application is submitted for FHA insurance under the H4H program.
    (e) Limit on origination fees. Mortgagees may charge and collect 
from mortgagors allowable closing costs.


Sec.  257.112  Mortgagee verifications.

    (a) Income verification. The mortgagee shall use FHA's procedures 
to verify the mortgagor's income.
    (b) Mortgage fraud verification. The mortgagor shall provide a 
certification to the mortgagee that the mortgagor has not been 
convicted under federal or state law for fraud during the 10-year 
period ending upon the insurance of the H4H program mortgage. This 
certification may be combined with the certification to FHA required 
under Sec.  257.116(b)(1)(ii). The mortgagee shall take such action as 
HUD may specify in administrative guidance to ensure that the mortgagor 
is in compliance with the certification.


Sec.  257.114  Appraisal.

    (a) The property shall be appraised by an appraiser on the FHA 
Appraiser Roster.
    (b) An appraisal of a property to be security for an H4H program 
mortgage shall be conducted in accordance with Uniform Standards of 
Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), and dated no more than 180 
days from the date on which the mortgage transaction is closed, except 
as otherwise provided by HUD.
    (c) The mortgagee must inform the appraiser that copies of the 
appraisal may be shared with holders and servicers of existing 
subordinate mortgages.


Sec.  257.116  Representations and prohibitions.

    (a) Underwriting and appraisal standards. In order for the H4H 
program mortgage to be eligible for insurance under the H4H program, 
the underwriter and the mortgagee must provide certifications, in a 
format approved by FHA, that the mortgage is in compliance with the 
underwriting and the appraisal standards set forth in this part, and 
that it meets all requirements applicable to the H4H program. FHA may 
require additional certifications by the mortgagee to ensure compliance 
with such additional standards as FHA deems necessary, given the 
specific mortgage transaction presented.
    (b) Mortgagor's liability for repayment. (1) The mortgagor shall 
provide a certification to FHA that the mortgagor has not:
    (i) Intentionally defaulted on the mortgagor's existing 
mortgage(s), or any other substantial debt during the 5-year period 
ending upon insurance of the H4H program mortgage; or

[[Page 1694]]

    (ii) Knowingly or willfully and with actual knowledge furnished 
material information known to be false for the purpose of obtaining the 
H4H program mortgage; and
    (iii) Been convicted under federal or state law for fraud during 
the 10-year period ending upon the insurance of the H4H program 
mortgage. This certification may be combined with the certification to 
the mortgagee required under Sec.  257.112(b).
    (2) The mortgagor shall provide any other certifications that FHA 
may otherwise require.
    (3) A mortgagor obligated under an H4H program mortgage shall agree 
in writing, on a form prescribed by HUD, to be liable to pay to HUD any 
Direct Financial Benefit achieved from the reduction of indebtedness on 
the existing senior and subordinate mortgages that are being refinanced 
under the H4H program if he or she makes a false statement or other 
misrepresentation in the certifications and documentation required for 
H4H program eligibility, including but not limited to the 
certifications required under paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this 
section.
    (c) Mortgagee in violation of program requirements. (1) If the 
mortgagee holds an H4H program mortgage that it originated and/or 
underwrote, and FHA finds that the mortgagee violated the 
representations and warranties required under paragraph (a) of this 
section, FHA is prohibited from paying FHA insurance benefits to that 
mortgagee.
    (2) If the mortgagee no longer holds the H4H program mortgage that 
it originated and/or underwrote, FHA will pay an insurance claim to the 
mortgagee presently holding the H4H program mortgage (if all other 
requirements of the contract for mortgage insurance are met and the 
present holder did not participate in the violation of H4H program 
requirements) and shall seek indemnification from the mortgagee that 
originated the H4H program mortgage.
    (d) FHA insurance. A mortgage is eligible for insurance if the 
mortgagee submits a complete case binder within such time period as HUD 
prescribes. The binder shall include evidence acceptable to HUD that 
the mortgage is current.
    (e) Mortgagor failure to make first mortgage payment. FHA shall not 
pay a mortgage insurance claim to any mortgagee if the first total 
monthly mortgage payment is not made within 120 days from the date of 
closing of the mortgage. The mortgagee shall not, directly or 
indirectly, make all or a part of the first total monthly mortgage 
payment on behalf of the mortgagor. The mortgagee is prohibited from 
escrowing funds at closing for all or part of the first total monthly 
mortgage payment.


Sec.  257.118   Exit fee.

    (a) Initial Equity. For purposes of section 257(k)(1) of the Act, 
the initial equity created as a direct result of the origination of an 
H4H program mortgage on a property, as calculated by the H4H program 
mortgage lender, shall equal:
    (1) The lesser of--
    (i) The appraised value of the property that was used at the time 
of origination of the H4H program mortgage to underwrite the mortgage 
and to determine compliance with the maximum LTV ratio at origination 
established by section 257(e)(2)(B) of the Act; or
    (ii) The outstanding amount due under all existing senior 
mortgages, existing subordinate mortgages, and nonmortgage liens on the 
property; less
    (2) The original principal amount of the H4H program mortgage on 
the property.
    (b) FHA's interest. Upon the sale or disposition of a property 
secured by the H4H program mortgage or H4H program mortgage 
refinancing, FHA is entitled to receive the portion of the initial 
equity (as defined by paragraph (a) of this section) set forth in 
section 257(k)(1) of the Act, subject to such standards and policies as 
HUD may establish.
    Sec.  257.120 Appreciation sharing or up-front payment.
    (a) Calculation of appreciation. For purposes of section 257(k)(2) 
of the Act, the amount of the appreciation in value of a property 
securing an H4H program mortgage that occurs between the date the 
mortgage was insured under section 257 of the Act and the date of any 
subsequent sale or disposition of the property shall be equal to the 
following, as such amounts of appreciation may be established to the 
satisfaction of FHA:
    (1) In the case of--
    (i) A sale of the property to one or more persons, none of whom is 
a related party of the mortgagor, the gross proceeds from the sale of 
the property; or
    (ii) A disposition of the property or the sale of the property to a 
related party of the mortgagor, the current appraised value of the 
property at the time of the disposition or sale; less
    (2) The amount of closing costs, as adopted by HUD, incurred by the 
mortgagor(s) in connection with such sale or disposition, if any; less
    (3) The appraised value of the property that was used at the time 
of origination of the H4H program mortgage to underwrite that mortgage 
and determine compliance with the maximum LTV ratio at origination 
established by section 257(e)(2)(B) of the Act.
    (b) HUD's interest in appreciation. Upon sale or disposition of a 
property securing an H4H program mortgage, FHA may be entitled to 
receive the lesser of:
    (1) An amount up to 50 percent of the appreciation in value of the 
property calculated in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section; 
or
    (2) An amount equal to the appraised value of the property that was 
used at the time the existing senior mortgage was originated.
    (c) Eligibility of subordinate mortgage holders to receive portion 
of appreciation in value. The persons or entities that hold, on the 
date of origination of an H4H program mortgage, an existing subordinate 
mortgage on the property may be eligible to receive a portion of FHA's 
interest in the appreciation in value of the property, as determined in 
accordance with the provisions of this section and such additional 
standards and policies that HUD may establish, if:
    (1) The amount of the unpaid principal and interest on such 
existing subordinate mortgage, as of the first day of the month in 
which the mortgagor made application for the H4H program mortgage, is 
at least $2,500; and
    (2) Each person holding such existing subordinate mortgage agrees, 
in connection with the origination of the H4H program mortgage, to 
fully release:
    (i) The mortgagor(s) from any indebtedness under the existing 
subordinate mortgage; and
    (ii) The holder's mortgage lien on the property.
    (d) Shared appreciation interest of subordinate mortgage holders.
    (1) In general. The eligible holder(s) of an existing subordinate 
mortgage on a property securing an H4H program mortgage may be eligible 
to receive, subject to paragraph (c)(3) of this section, an interest in 
FHA's interest in the appreciation in the value of such property, up to 
the amount set forth in administrative instructions issued by HUD.
    (2) Form. The interest of an eligible holder of an existing 
subordinate mortgage under paragraph (d) of this section is evidenced 
in a shared appreciation certificate or other documentation to be 
issued by, or on behalf of, HUD.
    (3) Multiple subordinate liens. If there is more than one eligible 
existing subordinate mortgage on a property securing an H4H program 
mortgage, the interests of such eligible existing subordinate mortgages 
under paragraph

[[Page 1695]]

(d)(1) of this section shall have priority among each other in the same 
order of priority that existed among the existing subordinate mortgages 
on the date of origination of the H4H program mortgage.
    (4) Distribution of appreciation interest to subordinate mortgage 
holders. Upon the sale or disposition of a property securing an H4H 
program mortgage other than sale or disposition related to a default, 
any proceeds due to H4H as a result of the appreciation in value of the 
property (as calculated in accordance with paragraph (a) of this 
section) shall be distributed:
    (i) First to the holders of any shared appreciation certificate or 
other documentation issued by HUD with respect to the property, if any, 
in accordance with paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of this 
section; and
    (ii) The remaining amounts, if any, will be retained by FHA.
    (e) FHA election to offer up-front payment in lieu of a share of 
appreciation. In lieu of any shared appreciation payment under 
paragraph (c) of this section, FHA may elect to offer the eligible 
holder(s) of an existing subordinate mortgage on a property securing an 
H4H program mortgage, a payment in an aggregate amount as provided by 
HUD through Mortgagee Letter. Eligible subordinate lien holders would 
receive the up-front payment contemporaneously with the origination of 
the H4H program mortgage.


Sec.  257.122  Forgiveness or waiver of prepayment penalties and 
default fees.

    The holder or servicer of the existing senior and subordinate 
mortgages shall either forgive or waive all prepayment penalties and 
delinquency and default fees.

Subpart C--Rights and Obligations Under the Contract of Insurance


Sec.  257.201  Cross-reference.

    (a) All of the provisions of 24 CFR part 203, subpart B, covering 
mortgages insured under section 203 of the Act shall apply to mortgages 
insured under section 257 of the Act, except the following sections: 
203.256 Insurance of open-end advances; 203.259a Scope; 203.260 Amount 
of insurance premium; 203.261 Calculation of periodic MIP (periodic 
MIP); 203.270 Open-end insurance charges; 203.280 One-time of up-front 
MIP; 203.281 Calculation of one-time MIP; 203.283 Refund of one-time 
MIP; 203.284 Calculation of up-front and annual MIP on or after July 1, 
1991; 203.285 Fifteen year mortgages: calculation of up-front and 
annual MIP on or after December 26, 1992; 203.415-203.417 Certificate 
of Claim; 203.420-203.427 Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund and 
Distributive Shares; 203.436 Claim procedures--graduated payment 
mortgages; 203.438 Mortgages on Indian land insured pursuant to section 
248 of the National Housing Act; 203.439 Mortgages on Hawaiian home 
lands insured pursuant to section 247 of the National Housing Act; 
203.439a Mortgages on property in Allegheny Reservation of Seneca 
Nation of Indians authorized by section 203(q) of the National Housing 
Act; and 203.440-203.495 Rehabilitation Loans.
    (b) For the purposes of this subpart, all references at 24 CFR part 
203, subpart B, to section 203 of the Act shall be construed to refer 
to section 257 of the Act. Any references at 24 CFR part 203, subpart 
B, to the ``Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund'' shall be deemed to be to 
the Home Ownership Preservation Entity Fund.
    (c) If there is any conflict in the application of any requirement 
of 24 CFR part 203, subpart B, to this part, the provisions of this 
part shall control.


Sec.  257.203  Calculation of up-front and annual mortgage insurance 
premiums for H4H program mortgages.

    (a) Applicable premiums. Any mortgage presented for endorsement 
under section 257 on or after October 1, 2008, and prior to September 
30, 2011, shall be subject to the following requirements:
    (1) Up-front premium. FHA shall establish and collect a single 
premium payment not more than 3 percent of the amount of the original 
insured principal obligation of the H4H program mortgage.
    (2) Annual premium. In addition to the premium under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section, FHA shall establish and collect an annual 
premium payment in an amount not more than 1.5 percent of the amount of 
the remaining insured principal balance of the H4H program mortgage.
    (b) Proceeds for payment of the up-front premium. The up-front 
premium shall be paid with proceeds from the H4H program mortgage 
through a reduction of the amount of indebtedness that existed on the 
eligible mortgage prior to its being refinanced.

Subpart D--Servicing Responsibilities


Sec.  257.301  Cross-reference.

    (a) All of the provisions of 24 CFR part 203, subpart C, covering 
mortgages insured under section 203 of the Act shall apply to mortgages 
insured under section 257 of the Act, except as follows: 203.664 
Processing defaulted mortgages on property located on Indian land; 
203.665 Processing defaulted mortgages on property located on Hawaiian 
home lands; 203.666 Processing defaulted mortgages on property in 
Allegany Reservation of Seneca Nation of Indians; and 203-670-203.681 
Occupied Conveyance.
    (b) For the purposes of this subpart, all references in 24 CFR part 
203, subpart C, to section 203 of the Act shall be construed to refer 
to section 257 of the Act. Any references in 24 CFR part 203, subpart 
C, to the ``Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund'' shall be deemed to be to 
the Home Ownership Preservation Entity Fund.
    (c) If there is any conflict in the application of any requirement 
of 24 CFR part 203, subpart C, to this part, the provisions of this 
part shall control.


Sec.  257.303  Prohibition on subordinate liens during first 5 years.

    (a) Prohibition on subordinate liens during first 5 years. Except 
for FHA loss mitigation actions (e.g., mortgage modifications and 
partial claims) or as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a 
mortgagor shall not, during the first 5 years of the term of the 
mortgagor's H4H program mortgage, incur any debt, take any action, or 
fail to take any action that would have the direct result of causing a 
lien to be placed on the property securing the H4H program mortgage if 
such lien would be subordinate to the H4H program mortgage.
    (b) Property preservation exception. Paragraph (a) of this section 
shall not prevent a mortgagor on the H4H program mortgage from 
incurring new mortgage debt secured by a lien on the property securing 
the H4H program mortgage that is subordinate to the H4H program 
mortgage if:
    (1) The proceeds of the new mortgage debt are necessary to ensure 
the maintenance of property standards, including health and safety 
standards;
    (2) Repair or remediation of the condition would preserve or 
increase the property's value;
    (3) The cost of the proposed repair or remediation is reasonable 
for the geographic market area;
    (4) The results of the repair or remediation are not primarily 
cosmetic;
    (5) The repair or remediation does not represent routine 
maintenance; and
    (6) The new mortgage debt is closed-end credit, as defined in Sec.  
226.2 of the Federal Reserve Board's Regulation Z (12 CFR 226.2).

[[Page 1696]]

Subpart E--Enforcement Mortgagor False Information


Sec.  257.401  Notice of false information from mortgagor-procedure.

    (a) If FHA finds that the mortgagor has made a false certification 
or provided false information via any means, including but not limited 
to false documentation, FHA shall inform the mortgagor, in writing or 
any other acceptable format, of such fact.
    (b) The notice shall be sent to the mortgagor's last known address 
by both certified and ordinary mail. The notice shall state with 
specificity the misrepresentation or false statement made by the 
mortgagor. The notice shall include a request for repayment of the 
Direct Financial Benefit that the mortgagor is deemed to have received, 
as determined by FHA, by the refinancing of the eligible mortgage and 
subordinate mortgages. This does not preclude HUD or the United States 
from bringing any other action that they may be authorized to bring.
    (c) The mortgagor may request a hearing before a Hearing Officer. 
The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of 24 
CFR part 26, subpart A, except as modified by this section. Requests 
for a hearing must be made within 45 days from the date of the false 
information notice.


Sec.  257.403  Prohibitions on interested parties in insured mortgage 
transaction.

    (a) A mortgage lender, mortgage broker, mortgage banker, real 
estate broker, appraisal management company or employee thereof, and 
any person with an interest in a real estate transaction involving an 
appraisal conducted as part of the process for insuring a mortgage 
under section 257 of the Act shall not improperly influence or attempt 
to improperly influence through any means, including but not limited to 
coercion, extortion, collusion, compensation, instruction, inducement, 
intimidation, nonpayment for services rendered, or bribery, the 
development, reporting, result, or review of a real estate appraisal 
sought in connection with the origination, processing, and closing of 
the mortgage for insurance.
    (b) HUD may, pursuant to its authority under section 536(a) of the 
Act, bring an action to impose a civil money penalty for a violation of 
paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) The authority to bring a civil money penalty under this section 
shall not preclude HUD from bringing any other action that HUD may be 
authorized to bring for a violation of paragraph (a) of this section.


Sec.  257.405  Mortgagees.

    (a) HUD will monitor mortgagees to ensure compliance with the 
requirements of the H4H program. The Mortgagee Review Board at HUD is 
authorized to impose sanctions and civil money penalties against 
mortgagees who violates program requirements under this part. The 
authority of the Mortgagee Review Board to impose sanctions and civil 
penalties shall not preclude HUD from bringing any other action that 
HUD may be authorized to bring.
    (b) Nonpayment of mortgage insurance claims for reasons established 
in Sec.  257.16 shall not preclude the Mortgagee Review Board or HUD 
from bringing any action against the mortgagee that the Mortgagee 
Review Board or HUD are authorized to bring.
    (c) The mortgagee may request a hearing before a Hearing Officer. 
The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of 24 
CFR part 26, subpart A, except as modified by this section. Requests 
for a hearing must be made within 45 days from the date of the false 
information notice.

    Dated: November 11, 2009.
David H. Stevens,
Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 2010-263 Filed 1-11-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P