Prestige Family Mortgage Blog

The Geography of a Recession (click for interactive map)

Job losses have been most severe in the areas that experienced a big boom in housing, those that depend on manufacturing and those that already had the highest unemployment rates. Follow this link for an interactive U.S. map to see the unemployment rates by area.

If you are moving or planning a move, this map may help you determine which part of the country you may want to consider.

Posted 9:00 AM PST

The White House

 

The White House

Rebecca Adelman of the Department of Health and Human Services gives us a play-by-play on the third of five White House Regional Forums on Health Reform, watch it streamed livefrom Des Moines, Iowa at HealthReform.gov. 1:27: Governor Culver thanks the audience for their spirited participation and encourages people to continue the discussion by visiting www.healthreform.gov. He also thanks President Obama for his commitment to health reform. He said, on every front, the President and his team have been extremely responsive. 1:23: Nancy-Ann DeParle closes the event promising to brief her colleagues in the White House on the suggestions and concerns brought up in the forum today. She urged participants to visit www.healthreform.gov to submit more suggestions, and said "I have a lot to be optimistic about as I go back to the White house." She says she heard frustration from small business, farmers, providers that premiums are out of reach. She also says she heard the desire of clinicians to be at the table, to break down the barriers that exist to providing care, and she heard intelligent advocates from all different angles today. Finally, she expressed hope that everyone will continue to provide input as we work to lower costs and cover more Americans. 1:18: Senator Harkin makes his closing remarks and talks about how members of Congress are working to make health reform happen this year. He said they are setting deadlines, and hope to have a bill on the floor in late June to debate it in July. He said his goal, and the President is pushing very hard on this, is to get this done in Congress before the August recess, and to have a bill to the President in September or October. "We are not going to kick the ball down the field," he said. "This is going to happen this year." 1:10: A gentleman with a "Livestrong" t-shirt wraps up the discussion talking about cancer. He asks for a show of hands of how many participants have been touched by cancer in their own families or personally, and nearly 100 percent of those in the room raised their hands. He said we need to continue to keep this very important issue part of the national discussion about health care. 1:02: Responding to the question proposed by Governor Rounds about rural health, a participant brought up the importance of long-term care providers in rural communities. This participant said he came from a rural area, and many people there just want to stay in their homes and communities. He said if we pay greater attention to the importance of long-term care providers, and if we invest in them, people in rural communities will visit hospitals less frequently and fewer citizens will need to live in expensive nursing homes. 12:55: Governor Rounds takes a few minutes to speak about the challenge of attracting doctors and nurses to serve in rural communities. He said the demand for medical professionals in rural areas is so great that each provider is stretched thin, making it even more difficult to maintain a workforce of doctors and nurses. He asked the participants for suggestions on how to attract medical professionals to rural areas, and how to support them once they establish a practice. The Governor said we need a plan to bring good medical services to rural Americans. 12:41: A participant named Tracey brought up the cost of treating chronic diseases. She suggested that the health system reform include a focus on primary and secondary prevention. She said it is crucially important to think about how to keep the well healthy, to identify the at-risk individuals, and to help the chronically ill manage their conditions to keep the costs for treating these illnesses down. 12:30: Governor Culver reads a question from Audrey Wiedemeier, a resident of Iowa City who submitted her question online at www.healthreform.gov. She asked, "What is being done to address the fact that many low income communities don’t have access to affordable fresh healthy food?" Governor Culver and Senator Harkin discuss at length what prevention methods we could employ that would be accessible to Americans of all income brackets. Senator Harkin argues in particular that we need to rethink what food options kids have in schools to start prevention early in life . 12:20: A chiropractor brings up the issue of electronic medical records. He says the adoption of that technology could save $77 billion annually. Now that $19.5 billion has been put forth in the Recovery Act for Health Information technology, we must think about how to make that transition. He urges that an important question in the health reform effort is how can we use technology to drive best practices and efficiency. 12:10: After Darlyne Neff addresses the group, Governor Culver turns the microphone over to the participants in the audience. A small businessman from Iowa speaks first, and stresses the particular difficulties that small businesses face as they strive to insure their employees when health care costs are skyrocketing. A woman who was recently laid off from her job said she is not sure how she will get insurance, but hopes her former employer will be able to provider her with health insurance with the help of money from the Recovery Act. Later, a man named Bruce from Iowa brought up the fact that people between the ages of 50 and 64 are among the fastest growing group of uninsured Americans. Nancy-Ann DeParle said it is an issue the President is very aware of, and that solutions are being discussed. 11:55: Darlyne Neff, from Iowa City, Iowa addressed the assembled group after Nancy-Ann DeParle. Neff is a 75-year-old retired teacher living in a life-care residential community. She taught kindergarten, grade school, and speech at the junior high and community college level. She said if she could go back to teaching now she would stress with her students the importance of listening to their bodies and would try to impress upon them the importance of health and wellness. Darlyne was one of 30,000 Americans who participated in health care reform community discussions over the holidays. She said she has survived operations for breast cancer and a brain tumor, and when she heard that the President’s health care team was seeking input from Americans on how to reform the health care system, she thought, "this is something I really need to do." 11:45: White House Office of Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle addressed and thanked the participants next – she especially singled out the clinicians she met in the audience, who are on the front lines of this health care reform effort. She spoke about the first forum on health reform that brought together Democrats, Republicans, insurance executives, providers and everyday Americans at the White House to begin the discussion. These regional forums, she said, are a continuation of that discussion. 11:40: South Dakota Governor Rounds addressed the group next. He said that in South Dakota, the pressing concern is how to provide the best possible care in small, rural communities. 9 percent of South Dakotans are uninsured. Governor Rounds said, "We can do better…and we must not leave out rural areas." 11:34: Senator Harkin just addressed the group – he stressed that we urgently need to change the health care system. The Senator said, "the good news is, we have a President who gets it." He urged the incorporation of prevention measures in to the health system, so that we can transform our system from a sick-care system to a health care system. 11:25: Governor Culver welcomes the group and thanks President Obama for his commitment to tackling the "national challenge" that is health care reform. He says he hopes the discussion today can provide some useful input for the President and his health care team (since the Transition, that team has been exceptional in listening carefully and turning the input they get into serious points and data to inform policy-making). Two Iowa lawmakers - Congressman Leonard Boswell and Senator Tom Harkin, are next up to speak. 11:15: Governor Culver kicks off the forum with a video message from President Obama. The President thanks the group for participating and says he looks forward to hearing about the concerns and ideas raised at the forum today. For background, the regional forums were designed to bring everyone with a stake in the health reform debate together, not just in Washington but across the country where people deal with the realities of health care every day, not just the policy analysis and politics of it. Forums in Dearborn, Michigan and Burlington, Vermont were held over the last two weeks, and two more health reform discussions in Greensboro, North Carolina and Los Angeles, California are coming up. 11:05: The third Regional White House Forum on Health Reform just began in Des Moines, Iowa. Today’s event is coming to you live from the Polk County Convention Center (which was also home to the Iowa Caucuses in 2008) Thomas Newton, the Director of the Iowa Department of Public Health just began his opening remarks to the forum, welcoming the participants. It will be moderated by Governor Chet Culver of Iowa and Governor Mike Rounds of South Dakota, with Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office on Health Reform, representing the White House.

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The White House Recent Update

We’ll start with another inspirational moment, call it the "spirit of the Recovery Act" – Mrs. Obama at YouthBuild AmeriCorps Green Homebuilding Service Day, speaking to young people working hard to help alleviate poverty and build a green future. From the transcript of her remarks on the National Mall in DC, where the enthusiasm on all sides jumps off the page: The work you've done here is quite impressive, and the evolution of your work to include green building, something that we're talking more and more about as a nation, energy-saving practices, and environmental awareness, it demonstrates how YouthBuild has endured as a leading non-profit organization, keeping up with the times, making sure that the training and education that you get is current. However, for me, it's your core principle that I am so impressed with, of providing opportunities for amazing young people -- amazing young people -- (applause) -- giving folks a second, and third, and fourth chance, particularly low-income youth. Sometimes we overlook them, we think that they can't be, they can't do. And it's places like YouthBuild that help you to find yourselves and to be reborn in so many ways, and to help rebuild communities all across this country, but to also complete high school and to graduate, and to do some really special things. (Applause.) And now for a trip around the country. Arkansan [Arkansas News, 3/16/09]: Stimulus funds to aid state adoptions, foster care… The federal agency said increasing the federal matching rate for federal foster care and adoption assistance programs is intended to provide fiscal relief to states and help allow them to maintain core operations and undertake projects that will put Americans to work during the worst economic crisis in decades. California [KSBW-TV, 3/16/09]: The state of California will use federal economic stimulus money to put at-risk young adults into green jobs, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Monday. After meeting with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis in Sacramento, Schwarzenegger announced the launch of California Green Corps. "Green jobs are exactly what our economy and environment need right now -- and the California Green Corps targets that need while helping at-risk young adults realize a brighter future," Schwarzenegger said. Florida [Tampa Bay Business Journal, 3/16/09]: Stimulus boosts Bay area electronic health records plan… Funding included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for electronic health records is expected to lead to 132 new jobs in the Tampa Bay area. The new jobs will be for people who would work alongside physicians as trainers and support staff. They will help doctors convert from writing paper prescriptions to using electronic prescribing, according to a release from PaperFree Tampa Bay, a new public/private partnership. The effort is a first step toward implementing connected electronic health records to improve patient safety and cut costs, the release said. Hawaii [Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 3/17/09]: State officials are hoping that a big new portion of the federal stimulus package will generate more than 3,000 jobs in local construction for transportation projects. Gov. Linda Lingle announced yesterday that the state was applying for $248.2 million in federal stimulus money… Brennon Morioka, state transportation director, said "we tried to be diverse" when asked how they selected projects for the stimulus money. "We tried to look at jobs for all the trades," Morioka said. Kentucky [Louisville Courier-Journal, 3/17/09]: Louisville's second federal stimulus boost in two weeks will give the city nearly $15 million to create hiking and biking trails, resurface 70 miles of streets, and build and repair sidewalks throughout the county. Mayor Jerry Abramson said yesterday that the projects will create 1,300 jobs… Smaller cities -- Jeffersontown, Middletown, Pewee Valley and St. Matthews -- will receive a total of more than $3 million from the stimulus program. Last week, the Transit Authority of River City announced that it will get $17.7 million in stimulus money to buy 10 hybrid buses and build an environmentally friendly maintenance annex… "Will it help a lot? Oh, heavens yes," [Public Works Director Ted] Pullen said. "This is three years' worth of normal funding, so it's a good shot." Louisiana [Times Picayune, 3/16/09]: Louisiana is expected to get $122.3 million in federal economic recovery money to improve the energy efficiency of the homes, government buildings and public transportation over the next three years and to jump start renewable energy projects for electricity generation. The funds should create scores of new jobs for tradesmen willing to learn green building practices. It will also help moderate-income households around the state improve the energy-efficiency of their homes and lower their utility bills… "What's the word? Unprecedented," said Charlette Minor, program administrator for the energy, home and neighborhood stabilization program at the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, which will administer $50.6 million of the money. "For us as an agency to be able to reach so many families who need that assistance to get their energy costs reduced is incredible." Michigan [Detroit Free Press, 3/17/09]: Stimulus to Create Up To 23,000 Construction Jobs in Mich… Under the spending plan, Michigan is expected to receive about $850 million for projects designed to fix or improve its roads, highways and bridges. The timing couldn't be better. Thanks to the severe downturn in the state's construction industry, there are more than enough workers to fill the 20,000 to 23,000 jobs expected to be created. North Carolina [Salisbury Post, 3/17/09]: The Salisbury Housing Authority will use most of $1.2 million in federal stimulus money to bring central air-conditioning and new heating to three of its public housing developments. "It really is a godsend," Layton Woodcock, executive director of the housing authority, said of money coming from the recently passed American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. "We didn't know how long it would take for all of our apartments to get central air." The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is distributing stimulus money to local housing authorities based on a complicated formula tied to capital funding, Woodcock said. Oregon & Washington [OPB, 3/16/09]: Millions of dollars in federal stimulus funds are now available in Oregon and Washington for public lands projects. The money is expected to create hundreds of jobs. The U.S. Forest Service will start awarding $10 million in contracts this week for hazardous fuel reduction projects in Oregon. That work will go to private companies already under contract with the Forest Service and is expected to employ about a hundred workers. "It’s the kind of work we’ve been doing for many years. Reducing fuel in the fire prone areas, thinning trees out," says Tom Knappenberger, a spokesman for the Forest Service. "In some cases, it’s mechanical. In other cases, it’s prescribed burns. All the normal tools we use to reduce the fuels in places that are likely to burn and would cause threats to resources." Pennsylvania [WTAE-TV, 3/16/09]: Highway and bridge projects financed by $1 billion in federal stimulus money are expected to create thousands of jobs in Pennsylvania, according to Transportation Secretary Allen Biehler. A list of about 240 projects was released at a news conference in Harrisburg on Monday afternoon and posted on www.recovery.pa.gov, the state's Web site for stimulus projects… Biehler estimated that the road projects will directly and indirectly create 30,000 jobs. Virginia [Lynchberg News & Advance, 3/17/09]: Gladys Elementary to stay open, in large part to stimulus money… Campbell County Schools officials said they will not close Gladys Elementary School and likely will not lay off personnel, due in large part to the federal stimulus plan. "The budget you have tonight does not have any closings in it," said Robert Johnson, assistant superintendent for administration. At a school board meeting last month officials discussed a handful of possible cuts to make up for a budget shortfall, one of which was the closure of the 208-student Gladys school.

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Taking on Education

download .mp4 | also available here | read transcript

 


(President Barack Obama gives remarks on education at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce gathering Tuesday, March 10, 2009, in Washington at the Washington Marriott Metro Center's Grand Ballroom. White House Photo by Pete Souza)

(President Barack Obama lists to remarks as he waits to go on stage to discuss education issues at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce gathering Tuesday, March 10, 2009, in Washington at the Washington Marriott Metro Center's Grand Ballroom. White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

download .mp4 | also available here
read transcript

HUD Press Releases

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has produced videos for YouTube and Facebook designed to educate Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers about their fair housing rights, housing counseling services, and loan programs offered by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

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HUD Press Releases

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today approved nearly $731 million in funding for 48 States and local communities seeking to recover from the effects of high foreclosures and declining home values. Funded under HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP),these plans will target emergency assistance to particular neighborhoods by acquiring and redeveloping foreclosed properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight (see attached chart).

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HUD Press Release

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today launched a new website for consumers seeking information about the Obama Administration's Making Home Affordable loan modification and refinancing program. MakingHomeAffordable.gov offers features including interactive self-assessment tools that will empower borrowers to determine if they're eligible to participate and calculate the monthly mortgage payment reductions they could stand to realize under the Making Home Affordable program.

View HUD article...

View MakingHomeAffordable website

FinancialStability.gov (the link you're looking for is marked in red)

On Tuesday, February 10th, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner outlined a comprehensive plan to restore stability to our financial system. In the address, Secretary Geithner discussed the Obama Administration’s strategy to strengthen our economy by getting credit flowing again to families and businesses, while imposing new measures and conditions to strengthen accountability, oversight and transparency in how taxpayer dollars are spent. And Secretary Geithner explained how the financial stability plan will be critical in supporting an effective and lasting economic recovery.

For more information, please visit http://www.treas.gov/initiatives/eesa/

NEW: Making Home Affordable

***(click here... follow this link for help)*** Borrower Information: Making Home Affordable Refinance and Modification Options 

Fact Sheet

Summary of Guidelines

Modification Program Guidelines

Counselor Q&A

• Additional Resources:

  • www.WhiteHouse.gov
  • www.HUD.gov
    • Contact your mortgage company
    • Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor

     

Consumer and Business Lending Initiative (TALF)

To view TALF Term Sheet and FAQ, visit: http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/default.htm

White Paper

Capital Assistance Program (CAP)

CAP White Paper

CAP Term Sheet

CAP FAQs

Application Guidelines for CAP

CPP Guidelines Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Financial Stability Plan

02/10/09 - Remarks by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner Introducing the Financial Stability Plan

Watch the webcast

View in Real Player Format
View in Windows Media

For the hearing impaired, view with captioning:
View in Real Player format
View in Windows Media

Fact Sheet

02/10/2009 – Financial Stability Plan Fact Sheet

Press Releases and Statements

03/04/2009 - Relief for Responsible Homeowners One Step Closer Under New Treasury Guidelines

03/03/2009 - U.S. Treasury, Federal Reserve Board Announce Launch of Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility

03/02/2009 - U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve Board  Announce Participation in AIG Restructuring Plan

02/27/2009 - Treasury Announces Participation in Citigroup's Exchange Offering

02/25/2009 - U.S. Treasury Releases Terms of Capital Assistance Program

02/25/2009 - Treasury Department Touts Expanded Tax Credit for First-Time Homebuyers

02/23/2009 - Joint Statement by the Treasury, FDIC, OCC, OTS and the Federal Reserve

02/10/2009 - Interagency Statement on Financial Stability Plan

02/04/2009 - Treasury Announces New Restrictions On Executive Compensation

01/28/2009 - Treasury Announces New Policy To Increase Transparency in Financial Stability Program

01/27/2009 - Treasury Secretary Announces New Rules to Limit Lobbyist Influence In federal Investment Decisions

www.Treas.gov – www.USA.gov – www.WhiteHouse.gov

Help With Your Utility Bills: Oregon

Information by State  Esta página en español  Print version   Links   Energy Star   Energy-saving tips   Home energy saver   Save energy in your apartment If you need help paying your utility bills, contact one of these organizations.   Energy assistance programs - help low-income families with utility costs and energy conservation   Oregon Community Action Agencies   Make your home more energy efficient

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient: Oregon

Information by State  Print version   More From HUD   About Energy Star   Energy Efficient Mortgages   Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor   Saving Money by Saving Energy in Your Manufactured (Mobile) Home Links   Alliance to Save Energy   Department of Energy Advice for Homeowners   Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings   Energysavers.gov - for homeowners and landlords   EPA's Protecting the Environment   Home Energy Magazine   Learn About Wind Energy   Tax Credits for Efficiency Improvements   Weatherize Your Home Want to save money on your utility bills? Find advice and get help here. Weatherization Assistance   Oregon Housing & Community Services   US Department of Energy Utility Programs   Oregon Department of Energy   Portland General Electric   Pacific Power   Northwest Natural Gas   Consumer owned public utilities Rebates and tax credits   Oregon Energy Trust   State tax credits   Northwest Energy Star Home repairs - Money for home improvements and repairs Get help paying your utility bills

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("Recovery Act") was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save three to four million jobs, and lay the foundation for a robust and sustainable 21st century economy. Find out about HUD's Recovery Act programs...

Going green with HUD
Saving energy is always a hot topic, especially at this time of year.  Learn how you can lower your energy bill:

	Energy help for homeowners
	Energy help for renters
	HUD’s Office of Environment and Energy
	Energy Star

Does Uncle Sam owe you?
Find out whether your family is eligible for a Federal Earned Income Tax Credit refund and get free tax preparation assistance from CASH.

Have a question about FHA?
Want to know more about FHA purchase, renovation, energy-efficient or reverse mortgages? Contact us!

	Talk to a housing counselor
	Email info@fhaoutreach.com
	Visit fha.gov
	Call 1-800-CALL-FHA (225-5342)

	Highlights
Need help paying your rent?   Subscribe to our e-newsletter   Recovering from storms & disasters   Tips to avoid foreclosure   Find a HUD-approved lender   Small Business Resource Guide   What is predatory lending?   Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program   Stay informed - subscribe to a mailing list   Looking for a job with HUD?   Faith-based and community organizations

Local HUD Information

Information by State  Esta página en español  Print version   Links   HUD Phone book Find information about homes and communities, organized by state.       Alabama Louisiana Ohio Alaska Maine Oklahoma Arizona Maryland Oregon Arkansas Massachusetts Pennsylvania California Michigan Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands Colorado Minnesota Rhode Island Connecticut Mississippi South Carolina Delaware Missouri South Dakota District of Columbia Montana Tennessee Florida Nebraska Texas Georgia Nevada Utah Hawaii New Hampshire Vermont Idaho New Jersey Virginia Illinois New Mexico Washington State Indiana New York West Virginia Iowa North Carolina Wisconsin Kansas North Dakota Wyoming

News Release

Information by State  Print version   HUD No. 08-174 (202) 708-0685 www.hud.gov/news/ For Release Monday November 10, 2008 HUD ANNOUNCES NEW, PERMANENT FHA MORTGAGE LOAN LIMITS New limits range from $271,050 to $625,500   NEW DESCHUTES COUNTY LIMITS - Feb 25, 2009  https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/hicost1.cfm   WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today announced the new Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage loan limits for single-family homes as prescribed by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. Beginning January 1, 2009, FHA will insure single-family home mortgages up to $271,050 in low cost areas and up to a maximum of $625,500 in high cost areas. The February 2008 Stimulus Package temporarily raised the FHA maximum to $729,750 through December 31, 2008. The new $625,500 maximum, however, represents a significant increase over the $362,790 limit that was in effect prior to the Stimulus Package. "In today's environment where access to credit is being restricted, we need to make mortgage loans readily available to households throughout the country, and especially in high-cost areas," said Preston. "These new loan limits will ensure FHA can to continue help struggling homeowners refinance into safe, affordable government-insured loans, and allow many first-time buyers take advantage of today's buyers market" For several years, FHA's loan levels were below the cost of the average home in communities across the nation. As a result, families who needed FHA mortgage insurance to qualify to buy a home were effectively locked out of the process. In some cases, borrowers turned to exotic subprime loans. FHA mortgage insurance makes home financing more available to low-income and first time homebuyers. This is because the mortgage is backed by the full faith and credit of the government, freeing lenders from assuming the risk of default. Higher FHA loan limits do not cost the government any money because the FHA Insurance Fund is fully supported by premiums paid by borrowers who receive FHA-insured mortgage loans. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act pegs the national conforming mortgage loan limit to a house price index chosen by the new Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). For 2009, the national conforming limit will remain at the current level of $417,000. The Act says that the new FHA loan limits will be set at 115 percent of the median house price in a given area, as determined by HUD, but can not be lower than 65 percent of the conforming loan limit (the national floor). Also, the FHA mortgage limit cannot exceed 150 percent of the national conforming loan limit (the national ceiling). Home Equity Conversion Mortgages The Act also pegs the national mortgage limit for FHA-insured reverse mortgages to the national conforming loan limit. The FHA product known as the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) will therefore have a national mortgage limit of $417,000. Unlike the new forward mortgage loan limits, the new HECM loans limits are effective on loans insured or after November 6, 2008. This is the first time that a single limit applies to these mortgages nationwide. As in previous years, the special exception areas of Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the Virgin Islands may have higher loan limits. Starting in January 2009 counties in those areas may have loan limits of 115 percent of area median prices, where that amount is above $417,000, up to a ceiling of $625,500. Reverse mortgages allow homeowners age 62 and older to borrow against the value of their homes without selling them. Homeowners can select a lump-sum payment, monthly payments or tap into a line of credit. No repayment is required as long as a homeowner lives in a home with a reverse mortgage. The reverse mortgage is repaid, with interest, when a homeowner sells the home or dies. HUD will inform mortgage lenders and brokers of the new limits through a mortgagee letter posted on www.hud.gov and www.fha.gov. HUD is making available comprehensive listings of the new loan limits in all counties throughout country. Downloadable files are available for FHA Forward Loans, FHA HECM loans, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchases on the HUD website. The limits are determined by the county in which the property is located, except that for properties located in metropolitan statistical areas the limit is determined by the county with the highest median home price within the metropolitan area. HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development, and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.