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MortgagePoint » Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 72 May 2024 J O U R N A L ly pool-level LMI disclosures to borrow- ers. The additional disclosures include the number of underlying loans provided to LMI borrowers, the proportion of LMI loan count to total loan count, the unpaid principal balance (UPB) of LMI loans in the mortgage-backed securities (MBS), and the percentage of LMI UPB to total MBS UPB. To achieve this new data disclosure, Ginnie Mae finalized a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with FHA and VA in Q1 of 2023. As of April 2023, the nearly 800,000 USDA-RHS loans in their portfolio represented over 7% of Ginnie Mae's single-family MBS. LMI households are classed based on the Federal Financial Institutions Exam- ination Council's Median Family Income Report Tables at the time of loan origi- nation. These disclosures are provided at the aggregate pool level for loans issued by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) commencing in 2012. Ginnie Mae has ensured it will con- tinue to collaborate with government-in- suring agency partners to provide this LMI disclosure across its single-family MBS program. "This is another important step forward in our ESG efforts and serves as a proof of concept for a founda- tional principle of the growing social investment movement; that, under the right circumstances, financial markets can drive transformational and lasting change for the public good," said Alanna McCargo, President of Ginnie Mae. "Pro- viding market participants with the tools and data to discern the social impact of their investment decisions supports our overall mission to continue finding new ways to support sustainable and equitable housing opportunities for the communities we were built to serve." HUD GRANTS NEARLY $70M TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH, AFFORDABILITY T he U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced approximately $70 million in awards around the country to help transform communities by repair- ing older homes, conserving affordable housing, and enhancing the health of children and families. Grants are also being offered for research into hous- ing-related health hazards to improve residents' health and safety by identify- ing better ways to manage their homes. "Housing is the foundation on which we live, grow, and thrive. Access to healthy affordable housing is a priority of this Department," HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman said. "This National Healthy Homes Month, HUD reaffirms its commitment to protecting families and children, supporting research and community efforts to ensure homes are healthy." Funding assists vulnerable residents by addressing housing-related health and safety problems, implementing long- term local programs, and promoting critical research to detect and minimize safety hazards. The grants awarded include funds from: » Healthy Homes Production Grant Program » Healthy Homes and Weatherization Cooperation Demonstration Grant Program » Older Adult Home Modification Grant Program » Lead Technical Studies Grant Pro- gram, the Healthy Homes Technical Studies Grant Program » Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program "Housing is as essential as health care, and these grants expand HUD's commitment to providing safe and healthy homes for all," said Matthew Ammon, Director of HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. This comes after Toddman an- nounced $10 million in funding opportunities for community revital- ization efforts through the FY24 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant. Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants support the development of comprehensive neighborhood revital- ization plans which focus on directing resources to address three core goals: Housing, People, and Neighborhoods. To achieve these goals, communities must develop and implement a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy or Transformation Plan. The Transformation Plan will then become the guiding document for the revitalization of the public and/or assisted housing units while simultane- ously directing the transformation of the surrounding neighborhood and positive outcomes for families. "These resources support the creation and preservation of housing, and enhance community amenities, like grocery stores and parks," Todman said. "Paired with meaningful community en- gagement and thoughtful planning, this funding opportunity will help leaders and neighbors improve quality of life and attract the partners and resources that communities deserve."