In 2014, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed the Homeowners Armed with Knowledge (HAWK) program. HAWK was designed to reduce mortgage insurance premiums for first-time buyers who complete a series of homeownership counseling sessions. However, before it could be implemented, the Congress passed language to stop it. This language has been included in Appropriations bills for the last several years. This week, NAR sent a letter to Senate Appropriators, asking them to not include this language, and to allow HUD to implement the HAWK program. FHA premiums remain historically high, and homeownership counseling has been shown to promote sustainable homeownership. This program will benefit homebuyers, the FHA Fund, and taxpayers.
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