S
hutterstockPlus: HUD releases partisan shutdown messaging; NAR calls for swift resolution amid real‑estate fallout.

    FICO’s Mortgage Direct License Program, announced Oct. 1, lets lenders buy credit scores straight from FICO for a $4.95 royalty, eliminating the three major bureaus. The company touts a 50 % price cut and greater transparency, while the Consumer Data Industry Association warns that the higher publicly disclosed rates could ultimately raise borrower costs.

    The FHFA is proposing revisions to the Affordable Housing Goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for 2026‑28. The draft would merge minority and low‑income purchase targets and lower the benchmark for that combined group, a change that the Consumer Federation of America says would worsen the housing crisis and restrict first‑time buyers. Feedback will be accepted through Nov. 3.

    After the Sept. 30 funding deadline passed without a deal, HUD’s website began displaying a message blaming Democrats for the shutdown: “The Radical Left in Congress shut down the government.” The wording, still live as of Oct. 3, drew criticism from ethics groups who argued it could violate the Hatch Act. Secretary Scott Turner defended the post, insisting it was meant to inform the public of the shutdown’s consequences.

    The National Association of Realtors, led by EVP Shannon McGahn, warned that each day of the shutdown could have real‑life effects on the housing market. The lapse in the National Flood Insurance Program’s authorization, which coincided with the shutdown, is a particular concern for sales in flood‑prone areas. NAR is lobbying lawmakers for a quick reopening to restore the NFIP and keep real‑estate transactions moving.