Other PD&R Functions
|
 |
Government Performance and Results Act
The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) requires HUD and other agencies to engage in strategic planning and to report on performance. Working in partnership with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, PD&R staff develop and produce an array of GPRA documents, including the 5-year Strategic Plan, the Annual Performance Plan, and the Annual Performance and Accountability Report.
Federal Housing Administration Support
PD&R supports the Federal Housing Administration by providing FHA with key policy and technical support. We also offer financial expertise on FHA's actuarial studies, assist FHA on automated underwriting and mortgage scorecard initiatives, conduct program evaluations, analyze mortgage market trends, and provide general policy support on a wide range of topics (such as FHA insurance premiums). In addition, PD&R Field Economists conduct market analysis of applications for FHA multifamily mortgage insurance. The most significant PD&R effort involves automated underwriting and mortgage scorecard work.
Government Sponsored Enterprise Data
In the past, the Department of Housing and Urban Development published
a wealth of information on the mortgage purchases of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) that HUD oversaw at the time. The GSEs are secondary-market institutions that purchase single-family conventional loans originated in the United States. HUD was responsible for establishing
housing goals in accordance with the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (the 1992 GSE Act). Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were required to meet specified goals for purchases of mortgages that financed housing for very-low-, low- and moderate-income families and families living in areas traditionally underserved by the mortgage market. These
data sets shed light on their efforts and provide additional data for mortgage research.
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) established the
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), and transferred HUD’s responsibility for setting GSE housing goals and monitoring GSEs’ performance to the FHFA. FHFA publishes updated versions of these
data sets.
The information is intended to aid mortgage lenders, planners, researchers, and housing advocates in studying the flow of mortgage credit and capital in America's communities. It will also help you understand where Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac focused their affordable homeownership efforts under HUD’s oversight. You can obtain or view data from the GSE Public Use Database in several ways. The principal methods include
downloading data sets directly from the Internet,
ordering data sets from our website, ordering data sets on CD-ROM from HUD USER, and ordering or viewing tables derived from the GSE Public Use Database. In addition to data, there is more general information available on HUD's implementation of the 1992 GSE Act,
monitoring of the GSEs' housing goals performance, and
studies related to the GSEs.
International and Philanthropic Activities
The Office for International and Philanthropic Innovation (IPI) supports HUD's efforts to find new solutions and align ideas and resources by working across public, private, and civil sectors to further HUD's mission. IPI does this by performing research, developing networks, and facilitating collaboration of key partners and resources. To position HUD as a hub for innovation, IPI works to build new capacity and clarity within HUD by providing expert resources and a venue for staff and partners to access the best available evidence, innovations, and lessons from the philanthropic and international sectors. Within these sectors, IPI supports HUD and the Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) by:
- Engaging in outreach and information exchange;
- Providing client management and assistance;
- Conducting joint research and knowledge management; and
- Stimulating project co-investment.
IPI has the unique task of linking domestic policy and practice to innovative and timely models from our international and philanthropic partners.
Building Technology
PD&R works with other agencies and private-sector organizations to make American housing more affordable, durable, safe, energy-efficient, and disaster-resistant by sponsoring objective research on the effects of new programs and technologies.
Support for Program Operations
PD&R maintains and produces large databases that are essential to HUD program operations. This support includes collecting information through national and locally based surveys, including FMRs and assisted housing income limits. PD&R also has the lead in conducting periodic quality control studies that measure the accuracy of housing program rent and subsidy determinations and serve as the basis for setting priorities for program office corrective actions.
Economic Analysis of Major HUD Regulations
Executive Order No. 12866 requires that federal agencies promulgating regulations prepare economic analyses of regulations that have a significant economic effect. In addition, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) requires agencies to prepare regulatory flexibility analyses for regulations that have a substantial impact on a significant number of small entities. Economic and regulatory flexibility analyses are frequently combined into a single document. The intent of E.O. 12866 and the RFA is for the required analyses to inform the rulemaking process and ensure adequate public understanding of the potential effects of major regulations. Because of the high level of expertise in economics and statistical analysis required to complete these large-scale assessments, PD&R is the primary manager of the Department's regulatory analysis function. PD&R reviews all new HUD regulations for potential impact on the economy; prepares economic analyses of new HUD rules, as needed, or directs the preparation of economic analyses of new HUD rules by PD&R contractors; reviews economic analyses prepared by other offices for methodological soundness and feasibility; and advises program office officials on how proposed regulations can be altered to achieve the regulatory objective while avoiding unnecessary costs to the economy.
Working with Universities
PD&R administers competitive grant programs to colleges and universities to help them expand their role and effectiveness in addressing community development needs in their localities, including neighborhood revitalization, housing, and economic development principally for low- and moderate-income individuals/families. PD&R also administers the Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant Program, which enables doctoral candidates enrolled at accredited institutions of higher education accredited to complete their dissertations on policy-relevant housing and urban development issues.
Field Economists
PD&R provides technical oversight and supervision of the staff economists in HUD field offices who perform market analyses of proposed housing projects, participate in developing Section 8 FMRs, provide housing market intelligence information, and undertake other analytical assignments in support of HUD program management in the field. Our Field Economists also provide research support to Field and Regional Office directors, and are relied upon for their expertise and insight on local housing markets.
