In a significant move to address affordable housing challenges and promote generational wealth building, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), has announced an expansion in access to mortgage financing for homes with Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This groundbreaking policy shift increases access to quality, affordable housing for families across the nation.
Key Highlights:
- Inclusion of ADU Rental Income: The policy allows lenders to factor rental income from ADUs into borrowers’ qualifying income, making FHA financing, including 203(k) Rehabilitation mortgages, more accessible.
- Contributing to Housing Supply: ADUs, rentable units, are recognized as a solution to the affordable housing shortage. This initiative aims to empower first-time homebuyers, seniors, and inter-generational families.
- Wealth Building Potential: By easing financing for ADUs, the policy targets households with modest means, maximizing homeownership benefits across a broader population.
- Flexibility in Rental Income Calculation: For borrowers with limited incomes, the policy offers flexibility, allowing 75% of estimated ADU rental income to qualify for an FHA-insured mortgage.
- Encouraging ADU Construction: Incentivizing new ADU construction, the policy permits 50% of estimated rental income from a new ADU to qualify under FHA’s Standard 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program.
- Appraisal Requirements: Specific appraisal requirements for ADUs ensure accurate property valuation, aiding increased access to ADU financing.
- Integration into New Construction Financing: ADUs are now seamlessly incorporated into FHA’s mortgages for new construction, encouraging the inclusion of ADUs in new home projects.
This policy shift marks a significant step towards an inclusive and flexible housing market. By facilitating financing for homes with ADUs, FHA actively addresses housing shortages, promotes wealth creation, and enhances overall homeownership access. FHA-approved lenders can now offer mortgages on properties with ADUs immediately, ushering in a new era of affordable housing solutions.
Read the official release documentation hud.gov.
Contact us today to explore what this news might mean for you and turn your homeownership dreams into reality! Speak with your local NMB Loan Officer to learn more!
