The Federal Housing Administration released its 2018 Report to Congress on Thursday, revealing that the HECM program continues to be a drain on its flagship Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund to the tune of $13.63 billion in the last fiscal year. But FHA Commissioner Brian Montgomery said the program is benefiting from policy changes made last year, and that the agency remains "optimistic that the quality of the book will continue to improve."

This week, Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, introduced the "Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2018," which would prohibit housing discrimination based on source of income or veteran status.

The Federal Housing Administration released details on the health of its flagship Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund on Thursday, revealing a positive economic net worth of $34.86 billion and an acceptable ratio of capital reserves at 2.76%. The numbers are markedly better than last year, but FHA Commissioner Brian Montgomery said that doesn’t mean the agency will be reducing mortgage insurance premiums any time soon.

Five major multifamily real estate investment trusts, Aimco, Boardwalk, Essex Property Trust, MAA, and UDR, are partnering with private owners Starwood Capital Group, Cortland, and GID to invest more than $100 million in a venture capital fund, which will be used to invest in “disruptive real estate technology companies” in the multifamily industry.

Redfin has taken the final step toward providing its clients with a fully digital home buying experience. The listings giant’s mortgage arm has announced a partnership with Notarize in a deal that offers Redfin Mortgage clients the ability to close on a home quickly, easily – and completely online.

HouseCanary and its top executives engaged in collusion, fraud, and deception as part of an effort to convince a jury to order Amrock to pay out one of the largest judgments in the country this year, Amrock claims in a blockbuster legal filing. And based on these new revelations, Amrock wants a new trial and the $740 million judgment against it tossed out.

Under Mick Mulvaney, the CFPB (or BCFP, depending on who you ask) has taken a much gentler approach toward the financial services industry. That tactic is likely to continue if the Trump administration’s choice as a permanent director, Kathy Kraninger, is ever confirmed by the Senate. And that’s just what the housing industry is now loudly calling for.