Law and regulation

As Californians reel from sky-high rents and home prices fueled by the economic boom, state lawmakers return Monday from their summer recess to debate proposals attacking the housing crisis.

Housing markets with the strictest land-use regulations saw home price appreciation shoot up by more than double the rate of those with lighter regulations, despite similar job growth, according to Zillow.

Earlier this year the Legislature appropriated $200 million to help finance new affordable rental housing. Now a state-led panel advises that an additional $1 billion should follow over the next decade to further address Hawaii's shortage of affordable apartments.

As regulators move forward with policy changes designed to curb so-called refinance churning of Department of Veterans Affairs-insured mortgages, concerns have surfaced about the fate of loans originated during the transition period.

The Internal Revenue Service's settlement with Radian Group may result in a $74 million tax benefit for the mortgage insurer that could improve its second-quarter results.

A federal appeals court in Texas agreed with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shareholders that the FHFA, led by a single director, violates the separation of powers.

Leandra English, who sued President Trump and Mick Mulvaney last year claiming to be the rightful director of the CFPB, said Friday that she plans to resign and drop the litigation.

At least 38 projects totaling 3,337 units were proposed statewide in 2017, which is far more than the five projects totaling 391 units proposed in 2010, the basement of the Great Recession.

Lawmakers want the agency to utilize two programs to help families still struggling to recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

The Senate's farm bill would prevent the July 31 lapse of the National Flood Insurance Program, but it still needs to be debated in conference with the House.

On his 1.5-acre lot near Kincaid Park in Anchorage, Chris Herman wanted to build a detached garage with an apartment on top, as a future home for his aging parents.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to decide whether thousands of borrowers can invoke a federal debt-collection law when they are facing foreclosure.

Ocwen Financial is able to keep the answers to questions from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau involving the improper handling of escrow accounts confidential, a federal magistrate ruled.

New securitizations backed by reverse mortgages are now at a low not seen in two years, signaling that higher volumes seen in recent months may be tapering off.

Regulation imposed by all levels of government accounts for 32% of multifamily development costs, according to the National Association of Home Builders and the National Multifamily Housing Council.

New Orleans is falling further behind when it comes to providing affordable housing for its low-income residents, with fewer than 200 units added since last fall, and is unlikely to achieve the goals set by housing advocates and the city itself, according to a new report.

At least 38 projects totaling 3,337 units were proposed in Massachusetts in 2017, which is far more than the five projects totaling 391 units proposed in 2010, the basement of the Great Recession.

Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed legislation that would have asserted state authority over local zoning efforts aimed at creating affordable housing in gentrifying neighborhoods.

A mix of escalating construction costs and changes to the federal tax code is hampering San Francisco's ability to finance and build affordable housing.

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin joined housing advocates — as well as the mayors of Providence, Pawtucket and Warwick — to urge the General Assembly to extend the state's Foreclosure Mediation Act, set to expire on July 1.