About this episode
In today’s Daily Download episode , the HousingWire Digital Team focuses on the 2020 election and examines President Donald Trump's and Former Vice President Joe Biden’s stance on housing and housing policies. During the episode, HousingWire explores how the U.S. housing market could potentially look and behave under Trump’s second term, while examining components outlined in Biden’s $640 billion housing plan , something the Trump Administration has still yet to unveil. While President Trump and his Democratic opponent both agree on wanting to win the 2020 election and become the next U.S. president, it’s their view on housing that differs greatly. In this episode, the team focuses on some of the most significant policies and announcements during Trump’s presidency, ranging from the Federal Housing Finance Administration, affordable housing and zoning. The team also takes a look into Biden’s plan to implement the Obama-Biden administration's Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule , Biden’s first-time homebuyer tax credit and the 0.5% adverse-market fee on refinanced mortgages purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Notably, the U.S. housing industry has experienced unprecedented times this year as the deadly COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to market changes that have impacted most aspects of the home-buying process. When the pandemic was declared in mid-March, housing became a national topic as the unemployment rate spiked, leaving nearly 40 million Americans to potentially face forbearance, evictions and mortgage delinquencies. Without any signs of slowing down, the virus continues to spread from coast to coast, bringing with it a bevy of concerns. For the housing industry, these range from purchase volume, housing supply, regulation and more. As the virus becomes a permanent fixture in American life, many in the housing industry now wonder how the sector will weather this market uncertainty. For many, the answer will be determined by who wins the U.S. 2020 election. HousingWire articles covered in this episode: HUD to abolish Obama-era AFFH fair housing rule Biden's first-time homebuyer tax credit in the age of COVID-19 What happens to the refi fee if Biden wins?