Ask Your Congressperson to Protect Habitat Mortgages

The 2008 SAFE Act was intended to protect homeowners by placing new regulations on commercial mortgage lenders. But some states have misinterpreted the law, applying it to nonprofits, and the result could be disastrous.

Many local Habitat affiliates simply can’t keep up with these requirements intended for commercial lenders—things like fingerprinting, expensive bonding requirements and a nationwide registry—and this threatens their ability to continue providing mortgages to the partner families who depend on Habitat for affordable, decent housing.

Congressman Heath Shuler of North Carolina has drafted a simple, common-sense fix: a bill to clarify state authority to exempt nonprofits from the SAFE Act and protect Habitat mortgages. This bill will provide critical help to Habitat affiliates and homeowners in many states—but only if we find enough votes to pass it.

Please ask your Congressperson to support Rep. Shuler’s bill clarifying the 2008 SAFE Act.