Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is a United States government agency that works with private industry to provide good housing. The FHA insures mortgages on private homes, multifamily rental housing projects, cooperative and condominium housing, nursing homes, and hospitals. The FHA also insures loans to improve property and provides special programs for elderly people, military veterans, and disaster victims. The loans are made by banks, building associations, mortgage firms, and other approved lending institutions. The borrower applies to the lender for the loans. Most FHA operations are paid for by the agency’s income from fees, insurance premiums on loans, and interest on investment of insurance reserves.
The FHA also determines minimum property standards for housing, analyzes local housing markets, and makes appraisals and technical studies. Created in 1934, the FHA forms part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. A commissioner heads the FHA and also serves as assistant secretary for housing.
