Unpaid Federal Workers Owe $438 Million in Mortgage and Rent Payments This Month

The federal government shutdown also impacts thousands of potential home buyers trying to secure loans, especially those with the least means

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Zillow

Jan 08, 2019, 08:00 ET

SEATTLE, Jan. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The effects of the federal government shutdown on the housing market are wide-ranging and personal -- unpaid workers still have to pay their mortgage or rent, while aspiring homeowners might see their loans in limbo.

About 800,000 workers aren't being paid (about 380,000 are furloughed and another 420,000 are working without pay), and still must find ways to pay for their housing as the shutdown heads into its third week. Zillow® estimates that federal employees who are not being paid during the shutdown and own their homes pay about $249 million in monthly mortgage payments. A recent HotPads® analysis found that renters within that group pay about $189 million for housing each month.

Also, the Federal Housing Administration is operating with limited staff and warns that endorsement of loans may be delayed. That could mean some loans don't close, as that decision depends on the flexibility of individual lenders, leaving buyers unable to complete their purchase. Many lower-income and/or first-time buyers opt for the FHA-insured loans because they often allow for smaller down payments and offer more forgiving credit-score requirements than conventional loans.

A Zillow analysis estimates that about 3,900 mortgage originations are processed each business day for loans backed directly by federal government agencies such as the FHA and the Rural Housing Service. It isn't clear what portion of those are delayed – or for how long – because of the limited staff during the shutdown, but as many as 39,000 mortgages could have been affected by today. When those loans are delayed, it most affects those facing the greatest hurdles to become homeowners. FHA also won't insure reverse mortgages or home-improvement loans during the shutdown.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says it does not expect a significant impact as long as the shutdown is brief. But "with each day the shutdown continues, we can expect an increase in the impacts on potential homeowners, home sellers and the entire housing market," the agency says.

In addition, the shutdown could lead to administrative delays associated with loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two independent agencies that insure the vast majority of mortgages. Those include lenders unable to get verification of employment for borrowers who are federal employees, and potential IRS delays verifying borrower incomes, which could lead to loans being denied.

"Like Americans in the private sector, many federal employees rely on each and every paycheck to cover critical expenses, including housing. In many parts of the country, housing affordability is already stretched and a single missed payment can begin the long process toward foreclosure or eviction – which has long term impacts on an individual's finances and long-term economic prospects," said Zillow senior economist Aaron Terrazas. "It also could have a significant impact on the overall housing market if it continues to drag on and furloughed workers who also are would-be buyers get cold feet in the absence of paychecks. Buying a home is a huge leap of faith for many, as they bet on continued job security and steady income to finance their home, and consumer confidence is paramount."

Zillow

Zillow is the leading real estate and rental marketplace dedicated to empowering consumers with data, inspiration and knowledge around the place they call home, and connecting them with the best local professionals who can help. In addition, Zillow operates an industry-leading economics and analytics bureau led by Zillow's Chief Economist Dr. Svenja Gudell. Dr. Gudell and her team of economists and data analysts produce extensive housing data and research covering more than 450 markets at Zillow Real Estate Research. Zillow also sponsors the quarterly Zillow Home Price Expectations Survey, which asks more than 100 leading economists, real estate experts and investment and market strategists to predict the path of the Zillow Home Value Index over the next five years. Launched in 2006, Zillow is owned and operated by Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:Z and ZG), and headquartered in Seattle.

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