Congressman Cleaver, FHFA Director Sandra Thompson, Local Leaders Hold Roundtable on Housing
(Kansas City, MO) – Last week, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) hosted Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Sandra L. Thompson and community leaders for a roundtable discussion on fair and affordable housing.
The roundtable brought public officials from every level of government together with financial institutions to discuss affordable housing needs in Kansas City, the importance of public/private partnerships, and how stakeholders can work collaboratively to preserve and expand affordable housing in the region. The discussion followed a tour of Kansas City which included FHFA engagement with KC Tenants, local housing providers, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and a visit to Jazz Hill Apartments – a Freddie Mac backed affordable housing project that includes federal, state, local and private sector support.
“I am grateful Director Thompson took the time to travel to Kansas City and have a meaningful exchange with our community leaders on local housing needs,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Truly affordable housing requires buy-in from all levels of government and the private sector, and we must recognize the vital role that collaboration and communication plays in achieving our local housing goals. Working hand-in-hand with the FHFA ensures not only effective policymaking, but also fosters trust and confidence in our housing finance system. Yesterday’s events only highlighted how, together, we can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and ultimately better serve the public and I look forward to working on the community action items we identified during the visit.”
“It was critically important that community leaders have the opportunity to voice their concerns directly to FHFA and the Enterprises,” said Director Sandra L. Thompson. “The Enterprises have a responsibility to provide liquidity for affordable rental housing, address challenges faced by tenants and multifamily property owners, and ensure residents in their buildings have a safe, decent, affordable place to live.”
The FHFA was established by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) and is responsible for the supervision, regulation, and housing mission oversight of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Bank System. The FHFA oversees the regulated entities as they work to fulfill their responsibilities to support affordable and sustainable housing finance, targeted financing for economic development, and support for underserved communities. Under the leadership of Director Thompson, the FHFA continues to strengthen the core statutory mission programs such as duty to serve, the housing goals for the Enterprises͕, and the Affordable housing program and community development programs of the Federal Home Loan Banks. Director Thompson was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden to serve as the Director of the FHFA and was sworn in 2022 following 40 years of private and public sector finance experience. She made history as the first black woman to head the agency.
Photos from Director Thompson’s Visit can be found here.
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Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.