On June 2nd the Atlanta Regional Commission hosted its quarterly Regional Housing Forum, which focused on the availability of mortgage products in the metro area, and what affect this is having on stabilizing metro neighborhoods. Moderated by Bill Bolling of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, June’s forum was attended by more than 100 people and featured the following panelists discussing the issue of single-family mortgage availability for metro neighborhoods: Catherine “Candy” Lasher, Fannie Mae; Brigitte Killings, Bank of America; Jeanne Goldie, Wells Fargo; Debra Robinson, FHA.
Throughout the conversation, a common theme described by both panelists and attendees was the difficulty and complexity of the situation. All agreed that mending the damage done by the foreclosure crisis is a complex problem, and credit availability will indisputably be a part of the solution. And while it may appear to many that lending has virtually slowed to a snail’s pace, panelists were adamant that loans were being made, including loans to low and moderate income borrowers. (more…)
