From the Top FEW PEOPLE WHO have served as Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing (FHA) Commissioner have had as much of a positive impact on the HECM program as Julia Gordon. Since being confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 12, 2022, Gordon has guided HECM through some turbulent times. The proactive responses by Gordon and her team and their continued engagement with the industry have been key to sustaining the market and its participants. Not only is she a strong leader within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but Gordon also is one of the few FHA Commissioners with a background in consumer advocacy and housing finance, which makes her ideally suited for the job. Reverse Mortgage magazine sat down with FHA Commissioner Gordon to discuss the challenges of managing the HECM program, policy successes and future priorities. Reverse Mortgage: How has your perception of the HECM program evolved since becoming FHA Commissioner? Julia Gordon: Coming into this job, I was well aware of the HECM program and the challenges it created for the Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund. But I think what surprised me most was just how complex the program itself is. The complexities start at origination and extend through loan maturity. The other realization Julia Gordon Julia Gordon, Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development By Darryl Hicks 10 REVERSE MORTGAGE / JULY-AUGUST 2024
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ1MzY1