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Recommendations Database

GAO’s recommendations database contains report recommendations that still need to be addressed. GAO’s priority recommendations are those that we believe warrant priority attention. We sent letters to the heads of key departments and agencies, urging them to continue focusing on these issues. Below you can search only priority recommendations, or search all recommendations.

Our recommendations help congressional and agency leaders prepare for appropriations and oversight activities, as well as help improve government operations. Moreover, when implemented, some of our priority recommendations can save large amounts of money, help Congress make decisions on major issues, and substantially improve or transform major government programs or agencies, among other benefits.

As of October 25, 2020, there are 4812 open recommendations, of which 473 are priority recommendations. Recommendations remain open until they are designated as Closed-implemented or Closed-not implemented.

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Results:

Subject Term: "Federal housing"

4 publications with a total of 8 open recommendations
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Federal Housing Administration: Opportunities Exist to Improve Defaulted Single-Family Loan Sales
GAO-19-228, Jul 3, 2019
Director: Dan Garcia-Diaz
Phone: (202) 512-8678

4 open recommendations
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Recommendation: The Commissioner of FHA should clearly define DASP objectives and develop measurable targets for all program objectives. (Recommendation 3)

Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development: Federal Housing Administration
Status: Open

Comments: HUD issued Standard Operating Procedures for these sales on October 17, 2019. We will continue to follow up with the agency on how it defines the DASP objectives and its development of measurable targets for the program objectives.
Recommendation: The Commissioner of FHA should use performance data to develop criteria for when to hold DASP sales. (Recommendation 4)

Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development: Federal Housing Administration
Status: Open

Comments: HUD issued a Standard Operating Procedure for these sales on October 17, 2019. However, HUD has not yet developed criteria for when to hold a DASP sale based on performance criteria.
Recommendation: The Commissioner of FHA should monitor individual purchasers' compliance with FHA's modification requirements and ensure the purchasers submit the data needed to evaluate the sustainability of modifications. (Recommendation 6)

Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development: Federal Housing Administration
Status: Open

Comments: HUD issued s Standard Operating Procedure for these sales on October 17, 2019. However, HUD has not yet addressed purchasers' compliance with FHA's modification requirements to ensure that purchasers submit the data needed to evaluate the sustainability of modifications. We will continue to follow up on the agency's response to this recommendation.
Recommendation: The Commissioner of FHA should develop a methodology to assess the range of possible outcomes for loans when setting DASP reserve prices. (Recommendation 8)

Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development: Federal Housing Administration
Status: Open

Comments: HUD issued a Standard Operating Procedure for these sales on October, 17, 2019. The procedures address reserve pricing but we will continue to follow up with the agency on any plans to develop a methodology to assess the range of possible outcomes when setting the reserve prices.
Federal Housing Administration: Improved Procedures and Assessment Could Increase Efficiency of Foreclosed Property Conveyances
GAO-19-517, Jun 20, 2019
Director: Daniel Garcia-Diaz
Phone: (202) 512-8678

2 open recommendations
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Recommendation: The Commissioner of FHA should enhance the content and communication of FHA's policies and procedures on conveyance condition, including by considering the program stakeholder views discussed in this report and other stakeholder input. (Recommendation 1)

Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development: Federal Housing Administration
Status: Open

Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Recommendation: The Commissioner of FHA should develop a formal plan for evaluating the outcomes of the preconveyance inspection pilot that includes key elements of evaluation design—such as evaluation objectives and measures—and utilizes participant feedback and control groups, as appropriate. (Recommendation 3)

Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development: Federal Housing Administration
Status: Open

Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Information Technology: HUD Needs to Address Significant Weaknesses in Its Cost Estimating Practices
GAO-17-281, Feb 7, 2017
Director: Valerie Melvin
Phone: (202) 512-6304

1 open recommendations
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Recommendation: To increase the likelihood that its IT investments develop reliable cost estimates, the Secretary of HUD should finalize, and ensure the implementation of, guidance that incorporates the best practices called for in the GAO Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide.

Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development
Status: Open

Comments: In April 2017, HUD reported that the department concurred with the recommendation and noted that the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) intended to establish cost estimation guidance for IT projects within its IT Management Framework Guide, incorporating appropriate best practices from the GAO Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide. In March 2019, HUD reported that, with contractor assistance, the department had begun to develop a standard methodology for investment lifecycle cost estimation; however, the methodology had not been fully institutionalized across all investments, and a policy for cost estimation had not been developed. Lacking an updated IT Management Framework and cost estimation policy, OCIO took additional interim action in the most recent budget cycle to reduce cost estimation risk by having the Chief Technology Officer standardize the cost estimates for IT investments. HUD continues to take action intended to address this recommendation; however, OCIO has not yet finalized a cost estimation methodology or the associated policy for IT investments or established a timeframe for implementing cost estimation practices departmentwide.
Federal Housing Finance Agency: Objectives Needed for the Future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac After Conservatorships
GAO-17-92, Nov 17, 2016
Director: Lawrance L. Evans, Jr.
Phone: (202) 512-8678

1 open recommendations
Display
Recommendation: To reduce uncertainty and provide FHFA sufficient direction for carrying out its responsibilities as conservator of the enterprises, Congress should consider legislation that establishes objectives for the future federal role in housing finance, including the structure of the enterprises, and a transition plan to a reformed housing finance system that enables the enterprises to exit conservatorship.

Agency: Congress
Status: Open

Comments: As of March 16, 2020, Congress has not taken action on this matter.