Also set to receive an update is the uniform appraisal dataset, which will include information collected from Federal Housing Administration-backed loans. Previously, FHFA had only used appraisal data that had been submitted to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. "Accurate home valuations are vital to all segments of the housing market, so this is both a fair lending and a safety and soundness issue," Tagoe said. The appraisal updates came on a day when policy developments aimed at helping lenders address expenses took the spotlight at the conference. Elsewhere in her prepared remarks Nagoe announced that a pilot program introduced by Freddie Mac that offers a fee-based penalty in lieu of mandatory repurchases of defective loans would be opened up to include all approved lenders. Positive feedback from participating businesses led to the decision to expand the pilot, which Freddie Mac announced in late 2023. Under the program, lenders have the opportunity to opt into fee-based alternatives each year.