Since 1934, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has been insuring loans that approved lenders have made to private and commercial home buyers. Today, the FHA is part of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and insures more mortgages than any other agency in the world. FHA mortgage insurance has appealed to investors because it requires a relatively small cash investment at startup, and because the FHA insures lenders when a homeowner can no longer make mortgage payments.

As an aspiring mortgage lender, you can advance your career by seeking FHA lending approval. It will allow you to invest in the building and enhancement of communities by purchasing single or multifamily housing. Alternatively, through the FHA's individual loan programs, you may access sufficient funds to finance the construction of new health care facilities. Whatever your unique business needs, there is an FHA office in your state to further assist you in a variety of ways:

1. Get more information on the history and mission of the Federal Housing Administration.

2. Contact the FHA to learn more about its approved lenders program.

3. Learn how the FHA helps health care providers meet their financing needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Discover how to apply for FHA funds to finance your home purchase

You can only make an informed decision after you've learned the specifics about the FHA.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's comprehensive website includes the pages, About Housing and The Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Both contain specific information on the FHA, such as its government backing, source of funds and criteria for becoming an FHA-approved lender.

Discover how to become an approved lender for the FHA

You may underwrite, service or insure an FHA loan.

I recommend: The Grants page on the FHA website details the process of originating non-supervised, supervised, government and investment mortgages with the Administration. The Lenders program within FHA provides resources mortgage professionals need so they can get access to renewal policies, training and online loan servicing.

Consider choosing the FHA to finance your health care facility's next capital project

The FHA has insured more than 300 mortgages to hospitals and health care facilities nationwide since 1968.

I recommend: View the FHA's program, Healthcare Facilities Mortgage Insurance for Hospitals, which hospitals in every state can access. Contact the Federal Housing Administration to speak with a director in the insured health care facilities office to apply for funding.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The FHA resource center provides telephone and Internet access to mortgage professionals who require help with completing FHA loan forms.
• •  Faith-based community organizations in New Jersey and New York can apply for FHA loans and assistance by contacting a state FHA office.