President-elect Donald Trump has nominated a key appointee who would help steer his administration’s housing policy.
Flickr/Trump White House/Shealah Craighead
Trump announced Thursday that Bill Pulte is his pick for the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.In that capacity, Pulte will guide policy surrounding mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which the administration is expected to try and remove from conservatorship.Pulte founded private equity firm Pulte Capital Partners in 2011 and is a philanthropist who has used social media to raise money. He is the grandson of real estate magnate William Pulte, the founder of publicly traded homebuilding construction and development company PulteGroup. “Bill needs no formal introduction to the Great Citizens of our Country, because they have seen, and many have experienced, his philanthropy firsthand,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He believes in the incredible potential of our Nation, and will help us restore the American Dream FOR ALL.”Pulte responded on X: “Thank you Mr. President. You are the greatest President in history, and under your leadership, we will restore the American Dream FOR ALL!”The question of removing Fannie and Freddie from conservatorship after 16 years is reportedly on the incoming Trump administration’s docket. The government-sponsored enterprises created in 1938 and 1970, respectively, came under government oversight after the Great Financial Crisis of 2008. Under the conservatorship, the government regulates Fannie and Freddie and ensures their mortgage-backed securities will never default.“That’s a key appointment, and we will be working closely with FHFA on all kinds of matters, but that’s a key one as to how and when the GSEs might be released from conservatorship,” Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO Bob Broeksmit told Bisnow. Broeksmit expects the issue of releasing Fannie and Freddie from conservatorship will be on Trump’s agenda during his term.“We agree that the conservatorship is not meant to be permanent, and we’re more than 16 years into the mission,” he said.If confirmed, Pulte would replace FHFA Director Sandra Thompson, who plans to retire before Trump’s Inauguration on Monday, The Real Deal reported. Thompson has served as director since the beginning of President Joe Biden’s administration.Ryan Wangman contributed to this story.
