Access to Information

24 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart F
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

24 C.F.R. § 81.71 General.

This subpart: (a) Provides for the establishment of a public-use database to make available to the public mortgage data that the GSEs submit to the Secretary under subsection 309(m) of the Fannie Mae Charter Act and subsection 307(e) of the Freddie Mac Act, and AHAR information that the GSEs submit to the Secretary in the AHAR under subsection 309(n) of the Fannie Mae Charter Act and subsection 307(f) of the Freddie Mac Act; (b) Establishes mechanisms for the GSEs to designate mortgage data or AHAR information as proprietary information and for the Secretary to determine whether such mortgage data or AHAR information is proprietary information which should be withheld from disclosure; (c) Addresses the availability of HUD procedures to protect from public disclosure proprietary information and other types of confidential business information submitted by or relating to the GSEs; (d) Addresses protections from disclosure when there is a request from Congress for information and sets forth protections for treatment of data or information submitted by or relating to the GSEs by HUD officers, employees, and contractors; and (e) Provides that data or information submitted by or relating to the GSEs that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy shall not be disclosed to the public.

24 C.F.R. § 81.72 Public-use database and public information.

(a) General. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the Secretary shall establish and make available for public use, a public-use database containing public data as defined in § 81.2. (b) Examination of submissions. Following receipt of mortgage data and AHAR information from the GSEs, the Secretary shall, as expeditiously as possible, examine the submissions for mortgage data and AHAR information that: (1) Has been deemed to be proprietary information under this part by a temporary order, final order, or regulation in effect at the time of submission; (2) Has been designated as proprietary information by the GSE in accordance with § 81.73; (3) Would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy if such data or information were released to the public; or (4) Is required to be withheld or, in the determination of the Secretary, is not appropriate for public disclosure under other applicable laws and regulations, including the Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. 1905) and Executive Order 12600. (c) Public data and proprietary data. The Secretary shall place public data in the public-use database. The Secretary shall exclude from the public-use database and from public disclosure: (1) All mortgage data and AHAR information within the scope of paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(3), and (b)(4) of this section; (2) Any other mortgage data and AHAR information under (b)(2) when determined by the Secretary under § 81.74 to be proprietary information; and (3) Mortgage data that is not year-end data. (d) Access. The Secretary shall provide such means as the Secretary determines are reasonable for the public to gain access to the public-use database. To obtain access to the public-use database, the public should contact the Director, Office of Government-Sponsored Enterprises, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20410, telephone (202) 708-2224 (this is not a toll-free number). (e) Fees. The Secretary may charge reasonable fees to cover the cost of providing access to the public-use database. These fees will include the costs of system access, computer use, copying fees, and other costs.

24 C.F.R. § 81.73 GSE request for proprietary treatment.

(a) General. A GSE may request proprietary treatment of any mortgage data or AHAR information that the GSE submits to the Secretary. Such a request does not affect the GSE's responsibility to provide data or information required by the Secretary. Where the Secretary grants a request for proprietary treatment, HUD will not include the data or information in the public-use database or publicly disclose the data or information, except as otherwise provided in accordance with this subpart. (b) Request for proprietary treatment of mortgage data and AHAR information. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, a GSE requesting proprietary treatment of mortgage data or AHAR information shall: (1) Clearly designate those portions of the mortgage data or AHAR information to be treated as proprietary, with a prominent stamp, typed legend, or other suitable form of notice, stating “Proprietary Information—Confidential Treatment Requested by [name of GSE]” on each page or portion of page to which the request applies. If such marking is impractical, the GSE shall attach to the mortgage data or information for which confidential treatment is requested a cover sheet prominently marked “Proprietary Information—Confidential Treatment Requested by [name of GSE];” (2) Accompany its request with a certification by an officer or authorized representative of the GSE that the mortgage data or information is proprietary; and (3) Submit any additional statements in support of proprietary designation that the GSE chooses to provide. (c) Alternative procedure available for mortgage data or AHAR information subject to a temporary order, final order, or regulation in effect. When the request for proprietary treatment pertains to mortgage data or AHAR information that has been deemed proprietary by the Secretary under a temporary order, final order, or regulation in effect, the GSE may reference such temporary order, final order, or regulation in lieu of complying with paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this section. (d) Nondisclosure during pendency. Except as may otherwise be required by law, during the time any Request for Proprietary Treatment under § 81.73 is pending determination by the Secretary, the data or information submitted by the GSE that is the subject of the request shall not be disclosed to, or be subject to examination by, the public or any person or representative of any person or agency outside of HUD.

24 C.F.R. § 81.74 Secretarial determination on GSE request.

(a) General. The Secretary shall review all Requests for Proprietary Treatment from the GSEs, along with any other information that the Secretary may elicit from other sources regarding the Request. (b) Factors for proprietary treatment. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, in making the determination of whether to accord proprietary treatment to mortgage data or AHAR information, the Secretary's considerations shall include, but are not limited to: (1) The type of data or information involved and the nature of the adverse consequences to the GSE, financial or otherwise, that would result from disclosure, including any adverse effect on the GSE's competitive position; (2) The existence and applicability of any prior determinations by HUD, any other Federal agency, or a court, concerning similar data or information; (3) The measures taken by the GSE to protect the confidentiality of the mortgage data or AHAR information in question, and similar data or information, before and after its submission to the Secretary; (4) The extent to which the mortgage data or AHAR information is publicly available including whether the data or information is available from other entities, from local government offices or records, including deeds, recorded mortgages, and similar documents, or from publicly available data bases; (5) The difficulty that a competitor, including a seller/servicer, would face in obtaining or compiling the mortgage data or AHAR information; and (6) Such additional facts and legal and other authorities as the Secretary may consider appropriate, including the age of the mortgage data (see 24 CFR 81.75(b)(3)), or the extent to which particular mortgage data or AHAR information, when considered together with other information, could reveal proprietary information. (c) Alternative criterion for mortgage data or AHAR information subject to a temporary order, final order, or regulation in effect. Where the request for proprietary treatment pertains to mortgage data or AHAR information that has been deemed proprietary by the Secretary under a temporary order, final order, or regulation in effect, the Secretary shall grant the request with respect to any mortgage data or AHAR information which comes within the order or regulation. (d) Determination of proprietary treatment. The Secretary shall determine, as expeditiously as possible, whether mortgage data or AHAR information designated as proprietary by a GSE is proprietary information, or whether it is not proprietary and subject to inclusion in the public-use database and public release notwithstanding the GSE's request. (e) Action when according proprietary treatment to mortgage data and AHAR information. (1) When the Secretary determines that mortgage data or AHAR information designated as proprietary by a GSE is proprietary, and the mortgage data or AHAR information is not subject to a temporary order, a final order, or a regulation in effect providing that the mortgage data or AHAR information is not subject to public disclosure, the Secretary shall notify the GSE that the request has been granted. In such cases, the Secretary shall issue either a temporary order, a final order, or a regulation providing that the mortgage data or information is not subject to public disclosure. Such a temporary order, final order, or regulation shall: (i) Document the reasons for the determination; and (ii) Be provided to the GSE, made available to members of the public, and published in the Federal Register, except that any portions of such order or regulation that would reveal the proprietary information shall be withheld from public disclosure. Publications of temporary orders shall invite public comments when feasible. (2) Where the Secretary determines that such mortgage data or information is proprietary, the Secretary shall not make it publicly available, except as otherwise provided in accordance with this subpart. (f) Determination not to accord proprietary treatment to mortgage data and AHAR information or to seek further information. When the Secretary determines that such mortgage data or AHAR information designated as proprietary by a GSE may not be proprietary, that the request may be granted only in part, or that questions exist concerning the request, the following procedure shall apply: (1) The Secretary shall provide the GSE with an opportunity for a meeting with HUD to discuss the matter, for the purpose of gaining additional information concerning the request. (2) Following the meeting, based on the Secretary's review of the mortgage data or AHAR information that is the subject of a request and the GSE's objections, if any, to disclosure of such mortgage data or AHAR information, the Secretary shall make a determination: (i) If the Secretary determines to withhold from the public-use database as proprietary the mortgage data or AHAR information that is the subject of a request, the procedures in paragraph (e) of this section shall apply; or (ii) If the Secretary determines that any mortgage data or AHAR information that is the subject of a request is not proprietary, the Secretary shall provide notice in writing to the GSE of the reasons for this determination, and such notice shall provide that the Secretary shall not release the mortgage data or AHAR information to the public for 10 working days.

24 C.F.R. § 81.75 Proprietary information withheld by order or regulation.

(a) Secretarial determination of proprietary classification. Following a determination by the Secretary that mortgage data or AHAR information are proprietary information under FHEFSSA, the Secretary shall expeditiously issue a temporary order, final order, or regulation withholding the mortgage data or AHAR information from the public-use database and from public disclosure by HUD in accordance with 12 U.S.C. 4546. The Secretary may, from time to time, by regulation or order, issue a list providing that certain mortgage data or AHAR information shall be treated as proprietary information. (b) Modification of proprietary classification—(1) General. The Secretary may, based upon a consideration of the factors in § 81.74(b), modify a previous determination that mortgage data or AHAR information are proprietary information (and may also make conforming changes to the list designating certain mortgage data or AHAR information as proprietary information) by regulation, or by order using the procedures described in paragraph (d) of this section, as applicable. (2) Release of data following a modification of proprietary classification. Following the Secretary's determination under paragraph (b)(1) of this section to modify a previous proprietary determination by reclassifying certain mortgage data as non-proprietary, the Secretary shall release the reclassified, non-proprietary mortgage data to the public both prospectively and for all prior years' public use databases, unless otherwise provided by the Secretary. (3) Release of aged data. The Secretary may determine, through case-by-case consideration of individual data elements under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, that certain mortgage data previously determined to be proprietary may lose their proprietary status if they are at least five years old (as measured from the end of the calendar year to which the mortgage data pertain). The Secretary will evaluate the age of the data as one of the relevant factors that may be considered under 24 CFR 81.74(b)(6). If the Secretary determines that such aged mortgage data have lost their proprietary status, these data shall be released publicly. (c) Release of aggregated data derived from proprietary loan-level data. The Secretary may, based upon a consideration of the factors in § 81.74(b) and using the procedures in paragraph (d) of this section, determine that certain aggregated data derived from proprietary loan-level mortgage data are not proprietary. If the Secretary makes such a determination, then the aggregated data shall be released to the public both prospectively and for all prior years, unless otherwise provided by the Secretary. (d) Procedures. The following procedures apply to the Secretary's issuance of an order in connection with a determination under paragraph (b)(1) or (c) of this section: (1) The Secretary shall provide each GSE with written notice of the mortgage data, AHAR information or aggregated data proposed to be released, and an opportunity to submit written comments. The Secretary may also provide each GSE with an opportunity for a meeting with HUD to discuss the proposed release of mortgage data, AHAR information, or aggregated data; (2) The Secretary shall make a determination regarding the proposed release of the GSE mortgage data, AHAR information, or aggregated data based upon a consideration of the data or information under the standards set forth in 24 CFR 81.74(b) and the GSEs' written and oral objections, if any, to the proposed release of such mortgage data, AHAR information, or aggregated data; (3) The Secretary shall provide notice in writing to each GSE of the Secretary's determination and the reasons under § 81.74(b) for his or her determination. If the Secretary determines that the mortgage data, AHAR information, or aggregated data may be released, the notice will also provide that the Secretary shall not release the mortgage data, AHAR information, or aggregated data to the public for 10 working days; (4) The Secretary shall, no earlier than the end of the ten-working-day period referred to in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, publish an order in the Federal Register notifying the public of the Secretary's determination to release the mortgage data or AHAR information that has been reclassified as non-proprietary and/or to release certain non-proprietary aggregations of data derived from proprietary loan-level mortgage data. The order will also modify the list described in paragraph (a) of this section to reflect the Secretary's reclassification of the mortgage data or AHAR information. The Secretary shall omit from the published order any information that would reveal proprietary information.

24 C.F.R. § 81.76 FOIA requests and protection of GSE information.

(a) General. HUD shall process FOIA requests for information submitted to the Secretary by the GSEs in accordance with: (1) HUD's FOIA and Privacy Act regulations, 24 CFR parts 15 and 16; (2) 12 U.S.C. 4525, 4543, and 4546 and this subpart; and (3) Other applicable statutes, regulations, and guidelines, including the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905, and Executive Order 12600. In responding to requests for data or information submitted by or relating to the GSEs, the Secretary may invoke provisions of these authorities to protect data or information from disclosure. (b) Protection of confidential business information other than mortgage data and AHAR information. When a GSE seeks to protect from disclosure confidential business information, the GSE may seek protection of such confidential business information pursuant to the provisions of HUD's FOIA regulations at 24 CFR part 15, without regard to whether or not it is mortgage data or AHAR information. (c) Processing of FOIA requests—(1) FOIA Exemption (b)(4). HUD will process FOIA requests for confidential business information of the GSEs to which FOIA exemption 4 may apply in accordance with 24 CFR part 15, and the predisclosure notification procedures of Executive Order 12,600. (2) FOIA Exemption (b)(8). Under section 1319F of FHEFSSA, the Secretary may invoke FOIA exemption (b)(8) to withhold from the public any GSE data or information contained in or related to examination, operating, or condition reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of HUD. HUD may make data or information available for the confidential use of other government agencies in their official duties or functions, but all data or information remains the property of HUD and any unauthorized use or disclosure of such data or information may be subject to the penalties of 18 U.S.C. 641. (3) Other FOIA exemptions. Under 24 CFR part 15, the Secretary may invoke other exemptions including, without limitation, exemption (b)(6) (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6)), to protect data and information that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. (d) Protection of information by HUD officers and employees. The Secretary will institute all reasonable safeguards to protect data or information submitted by or relating to either GSE, including, but not limited to, advising all HUD officers and employees having access to data or information submitted by or relating to either GSE of the legal restrictions against unauthorized disclosure of such data or information under the executive branch-wide standards of ethical conduct, 5 CFR part 2635, and the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905. Officers and employees shall be advised of the penalties for unauthorized disclosure, ranging from disciplinary action under 5 CFR part 2635 to criminal prosecution. (e) Protection of information by contractors. (1) In contracts and agreements entered into by HUD where contractors have access to data or information submitted by or relating to either GSE, HUD shall include detailed provisions specifying that: (i) Neither the contractor nor any of its officers, employees, agents, or subcontractors may release data submitted by or relating to either GSE without HUD's authorization; and (ii) Unauthorized disclosure may be a basis for: (A) Terminating the contract for default; (B) Suspending or debarring the contractor; and (C) Criminal prosecution of the contractor, its officers, employees, agents, or subcontractors under the Federal Criminal Code. (2) Contract provisions shall require safeguards against unauthorized disclosure, including training of contractor and subcontractor agents and employees, and provide that the contractor will indemnify and hold HUD harmless against unauthorized disclosure of data or information belonging to the GSEs or HUD.

24 C.F.R. § 81.77 Requests for GSE information on behalf of Congress, the Comptroller General, a subpoena, or other legal process.

(a) General. With respect to information submitted by or relating to the GSEs, nothing in this subpart F may be construed to grant authority to the Secretary under FHEFSSA to withhold any information from or to prohibit the disclosure of any information to the following persons or entities: (1) Either House of Congress or, to the extent of matters within its jurisdiction, any committee or subcommittee thereof, or any joint committee of Congress or subcommittee of any such joint committee; (2) The Comptroller General, or any of the Comptroller General's authorized representatives, in the course of the performance of the duties of the General Accounting Office; (3) A court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to a subpoena; or (4) As otherwise compelled by law. (b) Notice of proprietary or confidential nature of GSE information. (1) In releasing data or information in response to a request as set out in paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary will, where applicable, include a statement with the data or information to the effect that: (i) The GSE regards the data or information as proprietary information and/or confidential business information; (ii) Public disclosure of the data or information may cause competitive harm to the GSE; and (iii) The Secretary has determined that the data or information is proprietary information and/or confidential business information. (2) To the extent practicable, the Secretary will provide notice to the GSE after a request from the persons or entities described in paragraphs (a)(1)-(4) of this section for proprietary information or confidential business information is received and before the data or information is provided in response to the request. (c) Procedures for requests pursuant to subpoena or other legal process. The procedures in 24 CFR 15.71-15.74 shall be followed when a subpoena, order, or other demand of a court or other authority is issued for the production or disclosure of any GSE data or information that: (1) Is contained in HUD's files; (2) Relates to material contained in HUD's files; or (3) Was acquired by any person while such person was an employee of HUD, as a part of the performance of the employee's official duties or because of the employee's official status. (d) Requests pursuant to subpoena or other legal process not served on HUD. If an individual who is not a HUD employee or an entity other than HUD is served with a subpoena, order, or other demand of a court or authority for the production or disclosure of HUD data or information relating to a GSE and such data or information may not be disclosed to the public under this subpart or 24 CFR part 15, such individual or entity shall comply with 24 CFR 15.71-15.74 as if the individual or entity is a HUD employee, including immediately notifying HUD in accordance with the procedures set forth in 24 CFR 15.73(a). (e) Reservation of additional actions. Nothing in this section precludes further action by the Secretary, in his or her discretion, to protect data or information submitted by a GSE from unwarranted disclosure in appropriate circumstances.

Starting a business? Corpus forms LLCs in all 50 states and DC.