www.hudclips.org 


U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Washington, D.C. 20410-8000

 
March 23, 1995
 
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY
FOR HOUSING-FEDERAL HOUSING COMMISSIONER
 
MORTGAGEE LETTER 95-13
 
     TO:  ALL APPROVED MORTGAGEES
 
     SUBJECT:  FHAnet Electronic Conferencing
 
                The Department recently introduced an on-line electronic
        conference on the Internet to enhance its single family program
        development efforts.  The electronic conference, known as FHAnet,
        serves as a forum where FHA managers, mortgage lenders, and other
        interested parties can discuss topics related to FHA's single family
        loan origination process on an ongoing basis.  The feedback that FHA
        receives through FHAnet will also help it develop programs and revise
        procedures to meet its customers' needs.
 
                FHAnet offers an unlimited number of topics for discussions.
        Topics can be entered by FHA staff, lenders, or any other interested
        parties.  Participants may respond to and make comments or ask and
        answer questions on a variety of topics.
 
          Topics that have been discussed on FHAnet so far include:
 
                o    Reducing paperwork on FHA mortgages
                o    Revised flood insurance requirements
                o    FHA's Revised Underwriting Standards
                o    Housing Opportunities for Low/Moderate Income Families
 
             FHAnet is an enhancement to existing communication channels and
        is not intended to be a place for resolving specific case-level
        problems.  Specific problems will continue to be handled by the local
        offices.
 
             Access to FHAnet is via personal computer and modem.  FHAnet is
        one of several open electronic conferences on the Meta Network, which
        is maintained by the Metasystems Design Group, Inc.  Individuals
        wishing to participate in FHAnet subscribe to the Meta Network by
        contacting Metasystems directly.  Metasystems charges a nominal
        monthly fee for access to the Meta Network that includes unlimited
        connect time and access to the Internet.
 
                                           2
 
                To subscribe to the Meta Network, contact Frank Burns,
        Metasystems Design Group, Inc., 2000 North 15th Street, Suite 103,
        Arlington, Virginia 22201.  The telephone number is (703) 243-6622;
        facsimile number is (703) 841-9798.
 
             The FHA CLAS 7.0B release of ECHO software, distributed by United
        Communications, incorporates FHAnet access scripts as one of its menu
        options.  To order ECHO or to receive technical assistance with ECHO
        software, call United Communications at (800) 929-4824, Ext. 500.
 
                For further information regarding FHAnet, contact Karen Lee,
        FHAnet Coordinator, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
        451 7th Street S.W., Room 2251, Washington, DC 20410.  The telephone
        number is (202) 708-1693; facsimile number is (202) 708-1258.
 
Sincerely yours,
 

Nicolas P. Retsinas
Assistant Secretary for Housing-
Federal Housing Commissioner
 
                     *U.S. Government Printing Office: 1995 - 387-734/20056