Understanding Policy Options for the Mortgage Crisis

For many people, getting their heads around all the information regarding the current situation in the sub-prime mortgage industry has been an ordeal.  Talking heads on television throw around numbers seemingly pulled from the air, others show the harsher side of failed loans and the families who have to leave behind their homes, and above it all stand politicians with myriad solutions and bills to what is a tough problem with few
nice" solutions. 

FreedomWorks organized an educational event on the Hill with policymakers to provide them with the information they need to make good decisions.  Banking and finance legislative staff were invited to the lunch and lecture featuring Dr. Todd Sinai, of the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Sinai, a nationally known expert on real estate economics and housing bubbles, recently published a detailed study, “Mortgage Intervention Programs Distribute Costs Unfairly.” 

27 Hill staffers showed up to listen to Dr. Sinai unpack the study as he discussed the current mortgage market and potential impacts of sub-prime mortgage relief programs, demonstrating the inequities that abounded.  Some staffers showed up armed with information ready for discussion, and after the lecture questions flowed.  FreedomWorks Foundation hopes that armed with this study and the information imparted by Dr. Sinai, these staff members will be able to educate their bosses on this important issue.