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The Trump administration announced July 8 that Americans can now count on-time rent payments toward mortgage approval — a move expected to expand access to homeownership.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte announced the change on X, writing: “My ORDER today (thanks to my boss, POTUS) will allow for Americans to use their RENT to qualify for a mortgage.”
“Credit history will no longer just include credit cards and loans,” Pulte added. “This is HUGE.”
The new directive allows mortgage lenders to include rental payment history in credit evaluations.
“It’s absurd that someone can have a history of $2200 a month for rent,” Pulte said on X, “but they want to buy a home for $1750 a month and can’t.”
Pulte also announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will now accept the VantageScore 4.0 model, calling the move a way “to increase competition to the Credit Score Ecosystem” and stay “consistent with President Trump’s landslide mandate to lower costs.”
According to VantageScore, the updated model removes requirements for recent credit activity and a six-month credit history. The company estimates the change could benefit five million people.
Supporters on social media praised the change as a major boost for younger homebuyers.
“Game changer for younger millennials and Gen Zers who are looking to purchase a home,” Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz wrote on X.
Conservative activist Robby Starbuck replied, “Extremely cool for young people.”
