The Trump administration has implemented a new housing policy that allows Americans to use on-time rent payments as part of mortgage qualification, a change expected to widen access to homeownership across the country.
On Tuesday, July 8th, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte announced the directive on social media, stating that mortgage lenders will now be able to factor rental payment history into credit evaluations. The change marks a shift from the traditional credit-scoring approach, which typically considers only credit cards and loans, to one that also considers other types of credit.
The update also permits the use of VantageScore 4.0, a credit scoring model that incorporates rent and utility payments and does not require recent credit activity or a six-month credit history. The company behind the model estimates that the adjustment could positively affect around five million potential homebuyers.
Pulte pointed out the logic behind the policy by stating that “someone can have a history of $2200 a month for rent” yet still be denied the chance to buy a home for $1750 a month, calling the situation “absurd.”
Overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored enterprises that back the majority of U.S. home mortgages, Pulte emphasized that allowing lenders to use VantageScore 4.0 is meant to increase competition in the credit score ecosystem and aligns with President Trump’s mandate to lower costs.
The policy has drawn praise from conservative lawmakers and political figures. Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna described the change as “incredible news, not just for Pinellas County but the entire country.” She emphasized its benefits for Generation Z. Commenting online, Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz called it a “game changer” for younger buyers. At the same time, conservative activist Robby Starbuck referred to the development as “extremely cool for young people.”
The FHFA’s decision reflects a broader effort by the Trump administration to reform the housing finance system and address barriers to homeownership, particularly for younger Americans and those with limited traditional credit histories.
