Administration seeks Fannie, Freddie ideas starting April 15

The Obama administration will seek public comment starting April 15 on how to remake the nation's housing finance system and mortgage-giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The future of housing finance is the next contentious debate after Congress weighs financial regulatory reforms, now under consideration in the Senate. The administration was expected early this year to unveil a plan for the future of Fannie and Freddie. The administration delayed changes to Fannie and Freddie, while Republicans have criticized the move.

The Treasury Department and Department of Housing and Urban Development will seek public comment and recommendations on:

- priorities for government housing policy;

- the government's role in housing finance;

- characteristics of mortgage products for consumers;

- best practices for consumer protections; and,

- the most effective design for a housing finance system