This site is devoted to educating consumers about the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage program. The FHA operates as a part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is the largest insurer of mortgages in the world. Since its inception in 1934, FHA loans have provided home mortgage financing on over 34 million properties. FHA remains the only viable option for many Americans seeking to purchase or refinance a home who would not qualify under conventional agency programs.