On May 11, 2009, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan released an announcement advising that the revised "required use" definition will be withdrawn from the final RESPA rules. After a thorough review of more than 1,200 public comments, HUD will propose a new "required use" definition to help consumers shop effectively and safely for homes and mortgages, free from the influence of disingenuous discounts and incentives that steer consumers to the use of affiliated businesses. In the interim, HUD's existing 'required use' definition will remain in effect. For more information, please refer to the announcement here and here.
