Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac channel billions of dollars into the housing market by buying mortgages and guaranteeing mortgage-backed securities. Because these two institutions are perceived as government-supported, they are able to borrow in the credit markets at a much lower rate than others and provide lower rates of interest on qualifying residential mortgages. These lower rates are said to increase homeownership, and this conference will examine the effect of these mortgage interest rate reductions. In the first panel discussion, researchers will discuss their analysis of how changes in mortgage rates affect homeownership. The second panel will examine the degree to which Fannie and Freddie lower mortgage rates.