Purchases by mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for low-income, single-family homes will be targeted at 24 percent of the companies’ business through 2017, the FHFA said Wednesday.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has announced the adoption of a final rule establishing the housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for both single-family and multifamily housing for the years 2015 through 2017.

Goals that would push the Federal Housing Finance Agency chief Mel Watt’s intention to broaden access to housing credit has been released for the two government-controlled firms for 2015-2017. The goal for home purchases in low-income areas will rise from 11 percent to 14 percent, and the goal for refinances by low-income families would rise from 20 percent to 21 percent.

Boosting support for low-income borrowers, however, could stir controversy in the U.S. Congress. Many Republican lawmakers think Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac contributed to the housing bubble and 2007-2009 financial crisis with policies aimed at supporting mortgage access for the poor. “The multifamily goals will create rental opportunities for those who need affordable housing”. “Together, these goals establish a solid foundation for affordable and sustainable homeownership and rental opportunities in this country”, Watt continued.

The FHFA’s announcement brought a negative reaction from National Community Reinvestment Coalition President and CEO John Taylor.

In October of 2014, NCRC sent a comment letter to FHFA calling upon the agency to set a low-income purchase goal target of at least 28%. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have enormous potential to lead the market on access to credit for low- and moderate-income families, and truly make a positive difference.