Shelter from the Storm

“A powerful story of maintaining principle in the face of tremendous pressure. A critical lesson for future crises and a must-read for students of government and finance.”–Ben Carson, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development, pioneering neurosurgeon, and author of Gifted Hands“Crisis tests character and conviction in this lesson on facing down big government bailouts and building a more resilient housing finance system. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Mark Calabria was a steady force for fiscally responsible decisionmaking, even as the mortgage industry clamored for special treatment. Thanks to his leadership, we have a stronger financial system and a firmer commitment to free enterprise than we otherwise would.”–Sen. Pat Toomey, former ranking member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs“Dr. Calabria is one of the world’s foremost policy experts on mortgage finance. We were fortunate to have him at the helm to guide the mortgage market safely through the pandemic.”–Sen. Richard C. Shelby, former chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs“Mark Calabria led the charge to protect taxpayers and reform our housing finance system.”–Mike Pence, Vice President“This first-hand account of life as a federal regulator during a crisis details how Mark navigated difficult policy choices, politics, and institutions while trying to stay true to one’s core beliefs. It is a must-read for anyone interested in regulation, policy, or politics.”–Aaron Klein, Brookings Institution

Mark Calabria is a senior advisor to the Cato Institute and the cofounder of Cato’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives. He is the former director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates and supervises Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks. Calabria lives in Washington, DC.