The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced a plan to eliminate the organization's privately funded down-payment assistance program for loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration because research reveals that homeowners receiving down-payment aid are more likely to default on mortgage loans. HUD's decision has sparked opposition from politicians, special interest groups, and nonprofit organizations that provide down-payment assistance. Two of the nonprofits, The Nehemiah Corp. of America and AmeriDream, filed lawsuits on Monday challenging HUD's ruling. More