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Scaling Rent Reporting Through the Freddie Mac Credit Building Initiative
In late 2021, Esusu and Freddie Mac Multifamily launched a rent reporting initiative to put powerful financial tools in the hands of renters nationwide. What began as a targeted effort has grown into a large-scale program that is reshaping access to credit for renters across the country.
Today, more than 184,000 units across hundreds of Freddie Mac-financed properties are reporting rent payments through Esusu. Renters in these homes can have their on-time payments reported to the three major credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - turning their largest monthly expense into a tool for building credit and long-term financial resilience.
Many residents participating in the initiative did not have a credit score when the program began. Now, 27,393 renters have established a credit score for the first time. Among residents who saw their credit scores increase through rent reporting, the average gain was 46 points over the course of the initiative.
As the program continues to expand, these numbers grow too. But the most important impact is what those new and improved credit scores make possible in renters’ lives.
New Credit Lines and New Opportunities
The ultimate goal of building credit is better access to affordable, mainstream financial products that support wealth-building - things like:
- Credit cards with fair terms;
- Auto loans at reasonable rates;
- Student loans and personal loans from traditional lenders;
- Mortgages that can open the door to homeownership.
Through the Freddie Mac initiative with Esusu, 102,089 renters have established a new line of credit using their strengthened credit profiles. Instead of relying on high-cost, predatory options, these renters are gaining pathways into traditional, lower-cost credit that can support long-term financial mobility.
How Renters Are Using Their New Access to Credit
One of the most valuable and common types of new credit we see renters using is auto loans, with more than 16,900 car loans granted to renters with new or improved credit. For many low- to moderate-income (LMI) households, access to a reliable car can be transformational.
Why car loans matter so much:
- Getting to work: The majority of U.S. workers commute by car, whether driving alone or carpooling. For many LMI workers, remote work is not an option, so having a vehicle can be the difference between holding a job and losing one;
- Accessing better jobs: Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago shows that when people without cars receive subsidized vehicles, most are able to find better jobs or increase their earnings;
- Improving everyday life: Cars can make it easier to reach higher-paying employment opportunities, access healthy and affordable food, support family responsibilities, and connect to education or training.
When rent reporting helps renters qualify for auto loans on reasonable terms, the impact extends far beyond a credit score. It shows up in paychecks, family stability, and long-term opportunity.
What’s Next for the Freddie Mac and Esusu Partnership
Because the initiative has delivered strong results for both renters and property owners, Freddie Mac Multifamily has expanded access to rent reporting incentives.
Eligible Freddie Mac borrowers can now access Esusu’s rent reporting services at no cost for up to two years, including:
- Positive-only rent reporting to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion;
- Access to rent relief support through programs like the Stable Home Fund;
- Comprehensive social impact reporting through the Esusu Dashboard, which can help owners and operators support their ESG strategies and investor communications.
Borrowers interested in participating in the Freddie Mac Credit Building Initiative can:
- Visit the Esusu + Freddie Mac program page to learn more;
- Contact Esusu directly at FRE@esusu.org to discuss eligibility and next steps;
- Explore case studies and impact summaries that show how rent reporting is helping residents build credit and how it supports stronger, more resilient portfolios.
As more properties enroll and more renters opt into rent reporting, Esusu and Freddie Mac are working together to bring the benefits of credit-building to households that have historically been excluded from the financial system.
2026 UPDATE: Our partnership with Freddie Mac has ended. Discover our active current homeownership partnerships via our resources page.