What organization was designed to help Americans retain their homes with guaranteed mortgages?

The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) was established in 1934 during the Great Depression to address the housing crisis and to help stabilize the mortgage market. Its main purpose was to provide government insurance for mortgages, which allowed individuals and families to borrow money to purchase homes with less stringent criteria than traditional loans. By guaranteeing a portion of the loan, the FHA reduced the risk for lenders, encouraging them to provide mortgages to a broader segment of the population. This initiative ultimately helped many Americans secure housing and retain their homes during a time of economic uncertainty.

The other options represent different types of organizations or legislation. The Homestead Act, for example, was designed to promote westward expansion by granting land to settlers, not specifically related to mortgage guarantees. The Social Security Administration focuses on retirement and disability benefits, not home financing. The Congress of Industrial Organizations is a labor union that worked to improve workers' rights and conditions, which doesn’t pertain to the housing market or mortgage protections.