More and more people are repaying their loans using an income-driven student loan repayment plan (IBR, PAYE, REPAYE, etc).
Fannie Mae, FHA, and USDA will not accept IBR payments when calculating debt-to-income ratios for mortgage qualification. In most cases, lenders calculate 1% of the total balance (about the standard 10-year repayment amount) as the monthly debt, in keeping with the rules of these agencies.
Many working professionals, including those participating in the public service loan forgiveness program, cannot get a mortgage as a consequence.
Housing prices and education costs keep rising. The middle class keeps shrinking.
IBR payments should be accepted, since this is a valid form of repayment. Many more people will qualify for a mortgage if these rules are changed.