Last month, the Obama administration launched a program to help homeowners with loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration. About 850,000 FHA borrowers are behind on their payments or in foreclosure, yet the program will assist just 45,000.

The effort targets homeowners who were ineligible for the government’s other loan modification plans. But the decision not to rescue more FHA homeowners reflects the Obama administration’s need to protect the financial health of the agency, and to set more realistic goals for helping borrowers as its other loan modification programs fall short.

On Friday, the FHA said its financial reserves had sunk below mandatory levels for the first time in its 75-year history. While officials insist the agency won’t require a taxpayer rescue, falling home prices, rising unemployment and shady lenders continue to drive up default rates.

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