HOUSING ACT OF 1949 (Section 2 and Title V)
Public Law 171, as amended
63 Stat. 432, as amended
HOUSING ACT OF 1949 (Section 2 and Title V)
ch338
118–42
Statute Compilation
United States House of Representatives
Office of the Legislative Counsel
text/xml
EN
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Housing Act of 1949
Doug Bereuter Section 502 Single Family Housing Loan Guarantee Act
10349
81
1950-05-10
HOUSING ACT OF 1949 (Section 2 and Title V)
[Public Law 171, Chapter 338, 81st Cong.; 63 Stat. 432; 42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.]
[As Amended Through P.L. 118–42, Enacted March 9, 2024]
[Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of chapter 338 of the 81st Congress. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/]
[Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]
* * * * * * *

declaration of national housing policy
Sec. 2.
[42 U.S.C. 1441]
The Congress hereby declares that the general welfare and security of the Nation and the health and living standards of its people require housing production and related community development sufficient to remedy the serious housing shortage, the elimination of substandard and other inadequate housing through the clearance of slums and blighted areas, and the realization as soon as feasible of the goal of a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family, thus contributing to the development and redevelopment of communities and to the advancement of the growth, wealth, and security of the Nation. The Congress further declares that such production is necessary to enable the housing industry to make its full contribution toward an economy of maximum employment, production, and purchasing power. The policy to be followed in attaining the national housing objective hereby established shall be: (1) private enterprise shall be encouraged to serve as large a part of the total need as it can; (2) governmental assistance shall be utilized where feasible to enable private enterprise to serve more of the total need; (3) appropriate local public bodies shall be encouraged and assisted to undertake positive programs of encouraging and assisting the development of well-planned, integrated residential neighborhoods, the development and redevelopment of communities, and the production, at lower costs, of housing of sound standards of design, construction, livability, and size for adequate family life; (4) governmental assistance to eliminate substandard and other inadequate housing through the clearance of slums and blighted areas, to facilitate community development and redevelopment, and to provide adequate housing for urban and rural nonfarm families with incomes so low that they are not being decently housed in new or existing housing shall be extended to those localities which estimate their own needs and demonstrate that these needs are not being met through reliance solely upon private enterprise, and without such aid; and (5) governmental assistance for decent, safe, and sanitary farm dwellings and related facilities shall be extended where the farmowner demonstrates that he lacks sufficient resources to provide such housing on his own account and is unable to secure necessary credit for such housing from other sources on terms and conditions which he could reasonably be expected to fulfill. The Department of Housing and Urban Development and any other departments or agencies of the Federal Government having powers, functions, or duties with respect to housing, shall exercise their powers, functions or duties under this or any other law, consistently with the national housing policy declared by this Act and in such manner as will facilitate sustained progress in attaining the national housing objective hereby established, and in such manner as will encourage and assist (1) the production of housing of sound standards of design, construction, livability, and size for adequate family life; (2) the reduction of the costs of housing without sacrifice of such sound standards; (3) the use of new designs, materials, techniques, and methods in residential construction, the use of standardized dimensions and methods of assembly of homebuilding materials and equipment, and the increase of efficiency in residential construction and maintenance; (4) the development of well-planned, integrated, residential neighborhoods and the development and redevelopment of communities; and (5) the stabilization of the housing industry at a high annual volume of residential construction.
* * * * * * *
TITLE V—

FARM HOUSING

financial assistance by the secretary of agriculture
Sec. 501.
[42 U.S.C. 1471]
(a)
The Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter referred to as the “Secretary”) is authorized, subject to the terms and conditions of this title, to extend financial assistance, through the Farmers Home Administration,1 (1) to owners of farms in the United States and in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the territories and possessions of the United States, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, to enable them to construct, improve, alter, repair, or replace dwellings and other farm buildings on their farms, and to purchase buildings and land constituting a minimum adequate site, in order to provide them, their tenants, lessees, sharecroppers, and laborers with decent, safe and sanitary living conditions and adequate farm buildings as specified in this title, and (2) to owners of other real estate in rural areas for the construction, improvement, alteration, or repair of dwellings, related facilities, and farm buildings, and to rural residents, including persons who reside in reservations or villages of Indian tribes, for such purposes and for the purchase of buildings and the purchase of land constituting a minimum adequate site, in order to enable them to provide dwellings and related facilities for their own use and buildings adequate for their farming operations, and (3) to elderly or handicapped persons or families who are or will be the owners of land in rural areas for the construction, improvement, alteration, or repair of dwellings and related facilities, the purchase of dwellings and related facilities and the purchase of land constituting a minimum adequate site, in order to provide them with adequate dwellings and related facilities for their own use and (4) to an owner described in clause (1), (2), or (3) for refinancing indebtedness which—
^1
Pursuant to the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (title II of Public Law 103–354) the Farmers Home Administration has been abolished. The Rural Housing Service now has responsibility for housing loan programs formerly administered by the FmHA, community service loans programs, and other rural housing and community development programs. See 59 Fed. Reg. 66517 (December 27, 1994) and 61 Fed. Reg. 2899 (January 30, 1996).
(A)
was incurred for an eligible purpose described in such clause, and
(B)
(i)
if not refinanced, is likely to result (because of circumstances beyond the control of the applicant) at an early date in the loss of the applicant's necessary dwelling or essential farm service buildings, or
(ii)
if combined (in the case of a dwelling that the Secretary finds not to be decent, safe, and sanitary) with a loan for improvement, rehabilitation, or repairs and not refinanced, is likely to result in the applicant's continuing to be deprived of a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling.
(5)2

Definitions.—
For purposes of this title, the terms “repair”, “repairs”, “rehabilitate”, and “rehabilitation” include measures to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards, as such terms are defined in section 1004 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992.
^2
This paragraph was added by section 1012(m) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, Pub. L. 102–550. It probably should have been added at the end of subsection (b) of this section and designated as paragraph (9).
(b)
(1)
For the purpose of this title, the term “farm” shall mean a parcel or parcels of land operated as a single unit which is used for the production of one or more agricultural commodities and which customarily produces or is capable of producing such commodities for sale and for home use of a gross annual value of not less than the equivalent of gross annual value of $400 in 1944, as determined by the Secretary. The Secretary shall promptly determine whether any parcel or parcels of land constitute a farm for the purposes of this title whenever requested to do so by any interested Federal, State, or local public agency, and his determination shall be conclusive.
(2)
For the purposes of this title, the terms “owner” and “mortgage” shall be deemed to include, respectively, the lessee and other security interest in, any leasehold interest which the Secretary determines has an unexpired term (A) in the case of a loan, for a period sufficiently beyond the repayment period of the loan to provide adequate security and a reasonable probability of accomplishing the objectives for which the loan is made, and (B) in the case of a grant for a period sufficient to accomplish the objectives for which the grant is made.
(3)
For the purposes of this title, the term “elderly or handicapped persons or families” means families which consist of two or more persons, the head of which (of his or her spouse) is at least sixty-two years of age or is handicapped. Such term also means a single person who is at least sixty-two years of age or is handicapped. A person shall be considered handicapped if such person is determined, pursuant to regulations issued by the Secretary, to have an impairment which (A) is expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration, (B) substantially impedes his ability to live independently, and (C) is of such a nature of such ability could be improved by more suitable housing conditions, or if such person has a developmental disability as defined in section 102 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to prevent abuses in determinig, under the definitions contained in this paragraph, eligibility of families and persons for admission to and occupancy of housing constructed wih assistance under this title. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, such term also includes two or more elderly (sixty-two years of age or over) or handicapped persons living together, one or more such persons living with another person who is determined (under regulations prescribed by the Secretary) to be essential to the care or well-being of such persons, and the surviving member or members of any family described in the first sentence of this paragraph who were living, in a unit assisted under this title, with the deceased member of the family at the time of his or her death.
(4)
For the purpose of this title, the terms “low income families or persons” and “very low-income families or persons” means those families and persons whose incomes do not exceed the respective levels established for lower income families and very low-income families under the United States Housing Act of 1937.3 Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the maximum income levels established for purposes of this title for such families and persons in the Virgin Islands shall not be less than the highest such levels established for purposes of this title for such families and persons in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. The temporary absence of a child from the home due to placement in foster care should not be considered in considering family composition and family size.
^3
See section 763 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004, set forth, post, in this part for provisions regarding income limits for isolated rural areas in Alaska.
(5)
(A)
For the purpose of this title, the terms “income” and “adjusted income” have the meanings given by sections 3(b)(4) and 3(b)(5), respectively, of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
(B)4
For purposes of this title, the term “income” does not include dividends received from the Alaska Permanent Fund by a person who was under the age of 18 years when that person qualified for the dividend.
^4
Indented so in law.
(6)
For the purposes of this title, the term “Indian tribe” means any Indian tribe, band, group, and nation, including Alaska Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos, and any Alaskan Native Village, of the United States, which is considered an eligible recipient under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Public Law 93–638) or was considered an eligible recipient under chapter 67 of title 31, United States Code, prior to the repeal of such chapter.
(7)
For the purpose of this title, the term “rural resident” shall include a family or a person who is a renter of a dwelling unit in a rural area.
(8)
For the purposes of this title, the term “adequate dwelling” means a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling unit.
(c)
In order to be eligible for the assistance authorized by paragraph (a), the applicant must show (1) that he is the owner of a farm which is without a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling for himself and his family and necessary resident farm labor, or for the family of the operating tenant, lessee, or sharecropper or without other farm buildings adequate for the type of farming in which he engages or desires to engage or that he is the owner of other real estate in a rural area or a rural resident without an adequate dwelling or related facilities for his own use or buildings adequate for his farming operations, or that the applicant is an elderly or handicapped person or family in a rural area without an adequate dwelling or related facility for its own use or that he is the owner of a farm or other real estate in a rural area who needs refinancing of indebtedness described in clause (4) of subsection (a); (2) that he is without sufficient resources to provide the necessary housing and buildings on his own account; and (3) that he is unable to secure the credit necessary for such housing and buildings from other sources upon terms and conditions which he could reasonably be expected to fulfill. If an applicant is a State or local public agency or Indian tribe—
(A)
the provisions of clause (3) shall not apply to its application; and
(B)
the applicant shall be eligible to participate in any program under this title if the persons or families to be served by the applicant with the assistance being sought would be eligible to participate in such program.
(d)
As used in this title (except in sections 503 and 504(b)), the terms “farm,”“farm dwelling,” and “farm housing” shall include dwellings or other essential buildings of eligible applicants.
(e)
The Secretary shall establish procedures under which borrowers under this title are required to make periodic payments for the purpose of taxes, insurance, and other necessary expenses as the Secretary may deem appropriate. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, such payments shall not be considered public funds. The Secretary shall direct the disbursement of the funds at the appropriate time or times for the purposes for which the funds were escrowed. The Secretary shall pay the same rate of interest on escrowed funds as is required to be paid on escrowed funds held by other lenders in any State where State law requires payment of interest on escrowed funds, subject to appropriations to the extent that additional budget authority is necessary to carry out this sentence. If the prepayments made by the borrower are not sufficient to pay the amount due, advances may be made by the Secretary to pay the costs in full, which advances shall be charged to the account of the borrower, bear interest, and be payable in a timely fashion as determined by the Secretary. The Secretary shall notify a borrower in writing when loan payments are delinquent.
(f)
With respect to any limitation on the amount of any loan which may be made, insured, or guaranteed under this title for the purchase of a dwelling unit, the Secretary may increase such amount by up to 20 percent if such increase is necessary to account for the increased cost of the dwelling unit due to the installation of a solar energy system (as defined in subparagraph (3) of the last paragraph of section 2(a) of the National Housing Act) therein.
(g)
The programs authorized by this title shall be carried out, consistent with program goals and objectives so that the involuntary displacement of families and businesses is avoided.
(h)
The Secretary may not restrict the availability of assistance under this title for any alien for whom assistance may not be restrictedunder section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980.
(i)
For the purposes of this title, the term “development cost” shall include the packaging of loan and grant applications and actions related thereto by public and private nonprofit organizations tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(j)

Program Transfers.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not transfer any program authorized by this title to the Rural Development Administration.

loans for housing and buildings on adequate farms
Sec. 502.
[42 U.S.C. 1472]
(a)
(1)
If the Secretary determines that an applicant is eligible for assistance as provided in section 501 and that the applicant has the ability to repay in full the sum to be loaned, with interest giving due consideration to the income and earnings capacity of the applicant and his family from the farm and other sources, and the maintenance of a reasonable standard of living for the owner and the occupants of said farm, a loan may be made by the Secretary to said applicant for a period of not to exceed thirty-three years from the making of the loan with interest. The Secretary may accept the personal liability of any person with adequate repayment ability who will cosign the applicant's note to compensate for any deficiency in the applicant's repayment ability. At the borrower's option, the borrower may prepay to the Secretary as escrow agent, on terms and conditions prescribed by him, such taxes, insurance, and other expenses as the Secretary may require in accordance with section 501(e).
(2)
The Secretary may extend the period of any loan made under this section if the Secretary determines that such extension is necessary to permit the making of such loan to any person whose income does not exceed 60 per centum of the median income for the area and who would otherwise be denied such loan because the payments required under a shorter period would exceed the financial capacity of such person. The aggregate period for which any loan may be extended under this paragraph may not exceed 5 years.
(3)
(A)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a loan may be made under this section for the purchase of a dwelling located on land owned by a community land trust, if the borrower and the loan otherwise meet the requirements applicable to loans under this section.
(B)
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “community land trust” means a community housing development organization as such term is defined in section 104 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (except that the requirements under section 104(6)(C) and section 104(6)(D) shall not apply for purposes of this paragraph)—
(i)
that is not sponsored by a for-profit organization;
(ii)
that is established to carry out the activities under clause (iii);
(iii)
that—
(I)
acquires parcels of land, held in perpetuity, primarily for conveyance under long-term ground leases;
(II)
transfers ownership of any structural improvements located on such leased parcels to the lessees; and
(III)
retains a preemptive option to purchase any such structural improvement at a price determined by formula that is designed to ensure that the improvement remains affordable to low- and moderate-income families in perpetuity; and
(iv)
that has its corporate membership open to any adult resident of a particular geographic area specified in the bylaws of the organization.
(b)
The instruments under which the loan is made and the security given shall—
(1)
provide for security upon the applicant's equity in the farm or such other security or collateral, if any, as may be found necessary by the Secretary reasonably to assure repayment of the indebtedness;
(2)
provide for the repayment of principal and interest in accordance with schedules and repayment plans prescribed by the Secretary, except that any prepayment of a loan made or insured under section 514 or 515 shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (c);
(3)
except for guaranteed loans, contain the agreement of the borrower that he will, at the request of the Secretary, proceed with diligence to refinance the balance of the indebtedness through cooperative or other responsible private credit sources whenever the Secretary determines, in the light of the borrower's circumstances, including his earning capacity and the income from the farm, that he is able to do so upon reasonable terms and conditions;5
^5
So in law.
(4)
be in such form and contain such covenants as the Secretary shall prescribe to secure the payment of the loan with interest, protect the security, and assure that the farm will be maintained in repair and that waste and exhaustion of the farm will be prevented.
(c)
(1)
(A)
The Secretary may not accept an offer to prepay, or request refinancing in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of, any loan made or insured under section 514 or 515 of this title pursuant to a contract entered into after December 21, 1979, but before the date of the enactment of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989,6 unless the Secretary takes appropriate action which will obligate the borrower (and successors in interest thereof) to utilize the assisted housing and related facilities for the purposes specified in section 514 or 515, as the case may be, for a period of—
^6
December 15, 1989.
(i)
fifteen years from the date on which the loan was made in the case of a loan made or insured pursuant to a contract entered into after December 21, 1979, but before the date of the enactment of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989, and6 utilized for housing and related facilities which have not received assistance under section 521 (a)(1)(B), (a)(2), or (5)7 of this title or section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937; or
^7
So in law.
(ii)
twenty years from the date on which the loan was made in the case of any or other such loan;
or until the Secretary determines (prior to the end of such period) that there is no longer a need for such housing and related facilities to be so utilized or that Federal or other financial assistance provided to the residents of such housing will no longer be provided.
(B)
The Secretary may not accept an offer to prepay, or request refinancing in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of, any initial loan made or insured under section 515 pursuant to a contract entered into on or after the date of the enactment of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989.
(2)
If any loan which was made or insured under section 514 or 515 pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the date of enactment of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 19898, is prepaid or refinanced on or after the date of enactment of the Housing and Community Development Act of 19809, and tenants of the housing and related facilities financed with such loan are displaced due to a change in the use of the housing, or to an increase in rental or other charges, as a result of such prepayment or refinancing, the Secretary shall provide such tenants a priority for relocation in alternative housing assisted pursuant to this title.
^8
December 15, 1989.
^9
October 8, 1980.
(3)

Notice of offer to prepay.—
Not less than 30 days after receiving an offer to prepay any loan made or insured under section 514 or 515, the Secretary shall provide written notice of the offer or request to the tenants of the housing and related facilities involved, to interested nonprofit organizations, and to any appropriate State and local agencies.
(4)
(A)

Agreement by borrower to extend low income use.—
Before accepting any offer to prepay, or requesting refinancing in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of, any loan made or insured under section 514 or 515 pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the date of enactment of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 19898, the Secretary shall make reasonable efforts to enter into an agreement with the borrower under which the borrower will make a binding commitment to extend the low income use of the assisted housing and related facilities involved for not less than the 20-year period beginning on the date on which the agreement is executed.
(B)

Assistance available to borrower to extend low income use.—
To the extent of amounts provided in appropriation Acts, the agreement under subparagraph (A) may provide for 1 or more of the following forms of assistance that the Secretary, after taking into account local market conditions, determines to be necessary to extend the low income use of the housing and related facilities involved:
(i)
Increase in the rate of return on investment.
(ii)
Reduction of the interest rate on the loan through the provision of interest credits under section 521(a)(1)(B), or additional assistance or an increase in assistance provided under section 521(a)(5).
(iii)10
Additional rental assistance, or an increase in assistance provided under existing contracts, under section 521(a)(2) or under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
^{10}
Section 599C(e)(2)(A)(iii) of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, title V of Public Law 105–276, approved October 21, 1998, provides that this clause is amended “
by‘
or 521(a)(5)
’after‘
section 521(a)(2)
’
”. The amendment provision probably intended to insert the reference to section 521(a)(5) after the reference to section 521(a)(2).
(iv)
An equity loan to the borrower under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 515(c) or under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 514(j),11 except that an equity loan referred to in this clause may not be made available after the date of the enactment of the Act entitled “An Act making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, and for other purposes”12, unless the Secretary determines that the other incentives available under this subparagraph are not adequate to provide a fair return on the investment of the borrower, to prevent prepayment of the loan insured under section 514 or 515, or to prevent the displacement of tenants of the housing for which the loan was made.
^{11}
So in law. Section 514(j) does not contain paragraphs.
^{12}
August 6, 1996.
(v)
Incremental rental assistance in connection with loans under clauses (ii) and (iv) to the extent necessary to avoid increases in the rental payments of current tenants not receiving rental assistance under section 521(a)(2) or under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, or current tenants of projects not assisted under section 521(a)(5).
(vi)13
In the case of a project that has received rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, permitting the owner to receive rent in excess of the amount determined necessary by the Secretary to defray the cost of long-term repair or maintenance of such a project.
^{13}
Indented so in law.
(C)

Approval of assistance.—
The Secretary may approve assistance under subparagraph (B) for assisted housing only if the restrictive period has expired for any loan for the housing made or insured under section 514 or 515 pursuant to a contract entered into after December 21, 1979, but before the date of the enactment of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 198914, and the Secretary determines that the combination of assistance provided—
^{14}
December 15, 1989.
(i)
is necessary to provide a fair return on the investment of the borrower; and
(ii)
is the least costly alternative for the Federal Govern- ment that is consistent with carrying out the purposes of this subsection.
(5)
(A)

Offer to sell to nonprofit organizations and public agencies.—
(i)

In general.—
If the Secretary determines after a reasonable period that an agreement will not be entered into with a borrower under paragraph (4), the Secretary shall require the borrower (except as provided in subparagraph (G)) to offer to sell the assisted housing and related facilities involved to any qualified nonprofit organization or public agency at a fair market value determined by 2 independent appraisers, one of whom shall be selected by the Secretary and one of whom shall be selected by the borrower. If the 2 appraisers fail to agree on the fair market value, the Secretary and the borrower shall jointly select a third appraiser, whose appraisal shall be binding on the Secretary and the borrower.
(ii)

Period for which requirement applicable.—
If, upon the expiration of 180 days after an offer is made to sell housing and related facilities under clause (i), no qualified nonprofit organization or public agency has made a bona fide offer to purchase, the Secretary may accept the offer to prepay, or may request refinancing in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of, the loan. This clause shall apply only when funds are available for purposes of carrying out a transfer under this paragraph.
(B)

Qualified nonprofit organizations and public agencies.—
(i)

Local nonprofit organization or public agency.—
A local nonprofit organization or public agency may purchase housing and related facilities under this paragraph only if—
(I)
the organization or agency is determined by the Secretary to be capable of managing the housing and related facilities (either directly or through a contract) for the remaining useful life of the housing and related facilities; and
(II)
the organization or agency has entered into an agreement that obligates it (and successors in interest thereof) to maintain the housing and related facilities as affordable for very low-income families or persons and low income families or persons for the remaining useful life of the housing and related facilities.
(ii)

National or regional nonprofit organization.—
If the Secretary determines that there is no local nonprofit organization or public agency qualified to purchase the housing and related facilities involved, the Secretary shall require the borrower to offer to sell the assisted housing and related facilities to an existing qualified national or regional nonprofit organization.
(iii)

Selection of qualified purchaser.—
The Secretary shall promulgate regulations that establish criteria for selecting a qualified nonprofit organization or public agency to purchase housing and related facilities when more than 1 such organization or agency has made a bona fide offer. Such regulations shall give a priority to those organizations or agencies with the greatest experience in developing or managing low income housing or community development projects and with the longest record of service to the community.
(C)

Financing of sale.—
To facilitate the sale described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall—
(i)
to the extent provided in appropriation Acts, make an advance to the nonprofit organization or public agency whose offer to purchase is accepted under this paragraph to cover any direct costs (other than the purchase price) incurred by the organization or agency in purchasing and assuming responsibility for the housing and related facilities involved;
(ii)
approve the assumption, by the nonprofit organization or public agency involved, of the loan made or insured under section 514 or 515;
(iii)
to the extent provided in appropriation Acts, transfer any rental assistance payments that are received under section 521(a)(2)(A) or under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, or any assistance payments received under section 521(a)(5), with respect to the housing and related facilities involved; and
(iv)
to the extent provided in appropriation Acts, provide a loan under section 515(c)(3) to the nonprofit organization or public agency whose offer to purchase is accepted under this paragraph to enable the organization or agency to purchase the housing and related facilities involved.
(D)

Rent limitation and assistance.—
The Secretary shall, to the extent provided in appropriation Acts, provide to each nonprofit organization or public agency purchasing housing and related facilities under this paragraph financial assistance (in the form of monthly payments or forgiveness of debt) in an amount necessary to ensure that the monthly rent payment made by each low income family or person residing in the housing does not exceed the maximum rent permitted under section 521(a)(2)(A) or, in the case of housing assisted under section 521(a)(5), does not exceed the rents established for the project under such section.
(E)

Restriction on subsequent transfers.—
Except as provided in subparagraph (B)(ii), the Secretary may not approve the transfer of any housing and related facilities purchased under this paragraph during the remaining useful life of the housing and related facilities, unless the Secretary determines that—
(i)
the transfer will further the provision of housing and related facilities for low income families or persons; or
(ii)
there is no longer a need for such housing and related facilities by low income families or persons.
(F)

General restriction on prepayments and refinancings.—
Following the transfer of the maximum number of dwelling units set forth in subparagraph (H)(i) in any fiscal year or the maximum number of dwelling units for which budget authority is available in any fiscal year, the Secretary may not accept in such fiscal year any offer to prepay, or request refinancing in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of, any loan made or insured under section 514 or 515 pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the date of enactment of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 198915, except in accordance with subparagraph (G). The limitation established in this subparagraph shall not apply to an offer to prepay, or request to refinance, if, following the date on which such offer or request is made (or following the date of the enactment of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987,16 whichever occurs later) a 15-month period expires during which no budget authority is available to carry out this paragraph. For purposes of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall allocate budget authority under this paragraph in the order in which offers to prepay, or request to refinance, are made.
^{15}
December 15, 1989
^{16}
February 5, 1988.
(G)

Exception.—
This paragraph shall not apply to any offer to prepay, or any request to refinance in accordance with subsection (b)(3), any loan made or insured under section 514 or 515 pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the date of enactment of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 198915, if—
(i)
the borrower enters into an agreement with the Secretary that obligates the borrower (and successors in interest thereof)—
(I)
to utilize the assisted housing and related facilities for the purposes specified in section 514 or 515, as the case may be, for a period determined by the Secretary (but not less than the period described in paragraph (1)(B) calculated from the date on which the loan is made or insured); and
(II)
upon termination of the period described in paragraph (1)(B), to offer to sell the assisted housing and related facilities to a qualified nonprofit organization or public agency in accordance with this paragraph; or
(ii)
the Secretary determines that housing opportunities of minorities will not be materially affected as a result of the prepayment or refinancing, and that—
(I)
the borrower (and any successor in interest thereof) are obligated to ensure that tenants of the housing and related facilities financed with the loan will not be displaced due to a change in the use of the housing, or to an increase in rental or other charges, as a result of the prepayment or refinancing; or
(II)
there is an adequate supply of safe, decent, and affordable rental housing within the market area of the housing and related facilities and sufficient actions have been taken to ensure that the rental housing will be made available to each tenant upon displacement.
(H)

Funding.—
(i)

Budget limitation.—
Not more than 5,000 dwelling units may be transferred under this paragraph in any fiscal year, and the budget authority that may be provided under this paragraph for any fiscal year may not exceed the amounts required to carry out this paragraph with respect to such number.
(ii)

Reimbursement of rural housing insurance fund.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Rural Housing Insurance Fund such sums as may be necessary to reimburse the Fund for financial assistance provided under this paragraph, paragraph (4), and section 517(j)(7).
(I)

Definitions.—
For purposes of this paragraph:
(i)

Local nonprofit organization.—
The term “local nonprofit organization” means a nonprofit organization that—
(I)
has a broad based board reflecting various interests in the community or trade area; and
(II)
is a non-for-profit charitable organization whose principal purposes include developing or managing low income housing or community development projects.
(ii)

Nonprofit organization.—
The term “nonprofit organization” means any private organization—
(I)
no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member, founder, contributor, or individual;
(II)
that is approved by the Secretary as to financial responsibility; and
(III)
that does not have among its officers or directorate persons or parties with a material interest (or persons or parties related to any person or party with such an interest) in loans financed under section 515 that have been prepaid.
(J)

Regulations.—
Notwithstanding section 534, the Secretary shall issue final regulations to carry out this paragraph not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987. The Secretary shall provide for the regulations to take effect not later than 45 days after the date on which the regulations are issued.
(d)
On and after the effective date of the Rural Housing Amendments of 198317—
^{17}
November 30, 1983.
(1)
not less than 40 percent of the funds approved in appropriation Acts for use under this section shall be set aside and made available only for very low-income families or persons; and
(2)
not less than 30 percent of the funds allocated to each State under this section shall be available only for very low-income families or persons.18
^{18}
Section 105(b)(1) of the Housing and Community Development Technical Amendments Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98–479, approved October 17, 1984, amended paragraphs (1) and (2) to read as shown. Section 105(b)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1472 note) provides as follows:
``(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of section 502(d) of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended by paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to fiscal year 1985 and thereafter, and the provisions of such section, as so amended, may not be changed or superseded except by another provision of law which amends such section.''.
(e)
(1)
A loan which may be made or insured under this section with respect to housing shall be made or insured with respect to a manufactured home or with respect to a manufactured home and lot, whether such home or such home and lot is real property, personal property, or mixed real and personal property, if—
(A)
the manufactured home meets the standards prescribed pursuant to title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974;
(B)
the manufactured home, or the manufactured home and lot, meets the installation, structural, and site requirements which would apply under title II of the National Housing Act; and
(C)
the manufactured home meets the energy conserving requirements established under paragraph (2), or until the energy conserving requirements are established under paragraph (2), the manufactured home meets the energy conserving requirements applicable to housing other than manufactured housing financed under this title.
(2)
Energy conserving requirements established by the Secretary for the purpose of paragraph (1)(C) shall—
(A)
reduce the operating costs for a borrower by maximizing the energy savings and be cost-effective over the life of the manufactured home or the term of the loan, whichever is shorter, taking into account variations in climate, types of energy used, the cost to modify the home to meet such requirements, and the estimated value of the energy saved over the term of the mortgage; and
(B)
be established so that the increase in the annual loan payment resulting from the added energy conserving requirements in excess of those required by the standards prescribed under title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 shall not exceed the projected savings in annual energy costs.
(3)
A loan that may be made or insured under this section with respect to a manufactured home on a permanent foundation, or a manufactured home on a permanent foundation and a lot, shall be repayable over the same period as would be applicable under section 203(b) of the National Housing Act.
(f)

Remote Rural Areas.—
(1)

Loan supplements.—
The Secretary may supplement any loan under this section to finance housing located in a remote rural area or on tribal allotted or Indian trust land with a grant in an amount not greater than the amount by which the reasonable land acquisition and construction costs of the security property exceeds the appraised value of such property.
(2)

Prohibition.—
The Secretary may not refuse to make, insure, or guarantee a loan that otherwise meets the requirements under this section solely on the basis that the housing involved is located in an area that is excessively rural in character or excessively remote or on tribal allotted or Indian trust land.
(g)

Deferred Mortgage Demonstration.—
(1)

Authority.—
With respect to families or persons otherwise eligible for assistance under subsection (d) but having incomes below the amount determined to qualify for a loan under this section, the Secretary may defer mortgage payments beyond the amount affordable at 1 percent interest, taking into consideration income, taxes and insurance. Deferred mortgage payments shall be converted to payment status when the ability of the borrower to repay improves. Deferred amounts shall not exceed 25 percent of the amount of the payment due at 1 percent interest and shall be subject to recapture.
(2)

Interest.—
Interest on principal deferred shall be set at 1 percent and any interest payments deferred under this subsection shall not be treated as principal in calculating indebtedness.
(3)

Funding.—
Subject to approval in appropriations Acts, not more than 10 percent of the amount approved for each of fiscal years 1993 and 1994 for loans under this section may be used to carry out this subsection.
(h)

Doug Bereuter Section 502 Single Family Housing Loan Guarantee Program.—
(1)

Short title.—
This subsection may be cited as the “Doug Bereuter Section 502 Single Family Housing Loan Guarantee Act”.
(2)

Authority.—
The Secretary shall, to the extent provided in appropriation Acts, provide guaranteed loans in accordance with this section, section 517(d), and the last sentence of section 521(a)(1)(A), except as modified by the provisions of this subsection. Loans shall be guaranteed under this subsection in an amount equal to 90 percent of the loan.
(3)

Eligible borrowers.—
Loans guaranteed pursuant to this subsection shall be made only to borrowers who are low or moderate income families or persons, whose incomes do not exceed 115 percent of the median income of the area, as determined by the Secretary.19
^{19}
Section 751 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (H.R. 5426, as introduced in the 106th Congress, enacted by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 106–387), provides as follows:
``Sec. 751. [42 U.S.C. 1472 note] Hereafter, the Secretary of Agriculture shall consider any borrower whose income does not exceed 115 percent of the median family income of the United States as meeting the eligibility requirements for a borrower contained in section 502(h)(2) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472(h)(2)).''.
(4)

Eligible housing.—
Loans may be guaranteed pursuant to this subsection only if the loan is used to acquire or construct a single-family residence that is—
(A)
to be used as the principal residence of the borrower;
(B)
eligible for assistance under this section, section 203(b) of the National Housing Act, or chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code; and
(C)
located in a rural area 20
^{20}
Section 743(b) of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1992, Pub. L. 102–142, provided that this subparagraph is amended “
by striking all that follows‘
rural area
’and by inserting a‘
.
’‘
after rural area
’.
”. The amendment to insert a period could not be executed.
(5)

Priority and counseling for first-time homebuyers.—
(A)
In providing guaranteed loans under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to first-time homebuyers (as defined in paragraph (17)).
(B)
The Secretary may require that, as a condition of receiving a guaranteed loan pursuant to this subsection, a borrower who is a first-time homebuyer successfully complete a program of homeownership counseling under section 106(a)(1)(iii) of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 and obtain certification from the provider of the program that the borrower is adequately prepared for the obligations of homeownership.
(6)

Eligible lenders.—
Guaranteed loans pursuant to this subsection may be made only by lenders approved by and meeting qualifications established by the Secretary.
(7)

Loan terms.—
Loans guaranteed pursuant to this subsection shall—
(A)
be made for a term not to exceed 30 years;
(B)
involve a rate of interest that is fixed over the term of the loan and does not exceed the rate for loans guaranteed under chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code, or comparable loans in the area that are not guaranteed; and
(C)
involve a principal obligation (including initial service charges, appraisal, inspection, and other fees as the Secretary may approve)—
(i)
for a first-time homebuyer, in any amount not in excess of 100 percent of the appraised value of the property as of the date the loan is accepted or the acquisition cost of the property, whichever is less, plus the guarantee fee as authorized by subsection (h)(7)21; and
^{21}
Probably intended to refer to paragraph (8) of this subsection.
(ii)
for any borrower other than a first-time homebuyer, in an amount not in excess of the percentage of the property or the acquisition cost of the property that the Secretary shall determine, such percentage or cost in any event not to exceed 100 percent of the appraised value of the property as of the date the loan is accepted or the acquisition cost of the property, whichever is less, plus the guarantee fee as authorized by subsection (h)(7)21.
(8)

Fees.—
Notwithstanding paragraph (14)(D), with respect to a guaranteed loan issued or modified under this subsection, the Secretary may collect from the lender—
(A)
at the time of issuance of the guarantee or modification, a fee not to exceed 3.5 percent of the principal obligation of the loan; and
(B)
an annual fee not to exceed 0.5 percent of the outstanding principal balance of the loan for the life of the loan.
(9)

Refinancing.—
Any guaranteed loan under this subsection may be refinanced and extended in accordance with terms and conditions that the Secretary shall prescribe, but in no event for an additional amount or term which exceeds the limitations under this subsection.
(10)

Nonassumption.—
Notwithstanding the transfer of property for which a guaranteed loan under this subsection was made, the borrower of a guaranteed loan under this subsection may not be relieved of liability with respect to the loan.
(11)

Geographical targeting.—
In providing guaranteed loans under this subsection, the Secretary shall establish standards to target and give priority to areas that have a demonstrated need for additional sources of mortgage financing for low and moderate income families.
(12)

Allocation.—
The Secretary shall provide that, in each fiscal year, guaranteed loans under this subsection shall be allocated among the States on the basis of the need of eligible borrowers in each State for such loans in comparison with the need of eligible borrowers for such loans among all States.
(13)

Loss mitigation.—
Upon default or imminent default of any mortgage guaranteed under this subsection, mortgagees shall engage in loss mitigation actions for the purpose of providing an alternative to foreclosure (including actions such as special forbearance, loan modification, pre-foreclosure sale, deed in lieu of foreclosure, as required, support for borrower housing counseling, subordinate lien resolution, and borrower relocation), as provided for by the Secretary.
(14)

Payment of partial claims and mortgage modifications.—
The Secretary may authorize the modification of mortgages, and establish a program for payment of a partial claim to a mortgagee that agrees to apply the claim amount to payment of a mortgage on a 1- to 4-family residence, for mortgages that are in default or face imminent default, as defined by the Secretary. Any payment under such program directed to the mortgagee shall be made at the sole discretion of the Secretary and on terms and conditions acceptable to the Secretary, except that—
(A)
the amount of the partial claim payment shall be in an amount determined by the Secretary, and shall not exceed an amount equivalent to 30 percent of the unpaid principal balance of the mortgage and any costs that are approved by the Secretary;
(B)
the amount of the partial claim payment shall be applied first to any outstanding indebtedness on the mortgage, including any arrearage, but may also include principal reduction;
(C)
the mortgagor shall agree to repay the amount of the partial claim to the Secretary upon terms and conditions acceptable to the Secretary;
(D)
expenses related to a partial claim or modification are not to be charged to the borrower;
(E)
the Secretary may authorize compensation to the mortgagee for lost income on monthly mortgage payments due to interest rate reduction;
(F)
the Secretary may reimburse the mortgagee from the appropriate guaranty fund in connection with any activities that the mortgagee is required to undertake concerning repayment by the mortgagor of the amount owed to the Secretary;
(G)
the Secretary may authorize payments to the mortgagee on behalf of the borrower, under such terms and conditions as are defined by the Secretary, based on successful performance under the terms of the mortgage modification, which shall be used to reduce the principal obligation under the modified mortgage; and
(H)
the Secretary may authorize the modification of mortgages with terms extended up to 40 years from the date of modification.
(15)

Assignment.—
(A)

Program authority.—
The Secretary may establish a program for assignment to the Secretary, upon request of the mortgagee, of a mortgage on a 1- to 4-family residence guaranteed under this chapter 22.
^{22}
So in law. Probably meant to refer to this title.
(B)

Program requirements.—
(i)

In general.—
The Secretary may encourage loan modifications for eligible delinquent mortgages or mortgages facing imminent default, as defined by the Secretary, through the payment of the guaranty and assignment of the mortgage to the Secretary and the subsequent modification of the terms of the mortgage according to a loan modification approved under this section.
(ii)

Acceptance of assignment.—
The Secretary may accept assignment of a mortgage under a program under this subsection only if—
(I)
the mortgage is in default or facing imminent default;
(II)
the mortgagee has modified the mortgage or qualified the mortgage for modification sufficient to cure the default and provide for mortgage payments the mortgagor is reasonably able to pay, at interest rates not exceeding current market interest rates; and
(III)
the Secretary arranges for servicing of the assigned mortgage by a mortgagee (which may include the assigning mortgagee) through procedures that the Secretary has determined to be in the best interests of the appropriate guaranty fund.
(C)

Payment of guaranty.—
Under the program under this paragraph, the Secretary may pay the guaranty for a mortgage, in the amount determined in accordance with paragraph (2), without reduction for any amounts modified, but only upon the assignment, transfer, and delivery to the Secretary of all rights, interest, claims, evidence, and records with respect to the mortgage, as defined by the Secretary.
(D)

Disposition.—
After modification of a mortgage pursuant to this paragraph, and assignment of the mortgage, the Secretary may provide guarantees under this subsection for the mortgage. The Secretary may subsequently—
(i)
re-assign the mortgage to the mortgagee under terms and conditions as are agreed to by the mortgagee and the Secretary;
(ii)
act as a Government National Mortgage Association issuer, or contract with an entity for such purpose, in order to pool the mortgage into a Government National Mortgage Association security; or
(iii)
re-sell the mortgage in accordance with any program that has been established for purchase by the Federal Government of mortgages insured under this title, and the Secretary may coordinate standards for interest rate reductions available for loan modification with interest rates established for such purchase.
(E)

Loan servicing.—
In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Secretary may require the existing servicer of a mortgage assigned to the Secretary under the program to continue servicing the mortgage as an agent of the Secretary during the period that the Secretary acquires and holds the mortgage for the purpose of modifying the terms of the mortgage. If the mortgage is resold pursuant to subparagraph (D)(iii), the Secretary may provide for the existing servicer to continue to service the mortgage or may engage another entity to service the mortgage.
(16)

Definitions.—
For purposes of this subsection:
(A)
The term “displaced homemaker” means an individual who—
(i)
is an adult;
(ii)
has not worked full-time full-year in the labor force for a number of years but has, during such years, worked primarily without remuneration to care for the home and family; and
(iii)
is unemployed or underemployed and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment.
(B)
The term “first-time homebuyer” means any individual who (and whose spouse) has had no present ownership in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of purchase of the property acquired with a guaranteed loan under this subsection except that—
(i)
any individual who is a displaced homemaker may not be excluded from consideration as a first-time homebuyer under this subparagraph on the basis that the individual, while a homemaker, owned a home with his or her spouse or resided in a home owned by the spouse; and
(ii)
any individual who is a single parent may not be excluded from consideration as a first-time homebuyer under this subparagraph on the basis that the individual, while married, owned a home with his or her spouse or resided in a home owned by the spouse.
(C)
The term “single parent” means an individual who—
(i)
is unmarried or legally separated from a spouse; and
(ii)
(I)
has 1 or more minor children for whom the individual has custody or joint custody; or
(II)
is pregnant.
(D)
The term “State” means the States of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Trust Territories of the Pacific, and any other possession of the United States.
(17)

Guarantees for refinancing loans.—
(A)

In general.—
Upon the request of the borrower, the Secretary shall, to the extent provided in appropriation Acts and subject to subparagraph (F), guarantee a loan that is made to refinance an existing loan that is made under this section or guaranteed under this subsection, and that the Secretary determines complies with the requirements of this paragraph.
(B)

Interest rate.—
To be eligible for a guarantee under this paragraph, the refinancing loan shall have a rate of interest that is fixed over the term of the loan and does not exceed the interest rate of the loan being refinanced.
(C)

Security.—
To be eligible for a guarantee under this paragraph, the refinancing loan shall be secured by the same single-family residence as was the loan being refinanced, which shall be owned by the borrower and occupied by the borrower as the principal residence of the borrower.
(D)

Amount.—
To be eligible for a guarantee under this paragraph, the principal obligation under the refinancing loan shall not exceed an amount equal to the sum of the balance of the loan being refinanced and such closing costs as may be authorized by the Secretary, which shall include a discount not exceeding 200 basis points and an origination fee not exceeding such amount as the Secretary shall prescribe.
(E)

Other requirements.—
The provisions of the last sentence of paragraph (2) and paragraphs (3), (6), (7)(A), (8), and (10)23 shall apply to loans guaranteed under this paragraph, and no other provisions of paragraphs (2) through (13)23 shall apply to such loans.
^{23}
Paragraph (2) of section 101(b)(2) of division A of Public Law 111–22 provides as follows:
(2) in paragraph (18)(E) (as so redesignated by subsection (a)(2)), by—
(A) striking “paragraphs (3), (6), (7)(A), (8), and (10)” and inserting “paragraphs (3), (6), (7)(A), (8), (10), (13), and (14)”; and
(B) striking “paragraphs (2) through (13)” and inserting “paragraphs (2) through (15)”.
The amendments probably should have been made to paragraph (17)(E) as redesignated and therefore could not be executed.
(F)

Authority to establish limitation.—
The Secretary may establish limitations on the number of loans guaranteed under this paragraph, which shall be based on market conditions and other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(18)

Delegation of approval.—
The Secretary may delegate, in part or in full, the Secretary’s authority to approve and execute binding Rural Housing Service loan guarantees pursuant to this subsection to certain preferred lenders, in accordance with standards established by the Secretary.
(i)

Guaranteed Underwriting User Fee.—
(1)

Authority; maximum amount.—
To the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, the Secretary may assess and collect a fee for a lender to access the automated underwriting systems of the Department in connection with such lender's participation in the single family loan program under this section and only in an amount necessary to cover the costs of information technology enhancements, improvements, maintenance, and development for automated underwriting systems used in connection with the single family loan program under this section, except that such fee shall not exceed $50 per loan.
(2)

Crediting; availability.—
Any amounts collected from such fees shall be credited to the Rural Development Expense Account as offsetting collections and shall remain available until expended, in the amounts provided in appropriation Acts, solely for expenses described in paragraph (1).

loans for housing and buildings on adequate farms
Sec. 503.
[42 U.S.C. 1473]
If the Secretary determines (a) that, because of the inadequacy of the income of an eligible applicant from the farm to be improved and from other sources, said applicant may not reasonably be expected to make annual repayments of principal and interest in an amount sufficient to repay the loan in full within the period of time prescribed by the Secretary as authorized in this title; (b) that the income of the applicant may be sufficiently increased within a period of not to exceed five years by improvement or enlargement of the farm or an adjustment of the farm practices or methods; and (c) that the applicant has adopted and may reasonably be expected to put into effect a plan of farm improvement, enlargements, or adjusted practices or production which, in the opinion of the Secretary, will increase the applicant's income from said farm within a period of not to exceed five years to the extent that the applicant may be expected thereafter to make annual repayments of principal and interest sufficient to repay the balance of the indeptedness less payments in cash and credits for the contributions to be made by the Secretary as hereinafter provided, the Secretary may make a loan in an amount necessary to provide adequate farm dwellings and buildings on said farm under the terms and conditions prescribed in section 502. In addition, the Secretary may agree with the borrower to make annual contributions during the said five-year period in the form of credits on the borrower's indebtedness in an amount not to exceed the annual installment of interest and 50 per centum of the principal payments accruing during any installment year up to and including the fifth installment year, subject to the conditions that the borrower's income is, in fact, insufficient to enable the borrower to make payments in accordance with the plan or schedule prescribed by the Secretary and that the borrower pursues his plan of farm reorganization and improvements or enlargement with due diligence.
This agreement with respect to credits or principal and interest upon the borrower's indebtedness shall not be assignable nor accure to the benefit of any third party without the written consent of the Secretary and the Secretary shall have the right, at his option, to cancel the agreement upon the sale of the farm or the execution or creation of any lien thereon subsequent to the lien given to the Secretary, or to refuse to release the lien given to the Secretary except upon payment in cash of the entire original principal plus accrued interest thereon less actual cash payments of principal and interest when the Secretary determines that the release of the lien would permit the benefits of this section to accure to a person not eligible to receive such benefits.

other special loans and grants for minor improvements to farm housing and buildings
Sec. 504.
[42 U.S.C. 1474]
(a)
The Secretary may make a loan, grant, or combined loan and grant to an eligible very low-income applicant in order to improve or modernize a rural dwelling, to make the dwelling safer or more sanitary, or to remove hazards. The Secretary may make a loan or grant under this subsection to the applicant to cover the cost of any or all repairs, improvements, or additions such as repairing roofs, providing sanitary waste facilities, providing a convenient and sanitary water supply, repairing or providing structural supports, or making similar repairs, additions, improvements, including all preliminary and installation costs in obtaining central water and sewer service. The maximum amount of a grant, a loan, or a loan and grant shall not exceed such limitations as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. Any portion of the sums advanced to the borrower treated as a loan shall be secured and be repayable within twenty years in accordance with the principles and conditions set forth in this title, except that a loan for less than $7,500 need be evidenced only by a promissory note. Sums made available by grant may be made subject to the conditions set forth in this title for the protection of the Government with respect to contributions made on loans made by the Secretary.
(b)
In order to encourage adequate family-size farms the Secretary may make loans under this section and section 503 to any applicant whose farm needs enlargement or development in order to provide income sufficient to support decent, safe, and sanitary housing and other farm buildings and may use the funds made available under clause (b) of section 513 for such purposes.
(c)
(1)
In addition to other duties specified in this section, the Secretary shall develop and conduct a weatherization program for the purpose of making grants to finance the purchase or installation, or both, of weatherization materials in dwelling units occupied by low-income families. Such grants shall be made to low-income families who own dwelling units or, subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), to owners of such units for the benefit of the low-income tenants residing therein. In making grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to the weatherization of dwelling units occupied by low-income elderly or handicapped persons. The Secretary shall, in carrying out this section, consult with the Director of the Community Services Administration and the Secretary of Energy for the purpose of coordinating the weatherization program under this subsection, section 222(a)(12) of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, and part A of the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976.
(2)
In the case of any grant made under this subsection to an owner of a rental dwelling unit the Secretary shall provide that (A) the benefits of weatherization assistance in connection with such unit will accrue primarily to the low-income family residing therein, (B) the rents on such dwelling unit will not be raised because of any increase in value thereof due solely to weatherization assistance provided under this subsection, and (C) no undue or excessive enhancement will occur to the value of such unit.
(3)
In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall (A) implement the weatherization standards described in paragraphs (2)(A) and (3) of section 413(b) of the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976, and (B) provide that, with respect to any dwelling unit, not more than $800 of any grant made under this section be expended on weatherization materials and related matters described in section 415(c) of the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976, except that the Secretary shall increase such amount to not more than $1,500 to cover labor costs in areas where the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, determines there is an insufficient number of volunteers and training participants and public service employment workers, assisted pursuant to title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act or the Community Service Senior Opportunities Act, available to work on weatherization projects under the supervision of qualified supervisors.
(4)
For purposes of this subsection, the terms “elderly,”“handicapped person,”“low income,” and “weatherization materials” shall have the same meanings given such terms in paragraphs (3), (5), (7), and (9), respectively, of section 412 of the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976.

loan payment moratorium and foreclosure procedures
Sec. 505.
[42 U.S.C. 1475]
(a)

Moratorium.—
During any time that any such loan is outstanding, the Secretary is authorized under regulations to be prescribed by him to grant a moratorium upon the payment of interest and principal on such loan for so long a period as he deems necessary, upon a showing by the borrower that due to circumstances beyond his control, he is unable to continue making payments of such principal and interest when due without unduly impairing his standard of living. In cases of extreme hardship under the foregoing circumstances, the Secretary is further authorized to cancel interest due and payable on such loans during the moratorium. Should any foreclosure of such a mortgage securing such a loan upon which a moratorium has been granted occur, no deficiency judgment shall be taken against the mortgagor if he shall have faithfully tried to meet his obligation.
(b)

Foreclosure Procedure.—
In foreclosing on any mortgage held by the Secretary under this title, the Secretary shall follow the foreclosure procedures of the State in which the property involved is located to the extent such procedures are more favorable to the borrower than the foreclosure procedures that would otherwise be followed by the Secretary. This subsection shall be subject to the availability of amounts approved in appropriations Acts, to the extent additional budget authority is necessary to carry out this subsection.

technical services and research
Sec. 506.
[42 U.S.C. 1476]
(a)
In connection with financial assistance authorized in this title the Secretary shall require that all new buildings and repairs financed under this title shall be substantially constructed and in accordance with such building plans and specifications as may be required by the Secretary. Buildings and repairs constructed with funds advanced pursuant to this title shall be supervised and inspected as required by the Secretary. In addition to the financial assistance authorized in this title the Secretary is authorized to furnish, through such agencies as he may determine, to any person, including a person eligible for financial assistance under this title, without charge or at such charges as the Secretary may determine, technical services such as building plans, specifications, construction supervision and inspection, and advice and information regarding farm dwellings and other buildings.
(b)
The Secretary is further authorized and directed to conduct research, technical studies, and demonstrations relating to the mission and programs of the Farmers Home Administration and the national housing goals defined in section 2 of this Act. In connection with such activities, the Secretary shall seek to promote the construction of adequate farm and other rural housing, with particular attention to the housing needs of the elderly, handicapped, migrant and seasonal farmworkers, Indians and other identifiable groups with special needs. The Secretary shall conduct such activities for the purposes of stimulating construction and improving the architectural design and utility of dwellings and buildings. In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may permit demonstrations involving innovative housing units and systems which do not meet existing published standards, rules, regulations, or policies if the Secretary finds that in so doing, the health and safety of the population of the area in which the demonstration is carried out will not be adversely affected, except that the aggregate expenditures for such demonstrations may not exceed $10,000,000 in any fiscal year.
(c)
The Secretary is further authorized to carry out a program of research, study, and analysis of farm housing in the United States to develop data and information on—
(1)
the adequacy of existing farm housing;
(2)
the nature and extent of current and prospective needs for farm housing, including needs for financing and for improved design, utility, and comfort, and the best methods of satisfying such needs;
(3)
problems faced by farmers and other persons eligible under section 501 in purchasing, constructing, improving, altering, repairing, and replacing farm housing;
(4)
the interrelation of farm housing problems and the problems of housing in urban and suburban areas; and
(5)
any other matters bearing upon the provision of adequate farm housing.
(d)
In order to carry out this section, the Secretary shall establish a research capacity within the Farmers Home Administration which shall have authority to undertake, or to contract with any public or private body to undertake, research authorized by this section.
(e)
The Secretary of Agriculture shall prepare and submit to the President and to the Congress estimates of national rural housing needs and reports with respect to the progress being made toward meeting such needs and correlate and recommend proposals for such executive action or legislation necessary or desirable for the furtherance of the national housing objective and policy established by this Act with respect to rural housing together with such other reports or information as may be required of the Secretary by the President or the Congress.
(f)
(1)
The Secretary shall conduct a study of housing which is available for migrant and settled farmworkers. In conducting such study, the Secretary shall—
(A)
determine the location, number, quality, and condition of housing units which are available to such farmworkers and the cost assessed such farmworkers for occupying such units;
(B)
recommend legislative, administrative, and other action (including the need for new authority for such action) which may be taken for the purpose of improving both the availability and the condition of such housing units; and
(C)
determine the possible roles which individual farmworkers, farmworker associations, individual farmers, farmer associations, and public and private nonprofit agencies can perform in improving the housing conditions of farmworkers.
(2)
The Secretary shall transmit the results of the study described in paragraph (1) to each House of the Congress within one year after the date of the enactment of this subsection.

preference for veterans and families of deceased servicemen
Sec. 507.
[42 U.S.C. 1477]
As between eligible applicants seeking assistance under sections 501 to 504, inclusive, the Secretary shall give preference to veterans and the families of deceased servicemen. As used herein, a “veteran” shall mean a person who served in the military forces of the United States during any war between the United States and any other nation or during the period beginning June 27, 1950, and ending on such date as shall be determined by Presidential proclamation,24 or during the period beginning after January 31, 1955, and ending on August 4, 1964, or during the Vietnam era (as defined in section 101(29) of title 38, United States Code), and who was discharged or released therefrom on conditions other than dishonorable. “Deceased servicemen” shall mean persons who served in the military forces of the United States during any war between the United States and any other nation or during the period beginning June 27, 1950, and ending on such date as shall be determined by Presidential proclamation,24 or during the period beginning after January 31, 1955, and ending on August 4, 1964, or during the Vietnam era (as defined in section 101(29) of title 38, United States Code), and who died in service before the termination of such war or such period or era.
^{24}
Section 12 of the President's Proclamation 3080, January 1, 1955. 20 Fed. Reg. 178, 175, provides that January 31, 1955, is determined as the date ending the period during which persons must have served in the military forces of the United States in order that such persons come within the meaning of the terms “veterans” and “deceased servicemen,” contained in section 507, by reason of service during the period beginning June 27, 1950.

local committees to assist secretary
Sec. 508.
[42 U.S.C. 1478]
(a)
For the purposes of this subsection and subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary may use the services of any existing committee of farmers operating (pursuant to laws or regulations carried out by the Department of Agriculture) in any county or parish in which activities are carried on under this title. In any county or parish in which activities are carried on under this title and in which no existing satisfactory committee is available, the Secretary is authorized to appoint a committee composed of three persons residing in the county or parish. Each member of such existing or newly appointed committee shall be allowed compensation at the rate determined by the Secretary while engaged in the performance of duties under this title and, in addition, shall be allowed such amounts as the Secretary may prescribe for necessary traveling and subsistence expenses. One member of the committee shall be designated by the Secretary as chairman. The Secretary shall prescribed rules governing the procedures of the committee, furnish forms and equipment necessary for the performance of their duties, and authorize and provide for the compensation of such clerical assistance as he deems may be required by any committee.
(b)
The committees utilized or appointed pursuant to this section may examine applications of persons desiring to obtain the benefits of section 501(a) (1) and (2) as they relate to the successful operation of a farm, and may submit recommendations to the Secretary with respect to each applicant as to whether the applicant is eligible to receive such benefits, whether by reason of his character, ability, and experience he is likely successfully to carry out undertakings required of him under a loan under such section, and whether the farm with respect to which the application is made is of such character that there is a reasonable likelihood that the making of the loan requested will carry out the purposes of this title. The committees may also certify to the Secretary with respect to the amount of any loan.

general powers of secretary
Sec. 509.
[42 U.S.C. 1479]
(a)
The Secretary, for the purposes of this title, shall have the power to determine and prescribe the standards of adequate farm housing and other buildings, by farms or localities, taking into consideration, among other factors, the type of housing which will provide decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling for the needs of the family using the housing, the type and character of the farming operations to be conducted, and the size and earning capacity of the land. The Secretary shall approve a residential building as meeting such standards if the building is constructed in accordance with (1) the minimum standards prescribed by the Secretary, (2) the minimum property standards prescribed by the Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development for mortgages insured under title II of the National Housing Act, (3) the standards contained in any of the voluntary national model building codes, or (4) in the case of manufactured housing, the standards referred to in section 502(e) of this Act. To the maximum extent feasible, the Secretary shall promote the use of energy saving techniques through standards established by such Secretary for newly constructed residential housing assisted under this title. Such standards shall, insofar as is practicable, be consistent with the standards established pursuant to section 526 of the National Housing Act and shall incorporate the energy performance requirements developed pursuant to such section.
(b)
The Secretary may require any recipient of a loan or grant to agree that the availability of improvements constructed or repaired with the proceeds of the loan or grant under this title shall not be a justification for directly or indirectly changing the terms or conditions of the lease or occupancy agreement with the occupants of such farms to the latter's disadvantage without the approval of the Secretary.
(c)
The Secretary is authorized, after October 1, 1977, with respect to any unit or dwelling newly constructed during the period beginning eighteen months prior to the date of enactment of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1977 and purchased with financial assistance authorized by this title which he finds to have structural defects to make expenditures for (1) correcting such defects, (2) paying the claims of the owner of the property arising from such defects, or (3) acquiring title to the property, if such assistance is requested by the owner of the property within eighteen months after financial assistance under this title is rendered to the owner of the property or, in the case of property with respect to which assistance was made available within eighteen months prior to the date of enactment of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1977, within thirty-six months after such date of enactment. Expenditures pursuant to this subsection may be paid from the Rural Housing Insurance Fund. Decisions by the Secretary regarding such expenditures or payments under this subsection, and the terms and conditions under which the same are approved or disapproved, shall not be subject to judicial review.
(d)
In the event of default involving a security interest in tribal allotted or trust land, the Secretary shall only pursue liquidation after offering to transfer the account to an eligible tribal member, the tribe, or the Indian housing authority serving the tribe or tribes. If the Secretary subsequently proceeds to liquidate the account, the Secretary shall not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of or alienate the property except to one of the entities described in the preceding sentence.
(e)
The Secretary shall, by regulation, prescribe the terms and conditions under which expenditures and payments may be made under the provisions of this section.
(f)

Housing in Underserved Areas.—
(1)

Designation of underserved area.—
The Secretary shall designate as targeted underserved areas 100 counties and communities in each fiscal year that have severe, unmet housing needs as determined by the Secretary. A county or community shall be eligible for designation if, during the 5-year period preceding the year in which the designation is made, it has received an average annual amount of assistance under this title that is substantially lower than the average annual amount of such assistance received during that 5-year period by other counties and communities in the State that are eligible for such assistance calculated on a per capita basis, and has—
(A)
20 percent or more of its population at or below the poverty level; and
(B)
10 percent or more of its population residing in substandard housing.
As used in this paragraph, the term “poverty level” has the meaning given the term in section 102(a)(9) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.
(2)

Preferences.—
In selecting projects to receive assistance with amounts set aside under paragraph (4), the Secretary shall give preference to any project located in a county or community that has, at the time of designation and as determined by the Secretary—
(A)
28 percent or more of its population at or below poverty level; and
(B)
13 percent or more of its population residing in substandard housing.
In designating underserved areas under paragraph (1), in each fiscal year the Secretary shall designate not less than 5 counties or communities that contain tribal allotted or Indian trust land.
(3)

Outreach program and review.—
(A)

Outreach.—
The Secretary shall publicize the availability to targeted underserved areas of grants and loans under this title and promote, to the maximum extent feasible, efforts to apply for those grants and loans for housing in targeted underserved areas.
(B)

Review.—
Upon the receipt of data from the 1990 decennial census, the Secretary shall conduct a review of any designations made under paragraph (1) and preferences given under paragraph (2) and the eligibility of communities and counties for such designation and preference, examining the effects of such data on such eligibility. The Secretary shall submit to the Congress, not later than 9 months after the availability of the data, a report regarding the review, which shall include any recommendations of the Secretary for modifications in the standards for designation and preference.
(4)

Set-aside for targeted underserved areas and colonias.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary shall set aside and reserve for assistance in targeted underserved areas an amount equal to 5.0 percent in each fiscal year of the aggregate amount of lending authority under sections 502, 504, 514, 515, and 524. During each fiscal year, the Secretary shall set aside from amounts available for assistance under paragraphs (2) and (5) of section 521(a), an amount that is appropriate to provide assistance with respect to the lending authority under sections 514 and 515 that is set aside for such fiscal year. The Secretary shall establish a procedure to reallocate any assistance set aside in any fiscal year for targeted underserved areas that has not been expended during a reasonable period in such year for use in (i) colonias that have applied for and are eligible for assistance under subparagraph (B) or paragraph (7) and did not receive assistance, and (ii) counties and communities eligible for designation as targeted underserved areas but which were not so designated. The procedure shall also provide that any assistance reallocated under the preceding sentence that has not been expended by a reasonable date established by the Secretary (which shall be after the expiration of the period referred to in the preceding sentence) shall be made available and allocated under the laws and regulations relating to such assistance, notwithstanding this subsection.
(B)

Priority for colonias.—
(i)
Notwithstanding the designation of counties and communities as targeted underserved areas under paragraph (1) and the provisions of section 520, colonias shall be eligible for assistance with amounts reserved under subparagraph (A), as provided in this subparagraph.
(ii)
In providing assistance from amounts reserved under this paragraph in each fiscal year, the Secretary shall give priority to any application for assistance to be used in, or in close proximity to, and serving the residents of, a colonia located in a State described under clause (iii). After the Secretary has provided assistance under the priority for colonias located in a State in an amount equal to 5 percent of the total amount of assistance allocated under this title to such State in the fiscal year, the priority shall not apply to any applications for colonias in such State.
(iii)
This paragraph shall apply to any State for any fiscal year following 2 fiscal years in which the State obligated the total amount of assistance allocated to it under this title during each of such 2 fiscal years.
(5)

List of underserved areas.—
The Secretary shall publish annually the current list of targeted underserved areas in the Federal Register.
(6)

Project preparation assistance.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary may make grants to eligible applicants under subparagraph (D) to promote the development of affordable housing in targeted underserved areas and colonias.
(B)

Use.—
A grant under this paragraph shall not exceed an amount that the Secretary determines to equal the customary and reasonable costs incurred in preparing an application for a loan under section 502, 504, 514, 515, or 524, or a grant under section 533 (including preapplication planning, site analysis, market analysis, and other necessary technical assistance). The Secretary shall adjust the loan or grant amount under such sections to take account of project preparation costs that have been paid from grant proceeds under this paragraph and that normally would be reimbursed with proceeds of the loan or grant.
(C)

Approval.—
The Secretary shall approve a properly submitted application or issue a written statement indicating the reasons for disapproval not later than 60 days after the receipt of the application.
(D)

Eligibility.—
For purposes of this paragraph, an eligible applicant may be a nonprofit organization or corporation, a community housing development organization, State, unit of general local government, or agency of a State or unit of general local government.
(E)

Availability of funding.—
Any amounts appropriated to carry out this paragraph shall remain available until expended.
(7)

Priority for colonias.—
(A)

In general.—
In providing assistance under this title in any fiscal year described under subparagraph (B), each State in which colonias are located shall give priority to any application for assistance to be used in a colonia. The priority under this subparagraph shall not apply in such State after 5 percent of the assistance available in such fiscal year has been allocated for colonias qualifying for the priority.
(B)

Covered years.—
This paragraph shall apply to any fiscal year following 2 fiscal years in which the State did not obligate the total amount of assistance allocated it under this title during each of such 2 fiscal years.
(8)

Definition of colonia.—
For purposes of this subsection, the term “colonia” means any identifiable community that—
(A)
is in the State of Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas;
(B)
is in the area of the United States within 150 miles of the border between the United States and Mexico, except that the term does not include any standard metropolitan statistical area that has a population exceeding 1,000,000;
(C)
is determined to be a colonia on the basis of objective criteria, including lack of potable water supply, lack of adequate sewage systems, and lack of decent, safe, and sanitary housing; and
(D)
was in existence as a colonia before the date of the enactment of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act.25
^{25}
November 28, 1990.

administrative provisions
Sec. 510.
[42 U.S.C. 1480]
In carrying out the provisions of this title, the Secretary shall have the power to—
(a)
make contracts for services and supplies without regard to the provisions of section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, as amended, when the aggregate amount involved is less than $300;
(b)
enter into subordination, subrogation, or other agreements satisfactory to the Secretary;
(c)
compromise, adjust, reduce, or charge-off claims, and adjust, modify, subordinate, or release the terms of security instruments, leases, contracts, and agreements entered into or administered by the Secretary under this title, as circumstances may require, including the release of borrowers or others obligated on a debt from personal liability with or without payment of any consideration at the time of the compromise, adjustment, reduction, or charge-off of any claim;
(d)
collect all claims and obligations arising out of or under any mortgage, lease, contract, or agreement entered into pursuant to this title, and, if in his judgment necessary and advisable, to pursue to same to final collection in any court having jurisdiction: Provided, That the prosecution and defense of all litigation under this title shall be conducted under the supervision of the Attorney General and the legal representation shall be by the United States attorneys for the districts, respectively, in which such litigation may arise and by such other attorney or attorneys as may, under law, be designated by the Attorney General; except that—
(1)
prosecution and defense of any litigation under section 502 shall be conducted, at the discretion of the Secretary, by—
(A)
the United States attorneys for the districts in which the litigation arises and any other attorney that the Attorney General may designate under law, under the supervision of the Attorney General;
(B)
the General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture; or
(C)
any other attorney with whom the Secretary enters into a contract after a determination by the Secretary that—
(i)
the attorney will provide competent and cost-effective representation for the Farmers Home Administration; and
(ii)
representation by the attorney will either (I) accelerate the process by which a family or person eligible for assistance under section 502 will be able to purchase and occupy the housing involved; or (II) preserve the quality of the housing involved; and
(2)
the Secretary shall annually submit to the Congress a report describing activities carried out under paragraph (1)(C), including the cost of entering into contracts with such attorneys and the savings resulting from expedited foreclosure proceedings;
(e)
bid for and purchase at any foreclosure or other sale or otherwise to acquire the property pledged or mortgaged to secure a loan or other indebtedness owing under this title, to accept title to any property so purchased or acquired, to operate or lease such property for such period as may be necessary or advisable, to protect the interest of the United States therein, to repair and rehabilitate such property, and to sell or otherwise dispose of the property so purchased or acquired by such terms and for such considerations as the Secretary shall determine to be reasonable and to make loans as provided herein to provide adequate farm dwellings and buildings for the purchasers of such property; except that the Secretary may not sell or otherwise dispose of such property unless (1) the Secretary assures that such property will meet decent, safe, and sanitary standards, including cost-effective energy conservation standards prescribed under section 509(a), (2) the recipient of the property is obligated, as a condition of the sale or other disposition of the property, to meet such standards with respect to the property before such property is occupied, or (3) such recipient is precluded, as a condition of the sale or other disposition of the property, from using the property for residential purposes and the authority of the Secretary under this paragraph includes the authority to transfer section 502 inventory properties for use as rental or cooperative units under section 515 with mortgages containing repayment terms with up to fifty years, or for use as rental units under section 514 with mortgages containing repayment terms with up to 33 years, to private nonprofit organizations, public bodies, or for-profit entities, which have good records of providing low income housing under section 515; such a transfer may be made even where rental assistance may be required so long as the authority to provide such assistance is available after taking into account the requirements of section 521(d)(1); where the Secretary determines the transfer will contribute to the provision of housing for very low-income persons and families, the transfer may be made at the lesser of the appraised value or the Farmers Home Administration's investment;
(f)
continue processing as expeditiously as possible applications on hand received prior to the time an area has been determined by the Secretary not to be “rural” or a “rural area”, as those terms are defined in section 520, and make loans or grants to such applicants who are found to be eligible on the same basis as though the area were still rural;
(g)
issue rules and regulations which assure that applicants denied assistance under this title or persons or organizations whose assistance under this title is being substantially reduced or terminated are given written notice of the reasons for denial, reduction or termination and are provided at least an opportunity to appeal an adverse decision and to present additional information relevant to that decision to a person, other than the person making the original determination, who has authority to reverse the decision, except that rules issued under this subsection may not exclude from their coverage decisions made by the Secretary that are not based on objective standards contained in published regulations;
(h)
notwithstanding that an area ceases, or has ceased, to be “rural”, in a “rural area”, or an eligible area, make assistance under this title available for subsequent loans to permit necessary dwelling repairs and rehabilitation and in connection with transfers and assumptions of property securing any loan made, insured, or held by the Secretary or in connection with any property held by the Secretary under this title on the same basis as though the area were still rural;
(i)
utilize with respect to the indebtedness arising from loans and payments made under this title, all the powers and authorities given to him under the Act approved December 20, 1944, entitled “An Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to compromise, adjust, or cancel certain indebtedness, and for other purposes” (58 Stat. 836), as such Act now provides or may hereafter be amended;
(j)
utilize the services of fee inspectors and fee appraisers to expedite the processing of applications for loans and grants under this title, which services shall be utilized in any case in which a county or district office is unable to expeditiously process such loan and grant applications, and to include the cost of such services in the amount of such loans and grants; and
(k)
make such rules and regulations as he deems necessary to carry out the purpose of this title.

loan funds
Sec. 511.
[42 U.S.C. 1481]
The Secretary may issue notes and other obligations for purchase by the Secretary of the Treasury for the purpose of making direct loans under this title. The notes and obligations issued by the Secretary shall be secured by the obligations of borrowers and the Secretary's commitments to make contributions under this title and shall be repaid from the payment of principal and interest on the obligations of the borrowers and from funds appropriated hereunder. The notes and other obligations issued by the Secretary shall be in such forms and denominations, shall have such maturities, and shall be subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury. Each such note or other obligation shall bear interest at the average rate, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, payable by the Treasury upon its marketable public obligations outstanding at the beginning of the fiscal year in which such note or other obligation is issued, which are neither due nor callable for redemption for 15 years from their date of issue. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to purchase any notes and obligations of the Secretary issued hereunder and for such purpose is authorized to use as a public debt transaction the proceeds from the sale or any securities issued under chapter 31 of title 31, United States Code, and the purposes for which securities may be issued under such chapter are extended to include any purchases of such obligations. The Secretary of the Treasury may at any time sell any of the notes or obligations acquired by him under this section. All redemptions, purchases, and sales by the Secretary of the Treasury of such notes or obligation shall be treated as public debt transactions of the United States.

[contributions]
Sec. 512.
[Repealed.]

program levels and authorizations
Sec. 513.
[42 U.S.C. 1483]
(a)

In General.—
(1)
The Secretary may, to the extent approved in appropriation Acts, insure and guarantee loans under this title during fiscal years 1993 and 1994, in aggregate amounts not to exceed $2,446,855,600 and $2,549,623,535, respectively, as follows:
(A)
For insured or guaranteed loans under section 502 on behalf of low-income borrowers receiving assistance under section 521(a)(1), $1,676,484,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $1,746,896,328 for fiscal year 1994.
(B)
For guaranteed loans under section 502(h) on behalf of low- and moderate-income borrowers, such sums as may be appropriated for fiscal years 1993 and 1994.
(C)
For loans under section 504, $12,400,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $12,920,800 for fiscal year 1994.
(D)
For insured loans under section 514, $16,821,600 for fiscal year 1993 and $17,528,107 for fiscal year 1994.
(E)
For insured loans under section 515, $739,500,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $770,559,000 for fiscal year 1994.
(F)
For loans under section 523(b)(1)(B), $800,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $833,600 for fiscal year 1994.
(G)
For site loans under section 524, $850,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $885,700 for fiscal year 1994.
(2)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, insured and guaranteed loan authority in this title for any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1984, shall not be transferred or used for any purpose not specified in this title.
(b)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 1993 and 1994, and to remain available until expended, the following amounts:
(1)
For grants under section 502(f)(1), $1,100,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $1,146,200 for fiscal year 1994.
(2)
For grants under section 504, $21,100,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $21,986,200 for fiscal year 1994.
(3)
For purposes of section 509(c), $600,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $625,200 for fiscal year 1994.
(4)
For project preparation grants under section 509(f)(6), $5,300,000 in fiscal year 1993 and $5,522,600 in fiscal year 1994.
(5)
In fiscal years 1993 and 1994, such sums as may be necessary to meet payments on notes or other obligations issued by the Secretary under section 511 equal to—
(A)
the aggregate of the contributions made by the Secretary in the form of credits on principal due on loans made pursuant to section 503; and
(B)
the interest due on a similar sum represented by notes or other obligations issued by the Secretary.
(6)
For grants for service coordinators under section 515(y), $1,000,000 in fiscal year 1993 and $1,042,000 in fiscal year 1994.
(7)
For financial assistance under section 516—
(A)
for low-rent housing and related facilities for domestic farm labor under subsections (a) through (j) of such section, $21,700,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $22,611,400 for fiscal year 1994; and
(B)
for housing for rural homeless and migrant farmworkers under subsection (k) of such section, $10,500,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $10,941,000 for fiscal year 1994.
(8)
For grants under section 523(f), $13,900,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $14,483,800 for fiscal year 1994.
(9)
For grants under section 533, $30,800,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $32,093,600 for fiscal year 1994.
(c)

Rental Assistance.—
(1)
The Secretary, to the extent approved in appropriations Acts for fiscal years 1993 and 1994, may enter into rental assistance payment contracts under section 521(a)(2)(A) aggregating $414,100,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $431,492,200 for fiscal year 1994.
(2)
Any authority approved in appropriation Acts for fiscal year 1988 or any succeeding fiscal year for rental assistance payment contracts under section 521(a)(2)(A) or contracts for operating assistance under section 521(a)(5) shall be used by the Secretary—
(A)
to renew rental assistance payment contracts or operating assistance contracts that expire during such fiscal year;
(B)
to provide amounts required to continue assistance payments for the remaining period of an existing contract, in any case in which the original amount of assistance is used prior to the end of the term of the contract; and
(C)
to make additional rental assistance payment contracts or operating assistance contracts for existing or newly constructed dwelling units.
(d)

Supplemental Rental Assistance Contracts.—
The Secretary, to the extent approved in appropriations Acts for fiscal years 1993 and 1994, may enter into 5-year supplemental rental assistance contracts under section 502(c)(5)(D) aggregating $12,178,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $12,689,476 for fiscal year 1994.
(e)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated for rural housing vouchers under section 542, $130,000,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $140,000,000 for fiscal year 1994.

insurance of loans for the provision of housing and related facilities for domestic farm labor
Sec. 514.
[42 U.S.C. 1484]
(a)
The Secretary is authorized to insure and make commitments to insure loans made by lenders other than the United States to the owner of any farm or any association of farmers for the purpose of providing housing and related facilities for domestic farm labor, or to any Indian tribe for such purpose, or to any State (or political subdivision thereof), or any broad-based public or private nonprofit organization, or any limited partnership in which the general partner is a nonprofit entity, or any nonprofit organization of farm workers incorporated within the State for the purpose of providing housing and related facilities for domestic farm labor any place within the State where a need exists. All such loans shall be made in accordance with terms and conditions substantially identical with those specified in section 502, except that—
(1)
no such loan shall be insured in an amount in excess of the value of the farm involved less any prior liens in the case of a loan to an individual owner of a farm, or the total estimated value of the structures and facilities with respect to which the loan is made in the case of any other loan;
(2)
no such loan shall be insured if it bears interest at a rate in excess of 1 per centum per annum;
(3)
out of interest payments by the borrower the Secretary shall retain a charge in an amount not less than one-half of 1 per centum per annum of the unpaid principal balance of the loan;
(4)
the insurance contracts and agreements with respect to any loan may contain provisions for servicing the loan by the Secretary or by the lender, and for the purchase by the Secretary of the loan if it is not in default, on such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe; and
(5)
the Secretary may take mortgages creating a lien running to the United States for the benefit of the insurance fund referred to in subsection (b) notwithstanding the fact that the note may be held by the lender or his assignee.
(b)
The Secretary shall utilize the insurance fund created by section 11 of the Bankhead Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1005a) and the provisions of section 13 (a), (b), and (c) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1005c (a), (b), and (c)) to discharge obligations under insurance contracts made pursuant to this section, and
(1)
the Secretary may utilize the insurance fund to pay taxes, insurance, prior liens, and other expenses to protect the security for loans which have been insured hereunder and to acquire such security property at foreclosure sales or otherwise;
(2)
the notes and security therefor acquired by the Secretary under insurance contracts made pursuant to this section shall become a part of the insurance fund. Loans insured under this section may be held in the fund and collected in accordance with their terms or may be sold and reinsured. All proceeds from such collections, including the liquidation of security and the proceeds of sales, shall become a part of the insurance fund; and
(3)
of the charges retained by the Secretary out of interest payments by the borrower, amounts not less than one-half of 1 per centum per annum of the unpaid principal balance of the loan shall be deposited in and become a part of the insurance fund. The remainder of such charges shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States and shall be available for administrative expenses of the Farmers Home Administration, to be transferred annually to and become merged with any appropriation for such expenses.
(c)
Any contract of insurance executed by the Secretary under this section shall be an obligation of the United States and incontestable except for fraud or misrepresentation of which the holder of the contract has actual knowledge.
[(d)
[Repealed.] ]
(e)
Amounts made available pursuant to section 513 of this Act shall be available for administrative expenses incurred under this section.
(f)
As used in this section—
(1)
the term “housing” means (A) new structures (including household furnishings) suitable for dwelling use by domestic farm labor, and (B) existing structures (including household furnishings) which can be made suitable for dwelling use by domestic farm labor by rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, or improvements;
(2)
the term “related facilities” means (A) new stuctures (including household furnishings) suitable for use as dining halls, community rooms or buildings, or infirmaries, or for other essential services facilities, (B) existing structures (including household furnishings) which can be made suitable for the above uses by rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, or improvement and (C) necessary for an adequate site; and
(3)
the term “domestic farm labor” means any person (and the family of such person) who receives a substantial portion of his or her income from primary production of agricultural or aquacultural commodities, the handling of agricultural or aquacultural commodities in the unprocessed stage, or the processing of agricultural or aquacultural commodities, without respect to the source of employment, except that—
(A)
such person shall be a citizen of the United States, or a person legally admitted for permanent residence, or a person legally admitted to the United States and authorized to work in agriculture;
(B)
such term includes any person (and the family of such person) who is retired or disabled, but who was domestic farm labor at the time of retirement or becoming disabled; and
(C)
in applying this paragraph with respect to vacant units in farm labor housing, the Secretary shall make units available for occupancy in the following order of priority:
(i)
to active farm laborers (and their families);
(ii)
to retired or disabled farm laborers (and their families) who were active in the local farm labor market at the time of retiring or becoming disabled; and
(iii)
to other retired or disabled farm laborers (and their families).
(g)
The Secretary may waive the interest rate limitation contained in subsection (a)(2) and the requirement of section 501(c)(3) in any case in which the Secretary determines that qualified public or private nonprofit sponsors are not currently available and are not likely to become available within a reasonable period of time and such waiver is necessary to permit farmers to provide housing and related facilities for migrant domestic farm laborers, except that the benefits resulting from such waiver shall accrue to the tenants, and the interest rate on a loan insured under this section and for which the Secretary permits such waiver shall be no less than one-eighth of 1 per centum above the average interest rate on notes or other obligations which are issued under section 511 and have maturities comparable to such a loan.
(h)
In making available assistance in any area under this section or section 516, the Secretary shall—
(1)
in determining the need for the assistance, take into consideration the housing needs only of domestic farm labor, including migrant farmworkers, in the area; and
(2)
in determining whether to provide such assistance, make such determination without regard to the extent or nature of other housing needs in the area.
(i)
Housing and related facilities constructed with loans under this section may be used for tenants eligible for occupancy under section 515 if the Secretary determines that—
(1)
there is no longer a need in the area for farm labor housing; or
(2)
the need for such housing in the area has diminished to the extent that the purpose of the loan, providing housing for domestic farm labor, can no longer be met.
(j)
Housing and related facilities constructed with loans under this section shall contain installed carbon monoxide alarms or detectors that meet or exceed—
(1)
the standards described in chapters 9 and 11 of the 2018 publication of the International Fire Code, as published by the International Code Council; or
(2)
any other standards as may be adopted by the Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, including any relevant updates to the International Fire Code, through a notice published in the Federal Register.
(k)26

Qualifying Smoke Alarms.—
(1)

In general.—
Housing and related facilities constructed with loans under this section shall contain qualifying smoke alarms that are installed in accordance with applicable codes and standards published by the International Code Council or the National Fire Protection Association and the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, or any successor standard, in each level and in or near each sleeping area in such dwelling unit, including in basements but excepting crawl spaces and unfinished attics, and in each common area in a project containing such a dwelling unit.
(2)

Definitions.—
For purposes of this subsection, the following definitions shall apply:
(A)

Smoke alarm defined.—
The term “smoke alarm” has the meaning given the term “smoke detector” in section 29(d) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2225(d)).
(B)

Qualifying smoke alarm defined.—
The term “qualifying smoke alarm” means a smoke alarm that—
(i)
in the case of a dwelling unit built before the date of enactment of this subsection and not substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this subsection—
(I)
- (aa)
is hardwired; or
- (bb)
uses 10-year non rechargeable, nonreplaceable primary batteries and—
(AA)
is sealed;
(BB)
is tamper resistant; and
(CC)
contains silencing means; and
(II)
provides notification for persons with hearing loss as required by the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, or any successor standard; or
(ii)
in the case of a dwelling unit built or substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this subsection, is hardwired.
^{26}
Effective December 29, 2024, section 601(e)(1) of division AA of Public Law 117-328 provides for an amendment to section 514 by adding at the end a new subsection (k).

direct and insured loans to provide housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families in rural areas
Sec. 515.
[42 U.S.C. 1485]
(a)
The Secretary is authorized to make loans to private nonprofit corporations and consumer cooperatives and Indian tribes to provide rental or cooperative housing and related facilities for elderly or handicapped persons or families of low or moderate income or other persons and families of low income in rural areas, in accordance with terms and conditions substantially identical with those specified in section 502; except that—
(1)
no such loan shall exceed the development cost or the value of the security, whichever is less;
(2)
such a loan may be made for a period of up to 30 years from the making of the loan; and
(3)
such a loan, when made to a consumer cooperative for cooperative housing purposes, may, notwithstanding any other provision of law, be made upon the condition that any person who is admitted as an eligible member and tenant of the cooperative may not subsequently be deprived of his membership or tenancy by reason of his no longer meeting the income eligibility requirements established by the Secretary.
There is authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $50,000,000 which shall constitute a revolving fund to be used by the Secretary in carrying out this subsection.
(b)
The Secretary is authorized to insure and make commitments to insure loans made to any individual, corporation, association, trust, Indian tribe, or partnership to provide rental or cooperative housing and related facilities for elderly or handicapped persons or families or other persons and families of moderate income in rural areas, in accordance with terms and conditions substantially identical with those specified in section 502; except that—
(1)
no such loan shall exceed the development cost or the value of the security, whichever is less;
(2)
such a loan may be made for a period of up to 30 years from the making of the loan, but the Secretary may provide for periodic payments based on an amortization schedule of 50 years with a final payment of the balance due at the end of the term of the loan;
(3)
for insuring such loans, the Secretary shall utilize the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund subject to all the provisions of section 309 and the second and third sentences of section 308 of the Consolidated Farmers Home Administration Act of 1961, including the authority in section 309(f)(1) of that Act to utilize the insurance fund to make, sell, and insure loans which could be insured under this subsection; but the aggregate of the principal amounts of such loans made by the Secretary and not disposed of shall not exceed $10,000,000 outstanding at any one time; and the Secretary may take liens running to the United States though the notes may be held by other lenders;
(4)
such a loan, when made to a consumer cooperative for cooperative housing purposes, may, notwithstanding any other provision of law, be made upon the condition that any person who is admitted as an eligible member and tenant of the cooperative may not subsequently be deprived of his membership or tenancy by reason of his no longer meeting the income eligibility requirements established by the Secretary;
(5)
loans may be made to owners who are otherwise eligible under this section to purchase and convert single-family residences to rental units of two or more dwellings; and
(6)
the Secretary may make a new loan to the current borrower to finance the final payment of the original loan for an additional period not to exceed twenty years, if—
(A)
the Secretary determines—
(i)
it is more cost-efficient and serves the tenant base more effectively to maintain the current property than to build a new property in the same location; or
(ii)
the property has been maintained to such an extent that it warrants retention in the current portfolio because it can be expected to continue providing decent, safe, and affordable rental units for the balance of the loan; and
(B)
the Secretary determines—
(i)
current market studies show that a need for low-income rural rental housing still exists for that area; and
(ii)
any other criteria established by the Secretary has been met.
(c)
With respect to a loan made or insured under subsection (a) or (b), the Secretary is authorized to—
(1)
make or insure an equity loan in the form of a supplemental loan for the purpose of equity takeout to the owner of housing financed with a loan made or insured under this section pursuant to a contract entered into before December 15, 1989, for the purpose of extending the affordability of the housing for low income families or persons and very low-income families or persons for not less than 20 years, except that such loan may not exceed 90 percent of the value of the equity in the project as determined by the Secretary;
(2)
transfer and reamortize an existing loan in connection with assistance provided under paragraph (1); and
(3)
make or insure a loan to enable a nonprofit organization or public agency to make a purchase described in section 502(c)(5).
(d)
No loan shall be made or insured under subsection (a) or (b) unless the Secretary finds that the construction involved will be undertaken in an economical manner and will not be of elaborate or extravagant design or materials. However, specifically designed equipment required by elderly or handicapped persons or families shall not be considered elaborate or extravagant. A loan may be made or insured under subsection (a) or (b) with respect to detached units, including those on scattered sites, for cooperative housing.
(e)
As used in this section—
(1)
the term “housing” means new or existing housing suitable for dwelling use by occupants eligible under this section, and such term also means manufactured home rental parks where either the lots or both the lots and the homes are available for use by occupants eligible under this section; and such term also means congregate housing facilities for elderly or handicapped persons or families who require some supervision and central services but are otherwise able to care for themselves; such housing for the handicapped may be utilized in conjunction with educational and training facilities;
(2)
the term “related facilities” includes cafeterias or dining halls, community rooms or buildings, appropriate recreation facilities, and other essential service, facilities;
(3)
the term “congregate housing” means housing in which (A) some of the units may not have kitchen facilities, and (B) there is a central dining facility to provide wholesome and economic meals for elderly or handicapped persons or families; and
(4)
the term “development cost” means the costs of constructing, purchasing, improving, altering, or repairing new or existing housing and related facilities and purchasing and improving the necessary land, including necessary and appropriate fees and charges, initial operating expenses up to 2 per centum of the aforementioned costs, approved by the Secretary, impact fees, local charges for installation, provision, or use of infrastructure, and local assessments for public improvements and services imposed by State and local governments. Such fees and charges may include payments of qualified consulting organizations or foundations which operate on a nonprofit basis and which render services or assistance to nonprofit corporations or consumer cooperatives who provide housing and related facilities for low or moderate income families. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this paragraph, the term “development cost” shall not include any initial operating expenses in the case of any nonprofit corporation or consumer cooperative that is financing housing under this section and has been allocated a low-income housing tax credit by a housing credit agency pursuant to section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(f)
Amounts made available pursuant to section 513 of this Act shall be available for administrative expenses incurred under this section.
(g)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the Secretary may make and insure loans to consumer cooperatives to enable such cooperatives to finance the transfers of memberships in the cooperatives upon such terms and conditions as low- and moderate-income persons can reasonably afford, except that such loans shall not be made upon terms more favorable than are authorized under section 521(a), and that the total loan to a cooperative under this section shall not exceed the value of the property.
(h)
(1)

Condition.—27
Project Transfers.—After the date of the enactment of the Act entitled “An Act making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, and for other purposes”28, the ownership or control of a project for which a loan is made or insured under this section may be transferred only if the Secretary determines that such transfer would further the provision of housing and related facilities for low-income families or persons and would be in the best interests of residents and the Federal Government.
^{27}
So in law. There are two headings for paragraph (1). See amendment made by section 2833(1) of Public Law 110–289 (122 Stat. 2868).
^{28}
August 6, 1996.
(2)

Actions to expedite project approvals.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary shall take actions to facilitate timely approval of requests to transfer ownership or control, for the purpose of rehabilitation or preservation, of multifamily housing projects for which assistance is provided by the Secretary of Agriculture in conjunction with any low-income housing tax credits under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or tax-exempt housing bonds.
(B)

Consultation.—
The Secretary of Agriculture shall consult with the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and take such actions as are appropriate in conjunction with such consultation to simplify the coordination of rules, regulations, forms (including applications forms for project transfers), and approval requirements 29 multifamily housing projects for which assistance is provided by the Secretary of Agriculture in conjunction with any low-income housing tax credits under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or tax-exempt housing bonds.
^{29}
So in law. Probably intended to inlcude “for” here.
(C)

Existing requirements.—
Any actions taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be taken in a manner that provides for full compliance with any existing requirements under law or regulation that are designed to protect families receiving Federal housing assistance, including income targeting, rent, and fair housing provisions, and shall also comply with requirements regarding environmental review and protection and wages paid to laborers.
(D)

Recommendations.—
In implementing the changes required under this paragraph, the Secretary shall solicit recommendations regarding such changes from project owners and sponsors, investors and stakeholders in housing tax credits, State and local housing finance agencies, tenant advocates, and other stakeholders in such projects.
(i)
After approving a project involving newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated units under this section, the Secretary shall limit cost increases to those approved by the Secretary. The Secretary may approve those increases only for unforeseen factors beyond the owner's control, design changes required by the Secretary or the local government, or changes in financing approved by the Secretary.
(j)
For the purpose of achieving the lowest cost in providing units in newly constructed projects assisted under this section, the Secretary shall give a preference in entering into contracts under this section for projects which are to be located on specific tracts of land provided by States, units of local government, or others if the Secretary determines that the tract of land is suitable for such housing, and that affording such preference will be cost effective.
(k)
The Secretary shall assure that management fees are not excessive when a project developed under this section is managed by the developer or an affiliate of the developer.
(l)
For purposes of determining the market feasibility of any project to be assisted under this section—
(1)
in the case of any applicant who applies for rental assistance payments under section 521 in connection with such project, the Secretary shall consider the availability of such rental assistance payments with respect to the project and shall require such applicant to demonstrate that a market exists for persons and families eligible for such rental assistance payments; and
(2)
in the case of any applicant whose project is expected to utilize any assistance under a program of a State, or political subdivision thereof, that is similar to such assistance payments under section 521, the Secretary shall only require such applicant to demonstrate that—
(A)
a market exists for persons and families eligible for such program of assistance;
(B)
such program of assistance will provide rental assistance for a period of not less than five years, and, at the option of the applicant, either that there is a reasonable assurance that the contract for assistance will be extended or renewed, or for the term of the loan remaining after the period of such assistance, that an adequate rental market exists for the project without such assistance; and
(C)
during the term of such rental assistance contracts, such State or political subdivision shall make available the amounts required for such rental assistance not less than annually.
(m)
(1)
The Secretary shall establish standards for housing and related facilities rehabilitated or repaired with amounts received under a loan made or insured under this section. Standards established by the Secretary under this subsection shall provide that except for substantial rehabilitation the particular items or systems repaired or rehabilitated must meet appropriate levels of quality or performance comparable to those levels prescribed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for rehabilitation, but shall not require that such items or systems or the remainder of the property meet the standards which are applicable to new construction. The Secretary shall ensure that standards prescribed under this subsection provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing and related facilities.
(2)30
Housing and related facilities rehabilitated or repaired with amounts received under a loan made or insured under this section shall contain installed carbon monoxide alarms or detectors that meet or exceed—
(A)
the standards described in chapters 9 and 11 of the 2018 publication of the International Fire Code, as published by the International Code Council; or
(B)
any other standards as may be adopted by the Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, including any relevant updates to the International Fire Code, through a notice published in the Federal Register.
^{30}
Margin so in law. See amendments made by section 101(f) of division Q of Public Law 116-260.
(3)31

Qualifying smoke alarms.—
(A)

In general.—
Housing and related facilities rehabilitated or repaired with amounts received under a loan made or insured under this section shall contain qualifying smoke alarms that are installed in accordance with applicable codes and standards published by the International Code Council or the National Fire Protection Association and the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, or any successor standard, in each level and in or near each sleeping area in such dwelling unit, including in basements but excepting crawl spaces and unfinished attics, and in each common area in a project containing such a dwelling unit.
(B)

Definitions.—
For purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions shall apply:
(i)

Smoke alarm defined.—
The term “smoke alarm” has the meaning given the term “smoke detector” in section 29(d) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2225(d)).
(ii)

Qualifying smoke alarm defined.—
The term “qualifying smoke alarm” means a smoke alarm that—
(I)
in the case of a dwelling unit built before the date of enactment of this paragraph and not substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this paragraph—
- (aa)
(AA)
is hardwired; or
(BB)
uses 10-year non rechargeable, nonreplaceable primary batteries and is sealed, is tamper resistant, and contains silencing means; and
- (bb)
provides notification for persons with hearing loss as required by the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, or any successor standard; or
(II)
in the case of a dwelling unit built or substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this paragraph, is hardwired.
^{31}
Effective December 29, 2024, section 601(e)(2) of division AA of Public Law 117-328 provides for an amendment to section 515(m) by adding at the end a new paragraph (3).
(n)
The Secretary may not deny assistance under this section or section 521 on the basis that the project involved is to be located on more than one site.
(o)
The Secretary may not (1) deny assistance under this section on the basis that rental assistance payments under section 521 may be required unless the authority to provide such assistance is not available; or (2) promulgate any regulation that would have the effect of denying occupancy to eligible persons on the basis that such persons require rental assistance payments under section 521.
(p)
(1)
To the extent assistance is available under section 521(a)(2), not more than 25 per centum of the dwelling units which were available for occupancy under this section prior to the date of enactment of this subsection,32 and which will be leased on or after such date shall be available for leasing by low income persons and families other than very low-income persons and families.
^{32}
November 30, 1983.
(2)
To the extent assistance is available under section 521(a)(2), not more than 5 per centum of the dwelling units which become available for occupancy under this section on or after the date of enactment of this subsection 32 shall be available for leasing by low income persons and families other than very low-income persons and families.
(3)
Units in projects financed under this section which become available for occupancy after the date of enactment of this subsection 32 shall not be available for occupancy by persons and families other than very low-income persons and families if the authority to provide assistance for such persons is available.
(4)
In projects financed under this section, units that have been allocated a low-income housing tax credit by a housing credit agency pursuant to section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall not be available for occupancy by persons or families other than persons or families with incomes not in excess of the qualifying income applicable to such units pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 42(g)(1) of such Code.
(5)
The Secretary shall coordinate the processing of any application for a loan under this section for a project and the processing of any application for assistance under section 521(a)(2) with respect to housing units in the same project in an economical and efficient manner. At the time the Secretary enters into a commitment to make or insure a loan under this section the Secretary shall obligate amounts for assistance payments under section 521(a)(2) for the project, to the extent that such amounts are available and the Secretary determines such assistance is necessary for the market feasibility of the project.
(q)
In determining the income of a person or family occupying housing financed under this section, the Secretary shall consider the value of that person's or family's assets in the same manner as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development considers such value for the purpose of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
(r)
(1)
the 33 Secretary—
^{33}
So in law.
(A)
may require that the initial operating reserve under this section may be in the form of an irrevocable letter of credit; and
(B)
except as provided in paragraph (2), may require not more than a 3 percent contribution to equity, except that the Secretary shall require a 5 percent contribution in the case of a project that is allocated a low-income housing tax credit pursuant to section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(2)
The Secretary may adjust the amount of equity contribution to ensure that assistance provided is not more than is necessary to provide affordable housing after taking account of assistance from all Federal, State, and local sources.
(3)
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Act entitled “An Act making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, and for other purposes”34, the Secretary shall issue regulations to implement subsection (r)(2) in accordance with the negotiated rulemaking procedures set forth in subchapter III of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code: Provided, That if the negotiated rulemaking is not completed within the designated time, the Secretary shall proceed to promulgate regulations under the rulemaking authority contained in 5 U.S.C. 557.
^{34}
The date of enactment was August 6, 1996.
(s)
No fee other than a late fee may be imposed by or for the Secretary or any other Federal agency on or with respect to a loan made or insured under this section.
(t)

Equity Takeout Loans.—
(1)

Authority.—
The Secretary is authorized to guarantee an equity loan (in the form of a supplemental loan) to an owner of housing financed with a loan made or insured under subsection (b), only if the Secretary determines, after taking into account local market conditions, that there is reasonable likelihood that the housing will continue as decent, safe, and sanitary housing for the remaining life of the original loan on the project made or insured under subsection (b) and that such an equity loan is—
(A)
necessary to provide a fair return on the owner's investment in the housing;
(B)
the least costly alternative for the Federal Government that is consistent with carrying out the purposes of this subsection; and
(C)
would not impose an undue hardship on tenants or an unreasonable cost to the Federal Government.
The amount of loans guaranteed under this subsection shall be subject to limits provided in appropriations Acts.
(2)

Timing.—
The Secretary is authorized to guarantee an equity loan under this subsection after the expiration of the 20-year period beginning on the date that an existing loan under subsection (b) of this section was made or insured. Not more than one equity loan under this subsection may be provided for any project.
(3)

Amount of the takeout.—
The amount of an equity loan under this subsection shall not exceed the difference between the outstanding principal on debt secured by the project and 90 percent of the appraised value of the project. The appraised value of the project shall be determined by 2 independent appraisers, 1 of whom shall be selected by the Secretary and 1 of whom shall be selected by the owner. If the 2 appraisers fail to agree on the value of the project, the Secretary and the owner shall jointly select a third appraiser whose appraisal shall be binding on the Secretary and the owner. The amount of the equity loan shall not exceed 30 percent of the amount of the original appraised value of the project made or insured under subsection (b).
(4)

Submission of plan.—
An owner requesting an equity loan under this subsection shall submit a plan acceptable to the Secretary to ensure that the cost of amortizing an equity loan under paragraph (1) does not result in the displacement of very-low-income tenants or substantially alter the income mix of the tenants in the project.
(5)

Regulations.—
The Secretary shall issue final regulations within 180 days from the date of enactment of this subsection.
(6)

Effective date.—
The requirements of this subsection shall apply to any loan obligated under this section on or after December 15, 1989. This subsection shall not require retroactive reserve account payments with respect to any loan that was obligated on or after December 15, 1989, and on or before June 16, 1990, but reserve account payments shall be required for such loans beginning on the date of the enactment of this paragraph.35
^{35}
November 28, 1990.
(u)

Reuse of Loan Authority.—
Loan authority that is obligated under this section but that is not expended due to any action that removes the original borrower, may be reallocated to a different borrower during the same fiscal year in which the loan authority was obligated. Any loan authority under this section appropriated or made available within limits established in appropriations Acts shall remain available until expended.
(v)

Assumption of Loans.—
The Secretary may provide for the assumption or transfer of a loan or loan obligation under this section to any person or entity qualified to receive a loan or loan obligation under this section in any case of default or foreclosure with respect to the original borrower. The Secretary shall provide in each assumption or transfer under this subsection for the assumption of the obligations, rights, and interests under the terms of the loan or loan obligation or such other terms as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(w)

Set-Aside of Rural Rental Housing Funds.—
(1)

Authority.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall set aside from amounts made available for each State for loans under this section, not less than 9 percent of the amounts available in each fiscal year. Amounts set aside shall be available only for nonprofit entities in the State, which may not be wholly or partially owned or controlled by a for-profit entity. A partnership, that has as its general partner a nonprofit entity or the nonprofit entity's for-profit subsidiary, is eligible to receive funds set aside under this subsection to sponsor a project which is receiving low-income housing tax credits authorized under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. For the purposes of this subsection, a nonprofit entity is an organization that—
(A)
will own an interest in a project to be financed under this section and will materially participate in the development and the operation of the project;
(B)
is a private organization that has nonprofit, tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) or section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(C)
has among its purposes the planning, development, or management of low-income housing or community development projects; and
(D)
is not affiliated with or controlled by a for-profit organization.
(2)

Minimum state set-aside.—
If the amount set aside under paragraph (1) for any State is less than $750,000 in any fiscal year, the Secretary shall pool such amount together with set-aside amounts from other States whose set-aside is less than $750,000, and shall make such amounts available for such eligible entities under paragraph (1) in any such State. The Secretary shall establish a procedure to provide that any amounts pooled under this paragraph from the allocation for any State in any fiscal year that are not obligated during a reasonable period in such year shall be made available for any such eligible entities under paragraph (1) in such State. The Secretary may provide amounts available for reallocation under this subsection in excess of $750,000 in a given State, if such amounts are necessary to finance a project under this section.
(3)

Unused amounts.—
(A)

Equitable distribution.—
Any amounts set aside under this subsection from the allocation for any State that are not obligated by 9 months after the allocation, shall first be pooled and made available to any other eligible nonprofit entity in any State as defined in this subsection. The Secretary shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that pooled funds are distributed under this subparagraph in an equitable manner.
(B)

Return to the states.—
After funds have been pooled and obligated for 30 days, the Secretary shall return any remaining funds to the States on a proportional basis for use by any other eligible entity as defined in this section.
(x)

Uniform Project Costs; Coordination of Housing Resources and Tax Benefits.—
The Secretary shall—
(1)
establish standard guidelines for State offices that describe allowable development costs which are required for development of all projects under this section, without regard to whether the project was allocated a low-income housing tax credit;
(2)
require each State to establish a process for coordinating the selection of projects under this section with the housing needs and priorities as established in a State comprehensive housing affordability strategy under section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act and a low-income housing tax credit allocation plan under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(3)
develop, in consultation with housing credit agencies (as that term is defined under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), uniform procedures for identifying and sharing information on project costs, builder profit, identity of interests relationships, and other factors, as appropriate, with the relevant housing credit agency for projects that are allocated a low-income housing tax credit pursuant to section 42(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for the purpose of achieving compliance with section 102(d) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 3545(d)).
(y)

Service Coordinators.—
(1)

Grants.—
The Secretary may make grants under this subsection, with respect to any project that the Secretary determines has a sufficient number of frail elderly residents, for the cost of employing or otherwise retaining the services of one or more individuals to coordinate services provided to frail elderly residents of the project (in this subsection referred to as a “service coordinator”), who shall be responsible for—
(A)
assessing the supportive service needs of frail elderly residents of the project, based on objective criteria and interviews with such residents;
(B)
working with service providers to design the provision of services to meet the needs of frail elderly residents of the project, taking into consideration the needs and desires of such residents and their ability and willingness to pay for such services, as expressed by the residents;
(C)
mobilizing public and private resources to obtain funding for such services for such residents;
(D)
monitoring and evaluating the impact and effectiveness of any supportive services provided for such residents;
(E)
consulting and coordinating with any appropriate public and private agencies regarding the provision of supportive services; and
(F)
performing such other duties that the Secretary deems appropriate to enable frail elderly persons residing in federally assisted housing to live with dignity and independence.
(2)

Qualifications.—
Individuals employed as service coordinators pursuant to this subsection shall meet the minimum qualifications and standards established under section 802(d)(4) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act for service coordinators under a congregate housing services program.
(3)

Application and selection.—
The Secretary shall provide for the form and manner of applications for grants under this subsection and for the selection of applicants to receive the grants.
(4)

Definition of frail elderly.—
For purposes of this subsection, the term “frail elderly” has the meaning given the term in section 802(k) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act.
(z)

Accounting and Recordkeeping Requirements.—
(1)

Accounting standards.—
The Secretary shall require that borrowers in programs authorized by this section maintain accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for all projects that receive funds from loans made or guaranteed by the Secretary under this section.
(2)

Record retention requirements.—
The Secretary shall require that borrowers in programs authorized by this section retain for a period of not less than 6 years and make available to the Secretary in a manner determined by the Secretary, all records required to be maintained under this subsection and other records identified by the Secretary in applicable regulations.
(aa)

Double Damages for Unauthorized Use of Housing Projects Assets and Income.—
(1)

Action to recover assets or income.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary may request the Attorney General to bring an action in a United States district court to recover any assets or income used by any person in violation of the provisions of a loan made or guaranteed by the Secretary under this section or in violation of any applicable statute or regulation.
(B)

Improper documentation.—
For purposes of this subsection, a use of assets or income in violation of the applicable loan, loan guarantee, statute, or regulation shall include any use for which the documentation in the books and accounts does not establish that the use was made for a reasonable operating expense or necessary repair of the project or for which the documentation has not been maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Secretary and in reasonable condition for proper audit.
(C)

Definition.—
For the purposes of this subsection, the term “person” means—
(i)
any individual or entity that borrows funds in accordance with programs authorized by this section;
(ii)
any individual or entity holding 25 percent or more interest of any entity that borrows funds in accordance with programs authorized by this section; and
(iii)
any officer, director, or partner of an entity that borrows funds in accordance with programs authorized by this section.
(2)

Amount recoverable.—
(A)

In general.—
In any judgment favorable to the United States entered under this subsection, the Attorney General may recover double the value of the assets and income of the project that the court determines to have been used in violation of the provisions of a loan made or guaranteed by the Secretary under this section or any applicable statute or regulation, plus all costs related to the action, including reasonable attorney and auditing fees.
(B)

Application of recovered funds.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may use amounts recovered under this subsection for activities authorized under this section and such funds shall remain available for such use until expended.
(3)

Time limitation.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an action under this subsection may be commenced at any time during the 6-year period beginning on the date that the Secretary discovered or should have discovered the violation of the provisions of this section or any related statutes or regulations.
(4)

Continued availability of other remedies.—
The remedy provided in this subsection is in addition to and not in substitution of any other remedies available to the Secretary or the United States.

financial assistance to provide low-rent housing for domestic farm labor
Sec. 516.
[42 U.S.C. 1486]
(a)
Upon the application of any State or political subdivision thereof, or any Indian tribe, or any broad-based public or private nonprofit organization incorporated within the State, or any nonprofit organization of farmworkers incorporated within the State, the Secretary is authorized to provide financial assistance for the provision of low-rent housing and related facilities (which may be located any place within the State) for domestic farm labor, if he finds that—
(1)
the housing and related facilities for which financial assistance is requested will fulfill a pressing need in the area in which such housing and facilities will be located, and there is reasonable doubt that the same can be provided without financial assistance under this section;
(2)
the applicant will contribute, from its own resources or from funds borrowed under section 514 or elsewhere, at least 10 per centum of the total development cost;
(3)
the types of housing and related facilities to be provided are most practical, giving due consideration to the purposes to be served thereby and the needs of the occupants thereof, and such housing and facilities shall be durable and suitable for year-around occupancy or use, unless the Secretary finds that there is no need for such year-around occupancy or use in that area; and
(4)
the construction will be undertaken in an economical manner, and the housing and related facilities will not be of elaborate or extravagant design or materials.
(b)
The amount of any financial assistance provided under this section for low-rent housing and related facilities shall not exceed 90 per centum of the total development cost thereof, as determined by the Secretary, less such amount as the Secretary determines can be practicably obtained from other sources (including a loan under section 514).
(c)
No financial assistance for low-rent housing and related facilities shall be made available under this section unless, to any extent and for any periods required by the Secretary, the applicant agrees—
(1)
that the rentals charged domestic farm labor shall not exceed such amounts as may be approved by the Secretary giving due consideration to the income and earning capacity of the tenants, and the necessary costs of operating and maintaining such housing;
(2)
that such housing shall be maintained at all times in a safe and sanitary condition in accordance with such standards as may be prescribed by State or local law, or, in the absence of such standards, in accordance with such minimum requirements as the Secretary shall prescribe; and 36
^{36}
Effective December 29, 2024, section 601(f)(1) of division AA of Public Law 117-328 provides for amendments to section 516(c) by striking “and” at the end of paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting “; and”, and adding at the end
(3)
an absolute priority will be given at all times in granting occupancy of such housing and facilities to domestic farm labor.36
(4)36
that such housing shall contain qualifying smoke alarms that are installed in accordance with applicable codes and standards published by the International Code Council or the National Fire Protection Association and the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, or any successor standard, in each level and in or near each sleeping area in such dwelling unit, including in basements but excepting crawl spaces and unfinished attics, and in each common area in a project containing such a dwelling unit.
(d)
The Secretary may make payments pursuant to any contract for financial assistance under this section at such times and in such manner as may be specified in the contract. In each contract, the Secretary shall include such covenants, conditions, or provisions as he deems necessary to insure that the housing and related facilities, for which financial assistance is made available, be used only in conformity with the provisions of this section.
(e)
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to insure that Federal funds expended under this section are not wasted or dissipated. The Secretary shall not give priority for funding under this section to any one of the groups listed in subsection (a) over any of the others so listed.
(f)
All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors on projects assisted by the Secretary which are undertaken by approved applicants under this section shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar construction in the locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 276a—276a–5). The Secretary shall not extend any financial assistance under this section for any project without first obtaining adequate assurance that these labor standards will be maintained on the construction work; except that compliance with such standards may be waived by the Secretary in cases or classes of cases where laborers or mechanics, not otherwise employed at any time on the project, voluntarily donate their services without compensation for the purpose of lowering the costs of construction and the Secretary determines that any amounts thereby saved are fully credited to the person, corporation, association, organization, or other entity undertaking the project. The Secretary of Labor shall have, with respect to the labor standards specified in this section, the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (15 F.R. 3176; 64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. 133z–15), and section 2 of the Act of June 13, 1934, as amended (40 U.S.C. 276).
(g)
As used in this section—
(1)
the term “low-rent housing” means rental housing within the financial reach of families of low income consisting of (A) new structures (including household furnishings) suitable for dwelling use by domestic farm labor, and (B) existing structures (including household furnishings) which can be made suitable for dwelling use by domestic farm labor by rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, or improvement;
(2)
the terms “related facilities” and “domestic farm labor” shall have the meaning assigned to them in section 514(f);
(3)
the term “development cost” shall have the meaning assigned to it in section 515(d)(4); and 37
^{37}
Effective December 29, 2024, section 601(f)(2) of division AA of Public Law 117-328 provides for amendments to section 516(g) by striking "and" at the end of paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and inserting a semicolon, and adding at the end new paragraphs (5) and (6).
(4)
the term “domestic farm labor” has the meaning given such term in section 514(f)(3).37
(5)37
the term “smoke alarm” has the meaning given the term “smoke detector” in section 29(d) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2225(d)); and
(6)37
the term “qualifying smoke alarm” means a smoke alarm that—
(A)
in the case of a dwelling unit built before the date of enactment of this paragraph and not substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this paragraph—
(i)
(I)
is hardwired; or
(II)
uses 10-year non rechargeable, nonreplaceable primary batteries and—
- (aa)
is sealed;
- (bb)
is tamper resistant; and
- (cc)
contains silencing means; and
(ii)
provides notification for persons with hearing loss as required by the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, or any successor standard; or
(B)
in the case of a dwelling unit built or substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this paragraph, is hardwired.
(h)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(3), the Secretary may, upon a finding of persistent need for migrant farmworker housing in any area, provide assistance to eligible applicants for 90 per centum of the development costs of such housing in such area to be used solely by migrant farmworkers while they are away from their residence. Such housing shall be constructed in such a manner as to be safe and weatherproof for the time it is to be occupied, be equipped with potable water and modern sanitation facilities (including a kitchen sink, toilet, and bathing facilities), and meet such other requirements as the Secretary may prescribe.
(i)
The Secretary shall utilize not more than 10 per centum of the amounts available for any fiscal year for purposes of this section for financial assistance to eligible private and public nonprofit agencies to encourage the development of domestic and migrant farm labor housing projects under this title.
(j)
Housing and related facilities constructed with grants under this section may be used for tenants eligible for occupancy under section 515 if the Secretary determines that—
(1)
there is no longer a need in the area for farm labor housing; or
(2)
the need for such housing in the area has diminished to the extent that the purpose of the grant, providing housing for domestic farm labor, can no longer be met.
(k)

Housing for Rural Homeless and Migrant Farmworkers.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary may provide financial assistance for providing affordable rental housing and related facilities for migrant farmworkers and homeless individuals (and the families of such individuals) to applicants as provided in this subsection.
(2)

Types of assistance.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary may provide the following assistance for housing under this subsection:
(i)
An advance, in an amount not to exceed $400,000, of the cost of acquisition, substantial rehabilitation, or acquisition and rehabilitation of an existing structure or construction of a new structure for use in the provision of housing under this subsection. The repayment of any outstanding debt owed on a loan made to purchase an existing structure shall be considered to be a cost of acquisition eligible for an advance under this subparagraph if the structure was not used for the purposes under this subsection prior to the receipt of assistance.
(ii)
A grant, in an amount not to exceed $400,000, for moderate rehabilitation of an existing structure for use in the provision of housing under this subsection.
(iii)
Annual payments for operating costs of such housing (without regard to whether the housing is an existing structure), not to exceed 75 percent of the annual operating costs of such housing.
(B)

Available assistance.—
A recipient may receive assistance under both clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A). The Secretary may increase the limit contained in such clauses to $800,000 in areas which the Secretary finds have high acquisition and rehabilitation costs.
(C)

Repayment of advance.—
Any advance provided under subparagraph (A)(i) shall be repaid on such terms as may be prescribed by the Secretary when the project ceases to be used as housing in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. Recipients shall be required to repay 100 percent of the advance if the housing is used for purposes under this subsection for fewer than 10 years following initial occupancy. If the housing is used for such purposes for more than 10 years, the percentage of the amount that shall be required to be repaid shall be reduced by 10 percentage points for each year in excess of 10 that the property is so used.
(D)

Prevention of undue benefits.—
Upon any sale or other disposition of housing acquired or rehabilitated with assistance under this subsection prior to the close of 20 years after the housing is placed in service, other than a sale or other disposition resulting in the use of the project for the direct benefit of low income persons or where all of the proceeds are used to provide housing for migrant farmworkers and homeless individuals (and the families of such individuals), the recipient shall comply with such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe to prevent the recipient from unduly benefiting from the sale or other disposition of the project.
(3)

Program requirements.—
(A)

Applications.—
(i)
Applications for assistance under this subsection shall be submitted by an applicant in such form and in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary shall establish.
(ii)
The Secretary shall require that applications contain at a minimum (I) a description of the proposed housing, (II) a description of the size and characteristics of the population that would occupy the housing, (III) a description of any public and private resources that are expected to be made available in connection with the housing, (IV) a description of the housing needs for migrant farmworkers and homeless individuals (and the families of such individuals) in the area to be served by the housing, and (V) assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the housing assisted will be operated for not less than 10 years for the purpose specified in the application.
(iii)
The Secretary shall require that an application furnish reasonable assurances that the housing will be available for occupancy by homeless individuals (and the families of such individuals) only on an emergency and temporary basis during the offseason and shall be otherwise available for occupancy by migrant farmworkers (and their families).
(iv)
The Secretary shall require that an application furnish reasonable assurances that the applicant will own or have control of a site for the proposed housing not later than 6 months after notification of an award for grant assistance. An applicant may obtain ownership or control of a suitable site different from the site specified in the application. If an applicant fails to obtain ownership or control of the site within 1 year after notification of an award for grant assistance, the grant shall be recaptured and reallocated.
(B)

Selection criteria.—
The Secretary shall establish selection criteria for a national competition for assistance under this subsection, which shall include—
(i)
the ability of the applicant to develop and operate the housing;
(ii)
the feasibility of the proposal in providing the housing;
(iii)
the need for such housing in the area to be served;
(iv)
the cost effectiveness of the proposed housing;
(v)
the extent to which the project would meet the needs of migrant farmworkers and homeless individuals (and the families of such individuals) in the State;
(vi)
the extent to which the applicant has control of the site of the proposed housing; and
(vii)
such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate for purposes of this subsection.
(C)

Required agreements.—
The Secretary may not approve assistance for any housing under this subsection unless the applicant agrees—
(i)
to operate the proposed project as housing for migrant farmworkers and homeless individuals (and the families of such individuals) in compliance with the provisions of this subsection and the application approved by the Secretary;
(ii)
to monitor and report to the Secretary on the progress of the housing; and
(iii)
to comply with such other terms and conditions as the Secretary may establish for purposes of this subsection.
(D)

Occupant rent.—
Each migrant farmworker and homeless individual residing in a facility assisted under this subsection shall pay as rent an amount determined in accordance with the provisions of section 3(a) of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
(4)

Guidelines.—
(A)

Regulations.—
Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act,38 the Secretary shall by notice establish such requirements as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this subsection.
^{38}
The date of enactment was November 28, 1990.
(B)

Limitation on use of funds.—
No assistance received under this subsection (or any State or local government funds used to supplement such assistance) may be used to replace other public funds previously used, or designated for use, to assist homeless individuals (and the families of such individuals) or migrant farmworkers.
(5)

Limitation on administrative expenses.—
No recipient may use more than 5 percent of an advance or grant received under this subsection for administrative purposes.
(6)

Reports to congress.—
The Secretary shall submit annually to the Congress a report summarizing the activities carried out under this subsection and setting forth the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Secretary as a result of the activities. The report shall be submitted not later than 3 months after the end of each fiscal year.
(7)

Definitions.—
For purposes of this subsection:
(A)
The term “applicant” means a State, political subdivision thereof, Indian tribe, any private nonprofit organization incorporated within the State that has applied for a grant under this subsection.
(B)
The term “homeless individual” has the same meaning given the term under section 103 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act 39.
^{39}
Public Law 106-400, enacted on October 30, 2000, renamed the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Section 2 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 note) provides that ``[a]ny reference in any law, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the `McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act'''.
(C)
The term “migrant farmworker”—
(i)
means any person (and the family of such person) who (I) receives a substantial portion of his or her income from primary production of agricultural or aquacultural commodities, the handling of such commodities in the unprocessed stage, or the processing of such commodities, without respect to the source of employment, and (II) establishes residence in a location on a seasonal or temporary basis, in an attempt to receive an income as described in subclause (I); and
(ii)
includes any person (and the family of such person) who is retired or disabled, but who met the requirements of clause (i) at the time of retirement or becoming disabled.
(D)
The term “operating costs” means expenses incurred by a recipient providing housing under this subsection with respect to the administration, maintenance, repair, and security of such housing and utilities, fuel, furnishings, and equipment for such housing.

insured rural housing loans
Sec. 517.
[42 U.S.C. 1487]
(a)
The Secretary may insure loans meeting the requirements of section 502, and may make loans in accordance with the requirements of such section to be sold and insured. The amount of such a loan to a low income person or family shall not exceed the amount necessary to provide adequate housing which is modest in size, design, and cost (as determined by the Secretary).
(b)
The Secretary may insure loans in accordance with the requirements of sections 514 (exclusive of subsections (a)(3), (a)(5), and (b)), 515 (exclusive of subsections (a) and (b)(3)), 524 and 526 and may make loans meeting such requirements to be sold and insured. Upon the expiration of ninety days after the original capitalization of the Rural Housing Insurance Fund, created by subsection (e) of this section, no new loans shall be made or insured under section 514 or 515(b), except in conformity with this section. The notes held in the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund (7 U.S.C. 1929) which evidence loans made or insured by the Secretary under section 514 or 515(b), the rights and liabilities of that Fund under insurance contracts relating to such loans held by insured investors, the mortgages securing the obligations of the borrowers under such loans held in that Fund or by insured investors, and all rights to subsequent collections on and proceeds of such notes, contracts, and mortgages, are hereby transferred to the Rural Housing Insurance Fund and for the purposes of this title and any other Act shall be subject to the provisions of this section as if created pursuant thereto. The Rural Housing Insurance Fund shall compensate the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund for the aggregate unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest of the notes so transferred.
(c)
The Secretary may use the Rural Housing Insurance Fund for the purpose of making loans to be sold and insured under this section. Any loan made and sold by the Secretary under this section after the date of the enactment of the Housing and Community Development Reconciliation Amendments of 198540 (and any loan made by other lenders under this title that is insured or guaranteed in accordance with this section, is purchased by the Secretary, and is sold by the Secretary under this section after such date) shall be sold to the public and may not be sold to the Federal Financing Bank, unless such sale to the Federal Financing Bank is required to service transactions under this title between the Secretary and the Federal Financing Bank occurring on or before such date.
^{40}
April 7, 1986.
(d)
(1)
The Secretary may, in conformity with subsections (a), (b), and (m), insure the payment of principal and interest on loans made by lenders other than the United States, and on loans made from or otherwise acquired by the Rural Housing Insurance Fund which are sold by the Secretary. Any contract of insurance executed by the Secretary hereunder shall be an obligation supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, and shall be incontestable except for fraud or material misrepresentation of which the holder has actual knowledge. In connection with loans insured under this section, the Secretary may take liens running to the United States notwithstanding the fact that the notes evidencing such loans may be held by lenders other than the United States. Notes evidencing such loans shall be freely assignable, but the Secretary shall not be bound by any such assignment until notice thereof is given to and acknowledged by him.
(2)
Each loan made by the Secretary or other lenders under this title that is insured or guaranteed in accordance with this subsection shall, when offered for sale to the public, be accompanied by an agreement by the Secretary to pay to the holder of such loan (through an agreement to purchase such loan or through such other means as the Secretary determines to be appropriate) the difference between the rate of interest paid by the borrower of such loan and the market rate of interest (as determined by the Secretary) on obligations having comparable periods to maturity on the date of such sale.
(3)
Each loan made by the Secretary or other lenders under this title that is insured or guaranteed in accordance with this subsection shall, when offered for sale to the public, be accompanied by agreements for the benefit of the borrower under the loan that provide that—
(A)
the purchaser or any assignee of the loan shall not diminish any substantive or procedural right of the borrower arising under this title;
(B)
upon any substantial default of the borrower, but prior to foreclosure, the loan shall be assigned to the Secretary for the purpose of avoiding foreclosure; and
(C)
following any assignment under subparagraph (B) and before commencing any action to foreclose or otherwise dispossess the borrower, the Secretary shall afford the borrower all substantive and procedural rights arising under this title, including consideration for interest subsidy, moratorium, reamortization, refinancing, and appeal of any adverse decision to an impartial officer.
(4)
From the proceeds of loan sales under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall set aside as a reserve against future losses not less than 5 percent of the outstanding face amount of the loans held by the public at any time.41
^{41}
See also section 310C of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 USC 1933).
(e)
There is hereby created the Rural Housing Insurance Fund (hereinafter referred to as the “Fund” which shall be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for carrying out the provisions of this section. The guaranteed loan program under this title shall be operated separately from the insured loan program operated under this title and no funds designated for one program may be transferred to another program. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary for the purposes of the Fund.
(f)
Money in the Fund not needed for current operations shall be invested in direct obligations of the United States or obligations guaranteed by the United States.
(g)
All funds, claims, notes, mortgages, contracts, and property acquired by the Secretary under this section, and all collections and proceeds therefrom, shall constitute assets of the Fund; and all liabilities and obligations of such assets shall be liabilities and obligations of the Fund. Loans may be held in the Fund and collected in accordance with their terms or may be sold by the Secretary with or without agreements for insurance thereof. The Secretary is authorized to make agreements with respect to servicing loans held or insured by him under this section and purchasing such insured loans on such terms and conditions as he may prescribe.
(h)
The Secretary is authorized to issue notes to the Secretary of the Treasury to obtain funds necessary for discharging obligations under this section and for authorized expenditures out of the Fund, but, except as may be authorized in appropriations Acts, not for the original or any additional capital of the Fund. Such notes shall be in such form and denominations and have such maturities and be subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury. Each note shall bear interest at the average rate, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, payable by the Treasury upon its marketable public obligations outstanding at the beginning of the fiscal year in which such note is issued, which are neither due nor callable for redemption for fifteen years from their date of issue. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to purchase any notes of the Secretary issued hereunder, and for that purpose the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to use as a public debt transaction the proceeds from the sale of any securities issued under chapter 31 of title 31, United States Code, and the purposes for which such securities may be issued under such chapter are extended to include purchases of notes issued by the Secretary. All redemptions, purchases, and sales by the Secretary of the Treasury of such notes shall be treated as public debt transactions of the United States. The notes issued by the Secretary to the Secretary of the Treasury shall constitute obligations of the Fund.
(i)
The Secretary may retain out of interest payments by the borrower an annual charge in an amount specified in the insurance or sale agreement applicable to the loan. Of the charges retained by the Secretary, if any, not to exceed 1 per centum per annum of the unpaid balance of the loan shall be deposited in the Fund. Any retained charges not deposited in the Fund shall be available for administrative expenses in carrying out the provisions of this title, to be transferred annually, and become merged with any appropriation for administrative expenses of the Farmers Home Administration, when and in such amounts as may be authorized in appropriation Acts.
(j)
The Secretary may also utilize the Fund—
(1)
to pay amounts to which the holder of the note is entitled in accordance with an insurance or sale agreement under this section accruing between the date of any payment by the borrower to the Secretary and the date of transmittal of any such payments to the holder of the note; and in the discretion of the Secretary, payments other than final payments need not be remitted to the holder until due or until the next agreed annual or semiannual remittance date;
(2)
to pay the holder of any note insured under this section any defaulted installment or, upon assignment of the note to the Secretary at the Secretary's request, or pursuant to a purchase agreement, the entire balance outstanding on the note;
(3)
to pay taxes, insurance, prior liens, expenses necessary to make fiscal adjustments in connection with the application and transmittal of collections or necessary to obtain credit reports on applicants or borrowers, and other services customary in the industry, independent audits of project expenses, construction inspections, commercial appraisals, servicing of loans, and other related program services and expenses, and other expenses and advances to protect the security for loans which are insured under this section or held in the Fund, and to acquire such security property at foreclosure sale or otherwise;
(4)
to make assistance payments authorized by section 521(a);
(5)
after October 1, 1977, and as approved in appropriations Acts, to make advances authorized by section 501(e);
(6)
to make payments and take other actions in accordance with agreements entered into under paragraph (2) and (3) of subsection (d); and
(7)
to provide advances and assistance required to carry out paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 502(c).
(k)
Any sale by the Secretary of loans individually or in blocks, pursuant to subsections (c) and (g), shall be treated as a sale of assets for the purposes of chapter 11 of title 31, United States Code, notwithstanding the fact that the Secretary, under an agreement with the purchaser, holds the debt instruments evidencing the loans and holds or reinvests payments thereon as trustee and custodian for the purchaser.
(l)
The Secretary may also, upon the application of lenders, builders, or sellers and upon compliance with requirements specified by him, make commitments upon such terms and conditions as he shall prescribe to make or insure loans under this section to eligible applicants.
(m)
The assets and liabilities of, and authorizations applicable to, the Rural Housing Direct Loan Account are hereby transferred to the Fund, and such Account is hereby abolished. Such assets and their proceeds, including loans made out of the Fund pursuant to this section, shall be subject to all of the provisions of this section.
(n)
The Secretary may guarantee and service loans made for the purchase of eligible residential properties under section 21A(c) of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act in accordance with subsection (d) of this section and the last sentence of section 521(a)(1)(A).
(o)
(1)
The Secretary shall promulgate rules which encourage the rehabilitation or purchase of existing buildings for the purpose of providing housing which is economical in cost and operation.
(2)
Not later than the expiration of the 90-day period following the date of the enactment of the Housing and Community Development Reconciliation Amendments of 1985,42 the Secretary shall issue regulations to facilitate the marketability in the secondary mortgage market of loans insured or guaranteed under this section. Such regulations shall ensure that such loans are competitive with other loans and mortgages insured or guaranteed by the Federal Government.
^{42}
April 7, 1986.

[rural housing direct loan account]
Sec. 518.
[Repealed.]

sums excess to the needs of the rural housing insurance fund
Sec. 519.
[42 U.S.C. 1489]
Any sums in the Rural Housing Insurance Fund which the Secretary determines are in excess of amounts needed to meet the obligations and carry out the purposes of such Fund shall be returned to miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury.

definition of rural area
Sec. 520.
[42 U.S.C. 1490]
As used in this title, the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean any open country, or any place, town, village, or city which is not (except in the cases of Pajaro, in the State of California, and Guadalupe, in the State of Arizona) part of or associated with an urban area and which (1) has a population not in excess of 2,500 inhabitants, or (2) has a population in excess of 2,500 but not in excess of 10,000 if it is rural in character, or (3) has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 20,000, and (A) is not contained within a standard metropolitan statistical area, and (B) has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families, as determined by the Secretary and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.43 For purposes of this title, any area classifed as “rural” or a “rural area” prior to October 1, 1990, and determined not to be “rural” or a “rural area” as a result of data received from or after the 1990, 2000, 2010, or 2020 decennial census, and any area deemed to be a “rural area” for purposes of this title under any other provision of law at any time during the period beginning January 1, 2000, and ending December 31, 2020, shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2030, if such area has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 35,000, is rural in character, and has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the city of Plainview, Texas, shall be considered a rural area for purposes of this title, and the city of Altus, Oklahoma, shall be considered a rural area for purposes of this title until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2000.
^{43}
Section 761 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (H.R. 5426, 106th Congress, enacted by reference by Public Law 106–387, 114 Stat. 1549A-44) provides that “[h]ereafter, the Secretary of Agriculture shall consider the City of Kewanee and the City of Jacksonville, Illinois, as meeting the requirements of a rural area contained in section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490).”.

loans to provide occupant-owned, rental, and cooperative housing for low- and moderate-income persons and families
Sec. 521.
[42 U.S.C. 1490a]
(a)
(1)
(A)
Not withstanding the provisions of sections 502, 517(a) and 515, loans to persons of low or moderate income under section 502 or 517(a)(1), or 526(a), loans under section 515 or 526(c) to provide rental or cooperative housing and related facilities for persons and families of low or moderate income or elderly persons and elderly families, and loans under section 526 to provide condominium housing for persons and families of low or moderate income, shall bear interest at a rate prescribed by the Secretary at not less than a rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury upon the request of the Secretary taking into consideration the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods of maturity comparable to the average maturities of such loans, adjusted to the nearest one-eighth of 1 per centum. Any loan guaranteed under this title shall bear interest at such rate as may be agreed upon by the borrower and the lender.
(B)
From the interest rate so determined, the Secretary may provide the borrower with assistance in the form of credits so as to reduce the effective interest rate to a rate not less than 1 per centum per annum for such periods of time as the Secretary may determine for applicants described in subparagraph (A) if without such assistance such applicants could not afford the dwelling or make payments on the indebtedness of the rental or cooperative housing. In the case of assistance provided under this subparagraph with respect to a loan under section 502, the Secretary may not reduce, cancel, or refuse to renew the assistance due to an increase in the adjusted income of the borrower if the reduction, cancellation, or nonrenewal will cause the borrower to be unable to reasonably afford the resulting payments required under the loan.
(C)
For persons of low income under section 502 or 517(a) who the Secretary determines are unable to afford a dwelling with the assistance provided under subparagraph (B) and when the Secretary determines that assisted rental housing programs (as authorized under this title, the National Housing Act, and the United States Housing Act of 1937) would be unsuitable in the area in which such persons reside, the Secretary may provide additional assistance, pursuant to amounts approved in appropriation Acts and for such periods of time as the Secretary may determine, which may be in an amount not to exceed the difference between (i) the amount determined by the Secretary to be necessary to pay the principal indebtedness, interest, taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance, and (ii) 25 per centum of the income of such applicant. The amount of such additional assistance which may be approved in appropriation Acts may not exceed an aggregate amount of $100,000,000. Such additional assistance may not be so approved with respect to any fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1981.
(D)
(i)
With respect to borrowers under section 502 or 517(a) who have received assistance under subparagraph (B) or (C), the Secretary shall provide for the recapture of all or a portion of such assistance rendered upon the disposition or nonoccupancy of the property by the borrower. In providing for such recapture, the Secretary shall make provisions to provide incentives for the borrower to maintain the property in a marketable condition. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, any such assistance whenever rendered shall constitute a debt secured by the Security instruments given by the borrower to the Secretary to the extent that the Secretary may provide for recapture of such assistance.
(ii)
In determining the amount recaptured under this subparagraph with respect to any loan made pursuant to section 502(a)(3) for the purchase of a dwelling located on land owned by a community land trust, the Secretary shall determine any appreciation of the dwelling based on any agreement between the borrower and the community land trust that limits the sale price or appreciation of the dwelling.
(E)
Except for Federal or State laws relating to taxation, the assistance rendered to any borrower under subparagraphs (B) and (C) shall not be considered to be income or resources for any purpose under any Federal or State laws including, but not limited to, laws relating to welfare and public assistance programs.
(F)
Loans subject to the interest rates and assistance provided under this paragraph (1) may be made only when the Secretary determines the needs of the applicant for necessary housing cannot be met with financial assistance from other sources including assistance under the National Housing Act and the United States Housing Act of 1937.
(G)
Interest on loans under section 502 or 517(a) to victims of a natural disaster shall not exceed the rate which would be applicable to such loans under section 502 without regard to this section.
(2)
(A)
The Secretary shall make and insure loans under this section and sections 514, 515, and 517 to provide rental or cooperative housing and related facilities for persons and families of low income in multifamily housing projects, and shall make, and contract to make, assistance payments to the owners of such rental, congregate, or cooperative housing in order to make available to low-income occupants of such housing rentals at rates commensurate to income and not exceeding the highest of (i) 30 per centum of monthly adjusted income, (ii) 10 per centum of monthly income, or (iii) if the person or family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from a public agency, the portion of such payments which is specifically designated by such agency to meet the person's or family's housing costs. Any rent or contribution of any recipient shall not increase as a result of this section or any other provision of Federal law or regulation by more than 10 per centum during any twelve-month period, unless the increase above 10 per centum is attributable to increases in income which are unrelated to this subsection or other law or regulation.
(B)
The owner of any project assisted under this paragraph or paragraph (5) shall be required to provide at least annually a budget of operating expenses and record of tenants' income. The budget (and the income, in the case of a project assisted under this paragraph) shall be used to determine the amount of the assistance for each project.
(C)
The project owner shall accumulate, safeguard, and periodically pay to the Secretary any rental charges collected in excess of basic rental charges as established by the Secretary in conformity with subparagraph (A). These funds may be credited to the appropriation and used by the Secretary for making such assistance payments through the end of the next fiscal year. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, excess funds received from tenants in projects financed under section 515 during a fiscal year shall be available during the next succeeding fiscal year, together with funds provided under subparagraph (D), to the extent approved in appropriations Acts, to make assistance payments to reduce rent overburden on behalf of tenants of any such project whose rents exceed the levels referred to in subparagraph (A). In providing assistance to relieve rent overburden, the Secretary shall provide assistance with respect to very low-income and low-income families to reduce housing rentals to the levels specified in subparagraph (A).
(D)
The Secretary, to the extent approved in appropriation Acts, may enter into rental assistance contracts aggregating not more than $398,000,000 in carrying out subparagraph (A) with respect to the fiscal year ending on September 30, 1982.
(E)
In order to assist elderly or handicapped persons or families who elect to live in a shared housing arrangement in which they benefit as a result of sharing the facilities of a dwelling with others in a manner that effectively and efficiently meets their housing needs and thereby reduces their costs of housing, the Secretary shall permit rental assistance to be used by such persons or families if the shared housing arrangement is in a single-family dwelling. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall prescribe minimum habitability standards to assure decent, safe, and sanitary housing for such families while taking into account the special circumstances of shared housing.
(3)
(A)
In the case of loans under sections 514 and 515 approved prior to the effective date of this paragraph 44 with respect to which rental assistance is provided, the rent for tenants receiving such assistance shall not exceed the highest of (i) 30 per centum of monthly adjusted income, (ii) 10 per centum of monthly income, or (iii) if the person or family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from a public agency, the portion of such payments which is specifically designated by such agency to meet the person's or family's housing costs.
^{44}
November 30, 1983.
(B)
In the case of a section 515 loan approved prior to the effective date of this paragraph 44 with respect to which interest credits are provided, the tenant's rent shall not exceed the highest of (i) 30 per centum of monthly adjusted income, (ii) 10 per centum of monthly income, or (iii) if the person or family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from a public agency, the portion of such payments which is specifically designated by such agency to meet the person's or family's housing costs, or, where no rental assistance authority is available, the rent level established on a basis of a 1 per centum interest rate on debt service.
(C)
No rent for a unit financed under section 514 or 515 shall be increased as a result of this subsection or other provision of Federal law or Federal regulation by more than 10 per centum in any twelve-month period, unless the increase above 10 per centum is attributable to increases in income which are unrelated to this subsection or other law, or regulation.
(4)
In the case of a loan with respect to the purchase of a manufactured home with respect to which rental assistance is provided, the monthly payment for principal and interest on the manufactured home and for lot rental and utilities shall not exceed the highest of (A) 30 per centum of monthly adjusted income, (B) 10 per centum of monthly income, or (C) if the person or family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from a public agency, the portion of such payments which is specifically designated by such agency to meet the person's or family's housing costs.
(5)

Operating assistance for migrant farmworker projects.—
(A)

Authority.—
In the case of housing (and related facilities) for migrant farmworkers provided or assisted with a loan under section 514 or a grant under section 516, the Secretary may, at the request of the owner of the project, use amounts provided for rental assistance payments under paragraph (2) to provide assistance for the costs of operating the project. Any tenant or unit assisted under this paragraph may not receive rental assistance under paragraph (2).
(B)

Amount.—
In any fiscal year, the assistance provided under this paragraph for any project shall not exceed an amount equal to 90 percent of the operating costs for the project for the year, as determined by the Secretary. The amount of assistance to be provided for a project under this paragraph shall be an amount that makes units in the project available to migrant farmworkers in the area of the project at rates not exceeding 30 percent of the monthly adjusted incomes of such farmworkers, based on the prevailing incomes of such farmworkers in the area.
(C)

Submission of information.—
The owner of a project assisted under this paragraph shall be required to provide to the Secretary, at least annually, a budget of operating expenses and estimated rental income, which the Secretary may use to determine the amount of assistance for the project.
(D)

Definitions.—
For purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions shall apply:
(i)
The term “migrant farmworker” has the same meaning given such term in section 516(k)(7).
(ii)
The term “operating cost” means expenses incurred in operating a project, including expenses for—
(I)
administration, maintenance, repair, and security of the project;
(II)
utilities, fuel, furnishings, and equipment for the project; and
(III)
maintaining adequate reserve funds for the project.
(b)
Housing and related facilities provided with loans described in subsection (a) shall be located in rural areas; and applicants eligible for such loans under section 502 or 517(a)(1), or for occupancy of housing provided with such loans under section 515, shall include otherwise qualified nonrural residents who will become rural residents.
(c)
There shall be reimbursed to the Rural Housing Insurance Fund by annual appropriations (1) the amounts by which nonprincipal payments made from the fund during each fiscal year to the holders of insured loans described in subsection (a)(1) exceed interest due from the borrowers during each year, and (2) the amount of assistance payments described in subsections (a)(2) and (a)(5). There are authorized to be appropriated to the Rural Housing Insurance Fund such sums as may be necessary to reimburse such fund for the amount of assistance payments described in subsection (a)(1)(C). The Secretary may from time to time issue notes to the Secretary of the Treasury under section 517(h) and section 526 to obtain amounts equal to such unreimbursed payments, pending the annual reimbursement by appropriation.
(d)
(1)
In utilizing the rental assistance payments authority pursuant to subsection (a)(2)—
(A)
the Secretary shall make such assistance available in existing projects for units occupied by low income families or persons to extend expiring contracts or to provide additional assistance when necessary to provide the full amount authorized pursuant to existing contracts;
(B)
any such authority remaining after carrying out subparagraph (A) shall be used in projects receiving commitments under section 514, 515, or 516 after fiscal year 1983 for contracts to assist very low-income families or persons to occupy the units in such projects, except that not more than 5 percent of the units assisted may be occupied by low income families or persons who are not very low-income families or persons; and
(C)
any such authority remaining after carrying out subparagraphs (A) and (B) may be used to provide further assistance to existing projects under section 514, 515, or 516.
(2)
The Secretary shall transfer rental assistance contract authority under this section from projects where such authority is unused after initial rentup and not needed because of a lack of eligible tenants in the area to projects where such authority is needed.
(e)
Any rent or contribution of any recipient or any tenant in a project assisted under subsection (a)(5) shall not increase as a result of this section, any amendment thereto, or any other provision of Federal law or regulation by more than 10 per centum during any twelve-month period, unless the increase above 10 per centum is attributable to increases in income which are unrelated to this subsection or other law or regulation.

housing for rural trainees
Sec. 522.
[42 U.S.C. 1490b]
(a)
Upon the application of any State or political subdivision thereof, or any public or private nonprofit organization, the Secretary is authorized after consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and the Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity and after the Secretary determines that the housing and related facilities cannot reasonably be provided in any other way to provide financial and technical assistance for the establishment, in rural areas, of housing and related facilities for trainees and their families who are residents of a rural area and have a rural background, while such trainees are enrolled and participating in training courses designed to improve their employment capability. The selection of training sites and location of housing shall be made with due regard to the economic viability of the area, and only after consideration of a labor area survey and full coordination among all Government agencies having primary responsibilities for administering related programs.
(b)
Housing and related facilities assisted under this section shall be safe and sanitary, constructed in the most economical manner, and of modest design, giving due consideration to the purposes to be served and the needs of the occupants, and may, in the discretion of the Secretary, include mobile family quarters. Design and location shall be such as to facilitate, as feasible, the use of such housing and related facilities for other purposes when no longer needed for the primary purpose.
(c)
The applicant shall contribute the necessary land, or funds to acquire such land, from its own resources, including land acquired by donation or from funds repayable under subsection (e) or borrowed from other sources.
(d)
No financial assistance shall be made available under this section unless, to the extent and for the periods required by the Secretary, the applicant agrees that—
(1)
such housing will be maintained at all times in a safe and sanitary condition in accordance with standards prescribed by State or local law, or, in the absence of such standards, with requirements prescribed by the Secretary;
(2)
priority shall be given at all times, in granting occupancy of such housing and facilities, to the trainees and their families described in subsection (a); and
(3)
rentals charged them shall not exceed amounts approved by the Secretary after considering the portion of the actual total family income which the family can afford to pay for rent while meeting its other immediate needs during occupancy.
(e)
The Secretary may make advances pursuant to any contract for financial assistance under this section at such times and in such manner as may be specified in the contract. Such advances for the purchase of land shall be repayable with interest and within a period not to exceed thirty-three years and may be made upon such security, if any, as the Secretary requires. Advances for other purposes may be made repayable with or without interest or nonrepayable, as determined by the Secretary on the basis of the anticipated income and cost of operation of the housing and related facilities and the ability of each applicant to finance such facilities. Any advances shall be limited to cover the capital costs of constructing such facilities, plus interest on borrowings to cover such costs.
(f)
Should housing and related facilities assisted pursuant to a contract under this section be sold to an ineligible transferee or diverted to a use other than its primary purpose within a period specified in the contract, all advances made under such contract shall be repaid to the Secretary, up to the amount of the sales price or the fair value of the property as determined by the Secretary, whichever is higher, with interest from the date of the sale or diversion. If no suitable alternate use of the property is available, as determined by the Secretary, after the purpose of this section can no longer be served, the property shall be returned to its original condition by the recipient of the assistance.
(g)
Interest charged on advances made under this section shall be at a rate, prescribed by the Secretary, which shall be not less than a rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury taking into consideration the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods to maturity comparable to the average maturities of such loans adjusted to the nearest one-eighth of 1 per centum, less not to exceed the difference between the adjusted rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury and 1 per centum per annum, as determined by the Secretary.
(h)
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to insure that Federal funds expended under this section are not wasted or dissipated.
(i)
As used in this section (1) the term “related facilities” shall include any necessary community rooms or buildings, infirmaries, utilities, access roads, water and sewer services, and the minimum fixed or movable equipment determined by the Secretary to be necessary to make the housing reasonably habitable by trainees and their families; and (2) the term “trainee” means any person receiving training under any federally assisted training program.
(j)
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

mutual and self-help housing
Sec. 523.
[42 U.S.C. 1490c]
(a)
The purposes of this section are (1) to make financial assistance available on reasonable terms and conditions in rural areas and small towns to needy low-income individuals and their families who, with the benefit of technical assistance and overall guidance and supervision, participate in approved programs of mutual or self-help housing by acquiring and developing necessary land, acquiring building materials, providing their own labor, and working cooperatively with others for the provision of decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings for themselves, their families, and others in the area or town involved, and (2) to facilitate the efforts of both public and private nonprofit organizations providing assistance to such individuals to contribute their technical and supervisory skills toward more effective and comprehensive programs of mutual or self-help housing in rural areas and small towns wherever necessary.
(b)
In order to carry out the purposes of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) is authorized—
(1)
(A)
to make grants to, or contract with, public or private nonprofit corporations, agencies, institutions, organizations, Indian tribes, and other associations approved by him, to pay part or all of the costs of developing, conducting, administering, or coordinating effective and comprehensive programs of technical and supervisory assistance which will aid needy low-income individuals and their families in carrying out mutual or self-help housing efforts, including the repair of units financed under section 502 that are being held in inventory; and
(B)
to establish the Self-Help Housing Land Development Fund, referred to herein as the Self-Help Fund, to be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for making loans, on such terms and conditions and in such amounts as he deems necessary, to public or private nonprofit organizations and to Indian tribes for the acquisition and development of land as building sites to be subdivided and sold to families, nonprofit organizations, and cooperatives eligible for assistance under section 235 or 236 of the National Housing Act or section 521 of this Act. Such a loan, with interest at a rate not to exceed 3 percent per annum shall be repaid within a period not to exceed five years from the making of the loan, or within such additional period as may be authorized by the Secretary in any case as being necessary to carry out the purposes hereof: Provided, That the Secretary may advance funds under this paragraph to organizations receiving assistance under clause (A) to enable them to establish revolving accounts for the purchase of land options and any such advances may bear interest at a rate determined by the Secretary and shall be repaid to the Secretary at the expiration of the period for which the grant to the organization involved was made;
(2)
to make grants to, or contract with, national or regional private nonprofit corporations to provide training and technical assistance to public or private nonprofit corporations, agencies, institutions, organizations, and other associations, including Indian tribes, eligible to receive assistance under this section in order to expand the use of authorities contained in this section and to improve performance; and
(3)
to make loans, on such terms and conditions and in such amounts as he deems necessary, to needy low-income individuals participating in programs of mutual or self-help housing approved by him, for the acquisition and development of land and for the purchase of such other building materials as may be necessary in order to enable them, by providing substantially all of their own labor, and by cooperating with others participating in such programs, to carry out to completion the construction of decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings for such individuals and their families, subject to the following limitations:
(A)
there is reasonable assurance of repayment of the loan;
(B)
the amount of the loan, together with other funds which may be available, is adequate to achieve the purpose for which the loan is made;
(C)
the credit assistance is not otherwise available on like terms or conditions from private sources or through other Federal, State, or local programs;
(D)
the loan bears interest at a rate not to exceed 3 per centum per annum on the unpaid balance of principal, plus such additional charge, if any, toward covering other costs of the loan program as the Secretary may determine to be consistent with its purposes; and
(E)
the loan is repayable within not more than thirty-three years.
(c)
In determining whether to extend financial assistance under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b), the Secretary shall take into consideration, among other factors, the suitability of the area within which construction will be carried out to the type of dwelling which can be provided under mutual or self-help housing programs, the extent to which the assistance will facilitate the provision of more decent, safe, and sanitary housing conditions than presently exist in the area, the extent to which the assistance will be utilized efficiently and expeditiously, the extent to which the assistance will effect an increase in the standard of living of low-income individuals participating in the mutual or self-help housing program, and whether the assistance will fulfill a need in the area which is not otherwise being met through other programs, including those carried out by other Federal, State, or local agencies.
(d)
As used in this section, the term “construction” includes the erection of new dwellings, and the rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, or improvement of existing structures.
(e)
The Secretary is authorized to establish appropriate criteria and procedures in order to determine the eligibility of applicants for the financial assistance provided under this section, including criteria and procedures with respect to the periodic review of any construction carried out with such financial assistance.
[(f)
[Repealed.] ]
(g)
Amounts appropriated under this subsection, together with principal collections from loans made under appropriations in any previous fiscal years, shall be deposited in the Self-Help Housing Land Development Fund, which shall be available, to the extent approved in appropriation Acts, as a revolving fund for making loans under subsection (b)(1)(B); except that not more than $5,000,000 may be made available during fiscal year 1985. Instruments and property acquired by the Secretary in or as a result of making such loans shall be assets of the Self-Help Housing Land Development Fund.
(h)
The Secretary shall issue rules and regulations for the orderly processing and review of applications under this section and rules and regulations protecting the rights of grantees under this section in the event he determines to end grant assistance prior to the termination date of any grant agreement.

financial assistance to nonprofit organizations to provide sites for rural housing for low- and moderate-income families
Sec. 524.
[42 U.S.C. 1490d]
(a)
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary may make loans, on such terms and conditions and in such amounts he deems necessary, to public or private nonprofit organizations and to Indian tribes for the acquisition and development of land as building sites to be subdivided and sold to families, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and cooperatives eligible for assistance under any section of this title or under any other law which provides financial assistance for housing low- and moderate-income families. Such a loan shall bear interest at a rate prescribed by the Secretary taking into consideration a rate determined annually by the Secretary of the Treasury as the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods to maturity comparable to the average maturities of such loans, adjusted to the nearest one-eighth of 1 per centum, and shall be repaid within a period not to exceed five years from the making of the loan or within such additional period as may be authorized by the Secretary in any case as being necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
(2)45

Revolving funds.—
The Secretary may make grants to nonprofit housing agencies to establish revolving loan funds for the acquisition and preparation of building sites for low-income housing. Any proceeds and repayments from such loans shall be returned to the revolving loan fund to be used for purposes related to this section. Loan funds and interest payments shall be used solely for the acquisition of land; the preparation of land for building sites; the payment of reimbursable legal and technical costs; and technical assistance and administrative costs, not to exceed 10 percent of the fund.
^{45}
Indented so in law.
(b)
In determining whether to extend financial assistance under this section, the Secretary shall take into consideration, among other factors, (1) the suitability of the area to the types of dwellings which can feasibly be provided, and (2) the extent to which the assistance will (i) facilitate providing needed decent, safe, and sanitary housing, (ii) be utilized efficiently and expeditiously, and (iii) fulfill a need in the area which is not otherwise being met through other programs, including those being carried out by other Federal, State, or local agencies. [42 U.S.C. 1490d]

programs of technical and supervisory assistance for low-income families
Sec. 525.
[42 U.S.C. 1490e]
(a)
The Secretary may make grants to or enter into contracts with public or private nonprofit corporations, agencies, institutions, organizations, Indian tribes, and other associations approved by him, to pay part or all of the cost of developing, conducting, administering or coordinating effective and comprehensive programs of technical and supervisory assistance which will aid needy low-income individuals and families in benefiting from Federal, State, and local housing programs in rural areas. In processing applications for such grants or contracts made by private nonprofit corporations, agencies, institutions, organizations, and other associations, the Secretary shall give preference to those which are sponsored (including assistance to the applicant in processing the application, implementing the technical assistance program, and carrying out the obligations of the grant or contract) by a State, county, municipality, or other governmental entity or public body.
(b)
The Secretary is authorized to make loans to public or private nonprofit corporations, agencies, institutions, organizations, Indian tribes, and other associations approved by him for the necessary expenses, prior to construction, of planning, and obtaining financing for, the rehabilitation or construction of housing for low-income individuals or families under any Federal, State, or local housing program which is or could be used in rural areas. Such loans shall be made without interest and shall be for the reasonable costs expected to be incurred in planning, and in obtaining financing for, such housing prior to the availability of financing, including but not limited to preliminary surveys and analyses of market needs, preliminary site engineering and architectural fees, and construction loan fees and discounts. The Secretary shall require repayment of loans made under this subsection, under such terms and conditions as he may require, upon completion of the housing or sooner.
[(c)
[Repealed.] ]
(d)
All funds appropriated for the purpose of subsection (b) shall be deposited in a fund which shall be known as the low-income sponsor fund, and which shall be available without fiscal year limitation and be administered by the Secretary as a revolving fund for carrying out the purposes of that subsection. Sums received in repayment of loans made under subsection (b) shall be deposited in such fund.

condominium housing
Sec. 526.
[42 U.S.C. 1490f]
(a)
The Secretary is authorized, upon such terms and conditions (substantially identical insofar as may be feasible with those specified in section 502) as he may prescribe, to make loans to persons and families of low or moderate income, and to insure and make commitments to insure loans made to persons and families of low or moderate income, to assist them in purchasing dwelling units in condominiums located in rural areas.
(b)
Any loan made or insured under subsection (a) shall cover a one-family dwelling unit in a condominium, and shall be subject to such provisions as the Secretary determines to be necessary for the maintenance of the common areas and facilities of the condominium project and to such additional requirements as the Secretary deems appropriate for the protection of the consumer.
(c)
In addition to individual loans made or insured under subsection (a) the Secretary is authorized, upon such terms and conditions (substantially identical insofar as may be feasible with those specified in section 515) as he may prescribe, to make or insure blanket loans to a borrower who shall certify to the Secretary, as a condition of obtaining such loan or insurance, that upon completion of the multifamily project the ownership of the project will be committed to a plan of family unit ownership under which (1) each family unit will be eligible for a loan or insurance under subsection (a), and (2) the individual dwelling units in the project will be sold only on a condominium basis and only to purchasers eligible for a loan or insurance under subsection (a). The principal obligation of any blanket loan made or insured under this subsection shall in no case exceed the sum of the individual amounts of the loans which could be made or insured with respect to the individual dwelling units in the project under subsection (a).
(d)
As used in this section, the term “condominium” means a multiunit housing project which is subject to a plan of family unit ownership acceptable to the Secretary under which each dwelling unit is individually owned and each such owner holds an undivided interest in the common areas and facilities which serve the project.

[mobile homes]
Sec. 527.
[Repealed.]

taxation of property held by secretary
Sec. 528.
[42 U.S.C. 1490h]
All property subject to a lien held by the United States or the title to which is acquired or held by the Secretary under this title other than property used for administrative purposes shall be subject to taxation by a State, Commonwealth, territory, possession, district, and local political subdivisions in the same manner and to the same extent as other property is taxed: Provided, That no tax shall be imposed or collected on or with respect to any instrument if the tax is based on—
(1)
the value of any notes or mortgages or other lien instruments held by or transferred to the Secretary;
(2)
any notes or lien instruments administered under this title which are made, assigned, or held by a person otherwise liable for such tax; or
(3)
the value of any property conveyed or transferred to the Secretary, whether as a tax on the instrument, the privilege of conveying or transferring, or the recordation thereof; nor shall the failure to pay or collect any such tax be a ground for refusal to record or file such instruments, or for failure to impart notice, or prevent the enforcement of its provisions in any State or Federal court.

[minimum property standards for energy conservation]
Sec. 529.
[Repealed.]

condition on rent increases in 514, 515, and 517 projects
Sec. 530.
[42 U.S.C. 1490j]
The Secretary may not approve any increase in rental payments, with respect to units in which the tenants are paying rentals in excess of 30 per centum of their incomes, in any project which is assisted under section 514, 515, or 517 and under section 521(a)(1)(B) unless the project owner is receiving, or has applied for (within the most recent period of 180 days prior to the effective date of such increase), assistance payments with respect to such project under section 521(a)(2)(A) or 521(a)(5) of this title or section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937.

fha insurance
Sec. 531.
[42 U.S.C. 1490k]
The Secretary is authorized to act as an agent of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to recommend insurance of any mortgage meeting the requirements of section 203 of the National Housing Act.

processing of applications
Sec. 532.
[42 U.S.C. 1490l]
(a)
Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), the Secretary shall, in making assistance available under this title, give a priority to applications submitted by—
(1)
persons and families that have the greatest housing assistance needs because of their low income and their residing in inadequate dwellings;
(2)
applicants applying for assistance for projects that will serve such persons and families; and
(3)
applicants residing in areas which are the most rural in character.
(b)
In making available the assistance authorized by section 513 and section 521(a) with respect to projects involving insured and guaranteed loans and interest credits and rental assistance payments, the Secretary shall process and approve requests for such assistance in a manner that provides for a preliminary reservation of assistance at the time of initial approval of the project.
(c)

Prioritization of Section 515 Housing Assistance.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall make assistance under section 515 available pursuant to an objective procedure established by the Secretary, under which the Secretary shall identify counties and communities having the greatest need for such assistance and designate such counties and communities to receive such assistance.
(2)

Objective measures.—
The Secretary shall use the following objective measures to determine the need for rental housing assistance under paragraph (1):
(A)
The incidence of poverty.
(B)
The lack of affordable housing and the existence of substandard housing.
(C)
The lack of mortgage credit.
(D)
The rural characteristics of the location.
(E)
Other factors as determined by the Secretary, demonstrating the need for affordable housing.
(3)

Information.—
In administering this subsection, the Secretary shall use information from the most recent decennial census of the United States, relevant comprehensive affordable housing strategies under section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, and other reliable sources obtained by the Secretary which demonstrate the need for affordable housing in rural areas.
(4)

Designation.—
A designation under this subsection shall not be effective for a period of more than 3 years, but may be renewed by the Secretary in accordance with the procedure set forth in this subsection. The Secretary shall take such other reasonable actions as the Secretary considers to be appropriate to notify the public of such designations.

housing preservation grants
Sec. 533.
[42 U.S.C. 1490m]
(a)
The purpose of this section is to authorize the Secretary to make grants to eligible grantees including private nonprofit organizations, Indian tribes, general units of local government, counties, States, and consortia of other eligible grantees, in order to—
(1)
rehabilitate or replace single family housing in rural areas which is owned by low- and very low-income persons and families, and
(2)
rehabilitate or replace rental properties or cooperative housing which has a membership resale structure that enables the cooperative to maintain affordability for persons of low income in rural areas serving low- and very low-income occupants.
The Secretary may also provide tenant-based assistance as provided under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 or section 542 of this title upon the request of grantees in order to minimize the displacement of very low-income tenants residing in units rehabilitated or replaced with assistance under this section.
(b)
Preservation programs assisted under this section shall—
(1)
be used to provide loans or grants to owners of single family housing in order to cover the cost of repairs and improvements;
(2)
be used to provide loans or grants, not to exceed $15,000 per unit, to owners of single family housing to replace existing housing if repair or rehabilitation of the housing is determined by the Secretary not to be practicable and the owner of the housing is unable to afford a loan under section 502 for replacement housing;
(3)
be used to provide interest reduction payment;
(4)
be used to provide loans or grants to owners of rental housing, except that rental rehabilitation or replacement assistance provided under this subsection for any structure shall not exceed 75 per centum of the total costs associated with the rehabilitation or replacement of that structure;
(5)
be used to provide other comparable assistance that the Secretary deems appropriate to carry out the purpose of this section, designed to reduce the costs of such repair, rehabilitation, and replacement in order to make such housing affordable by persons of low income and, to the extent feasible, by persons and families whose incomes do not exceed 50 per centum of the area median income;
(6)
benefit low- and very low-income persons and families in rural areas, without causing the displacement of current residents; and
(7)
raise health and safety conditions to meet those specified in section 509(a).
(c)
(1)
The Secretary shall allocate grant funds under this section for use in each State on the basis of a formula contained in a regulation prescribed by the Secretary using the average of the ratios between—
(A)
the population of the rural areas in that State and the population of the rural areas of all States;
(B)
the extent of poverty in the rural areas in that State and the extent of poverty in the rural areas of all States; and
(C)
the extent of substandard housing in the rural areas of that State and the extent of substandard housing in the rural areas of all States.
Any funds which are allocated to a State but uncommitted to grantees will be transferred to the State office of the Farmers Home Administration in a timely manner and be used for authorized rehabilitation activities under section 504. Funds obligated, but subsequently unspent and deobligated, may remain available, to the extent provided in appropriations Acts, for use as housing preservation grants in ensuing fiscal years.
(2)
Unless there is only one eligible grantee in a State, a single grantee may not receive more than 50 per centum of a State's allocation.
(d)
(1)
Eligible grantees may submit a statement of activity to the Secretary at the time specified by the program administrator, containing a description of its proposed preservation program. The statement shall consist of the activities each entity proposes to undertake for the fiscal year, and the projected progress in carrying out those activities. The statement of activities shall be made available to the public for comment.
(2)
In preparing such statement, the grantee shall consult with and consider the views of appropriate local officials.
(3)
The Secretary shall evaluate the merits of each statement on the basis of such criteria as the Secretary shall prescribe, including the extent—
(A)
to which the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement activities will assist persons of low income who lack adequate shelter, with priority given to applications assisting the maximum number of persons and families whose incomes do not exceed 50 per centum of the area median income;
(B)
to which the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement activities include the participation of other public or private organizations in providing assistance, in addition to the assistance provided under this section, in order to lower the costs of such activities or provide for the leveraging of available funds to supplement the rural housing preservation grant program;
(C)
to which such activities will be undertaken in rural areas having populations below 10,000 or in remote parts of other rural areas;
(D)
to which the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement activities may be expected to result in achieving the greatest degree of repair or improvement for the least cost per unit or dwelling;
(E)
to which the program would minimize displacement;
(F)
to which the program would alleviate overcrowding in rural residences inhabited by low- and very low-income persons and families;
(G)
to which the program would minimize the use of grant funds for administrative purposes; and
(H)
to which the owner agrees to meet the requirement of subsection (e)(1)(B)(iv) for a period longer than 5 years;
and shall assess the demonstrated capacity of the grantee to carry out the program as well as the financial feasibility of the program.
(4)
The amount of assistance provided under this section with respect to any housing shall be the least amount that the Secretary determines is necessary to provide, through the repair and rehabilitation, or replacement, of such housing, decent housing of modest design that is affordable for persons of low income.
(5)
A grantee may use housing preservation grant funds under this section for replacement housing only after providing documentation to the Secretary that—
(A)
the existing housing is in such poor condition that rehabilitation is not economically feasible;
(B)
the owner of the housing lacks the income or repayment ability necessary to qualify for a loan under section 502; and
(C)
the grantee will extend assistance to the owner of the housing under terms that the owner can afford.
(e)
(1)
Assistance under this section may be provided with respect to rental or cooperative housing only if—
(A)
the owner has entered into such agreements with the Secretary as may be necessary to assure compliance with the requirements of this section, to assure the financial feasibility of such housing, and to carry out the other provisions of this section;
(B)
the owner agrees—
(i)
to pass on to the tenants any reduction in the debt service payments resulting from the assistance provided under this section;
(ii)
not to convert the units to condominium ownership (or in the case of a cooperative, to condominium ownership or any form of cooperative ownership not eligible for assistance under this section);
(iii)
not to refuse to rent a dwelling unit in the structure to a family solely because the family is receiving or is eligible to receive assistance under any Federal, State, or local housing assistance program; and
(iv)
that the units repaired and rehabilitated with such assistance will be occupied, or available for occupancy, by persons of low income;
during the 5-year period beginning on the date on which the units in the housing are available for occupancy;
(C)
the unit of general local government or nonprofit organization that receives the assistance certifies to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the assistance will be made available in conformity with Public Law 88–352 and Public Law 90–284;
(D)
the owner agrees to enter into and abide by written leases with the tenants, which leases shall provide that tenants may be evicted only for good cause; and
(E)
the unit of general local government or nonprofit organization will agree to supervise repairs and rehabilitation and will agree to have a disinterested party inspect such repairs and rehabilitation.
(2)
Assistance under this section provided with respect to any housing other than rental or cooperative housing may be provided only if the owner complies with the requirements set forth in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) and any other requirements established by the Secretary to carry out the purpose of this section.
(3)
(A)
The Secretary shall provide that if the owner or his or her successors in interest fail to carry out the agreements described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) during the applicable period, the owner of his or her successors in interest shall make a payment to the Secretary of an amount that equals the total amount of assistance provided under this section with respect to such housing, plus interest thereon (without compounding), for each year and any fraction thereof that the assistance was outstanding, at a rate determined by the Secretary taking into account the average yield on outstanding marketable long-term obligations of the United States during the month preceding the date on which the assistance was made available.
(B)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any assistance provided under this section shall constitute a debt, which is payable in the case of any failure to carry out the agreements described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1), and shall be secured by the security instruments provided by the owner to the Secretary.
(f)
The Secretary shall provide for such advance payments of assistance under this section as the Secretary determines is necessary to effectively carry out the provisions of this section.
(g)
The Secretary shall, at least on an annual basis, make such review and audits as may be necessary or appropriate to determine whether the grantee has carried out its activities in a timely manner and in accordance with the requirements of this section, the degree to which the activities assisted benefitted low income families or persons and very low-income families or persons who lacked adequate housing, and whether the grantee has a continuing capacity to carry out the activities in a timely manner. The Secretary may adjust, reduce, or withdraw resources made available to grantees receiving assistance under this section, or take other action as appropriate in accordance with the findings of these reviews and audits. Any amounts which became available as a result of actions under this subsection shall be reallocated as housing preservation grants to such grantee or grantees as the Secretary may determine.
(h)
(1)
The Secretary is authorized to prescribe such rules and regulations and make such delegations of authority as he deems necessary to carry out this section within 90 days after the date of enactment of this section.46
^{46}
The date of enactment of the section was November 30, 1983.
(2)
The Secretary shall, not later than the expiration of the 30-day period following the date of the enactment of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 issue regulations to carry out the program of grants under subsection (a)(2).
(i)
The Secretary shall establish procedures which support national historic preservation objectives and which assure that, if any rehabilitation proposed to be assisted under this section would affect property that is included or is eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, such activity shall not be undertaken unless (1) it will reasonably meet the standards for rehabilitation issued by the Secretary of the Interior and the appropriate State historic preservation officer is afforded the opportunity to comment on the specific rehabilitation plan, or (2) the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is afforded an opportunity to comment on cases for which the recipient of assistance, in consultation with the State historic preservation officer, determines that the proposed rehabilitation activity cannot reasonably meet such standards or would adversely affect historic property as defined therein.

review of rules and regulations
Sec. 534.
[42 U.S.C. 1490n]
(a)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no rule or regulation pursuant to this title may become effective unless it has first been published for public comment in the Federal Register for at least 60 days, and published in final form for at least 30 days.
(b)
The Secretary shall transmit to the chairman and ranking Member of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs of the House, all rules and regulations at least 15 days before they are sent to the Federal Register for purposes of subsection (a).
(c)
The provisions of this section shall not apply to a rule or regulation which the Secretary certifies is issued on an emergency basis.
(d)
The Secretary shall include with each rule or regulation required to be transmitted to the Committees under this section a detailed summary of all changes required by the Office of Management and Budget that prohibit, modify, postpone, or disapprove such rule or regulation in whole or part.

reciprocity in approval of housing subdivisions among federal agencies
Sec. 535.
[42 U.S.C. 1490o]
(a)
The Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall each accept an administrative approval of any housing subdivision made by any of the others so that not later than January 1, 1984, there is total reciprocity for housing subdivision approvals among the agencies which they head.
(b)
For purposes of complying with subsection (a), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall consider the issuance by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of a certificate of reasonable value for 1 or more properties in a subdivision to be an administrative approval for the entire subdivision. This subsection shall not apply after September 30, 1994.
(c)
Before the expiration of the period referred to in subsection (b), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall report to the Congress on housing subdivision approval policies and practices, if any, of the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Agriculture and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The report shall focus on the administration of environmental laws in connection with any such policies and practices, and shall recommend any statutory, regulatory, and administrative changes needed to achieve total reciprocity for such housing subdivision approvals. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall consult with the foregoing agencies, and such other agencies as the Secretary selects, in preparing the report.
(d)
For loans made under this title, the Secretary may accept subdivisions that have been approved by local, county, or State agencies.

ACCOUNTABILITY
Sec. 536.
[42 U.S.C. 1490p]
(a)

Notice Regarding Assistance.—
(1)

Publication of notice of availability.—
The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register notice of the availability of any assistance under any program or discretionary fund administered by the Secretary under this title.
(2)

Publication of application procedures.—
The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a description of the form and procedures by which application for the assistance may be made, and any deadlines relating to the award or allocation of the assistance. Such description shall be sufficient to enable any eligible applicant to apply for such assistance.
(3)

Publication of selection criteria.—
Not less than 30 days before any deadline by which applications or requests for assistance under any program or discretionary fund administered by the Secretary must be submitted, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the criteria by which selection for the assistance will be made. Such criteria shall include any objective measures of housing need, project merit, or efficient use of resources that the Secretary determines are appropriate and consistent with the statute under which the assistance is made available.
(4)

Documentation of decisions.—
(A)
The Secretary shall award or allocate assistance only in response to a written application in a form approved in advance by the Secretary, except where other award or allocation procedures are specified in statute.
(B)
The Secretary shall ensure that documentation and other information regarding each application for assistance is sufficient to indicate the basis on which any award or allocation was made or denied. The preceding sentence shall apply to—
(i)
any application for an award or allocation of assistance made by the Secretary to a State, unit of general local government, or other recipient of assistance, and
(ii)
any application for a subsequent award or allocation of such assistance by such State, unit of general local government or other recipient.
(C)
The Secretary shall ensure that each application and all related documentation and other information referred to in subparagraph (B) is readily available for public inspection for a period of not less than 10 years, beginning not less than 30 days following the date on which the award or allocation is made.
(5)

Emergency exception.—
The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) if the Secretary determines that the waiver is required for adequate response to an emergency. Not less than 30 days after providing a waiver under the preceding sentence, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the Secretary's reasons for so doing.
(b)

Disclosures by Applicants.—
The Secretary shall require the disclosure of information with respect to any application for assistance under this title submitted by any applicant who has received or, in the determination of the Secretary, can reasonably be expected to receive assistance under this title in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate during any fiscal year. Such information shall include the following:
(1)

Other government assistance.—
Information regarding any related assistance from the Federal Government, a State, or a unit of general local government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, that is expected to be made available with respect to the project or activities for which the applicant is seeking assistance under this title. Such related assistance shall include but not be limited to any loan, grant, guarantee, insurance, payment, rebate, subsidy, credit, tax benefit, or any other form of direct or indirect assistance.
(2)

Interested parties.—
The name and pecuniary interest of any person who has a pecuniary interest in the project or activities for which the applicant is seeking assistance. Persons with a pecuniary interest in the project or activity shall include but not be limited to any developers, contractors, and consultants involved in the application for assistance under this title or the planning, development, or implementation of the project or activity. For purposes of this paragraph, residency of an individual in housing for which assistance is being sought shall not, by itself, be considered a pecuniary interest.
(3)

Expected sources and uses.—
A report satisfactory to the Secretary of the expected sources and uses of funds that are to be made available for the project or activity.
(c)

Updating of Disclosure.—
During the period when an application is pending or assistance is being provided, the applicant shall update the disclosure required under the previous subsection within 30 days of any substantial change.
[(d)
[Repealed.] ]
(e)

Remedies and Penalties.—
(1)

Administrative remedies.—
If the Secretary receives or obtains information providing a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of subsection (b), (c), or (d) this section has occurred, the Secretary shall—
(A)
in the case of a selection that has not been made, determine whether to terminate the selection process or take other appropriate actions; and
(B)
in the case of a selection that has been made, determine whether to—
(i)
void or rescind the selection, subject to review and determination on the record after opportunity for a hearing;
(ii)
impose sanctions upon the violator, including debarment, subject to review and determination on the record after opportunity for a hearing;
(iii)
recapture any funds that have been disbursed;
(iv)
permit the violating applicant selected to continue to participate in the program; or
(v)
take any other actions that the Secretary considers appropriate.
The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a descriptive statement of each determination made and action taken under this paragraph.
(2)

Civil penalties.—
Whoever violates any section 47 of this section shall be subject to the imposition of a civil penalty in a civil action brought by the United States in an appropriate district court of the United States. A civil penalty under this paragraph may not exceed—
^{47}
So in law.
(A)
$100,000 in the case of an individual; or
(B)
$1,000,000 in the case of an applicant other than an individual.
(3)

Deposit of penalties in insurance funds.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all civil money penalties collected under this section shall be deposited in the Rural Housing Insurance Fund.
(4)

Nonexclusiveness of remedies.—
This subsection may not be construed to limit the applicability of any requirements, sanctions, penalties, or remedies established under any other law. The Secretary shall not be relieved of any obligation to carry out the requirements of this section because such other requirements, sanctions, penalties, or remedies apply.
(f)

Limitation of Assistance.—
The Secretary shall certify that assistance provided by the Secretary to any housing project shall not be more than is necessary to provide affordable housing after taking account of assistance from all Federal, State, and local sources. The Secretary shall adjust the amount of assistance provided to an applicant to compensate for any changes reported under subsection (c).
(g)

Regulations.—
Not less than 180 days following enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to implement this section.
(h)

Definition.—
For purposes of this section, the term “assistance” means any housing grant, loan, guarantee, insurance, rebate, subsidy, tax credit benefit, or other form of direct or indirect assistance, for the original construction or development of the project.
(i)

Report by the Secretary.—
The Secretary shall submit to the Congress, not later than 180 days following the date of enactment of this section,48 a report describing actions taken to carry out this section, including actions to inform and educate officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture regarding the provisions of this section.
^{48}
The date of enactment was December 15, 1989.
SEC. 537.
[42 U.S.C. 1490p–1]

OFFICE OF RURAL HOUSING PRESERVATION.
(a)

Establishment.—
There is established within the Farmers Home Administration an Office of Rental Housing Preservation (hereafter in this section referred to as the “Office”). The Office shall be headed by a Director designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(b)

Purposes.—
The purposes of the Office are:
(1)
to review and process applications under section 502(c) and section 515(t) related to the preservation of rural rental housing;
(2)
to provide technical or financial assistance to any other projects needing such assistance;
(3)
to coordinate and direct all other activities related to the preservation of rural housing; and
(4)
to monitor compliance of projects prepaid or receiving incentives under the Housing Act of 1949.
SEC. 538.
[42 U.S.C. 1490p–2]

LOAN GUARANTEES FOR MULTIFAMILY RENTAL HOUSING IN RURAL AREAS.
(a)

Authority.—
The Secretary may make commitments to guarantee eligible loans for the development costs of eligible housing and related facilities, and may guarantee such eligible loans, in accordance with this section.
(b)

Extent of Guarantee.—
A guarantee made under this section shall guarantee repayment of an amount not exceeding the total of the amount of the unpaid principal and interest of the loan for which the guarantee is made. The liability of the United States under any guarantee under this section shall decrease or increase pro rata with any decrease or increase of the amount of the unpaid portion of the obligation.
(c)

Eligible Borrowers.—
A loan guaranteed under this section may be made to a nonprofit organization, an agency or body of any State government or political subdivision thereof, an Indian tribe, or a private entity.
(d)

Eligible Housing.—
A loan may be guaranteed under this section only if the loan is used for the development costs of housing and related facilities (as such terms are defined in section 515(e)) that—
(1)
consists of 5 or more adequate dwellings;
(2)
is available for occupancy only by low or moderate income families or persons, whose incomes at the time of initial occupancy do not exceed 115 percent of the median income of the area, as determined by the Secretary;
(3)
will remain available as provided in paragraph (2), according to such binding commitments as the Secretary may require, for the period of the original term of the loan guaranteed, unless the housing is acquired by foreclosure (or instrument in lieu of foreclosure) or the Secretary waives the applicability of such requirement for the loan only after determining, based on objective information, that—
(A)
there is no longer a need for low- and moderate-income housing in the market area in which the housing is located;
(B)
housing opportunities for low-income households and minorities will not be reduced as a result of the waiver; and
(C)
additional Federal assistance will not be necessary as a result of the waiver; and
(4)
is located in a rural area.
(e)

Eligible Lenders.—
(1)

Requirement.—
A loan may be guaranteed under this section only if the loan is made by a lender that the Secretary determines—
(A)
meets the qualifications, and has been approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to make loans for multifamily housing that are to be insured under the National Housing Act;
(B)
meets the qualifications, and has been approved by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, to make loans for multifamily housing that are to be sold to such corporations; or
(C)
meets any qualifications that the Secretary may, by regulation, establish for participation of lenders in the loan guarantee program under this section.
(2)

Eligibility list and annual audit.—
The Secretary shall establish a list of eligible lenders and shall annually conduct an audit of each lender included in the list for purposes of determining whether such lender continues to be an eligible lender.
(f)

Loan Terms.—
Each loan guaranteed pursuant to this section shall—
(1)
be made for a period of not less than 25 nor greater than 40 years from the date the loan was made and may provide for amortization of the loan over a period of not to exceed 40 years with a final payment of the balance due at the end of the loan term;
(2)
involve a rate of interest agreed upon by the borrower and the lender that does not exceed the maximum allowable rate established by the Secretary for purposes of this section and is fixed over the term of the loan;
(3)
involve a principal obligation (including initial service charges, appraisal, inspection, and other fees as the Secretary may approve) not to exceed—
(A)
in the case of a borrower that is a nonprofit organization or an agency or body of any State or local government, 97 percent of the development costs of the housing and related facilities or the value of the housing and facilities, whichever is less;
(B)
in the case of a borrower that is a for-profit entity not referred to in subparagraph (A), 90 percent of the development costs of the housing and related facilities or the value of the housing and facilities, whichever is less; and
(C)
in the case of any borrower, for such part of the property as may be attributable to dwelling use, the applicable maximum per unit dollar amount limitations under section 207(c) of the National Housing Act;
(4)
be secured by a first mortgage on the housing and related facilities for which the loan is made, or otherwise, as the Secretary may determine necessary to ensure repayment of the obligation; and
(5)
for at least 20 percent of the loans made under this section, the Secretary shall provide the borrower with assistance in the form of credits pursuant to section 521(a)(1)(B) to the extent necessary to reduce the rate of interest under paragraph (2) to the applicable Federal rate, as such term is used in section 42(i)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(g)

Guarantee Fee.—
At the time of issuance of a loan guaranteed under this section, the Secretary may collect from the lender a fee equal to not more than 1 percent of the principal obligation of the loan.
(h)

Authority for Lenders To Issue Certificates of Guarantee.—
The Secretary may authorize certain eligible lenders to determine whether a loan meets the requirements for guarantee under this section and, subject to the availability of authority to enter into guarantees under this section, execute a firm commitment for a guarantee binding upon the Secretary and issue a certificate of guarantee evidencing a guarantee, without review and approval by the Secretary of the specific loan. The Secretary may establish standards for approving eligible lenders for a delegation of authority under this subsection.
(i)

Payment Under Guarantee.—
(1)

Notice of default.—
In the event of default by the borrower on a loan guaranteed under this section, the holder of the guarantee certificate for the loan shall provide written notice of the default to the Secretary.
(2)

Foreclosure.—
After receiving notice under paragraph (1) and providing written notice of action under this paragraph to the Secretary, the holder of the guarantee certificate for the loan may initiate foreclosure proceedings for the loan in a court of competent jurisdiction, in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary, to obtain possession of the security property. After the court issues a final order authorizing foreclosure on the property, the holder of the certificate shall be entitled to payment by the Secretary under the guarantee (in the amount provided under subsection (b)) upon (A) submission to the Secretary of a claim for payment under the guarantee, and (B) assignment to the Secretary of all the claims of the holder of the guarantee against the borrower or others arising out of the loan transaction or foreclosure proceedings, except claims released with the consent of the Secretary.
(3)

Assignment by secretary.—
After receiving notice under paragraph (1), the Secretary may accept assignment of the loan if the Secretary determines that the assignment is in the best interests of the United States. Assignment of a loan under this paragraph shall include conveyance to the Secretary of title to the security property, assignment to the Secretary of all rights and interests arising under the loan, and assignment to the Secretary of all claims against the borrower or others arising out of the loan transaction. Upon assignment of a loan under this paragraph, the holder of a guarantee certificate for the loan shall be entitled to payment by the Secretary under the guarantee (in the amount provided under subsection (b)).
(4)

Requirements.—
Before any payment under a guarantee is made under paragraph (2) or (3), the holder of the guarantee certificate shall exhaust all reasonable possibilities of collection on the loan guaranteed. Upon payment, in whole or in part, to the holder, the note or judgment evidencing the debt shall be assigned to the United States and the holder shall have no further claim against the borrower or the United States. The Secretary shall then take such action to collect as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(j)

Violation of Guarantee Requirements by Lenders Issuing Guarantees.—
(1)

Indemnification.—
If the Secretary determines that a loan guaranteed by an eligible lender pursuant to delegation of authority under subsection (h) was not originated in accordance with the requirements under this section and the Secretary pays a claim under the guarantee for the loan, the Secretary may require the eligible lender authorized under subsection (h) to issue the guarantee certificate for the loan—
(A)
to indemnify the Secretary for the loss, if the payment under the guarantee was made within a reasonable period specified by the Secretary; or
(B)
to indemnify the Secretary for the loss regardless of when payment under the guarantee was made, if the Secretary determines that fraud or misrepresentation was involved in connection with the origination of the loan.
(2)

Termination of authority to issue guarantees.—
The Secretary may cancel a delegation of authority under subsection (h) to an eligible lender if the Secretary determines that the lender has violated the requirements and procedures for guaranteed loans under this section or for other good cause. Any such cancellation shall be made by giving notice to the eligible lender and shall take effect upon receipt of the notice by the mortgagee or at a later date, as the Secretary may provide. A decision by the Secretary to cancel a delegation shall be final and conclusive and shall not be subject to judicial review.
(k)

Refinancing.—
Any loan guaranteed under this section may be refinanced and extended in accordance with terms and conditions that the Secretary shall prescribe, but in no event for an additional amount or term that exceeds the limitations under subsection (f).
(l)

Geographical Targeting.—
(1)

Study.—
The Secretary shall provide for an independent entity to conduct a study to determine the extent to which borrowers in the United States will utilize loan guarantees under this section, the rural areas in the United States in which borrowers can best utilize and most need loans guaranteed under this section, and the rural areas in the United States in which housing of the type eligible for a loan guarantee under this section is most needed by low- and moderate-income families. The Secretary shall require the independent entity conducting the study to submit a report to the Secretary and to the Congress describing the results of the study not later than the expiration of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Homesteading and Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 199649.
^{49}
The date of enactment was March 28, 1996.
(2)

Targeting.—
In providing loan guarantees under this section, the Secretary shall establish standards to target and give priority to rural areas in which borrowers can best utilize and most need loans guaranteed under this section, as determined by the Secretary based on the results of the study under paragraph (1) and any other information the Secretary considers appropriate.
(m)

Inapplicability of Credit-Elsewhere Test.—
Section 501(c) shall not apply to guarantees, or loans guaranteed, under this section.
(n)

Tenant Protections.—
The Secretary shall establish standards for the treatment of tenants of housing developed using amounts from a loan guaranteed under this section, which shall incorporate, to the extent applicable, existing standards applicable to tenants of housing developed with loans made under section 515. Such standards shall include standards for fair housing and equal opportunity, lease and grievance procedures, and tenant appeals of adverse actions.
(o)

Housing Standards.—
The standards established under section 515(m) for housing and related facilities assisted under section 515 shall apply to housing and related facilities the development costs of which are financed in whole or in part with a loan guaranteed under this section.
(p)

Limitation on Commitments To Guarantee Loans.—
(1)

Requirement of appropriations for cost subsidy.—
The authority of the Secretary to enter into commitments to guarantee loans under this section, and to guarantee loans, shall be effective for each fiscal year only to the extent that appropriations of budget authority to cover the costs (as such term is defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974) of the guarantees are made in advance for such fiscal year.
(2)

Annual limitation on amount of loan guarantee.—
In each fiscal year, the Secretary may enter into commitments to guarantee loans under this section only to the extent that the costs of the guarantees entered into in such fiscal year do not exceed such amount as may be provided in appropriation Acts for such fiscal year.
(q)

Report.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress, not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 199649, describing the program under this section for guaranteeing loans.
(2)

Contents.—
The report shall—
(A)
describe the types of borrowers providing housing with loans guaranteed under this section, the areas served by the housing provided and the geographical distribution of the housing, the levels of income of the residents of the housing, the number of dwelling units provided, the extent to which borrowers under such loans have obtained other financial assistance for development costs of housing provided with the loans, and the extent to which borrowers under such loans have used low-income housing tax credits provided under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in connection with the housing provided with the loans;
(B)
analyze the financial viability of the housing provided with loans guaranteed under this section and the need for project-based rental assistance for such housing;
(C)
include any recommendations of the Secretary for expanding or improving the program under this section for guaranteeing loans; and
(D)
include any other information regarding the program for guaranteeing loans under this section that the Secretary considers appropriate.
(r)

Definitions.—
For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1)
The term “development cost” has the meaning given the term in section 515(e).
(2)
The term “eligible lender” means a lender determined by the Secretary to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of subsection (e)(1).
(3)
The terms “housing” and “related facilities” have the meanings given such terms in section 515(e).
(4)

Indian tribe.—
The term “Indian tribe” means—
(A)
any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation, as defined by or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.); or
(B)
any entity established by the governing body of an Indian tribe described in subparagraph (A) for the purpose of financing economic development.
(s)

Authorization of Appropriations.—
There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year for costs (as such term is defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974) of loan guarantees made under this section such sums as may be necessary for such fiscal year to provide guarantees under this section for eligible loans having an aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000.
(t)

Tax-Exempt Financing.—
The Secretary may not deny a guarantee under this section on the basis that the interest on the loan or on an obligation supporting the loan for which a guarantee is sought is exempt from inclusion in gross income for purposes of chapter I of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(u)

Fee Authority.—
Any amounts collected by the Secretary pursuant to the fees charged to lenders for loan guarantees issued under this section shall be used to offset costs (as defined by section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 661a)) of loan guarantees made under this section.
(v)

Defaults of Loans Secured by Reservation Lands.—
In the event of a default involving a loan to an Indian tribe or tribal corporation made under this section which is secured by an interest in land within such tribe's reservation (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior), including a community in Alaska incorporated by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Reorganization Act (25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.), the lender shall only pursue liquidation after offering to transfer the account to an eligible tribal member, the tribe, or the Indian housing authority serving the tribe. If the lender subsequently proceeds to liquidate the account, the lender shall not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of or alienate the property except to one of the entities described in the preceding sentence.

disaster assistance
Sec. 541.50
[42 U.S.C. 1490q]
(a)

Authority.—
(1)

In general.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, in the event of a natural disaster, so declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the Secretary shall allocate, for assistance under this section to the States affected for use in the counties designated as disaster areas and the counties contiguous to such counties, amounts made available to the Secretary by an appropriations Act for such purpose. Allocations under this section may be made for each of the fiscal years ending during the 3-year period beginning on the declaration of the disaster by the President.
(2)

Amount.—
Subject to the availability of amounts pursuant to appropriations Acts, assistance under paragraph (1) shall be made in an amount equal to the product of—
(A)
the sum of the official State estimate of the number of dwelling units in the counties described in paragraph (1) within the eligible service area of the Farmers Home Administration (or otherwise if the Secretary provides for a waiver under subsection (d)) that are destroyed or seriously damaged; and
(B)
20 percent of the average cost of all dwelling units assisted by the Secretary in the State during the previous 3 years.
(b)

Use.—
The assistance made available under this section may be used for the housing purposes authorized under this title, and the Secretary shall issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section to assure the prompt and expeditious use of such funds for the restoration of decent, safe, and sanitary housing within the areas described in subsection (a)(1). In implementing this section, the Secretary shall evaluate the natural hazards to which any permanent replacement housing is exposed and shall take appropriate action to mitigate such hazards.
(c)

Eligibility.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, assistance allocated under this section shall be available to units of general local government and their agencies and to local nonprofit organizations, agencies, and corporations for the construction or rehabilitation of housing for agricultural employees and their families.
(d)

Waiver of Rural Area Requirements.—
The Secretary may waive the application of the provisions of section 520 with respect to assistance under this section, as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(e)

Rural Housing Insurance Fund.—
The Secretary is authorized to advance from the Rural Housing Insurance Fund such sums as may be necessary to meet the requirements of subsection (a)(1), subject to limits previously approved in appropriations Acts.
^{50}
So in law. There are no sections 539 and 540.
SEC. 542.
[42 U.S.C. 1490r]

RURAL HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM.
(a)

In General.—
To such extent or in such amounts as are approved in appropriation Acts, the Secretary shall carry out a rural housing voucher program to assist very low-income families and persons to reside in rental housing in rural areas. For such purposes, the Secretary may provide assistance using a payment standard based on the fair market rental rate established by the Secretary for the area. The monthly assistance payment for any family shall be the amount by which the payment standard for the area exceeds 30 per centum of the family's monthly adjusted income, except that such monthly assistance payment shall not exceed the amount which the rent for the dwelling unit (including the amount allowed for utilities in the case of a unit with separate utility metering) exceeds 10 per centum of the family's monthly gross income.
(b)

Coordination and Limitation.—
In carrying out the rural housing voucher program under this section, the Secretary shall—
(1)
coordinate activities under this section with activities assisted under sections 515 and 533 of this title; and
(2)
enter into contracts for assistance for not more than 5000 units in any fiscal year.
SEC. 543.
[42 U.S.C. 1490s]

ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS.
(a)

Equity Skimming.—
(1)

Criminal penalty.—
Whoever, as an owner, agent, employee, or manager, or is otherwise in custody, control, or possession of property that is security for a loan made or guaranteed under this title, willfully uses, or authorizes the use, of any part of the rents, assets, proceeds, income, or other funds derived from such property, for any purpose other than to meet actual, reasonable, and necessary expenses of the property, or for any other purpose not authorized by this title or the regulations adopted pursuant to this title, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
(2)

Civil sanctions.—
An entity or individual who as an owner, operator, employee, or manager, or who acts as an agent for a property that is security for a loan made or guaranteed under this title where any part of the rents, assets, proceeds, income, or other funds derived from such property are used for any purpose other than to meet actual, reasonable, and necessary expenses of the property, or for any other purpose not authorized by this title or the regulations adopted pursuant to this title, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $25,000 per violation. The sanctions provided in this paragraph may be imposed in addition to any other civil sanctions or civil monetary penalties authorized by law.
(b)

Civil Monetary Penalties.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary may, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, impose a civil monetary penalty in accordance with this subsection against any individual or entity, including its owners, officers, directors, general partners, limited partners, or employees, who knowingly and materially violate, or participate in the violation of, the provisions of this title, the regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to this title, or agreements made in accordance with this title, by—
(A)
submitting information to the Secretary that is false;
(B)
providing the Secretary with false certifications;
(C)
failing to submit information requested by the Secretary in a timely manner;
(D)
failing to maintain the property subject to loans made or guaranteed under this title in good repair and condition, as determined by the Secretary;
(E)
failing to provide management for a project which received a loan made or guaranteed under this title that is acceptable to the Secretary; or
(F)
failing to comply with the provisions of applicable civil rights statutes and regulations.
(2)

Conditions for renewal or extension.—
The Secretary may require that expiring loan or assistance agreements entered into under this title shall not be renewed or extended unless the owner executes an agreement to comply with additional conditions prescribed by the Secretary, or executes a new loan or assistance agreement in the form prescribed by the Secretary.
(3)

Amount.—
(A)

In general.—
The amount of a civil monetary penalty imposed under this subsection shall not exceed the greater of—
(i)
twice the damages the Department of Agriculture, the guaranteed lender, or the project that is secured for a loan under this section suffered or would have suffered as a result of the violation; or
(ii)
$50,000 per violation.
(B)

Determination.—
In determining the amount of a civil monetary penalty under this subsection, the Secretary shall take into consideration—
(i)
the gravity of the offense;
(ii)
any history of prior offenses by the violator (including offenses occurring prior to the enactment of this section);
(iii)
the ability of the violator to pay the penalty;
(iv)
any injury to tenants;
(v)
any injury to the public;
(vi)
any benefits received by the violator as a result of the violation;
(vii)
deterrence of future violations; and
(viii)
such other factors as the Secretary may establish by regulation.
(4)

Payment of penalties.—
No payment of a penalty assessed under this section may be made from funds provided under this title or from funds of a project which serve as security for a loan made or guaranteed under this title.
(5)

Remedies for noncompliance.—
(A)

Judicial intervention.—
If a person or entity fails to comply with a final determination by the Secretary imposing a civil monetary penalty under this subsection, the Secretary may request the Attorney General of the United States to bring an action in an appropriate United States district court to obtain a monetary judgment against such individual or entity and such other relief as may be available. The monetary judgment may, in the court's discretion, include the attorney's fees and other expenses incurred by the United States in connection with the action.
(B)

Reviewability of determination.—
In an action under this paragraph, the validity and appropriateness of a determination by the Secretary imposing the penalty shall not be subject to review.
SEC. 544.
[42 U.S.C. 1490t]

INDIAN TRIBES.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) and title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) shall not apply to actions by federally recognized Indian tribes (including instrumentalities of such Indian tribes) under this Act.