[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 114 (Friday, June 13, 1997)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 32251-32252] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-15670] [[Page 32251]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 24 CFR Part 291 [Docket No. FR-4244-A-01] RIN 2502-AG96 Single Family Property Disposition; Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner, HUD. ACTION: Advanced notice of proposed rulemaking. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces HUD's intention to issue a proposed rule to amend HUD's Single Family Property Disposition Program regulations (24 CFR part 291) for the purpose of developing innovative methods for disposing of HUD-owned single family properties in a cost efficient manner which furthers the Department's mission of providing decent, safe, and affordable housing. HUD's current regulations provide that HUD's principal method of sale of single family properties is the competitive sales method to individuals. While this method works well in some cases, HUD believes that there may be other disposition methods, which should be considered and utilized, that may better serve HUD's objectives. Specifically, HUD seeks comments that provide for innovative, efficient, and cost effective structures and procedures with respect to the disposition of the HUD inventory of single family properties, which may include but should not be limited to, bulk sales of current inventory or future acquisitions on a regional or national basis, and structures similar to joint ventures, profit-share arrangements, or private-public partnering. This notice therefore solicits public comment on this subject prior to publication of a proposed rule. DATES: Comment Due Date: July 14, 1997. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments and responses to the Rules Docket Clerk, Office of the General Counsel, Room 10276, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street SW, Washington DC 20410-0500. Communications should refer to the above docket number and title. Facsimile (FAX) responses are not acceptable. A copy of each response will be available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours (7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time at the above address). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty Woodley, Director, Single Family Property Disposition Division, Office of Single Family Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Room 9174, 451 Seventh Street S.W., Washington, D.C., 20410, telephone (202) 708-0740 (this is not a toll-free number). Hearing or speech-impaired individuals may access these numbers via TTY by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 (this is a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 204 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1710) (Act) governs the FHA insurance claim process and property disposition. Specifically, section 204(g) of the Act pertains to the management and disposition of HUD-owned single family properties acquired by HUD. HUD's regulations implementing this statutory authority are contained in 24 CFR part 291. Those regulations recently were amended, first through a technical corrections rule, and second through a streamlining rule. The amendments made by the streamlining rule eliminated regulatory language that was duplicative of the authorizing statute, or language included in the regulations where HUD had discretion not to regulate. Final rules were published, respectively, on July 9, 1996 (61 FR 36260) and October 28, 1996 (61 FR 55710). Under the statutory and regulatory authority relating to the acquisition, handling and disposal of HUD-owned property, HUD is charged with implementing a property disposition program of sales of HUD-owned single family properties along with appropriate credit terms and standards. Currently, the principal method of disposing of such properties is competitive sale to individuals. The statutory authority does not require this particular method, however, and the uses of other procedures as primary sales methods, instead of competitive sales to individuals, may have significant advantages to HUD and to the public. The purpose of this notice is to solicit public comments for developing innovative property disposition methods that are cost efficient and effective, and that further the Department's mission of providing decent, safe, and affordable housing. HUD is pursuing alternative sales methods for its Single Family Property Disposition Program because of the anticipated increased volume of single family properties that may come into the HUD-owned inventory as a result of policy and program changes as well as downturns in various local economies and housing markets. HUD has the largest real estate-owned (REO) portfolio and operation in the nation, selling approximately 55,000 properties each year. At any one time, HUD holds approximately 29,000 properties in its inventory. The average holding time for each property is six months. While the volume of HUD- owned properties is expected to significantly increase, HUD's resources for managing and disposing of the inventory are decreasing. HUD desires to find an alternative method or methods for disposal of its REO inventory. HUD desires to find a method or methods that permit HUD to sell these properties in a more expeditious and cost efficient manner, that maximizes profit and ensures the stability of the FHA mortgage insurance fund, and allows HUD to refocus its resources in furtherance of its more central mission of providing homeownership opportunities to American families. HUD is requesting interested members of the public to submit public comments on alternative sales methods. Specifically, HUD invites public comments which describe, in general terms, sales methods to dispose of current inventory and future acquisitions, which minimize or eliminate holding costs. In proposing alternative sales methods, HUD asks commenters to address (1) suitable financial structures and legal relationships for alternative sale arrangements, (2) any procedural and staffing efficiencies which would result from implementation of such structure, and (3) the basis for cost effectiveness of the sales arrangement. HUD will review all public comments submitted in connection with preparing the proposed rule on this subject. Public comments received in response to this notice will be used in the development of a proposed rule that provides for innovative sales methods for the disposition of HUD-owned single family properties. The public comments also may be used in the development of a request for proposals (RFP) through which HUD will solicit and consider specific proposals on innovative, cost efficient bulk sales arrangements (which are directed toward single family properties in the current and future inventory), and by which HUD may undertake the sale of certain HUD- owned single family properties if a proposal is accepted. The occurrence of a bulk sale before issuance of a final rule amending the Single Family Property Disposition Program regulations may provide useful practical information on [[Page 32252]] alternative sales procedures that will make for a better Single Family Property Disposition Program. Executive Order 12866 The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reviewed this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) under Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, issued by the President on September 30, 1993. Any changes made in this ANPR subsequent to its submission to OMB are identified in the docket file, which is available for public inspection during regular business hours in the Office of the Rules Docket Clerk, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Room 10276, 451 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20410. Dated: June 2, 1997. Nicolas P. Retsinas, Assistant Secretary for Housing, Federal Housing Commissioner. [FR Doc. 97-15670 Filed 6-12-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210-27-P