[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 104 (Thursday, May 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 30880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11934]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Expiring Expanded Rural Area Definition

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On March 13, 2006 (71 FR 12671-74), a notice was published 
regarding the availability of hurricane disaster assistance that 
expanded the rural area definition for USDA Rural Development's housing 
programs. USDA Rural Development's housing programs are governed by the 
Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1471, et seq.)(Act).
    Section 541 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1490q), which only applies to 
USDA Rural Development's housing programs, provided the authority to 
waive rural area requirements in Sec.  520 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1490) 
subsequent to a natural disaster. This waiver authority applied with 
respect to assistance under Sec.  541. The Secretary could allocate 
appropriated disaster funds under Sec.  541(a) for each fiscal year 
during the 3-year period beginning on the declaration of the disaster 
by the President.
    Notice is hereby given that the expanded rural area definition 
(which increased the population limits to 75,000) under the March 13, 
2006 notice will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, 
September 30, 2008, for areas covered under the Hurricane Katrina or 
Rita declarations. Financial assistance in these expanded communities 
must be obligated by the above-mentioned dates. Financial disaster 
assistance will continue in areas meeting the rural area definition of 
Sec.  520 of the Act until such appropriations are expended.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Myron Wooden, Loan Specialist,Rural 
Housing Service, Single Family Housing Direct Loan Division, Stop 
0783,1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0783; 
Telephone: 202-720-1474; FAX: 202-720-2232; E-mail: 
[email protected].

    Dated: May 13, 2008.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. E8-11934 Filed 5-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P