[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 27, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22095-22100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9648]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Funds Availability for the Section 533 Housing 
Preservation Grants for Fiscal Year 2010

 Announcement Type: Initial Notice inviting applications from qualified 
applicants for Fiscal Year 2010.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDA): 10.433.

SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), an agency within Rural 
Development, announces that it is soliciting competitive applications 
under its Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program. The HPG program is 
a grant program which provides qualified public agencies, private non-
profit organizations, which may include, but not be limited to, faith-
based and community organizations, and other eligible entities grant 
funds to assist very low- and low-income homeowners in repairing and 
rehabilitating their homes in rural areas. In addition, the HPG program 
assists rental property owners and cooperative housing complexes in 
repairing and rehabilitating their units if they agree to make such 
units available to low- and very low-income persons. This action is 
taken to comply with RHS regulations found in 7 CFR part 1944, subpart 
N, which require RHS to announce the opening and closing dates for 
receipt of preapplications for HPG funds from eligible applicants. The 
intended effect of this Notice is to provide eligible organizations 
notice of these dates.

DATES: If submitting a paper application the closing deadline for 
receipt of all applications in response to this Notice is 5 p.m., local 
time for each Rural Development State Office on June 28, 2010. If 
submitting the application in electronic format, the deadline for 
receipt is 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on [same date as paper 
application]. The application closing deadline is firm as to date and 
hour. RHS will not consider any application that is received after the 
closing deadline. Applicants intending to mail applications must 
provide sufficient time to permit delivery on or before the closing 
deadline date and time. Acceptance by the United States Postal Service 
or private mailer does not constitute delivery. Facsimile (FAX) and

[[Page 22096]]

postage due applications will not be accepted.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The reporting requirements contained in this Notice have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 
0575-0115.

Program Administration

I. Funding Opportunities Description

    The funding instrument for the HPG Program will be a grant 
agreement. The term of the grant can vary from 1 to 2 years, depending 
on available funds and demand. No maximum or minimum grant levels have 
been established at the National level. You should contact the Rural 
Development State Office to determine the allocation.

II. Award Information

    For Fiscal Year 2010, $10,146,815.03 is available for the HPG 
Program. The total includes $746,815.03 in carryover funds. Funds will 
be distributed under a formula allocation to states pursuant to 7 CFR 
part 1940, subpart L, ``Methodology and Formulas for Allocation of Loan 
and Grant Program Funds.'' Decisions on funding will be based on pre-
applications.

III. Eligibility Information

    7 CFR part 1944, subpart N provides details on what information 
must be contained in the preapplication package. Entities wishing to 
apply for assistance should contact the Rural Development State Office 
to receive further information, the State allocation of funds, and 
copies of the preapplication package. Eligible entities for these 
competitively awarded grants include state and local governments, non-
profit corporations, which may include, but not be limited to faith-
based and community organizations, Federally recognized Indian tribes, 
and consortia of eligible entities.
    Federally recognized Indian tribes, pursuant to 7 CFR 1944.674, are 
exempt from the requirement to consult with local leaders including 
announcing the availability of its statement of activities for review 
in a newspaper.
    As part of the application, all applicants must also provide a Dunn 
and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. As 
required by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), all grant 
applicants must provide a DUNS number when applying for Federal grants, 
on or after October 1, 2003. Organizations can receive a DUNS number at 
no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 
1-866-705-5711. Additional information concerning this requirement is 
provided in a policy directive issued by OMB and published in the 
Federal Register on June 27, 2003 (68 FR 38402-38405).
    The Department of Agriculture is participating as a partner in the 
Government-wide Grants.gov site. Electronic applications must be 
submitted through the grants.gov Web site at: http://www.grants.gov, 
following the instructions found on the Web site. Please be mindful 
that the application deadline for electronic format differs from the 
deadline for paper format. The electronic format deadline will be based 
on Eastern Standard Time. The paper format deadline is local time for 
each Rural Development State Office.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Applicants must contact the Rural Development State Office serving 
the state in which they desire to submit an application to receive 
further information and copies of the application package. Rural 
Development will date and time stamp incoming applications to evidence 
timely and untimely receipt, and, upon request, will provide the 
applicant with a written acknowledgment of receipt. A listing of Rural 
Development State Offices, their addresses, telephone numbers, and 
person to contact follows:


    Note:  Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free.

Alabama State Office

Suite 601, Sterling Centre
4121 Carmichael Road
Montgomery, Alabama 36106-3683
(334) 279-3454
TDD (334) 279-3495
Anne Chavers

Alaska State Office

800 West Evergreen, Suite 201
Palmer, Alaska 99645
(907) 761-7740
TDD (907) 761-8905
Debbie I. Davis

Arizona State Office

Phoenix Courthouse and Federal Building
230 North First Avenue, Suite 206
Phoenix, Arizona 85003-1706
(602) 280-8768
TDD (602) 280-8706
Carol Torres

Arkansas State Office

700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 3416
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-3225
(501) 301-3258
TDD (501) 301-3063
Clinton King

California State Office

430 G Street, 4169
Davis, California 95616-4169
(530) 792-5821
TDD (530) 792-5848
Debra Moretton

Colorado State Office

655 Parfet Street, Room E100
Lakewood, Colorado 80215
(720) 544-2923
TDD (800) 659-2656
Mary Summerfield

Connecticut

Served by Massachusetts State Office

Delaware and Maryland State Office

1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200
Dover, Delaware 19904
(302) 857-3614
TDD (302) 857-3585
Debbie Eason

Florida & Virgin Islands State Office

4440 N.W. 25th Place
Gainesville, Florida 32606-6563
(352) 338-3438
TDD (352) 338-3499
Theresa Purnell

Georgia State Office

Stephens Federal Building
355 East Hancock Avenue
Athens, Georgia 30601-2768
(706) 546-2164
TDD (706) 546-2034
Dawn Pilgrim

Hawaii State Office

(Services all Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and Western Pacific)
Room 311, Federal Building
154 Waianuenue Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
(808) 933-8300
TDD (808) 933-8321
Gayle Kuheana

Idaho State Office

Suite A1
9173 West Barnes Drive
Boise, Idaho 83709
(208) 378-5628
TDD (208) 378-5644
Joyce Weinzetl

Illinois State Office

2118 West Park Court, Suite A
Champaign, Illinois 61821-2986
(217) 403-6222
TDD (217) 403-6240
Barry L. Ramsey

Indiana State Office

5975 Lakeside Boulevard
Indianapolis, Indiana 46278
(317) 290-3100 (ext. 426)
TDD (317) 290-3343
Mary Hawthorne

Iowa State Office

210 Walnut Street Room 873
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 284-4666
TDD (515) 284-4858
Mary Beth Juergens

Kansas State Office

1303 SW First American Place, Suite 100

[[Page 22097]]

Topeka, Kansas 66604-4040
(785) 271-2700
TDD (785) 271-2767
Mike Resnik

Kentucky State Office

771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200
Lexington, Kentucky 40503
(859) 224-7325
TDD (859) 224-7422
Beth Moore

Louisiana State Office

3727 Government Street
Alexandria, Louisiana 71302
(318) 473-7962
TDD (318) 473-7655
Yvonne R. Emerson

Maine State Office

Post Office Box 405
Bangor, Maine 04402-0405
(207) 990-9110
TDD (207) 942-7331
Bob Nadeau

Maryland

Served by Delaware State Office

Massachusetts, Connecticut, & Rhode Island State Office

451 West Street Suite 2
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002
(413) 253-4315
TDD (413) 253-4590
Paul Geoffroy

Michigan State Office

3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200
East Lansing, Michigan 48823
(517) 324-5193
TDD (517) 337-6795
Sonya Wyldes

Minnesota State Office

375 Jackson Street Building, Suite 410
St. Paul, Minnesota 55125
(651) 602-7804
TDD (651) 602-7830
Thomas Osborne

Mississippi State Office

Federal Building, Suite 831
100 West Capitol Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39269
(601) 965-4325
TDD (601) 965-5850
Darnella Smith-Murray

Missouri State Office

601 Business Loop 70 West
Parkade Center, Suite 235
Columbia, Missouri 65203
(573) 876-9303
TDD (573) 876-9480
Becky Eftink

Montana State Office

900 Technology Boulevard, Suite B
Bozeman, Montana 59771
(406) 585-2515
TDD (406) 585-2562
Deborah Chorlton

Nebraska State Office

Federal Building, Room 152
100 Centennial Mall N
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
(402) 437-5505
TDD (402) 437-5408
Teresa Brohimer

Nevada State Office

1390 South Curry Street
Carson City, Nevada 89703-9910
(775) 887-1222 (ext. 14)
TDD (775) 885-0633
Mona Sargent

New Hampshire State Office

Concord Center
Suite 218, Box 317
10 Ferry Street
Concord, New Hampshire 03301-5004
(603) 223-6046
TDD (603) 229-0536
Sandra Hawkins

New Jersey State Office

5th Floor North, Suite 500
8000 Midlantic Drive
Mt. Laurel, New Jersey 08054
(856) 787-7773
TDD (856) 787-7784
Derrick S. Waltz

New Mexico State Office

6200 Jefferson Street, NE, Room 255
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109
(505) 761-4944
TDD (505) 761-4938
Susan Gauna

New York State Office

The Galleries of Syracuse
441 South Salina Street, Suite 357 5th Floor
Syracuse, New York 13202
(315) 263-4363
TDD (315) 477-6447
Tia Shulkin

North Carolina State Office

4405 Bland Road, Suite 260
Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
(919) 873-2062
TDD (919) 873-2003
Rebecca Dillard

North Dakota State Office

Federal Building, Room 208
Post Office Box 1737
Bismarck, North Dakota 58502
(701) 530-2046
TDD (701) 530-2113
Barry Borstad

Ohio State Office

Federal Building, Room 507
200 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215-2477
(614) 255-2561
TDD (614) 255-2554
Cathy Simmons

Oklahoma State Office

100 USDA, Suite 108
Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074-2654
(405) 742-1076
TDD (405) 742-1007
Tim Henderson

Oregon State Office

1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 801
Portland, Oregon 97232-1274
(503) 414-3340
TDD (503) 414-3387
Barb Brandon

Pennsylvania State Office

One Credit Union Place, Suite 330
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-2996
(717) 237-2276
TDD (717) 237-2261
Chris Adamchak

Puerto Rico State Office

IBM Building, Suite 601
Munoz Rivera Ave. 654
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918
(787) 766-5095 (ext. 256)
TDD (787) 766-5332
Jan Vargas

Rhode Island

Served by Massachusetts State Office

South Carolina State Office

Strom Thurmond Federal Building
1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
(803) 765-5870
TDD (803) 765-5697
Lila Moses

South Dakota State Office

Federal Building, Room 210
200 Fourth Street, SW
Huron, South Dakota 57350
(605) 352-1132
TDD (605) 352-1147
Roger Hazuka or Pam Reilly

Tennessee State Office

Suite 300
3322 West End Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-1084
(615) 783-1300
TDD (615) 783-1397
Abby Boggs

Texas State Office

Federal Building, Suite 102
101 South Main
Temple, Texas 76501
(254) 742-9772
TDD (254) 742-9712
Leon Carey

Utah State Office

Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building
125 South State Street, Room 301
Salt Lake City, Utah 84138
(801) 524-4308
TDD (801) 524-3309
Pam Davidson

Vermont State Office

City Center, 3rd Floor
89 Main Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
(802) 828-6021
TDD (802) 223-6365
Heidi Setien

Virgin Islands

Served by Florida State Office

Virginia State Office

Culpeper Building, Suite 238
1606 Santa Rosa Road

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Richmond, Virginia 23229
(804) 287-1596
TDD (804) 287-1753
CJ Michels

Washington State Office

1835 Black Lake Boulevard, Suite B
Olympia, Washington 98512
(360) 704-7706
TDD (360) 704-7760
Bill Kirkwood

Western Pacific Territories

Served by Hawaii State Office

West Virginia

Parkersburg West Virginia County Office
91 Boyles Lane
Parkersburg, West Virginia 26104
(304) 422-9070
TDD (304) 284-4836
Penny Thaxton

Wisconsin State Office

4949 Kirschling Court
Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481
(715) 345-7608 (ext. 111)
TDD (715) 345-7614
Sara Kendall

Wyoming State Office

Post Office Box 82601
Casper, Wyoming 82602-5006
(307) 233-6716
TDD (307) 233-6733
Alan Brooks

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information, applicants 
may contact Bonnie Edwards-Jackson, Finance and Loan Analyst, Multi-
Family Housing Preservation and Direct Loan Division, USDA Rural 
Development, Stop 0781, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-0781, telephone (202) 690-0759 (voice) (this is not a toll free 
number) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD-Federal Information Relay Service) or 
via e-mail at [email protected].

V. Application Review Information

    Applicants wishing to apply for assistance must make their 
statement of activities available to the public for comment. The 
applicant(s) must announce the availability of its statement of 
activities for review in a newspaper of general circulation in the 
project area and allow at least 15 days for public comment. The start 
of this 15-day period must occur no later than 16 days prior to the 
last day for acceptance of pre-applications by USDA Rural Development.
    All applications for Section 533 funds must be filed with the 
appropriate Rural Development State Office or grants.gov and must meet 
the requirements of this Notice and 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N. Pre-
applications determined not eligible and/or not meeting the selection 
criteria will be notified by the Rural Development State Office. All 
adverse determinations are appealable pursuant to 7 CFR part 11. 
Instructions on the appeal process will be provided at the time the 
applicant is notified of the adverse decision.
    If submitting a paper application, applicants will file an original 
and two copies of Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance,'' and supporting information with the appropriate Rural 
Development State Office. A pre-application package, including SF-424, 
is available in any Rural Development State Office. If an electronic 
application is submitted, applicants will upload the information at 
grants.gov. All preapplications shall be accompanied by the following 
information which Rural Development will use to determine the 
applicant's eligibility to undertake the HPG program and to evaluate 
the preapplication under the project selection criteria of 7 CFR 
1944.679:
    (a) A statement of activities proposed by the applicant for its HPG 
program as appropriate to the type of assistance the applicant is 
proposing, including:
    (1) A complete discussion of the type of and conditions for 
financial assistance for housing preservation, including whether the 
request for assistance is for a homeowner assistance program, a rental 
property assistance program, or a cooperative assistance program;
    (2) The process for selecting recipients for HPG assistance, 
determining housing preservation needs of the dwelling, performing the 
necessary work, and monitoring/inspecting work performed;
    (3) A description of the process for identifying potential 
environmental impacts in accordance with 7 CFR 1944.672, and the 
provisions for compliance with Stipulation I, A-G of the Programmatic 
Memorandum of Agreement, also known as PMOA, (RD Instruction 2000-FF, 
available in any Rural Development State Office or at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/pdf/2000ff.pdf) in accordance with 7 CFR 
1944.673(b);
    (4) The development standard(s) the applicant will use for the 
housing preservation work; and, if not the Rural Development standards 
for existing dwellings, the evidence of its acceptance by the 
jurisdiction where the grant will be implemented;
    (5) The time schedule for completing the program;
    (6) The staffing required to complete the program;
    (7) The estimated number of very low- and low-income minority and 
nonminority persons the grantee will assist with HPG funds; and, if a 
rental property or cooperative assistance program, the number of units 
and the term of restrictive covenants on their use for very low- and 
low-income;
    (8) The geographical area(s) to be served by the HPG program;
    (9) The annual estimated budget for the program period based on the 
financial needs to accomplish the objectives outlined in the proposal. 
The budget should include proposed direct and indirect administrative 
costs, such as personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, 
contracts, and other cost categories, detailing those costs for which 
the grantee proposes to use the HPG grant separately from non-HPG 
resources, if any. The applicant budget should also include a schedule 
(with amounts) of how the applicant proposes to draw HPG grant funds, 
i.e., monthly, quarterly, lump sum for program activities, etc.;
    (10) A copy of an indirect cost proposal as required in 7 CFR parts 
3015, 3016, and 3019, as applicable, when the applicant has another 
source of Federal funding in addition to the Rural Development HPG 
program;
    (11) A brief description of the accounting system to be used;
    (12) The method of evaluation to be used by the applicant to 
determine the effectiveness of its program which encompasses the 
requirements for quarterly reports to Rural Development in accordance 
with 7 CFR 1944.683(b) and the monitoring plan for rental properties 
and cooperatives (when applicable) according to 7 CFR 1944.689;
    (13) The source and estimated amount of other financial resources 
to be obtained and used by the applicant for both HPG activities and 
housing development and/or supporting activities;
    (14) The use of program income, if any, and the tracking system 
used for monitoring same;
    (15) The applicant's plan for disposition of any security 
instruments held by them as a result of its HPG activities in the event 
of its loss of legal status;
    (16) Any other information necessary to explain the proposed HPG 
program; and
    (17) The outreach efforts outlined in 7 CFR 1944.671(b).
    (b) Complete information about the applicant's experience and 
capacity to carry out the objectives of the proposed HPG program.
    (c) Evidence of the applicant's legal existence, including, in the 
case of a private non-profit organization, which may include, but not 
be limited to, faith-

[[Page 22099]]

based and community organizations, a copy of, or an accurate reference 
to, the specific provisions of State law under which the applicant is 
organized; a certified copy of the applicant's Articles of 
Incorporation and Bylaws or other evidence of corporate existence; 
certificate of incorporation for other than public bodies; evidence of 
good standing from the State when the corporation has been in existence 
1 year or more; and the names and addresses of the applicant's members, 
directors and officers. If other organizations are members of the 
applicant-organization, or the applicant is a consortium, pre-
applications should be accompanied by the names, addresses, and 
principal purpose of the other organizations. If the applicant is a 
consortium, documentation showing compliance with paragraph (4)(ii) 
under the definition of ``organization'' in 7 CFR 1944.656 must also be 
included.
    (d) For a private non-profit entity, which may include, but not be 
limited to, faith-based and community organizations, the most recently 
audited statement and a current financial statement dated and signed by 
an authorized officer of the entity showing the amounts and specific 
nature of assets and liabilities together with information on the 
repayment schedule and status of any debt(s) owed by the applicant.
    (e) A brief narrative statement which includes information about 
the area to be served and the need for improved housing (including both 
percentage and the actual number of both low-income and low-income 
minority households and substandard housing), the need for the type of 
housing preservation assistance being proposed, the anticipated use of 
HPG resources for historic properties, the method of evaluation to be 
used by the applicant in determining the effectiveness of its efforts.
    (f) A statement containing the component for alleviating any 
overcrowding as defined by 7 CFR 1944.656.
    (g) Applicant must submit an original and one copy of Form RD 1940-
20, ``Request for Environmental Information,'' prepared in accordance 
with Exhibit F-1 of RD Instruction 1944-N (available in any Rural 
Development State Office or at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/forms/1940-20.pdf).
    (h) Applicant must also submit a description of its process for:
    (1) Identifying and rehabilitating properties listed on or eligible 
for listing on the National Register of Historic Places;
    (2) Identifying properties that are located in a floodplain or 
wetland;
    (3) Identifying properties located within the Coastal Barrier 
Resources System; and
    (4) Coordinating with other public and private organizations and 
programs that provide assistance in the rehabilitation of historic 
properties (Stipulation I, D, of the PMOA, RD Instruction 2000-FF, 
available in any Rural Development State Office or at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/pdf/2000ff.pdf.
    (i) The applicant must also submit evidence of the State Historic 
Preservation Office's, (SHPO), concurrence in the proposal, or in the 
event of nonconcurrence, a copy of SHPO's comments together with 
evidence that the applicant has received the Advisory Council on 
Historic Preservation's (Council) advice as to how the disagreement 
might be resolved, and a copy of any advice provided by the Council.
    (j) The applicant must submit written statements and related 
correspondence reflecting compliance with 7 CFR 1944.674(a) and (c) 
regarding consultation with local government leaders in the preparation 
of its program and the consultation with local and state government 
pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order 12372.
    (k) The applicant is to make its statement of activities available 
to the public for comment prior to submission to Rural Development 
pursuant to 7 CFR 1944.674(b). The application must contain a 
description of how the comments (if any were received) were addressed.
    (l) The applicant must submit an original and one copy of Form RD 
400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement,'' and Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance 
Agreement,'' in accordance with 7 CFR 1944.676. These forms can be 
obtained at any state office or at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/oa/RD-400-1.pdf and http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/forms/0400-04.pdf.
    Applicants should review 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N for a 
comprehensive list of all application requirements.

VI. Selection Criteria

    In accordance with 7 CFR 1944.679 applicants and proposed projects 
must meet the following criteria:
    (a) Provide a financially feasible program of housing preservation 
assistance. ``Financially feasible'' is defined as proposed assistance 
which will be affordable to the intended recipient or result in 
affordable housing for very low- and low-income persons.
    (b) Serve eligible rural areas with a concentration of substandard 
housing for households with very low-or low-income.
    (c) Be an eligible applicant as defined in 7 CFR 1944.658.
    (d) Meet the requirements of consultation and public comment in 
accordance with 7 CFR 1944.674.
    (e) Submit a complete preapplication as outlined in 7 CFR 1944.676.

VII. Points System

    For applicants meeting all of the requirements listed above, the 
Rural Development State Offices will then use weighted criteria in 
accordance with 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N as selection for the grant 
recipients. Each preapplication and its accompanying statement of 
activities will be evaluated and, based solely on the information 
contained in the preapplication, the applicant's proposal will be 
numerically rated on each criteria within the range provided. The 
highest-ranking applicant(s) will be selected based on allocation of 
funds available to the state.
    (a) Points are awarded based on the percentage of very low-income 
persons that the applicant proposes to assist, using the following 
scale:
    (1) More than 80%: 20 points.
    (2) 61% to 80%: 15 points.
    (3) 41% to 60%: 10 points.
    (4) 20% to 40%: 5 points.
    (5) Less than 20%: 0 points.
    (b) The applicant's proposal may be expected to result in the 
following percentage of HPG fund use (excluding administrative costs) 
in comparison to the total cost of unit preservation. This percentage 
reflects maximum repair or rehabilitation results with the least 
possible HPG funds due to leveraging, innovative financial assistance, 
owner's contribution or other specified approaches. Points are awarded 
based on the following percentage of HPG funds (excluding 
administrative costs) to total funds:
    (1) 50% or less: 20 points.
    (2) 51% to 65%: 15 points.
    (3) 66% to 80%: 10 points.
    (4) 81% to 95%: 5 points.
    (5) 96% to 100%: 0 points.
    (c) The applicant has demonstrated its administrative capacity in 
assisting very low- and low-income persons to obtain adequate housing 
based on the following (30 points maximum):
    (1) The organization or a member of its staff has at least one or 
more years experience successfully managing and operating a 
rehabilitation or weatherization type program: 10 points.
    (2) The organization or a member of its staff has at least one or 
more years experience successfully managing and

[[Page 22100]]

operating a program assisting very low- and low-income persons obtain 
housing assistance: 10 points.
    (3) If the organization has administered grant programs, there are 
no outstanding or unresolved audit or investigative findings which 
might impair carrying out the proposal: 10 points.
    (d) The proposed program will be undertaken entirely in rural areas 
outside Metropolitan Statistical Areas, also known as MSAs, identified 
by Rural Development as having populations below 10,000 or in remote 
parts of other rural areas (i.e., rural areas contained in MSAs with 
less than 5,000 population) as defined in 7 CFR 1944.656: 10 points.
    (e) The program will use less than 20 percent of HPG funds for 
administration purposes:
    (1) More than 20%: Not eligible.
    (2) 20%: 0 points.
    (3) 19%: 1 point.
    (4) 18%: 2 points.
    (5) 17%: 3 points.
    (6) 16%: 4 points.
    (7) 15% or less: 5 points.
    (f) The proposed program contains a component for alleviating 
overcrowding as defined in 7 CFR 1944.656: 5 points.
    In the event more than one preapplication receives the same amount 
of points, those preapplications will then be ranked based on the 
actual percentage figure used for determining the points for Section 
VII (a). Further, in the event that preapplications are still tied, 
then those preapplications still tied will be ranked based on the 
percentage for HPG fund use (low to high). Further, for applications 
where assistance to rental properties or cooperatives is proposed, 
those still tied will be further ranked based on the number of years 
the units are available for occupancy under the program (a minimum of 5 
years is required). For this part, ranking will be based from most to 
least number of years.
    Finally, if there is still a tie, then a lottery system will be 
used. After the award selections are made all applicants will be 
notified of the status of their applications by mail.

VIII. Non-Discrimination Statement

    USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on 
the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where 
applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, 
religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, 
reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived 
from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to 
all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means 
for communication of program information (Braille, large print, 
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 
(voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, 
Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), (202) 720-
6382 (TDD). ``USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and 
lender.''

    Dated: April 16, 2010.
Tammye Trevi[ntilde]o,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-9648 Filed 4-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P