[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27179-27185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11036]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Funds Availability for the Section 533 Housing 
Preservation Grants for Fiscal Year 2012

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 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 pre-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 25, 2012. If 
submitting the pre-application in electronic format, the deadline for 
receipt is 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on [same date as paper 
application]. The pre-application closing deadline is firm as to date 
and hour. RHS will not consider any pre-application that is received 
after the closing deadline. Applicants intending to mail pre-
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 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.

Overview

    Funding Opportunity Title: Notice of Funds Availability for the 
Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants for Fiscal Year 2012.
    Announcement Type: Initial Notice inviting pre-applications from 
qualified applicants for Fiscal Year 2012.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDA): 10.433.
    Dates: If submitting a paper pre-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 25, 2012. If 
submitting the pre-application in electronic format, the deadline for 
receipt is 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on [same date as paper 
application]. The pre-application

[[Page 27180]]

closing deadline is firm as to date and hour. RHS will not consider any 
pre-application that is received after the closing deadline. Applicants 
intending to mail pre-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 postage due applications 
will not be accepted.

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 state allocation.

II. Award Information

    For Fiscal Year 2012, $4,167,178.87 is available for the HPG 
Program. The total includes $472,932.27 in carryover funds from 
previous appropriations. A set-aside of $600,000.00 has been 
established for grants located in Rural Economic Area Partnership 
Zones. Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones and other 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 pre-application 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 pre-application 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 Dun 
and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and 
maintain registration in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) 
database in accordance with 2 CFR part 25. 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 or by 
accessing http://www.dnb.com/us/ us/. 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). 
Similarly, applicants may register for the CCR at https://www.uscontractorregistration.com/or by calling 1-877-252-2700.
    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.
    In addition to the electronic application at the http://www.grants.gov web site, all applicants must complete and submit the 
Fiscal Year 2012 pre-application for Section 533 HPG, a copy of which 
is included with this Notice. Applicants are encouraged to submit this 
pre-application form electronically by accessing the Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HAD-HPG_Grants.html and clicking on the link for 
``Fiscal Year 2012 Pre-application for Section 533 Housing Preservation 
Grants (HPG)''.
    Applicants are encouraged but not required, to also provide an 
electronic copy of all hard copy forms and documents submitted in the 
pre-application/application package as requested by this Notice. The 
forms and documents must be submitted as read-only PDF Adobe Acrobat 
files on an electronic media such as CDs, DVDs or USB drives. For each 
electronic device that you submit, you must include a Table of Contents 
of all documents and forms on that device. The electronic medium must 
be submitted to the local State Office.

    Please Note: If you receive a loan or grant award under this 
Notice, USDA reserves the right to post all information submitted as 
part of the pre-application/application package which is not 
protected under the Privacy Act on a public Web site with free and 
open access to any member of the public.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    All pre-applications must meet the requirements of 7 CFR part 1944, 
subpart N, as well as comply with the provisions of this Notice. Pre-
applications can be submitted either electronically using the Section 
533 pre-application form as found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HAD-HPG_Grants.html or by hard copy to the appropriate Rural Development 
State Office where the project will be located. A hard-copy of the 
electronic pre-application form is included with this Notice. Note: 
Submission of the electronic Section 533 pre-application form does not 
constitute submission of the entire pre-application package which 
requires additional forms and supporting documentation as listed in 
Section V of this Notice. Although applicants are encouraged to submit 
the pre-application form electronically, the complete package in its 
entirety must still be submitted to the local State Office.
    Hard copy pre-applications that are submitted to a USDA Rural 
Development State Office will be date and time stamped to evidence 
timely or untimely receipt, and upon request, Rural Development will 
provide the applicant with a written acknowledgement of receipt. A list 
of State Office contacts may be found in the Section VIII, Agency 
Contacts, of this Notice. Incomplete pre-applications will be returned 
to the applicant. No pre-application will be accepted after 5 p.m., 
local time, for paper copies or 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time for 
electronic applications on the application deadline previously 
mentioned unless that date and time is extended by a Notice published 
in the Federal Register.
    Please note that all applicants must obtain DUNS number and 
register in the CCR prior to submitting a pre-application pursuant to 2 
CFR 25.200(b). In addition, an entity applicant must maintain 
registration of the CCR database at all times during which it has an 
active Federal award or an application or plan of construction by the 
Agency. Similarly all recipients of Federal Financial assistance are 
required to report information about first-tier subawards and executive 
compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170. So long as an entity 
applicant does not have exception under 2 CFR Section 170.110(b), the 
applicant must have necessary processes and systems in place to comply 
with the reporting

[[Page 27181]]

requirements should the applicant receive funding. See 2 CFR Section 
170.200(b).

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 electronically 
or with the appropriate Rural Development State Office 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. In addition, the 
pre-application form included with this Notice must be submitted either 
electronically or in hard copy form with all supporting documentation.
    All pre-applications 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 pre-application under the project selection criteria of 7 CFR 
1944.679. References to private non-profit organizations include, but 
are not limited to faith and community-based organizations:
    (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/SupportDocuments/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 the applicant will use 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 persons;
    (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;
    (l2) 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, 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, 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 very low-income and low-income 
minority

[[Page 27182]]

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://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/RD1940-20.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/SupportDocuments/2000ff.pdf.
    (i) The applicant must also submit evidence of the State Historic 
Preservation Office's (SHPO), or where appropriate the Tribal Historic 
Preservation Office's (THPO) 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://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/RD400-1.PDF and http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/RD400-4.PDF.
    Applicants should review 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N for a 
comprehensive list of all application requirements.

VI. Selection Criteria

    Applicants and proposed projects must meet the criteria in 
accordance with 7 CFR 1944.679:
     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.
     Serve eligible rural areas with a concentration of 
substandard housing for households with very low- or low-income.
     Be an eligible applicant as defined in 7 CFR 1944.658.
     Meet the requirements of consultation and public comment 
in accordance with 7 CFR 1944.674.
     Submit a complete pre-application 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 to select the grant 
recipients. Each preapplication and its accompanying statement of 
activities will be evaluated and, based solely on the information 
contained in the pre-application; the applicant's proposal will be 
numerically rated on each selection criteria within the point range 
provided. The highest-ranking applicant(s) will be selected based on 
allocation of funds available to the State.
     Points are awarded based on the percentage of very low-
income persons that the applicant proposes to assist, using the 
following scale:
    [cir] More than 80%: 20 points
    [cir] 61% to 80%: 15 points
    [cir] 41% to 60%: 10 points
    [cir] 20% to 40%: 5 points
    [cir] Less than 20%: 0 points
     The applicant's proposal is 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:
    [cir] 50% or less: 20 points
    [cir] 51% to 65%: 15 points
    [cir] 66% to 80%: 10 points
    [cir] 81% to 95%: 5 points
    [cir] 96% to 100%: 0 points
     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):
    [cir] 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.
    [cir] The organization or a member of its staff has at least one or 
more years experience successfully managing and operating a program 
assisting very low- and low-income persons obtain housing assistance: 
10 points.
    [cir] 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.
     The proposed program will be undertaken entirely in rural 
areas outside Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), identified by 
Rural Development as having populations in excess of 10,000, but not in 
excess of 20,000 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.
     The program will use less than 20 percent of HPG funds for 
administration purposes:
    [cir] More than 20%: Not eligible
    [cir] 20%: 0 points
    [cir] 19%: 1 point
    [cir] 18%: 2 points
    [cir] 17%: 3 points
    [cir] 16%: 4 points
    [cir] 15% or less: 5 points
     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 pre-applications will then be ranked based 
on the actual percentage of very-low income persons that the applicant 
proposes to assist. Further, in the event that preapplications are 
still tied, then those

[[Page 27183]]

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. Agency Contacts

    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) 279-3455, TDD 1(800) 877-8339, 
Melinda George.
Alaska State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, Alaska 
99645, (907) 761-7740, TDD (907) 761-7786, Cynthia Jackson.
Arizona State Office, Phoenix Courthouse and Federal Building, 230 
North First Avenue, Suite 206, Phoenix, Arizona 85003-1706, (602) 280-
8764, TDD (602) 280-8705, Ernie Wetherbee.
Arkansas State Office, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 3416, Little Rock, 
Arkansas 72201-3225, (501) 301-3258, TDD (501) 301-3279, Clinton King.
California State Office, 430 G Street, 4169, Davis, California 
95616-4169, (530) 885-6505, TDD (530) 792-5848, Debra Moretton.
Colorado State Office, Denver Federal Center, Building 56, Room 2300, 
P.O. Box 25426, Denver, Colorado 80225-0426, (720) 544-2924, TDD 1(800) 
659-3656, Donald Nunn.
Connecticut, Served by Massachusetts State Office. Delaware and 
Maryland State Office, 1221 College Park Drive Suite 200, Dover, 
Delaware 19904, (302) 857-3606, TDD (302) 857-3585, Marquisa Morrison.
Florida and Virgin Islands State Office, 4440 NW. 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, 
Jack Stanek.
Hawaii State Office, (Services all Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and 
Western Pacific), Room 311, Federal Building, 154 Waianuenue Avenue, 
Hilo, Hawaii 96720, (808) 933-8303, TDD (808) 933-8321, Nathan Riedel.
Idaho State Office, Suite A1, 9173 West Barnes Drive, Boise, Idaho 
83709, (208) 378-5628, TDD 1(800) 877-8339, Joyce Weinzetl.
Illinois State Office, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A, Champaign, 
Illinois 61821-2986, (217) 403-6225, TDD 711 Relay (217) 403-6225, 
Brenda Barr.
Indiana State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, Indianapolis, Indiana 
46278, (317) 290-3100 (ext. 423), TDD (317) 295-5799, Michael Boards.
Iowa State Office, 210 Walnut Street, Room 873, Des Moines, Iowa 50309, 
(515) 961-5365 (ext. 129), TDD (515) 284-4858, Tony Putz.
Kansas State Office, 1303 SW First American Place, Suite 100, 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) 224-7357, TDD (859) 224-7422, Paul Higgins.
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) 253-4328, TDD, 
(413) 253-4590, Richard Lavoie.
Michigan State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, East Lansing, 
Michigan 48823, (517) 324-5194, TDD (517) 324-5169, Julie Putnam.
Minnesota State Office, 375 Jackson Street Building, Suite 410, St. 
Paul, Minnesota 55125, (763) 689-3354 x 4, TDD (651) 602-7830, Linda 
Swanson.
Mississippi State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 West Capitol 
Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39269, (601) 965-4325, TDD (601) 965-5717, 
Darnella Smith-Murray.
Missouri State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade Center, Suite 
235, Columbia, Missouri 65203, (573) 876-0990, TDD (573) 876-9480, 
Nathan Tutt.
Montana State Office, 2229 Boot Hill Court, Bozeman, Montana 59715, 
(406) 585-2515, TDD 1(800) 253-4091, Deborah Chorlton.
Nebraska State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall 
N, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508, (402) 437-5505, TDD (402) 437-5093, Teresa 
Brohimer.
Nevada State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson City, Nevada 
89703-9910, (775) 887-1222 (ext. 106), TDD 711 Relay (775) 887-1222, 
Mona Sargent.
New Hampshire State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, 
Montpelier, Vermont 05602, (802) 828-6028, TDD (802) 223-6365, Tammy 
Surprise.
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) 761-4945, TDD 1(800) 877-8339, 
Yvette Pacheco.
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) 873-2061, TDD 711 Relay (919) 873-2061, LaShonda 
McKnight.
North Dakota State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, Post Office Box 
1737, Bismarck, North Dakota 58502, (701) 530-2049, TDD (800) 366-6888, 
Kathy Lake.
Ohio State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 North High Street, 
Columbus, Ohio 43215-2477, (614) 255-2409, TDD 1 (800) 877-8339, Cathy 
Simmons.
Oklahoma State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074-
2654, (580) 237-4321, TDD (405) 742-1007, Lesley Worthan.
Oregon State Office, 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 801, Portland, 
Oregon 97232-1274, (503) 414-3353, TDD (503) 414-3387, Rod Hansen.
Pennsylvania State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, 
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-2996, (717) 237-2282, TDD (717) 237-
2261, Martha Hanson.

[[Page 27184]]

Puerto Rico State Office, IBM Building, Suite 601, Munoz Rivera Ave. 
654, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918, (787) 837-4450 (ext. 104), 
TDD (787) 766-5332, Angel Lopez.
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-
5122, TDD (803) 765-5697, Tim Chandler.
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, Linda Weber or Vickie Hampton.
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 1 (800) 877-8339, Ana 
Placencia.
Utah State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State 
Street, Room 301, Salt Lake City, Utah 84138, (801) 524-4308, TDD 711 
Relay (801) 524-4308, Janice Kocher.
Vermont State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, 
Montpelier, Vermont 05602, (802) 828-6028, TDD (802) 223-6365, Tammy 
Surprise.
Virgin Islands, served by Florida State Office.
Virginia State Office, Culpeper Building, Suite 238, 1606 Santa Rosa 
Road, 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 1 (800) 833-6384, Bill Kirkwood.
Western Pacific Territories, served by Hawaii State Office.
West Virginia, 530 Freedom Road, Ripley, West Virginia 25271-9794, 
(304) 372-3441, ext. 105, TDD (304) 284-4836, Penny Thaxton.
Wisconsin State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 
54481, (715) 345-7620, TDD (715) 345-7614, Dave Schwobe or Julie 
Czappa.
Wyoming State Office, Post Office Box 82601, Casper, Wyoming 82602-
5006, (307) 233-6733, TDD 1 (800) 877-9965, Laura Koenig.

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 email at, [email protected].

VIV. 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:May 2, 2012.
Tammye Trevi[ntilde]o,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

Fiscal Year 2012 Pre-application for Section 533 Housing Preservation 
Grants (HPG) Instructions

    Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit this pre-
application form electronically by accessing the Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HAD-HPG_Grants.html and clicking on the link 
for the ``Fiscal Year 2012 Pre-application for Section 533 Housing 
Preservation Grants (HPG).'' Please note that electronic submittals 
are not on a secured Web site. If you do not wish to submit the form 
electronically by clicking on the Send Form button, you may still 
fill out the form, print it and submit it with your application 
package to the State Office. You also have the option to save the 
form, and submit it on an electronic media to the State Office.
    Supporting documentation required by this pre-application may be 
attached to the email generated when you click the Send Form button 
to submit the form. However if the attachments are too numerous or 
large in size, the email box will not be able to accept them. In 
that case, submit the supporting documentation for this pre-
application to the State Office with your complete application 
package. Under item IX. Documents Submitted, indicate the supporting 
documents that you are submitting either with the pre-application or 
to the State Office.

I. Applicant Information

a. Applicant's Name:---------------------------------------------------
b. Applicant's Address:
Address, Line 1:-------------------------------------------------------
Address, Line 2:-------------------------------------------------------
City:------------------------------------------------------------------
State:-----------------------------------------------------------------
Zip:-------------------------------------------------------------------
c. Name of Applicant's Contact Person:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
d. Contact Person's Telephone Number:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
e. Contact Person's Email Address:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
f. Entity Type: (Check One)
    [ballot] State Government
    [ballot] Local Government
    [ballot] Non-Profit Corporation
    [ballot] Federally Recognized Indian Tribes
    [ballot] Faith-based Organization
    [ballot] Community Organization
    [ballot] Other consortia of an eligible entity

II. Project Information

a. Project Name:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
b. Project Address:
Address, Line 1:-------------------------------------------------------
Address, Line 2:-------------------------------------------------------
City:------------------------------------------------------------------
State:-----------------------------------------------------------------
Zip:-------------------------------------------------------------------
c. Organization DUNS number:-------------------------------------------
d. Grant Amount Requested:---------------------------------------------
e. This grant request is for one of the following types of 
assistance:
    [ballot] Homeowner assistance program
    [ballot] Rental property assistance program
    [ballot] Cooperative assistance program
f. In response to e. above, answer one of the following:
The number of low- and very-low income persons that the grantee will 
assist in the Homeowner assistance program: ------ OR
The number of Units for low- and very-low income persons in the 
Rental property or Cooperative assistance program: ------
g. This proposal is for one of the following:
    [ballot] Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program (no set-aside)
    [ballot] Set-aside for Grant located in a Rural Economic Area 
Partnership (REAP) zone

III. Low-Income Assistance

    Check the percentage of very low-income persons that this 
application proposes to assist in relation to the total population 
of the project:
    [ballot] More than 80 percent (20 points)
    [ballot] 61 percent to 80 percent (15 points)
    [ballot] 41 percent to 60 percent (10 points)
    [ballot] 20 percent to 40 percent (5 points)
    [ballot] Less than 20 percent (0 points)
    [ballot] Points: ------

IV. Percent of HPG Fund Use

    Check the 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.
    [ballot] 50 percent or less of HPG Funds (20 points)

[[Page 27185]]

    [ballot] 51 percent to 65 percent of HPG Funds (15 points)
    [ballot] 66 percent to 80 percent of HPG Funds (10 points)
    [ballot] 81 percent to 95 percent of HPG Funds (5 points)
    [ballot] 96 percent to 100 percent of HPG Funds (0 points)
    Points: ------

V. Administrative Capacity

    The following three criteria demonstrate your administrative 
capacity to assist very low- and low-income persons to obtain 
adequate housing (30 points maximum).
    a. Does this organization or a member of its staff have at least 
one or more years of experience successfully managing and operating 
a rehabilitation or weatherization type of program? (10 points) Yes 
------ No ------ Points: ------
    b. Does this organization or a member of its staff have at least 
one or more years of experience successfully managing and operating 
a program assisting very low- or low-income persons obtain housing 
assistance? (10 points) Yes ------ No ------ Points: ------
    c. If this organization has administered grant programs, are 
there any outstanding or unresolved audit or investigative findings 
which might impair carrying out the proposal? (10 points for No) No 
------ Yes ------ Points: ------
    If Yes, please explain:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

VI. Area Served

    Will this proposal be undertaken entirely in rural areas outside 
Metropolitan Statistical Areas, also known as MSAs, in areas 
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)
Yes ------ No ------ Points: ------

VII. Percent of HPG Funds for Administration

    Check the percentage of HPG funds that will be used for 
Administration purposes:
More than 20 percent (Not eligible)------------------------------------
    [ballot] 20 percent (0 points)
    [ballot] 19 percent (1 point)
    [ballot] 18 percent (2 points)
    [ballot] 17 percent (3 points)
    [ballot] 16 percent (4 points)
    [ballot] 15 percent or less (5 points)
    Points: ------

VIII. Alleviating Overcrowding

    Does the proposed program contain a component for alleviating 
overcrowding as defined in 7 CFR1944.656? (5 points) Yes ------ No 
------ Points: ------

IX. Documents Submitted

    Check if the following documents are being submitted 
electronically with this pre-application or will be mailed to the 
State Office with your complete pre-application package.
    NOTE: You are only required to submit supporting documents for 
programs in which you will be participating as indicated in this 
pre-application. Points will be assigned for the items that you 
checked based on a review of the supporting documents. Please refer 
to the NOFA for the complete list of documents that you are required 
to submit with your complete pre-application package.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Submitted with this pre-   Submitted to state
      Reference                          Item                          application                office
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
III.                   Low Income Assistance                     .......................  ......................
IV.                    Percent of HPG Fund Use                   .......................  ......................
V.                     Administrative Capacity                   .......................  ......................
VI.                    Area Served                               .......................  ......................
VII                    Percent of HPG Funds for Administration   .......................  ......................
VIII.                  Alleviating Overcrowding                  .......................  ......................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

X. HPG 2012 Scoring

    PLEASE NOTE: The scoring below is based on the responses that 
you have provided on this pre-application form and may not accord 
with the final score that the Agency assigns upon evaluating the 
supporting documentation that you submit. Your score may change from 
what you see here if the supporting documentation does not 
adequately support your answer or, if required documentation is 
missing.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Scoring Items for HPG 2012                          Points Earned
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.   Low Income Assistance (5, 10, 15, 20)               ...............
2.   Percent of HPG Fund Use (5, 10, 15, 20)             ...............
3.   Administrative Capacity (10, 20, 30)                ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Scoring Items for HPG 2012                          Points Earned
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.   Area Served (10)                                    ...............
5.   Percent of HPG Funds for Administration (1, 2, 3,   ...............
      4, 5)
6.   Alleviating Overcrowding (5)                        ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Score:                                        ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2012-11036 Filed 5-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P