[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 100 (Thursday, May 23, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30854-30860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12325]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Loan Guarantees Under 
Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP) for Fiscal 
Year 2013

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: NOFA.

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SUMMARY: This is a request for proposals for guaranteed loans under the 
Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing

[[Page 30855]]

Program (GRRHP) pursuant to 7 CFR 3565.4 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013. The 
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, Public 
Law 113-6 (March 26, 2013) appropriated $150 million in FY 2013. The 
commitment of program dollars will be made first to approved and 
complete applications from prior years notices, then to applicants of 
selected responses in the order they are ranked under this notice that 
have fulfilled the necessary requirements for obligation. Successful 
applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and 
subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made 
available to the Agency through appropriations.
    Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the 
applicant's risk. The following paragraphs outline the timeframes, 
eligibility requirements, lender responsibilities, and the overall 
response and application processes.
    Eligible lenders are invited to submit responses for new 
construction and acquisition with rehabilitation of affordable rural 
rental housing. The Agency will review responses submitted by eligible 
lenders, on the lender's letterhead, and signed by both the prospective 
borrower and lender. Although a complete application is not required in 
response to this notice, eligible lenders may submit a complete 
application concurrently with the response. Submitting a complete 
application will not have any effect on the respondent's response 
score.

DATES: Eligible responses to this notice will be accepted until 
December 31, 2013, 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Selected responses that 
develop into complete applications and meet all Federal eligibility 
requirements prior to September 30, 2013 will receive conditional 
commitments until all FY 2013 funds are expended. Selected responses to 
this notice that are deemed eligible for further processing after 
September 30, 2013, will be funded to the extent an appropriation act 
provides funding for GRRHP for FY 2014 and will be subject to the fee 
structure in the FY 2014 notice.
    Eligible lenders mailing a response or application must provide 
sufficient time to permit delivery to the appropriate submission 
address below on or before the closing deadline date and time. 
Acceptance by a U.S. Post Office or private mailer does not constitute 
delivery. Postage due responses and applications will not be accepted.

ADDRESSES: Submission Address: Eligible lenders will send responses to 
the Multi-Family Housing Program Director of the State Office where the 
project will be located.
    USDA Rural Development State Offices, their addresses, and 
telephone numbers, follow: [This information may also be found at 
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html]

    Note: Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free.

Alabama State Office
    Sterling Centre, Suite 601, 4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 
36106-3683, (334) 279-3400, TDD (334) 279-3495.
Alaska State Office
    800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, AK 99645-6539, (907) 761-
7740, TDD (907) 761-8905, Arizona State Office, 230 North First Avenue, 
Suite 206, Phoenix, AZ 85003-1706, (602) 280-8755, TDD (602) 280-8706.
Arkansas State Office
    700 W. Capitol Avenue, Room 3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225, (501) 
301-3200, TDD (501) 301-3279.
California State Office
    430 G Street, 4169, Davis, CA 95616-4169, (530) 792-5800, 
TDD (530) 792-5848.
Colorado State Office
    Denver Federal Center, Building 56, Room 2300, PO Box 25426, 
Denver, CO 80255-0426, (720) 544-2903, TDD (720) 544-2976.
Connecticut
    Served by Massachusetts State Office.
Delaware and Maryland State Office
    1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE 19904, (302) 857-
3580, TDD (302) 857-3585.
Florida and Virgin Islands State Office
    4440 NW. 25th Place, PO Box 147010, Gainesville, FL 32614, -7010, 
(352) 338-3400, TDD (352) 338-3499.
Georgia State Office
    Stephens Federal Building, 355 E. Hancock Avenue--Stop 307, Athens, 
GA 30601-2768, (706) 546-2162, TDD (706) 546-2034.
Hawaii State Office
    (Services all Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and Western Pacific) 
Room 311, Federal Building, 154 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, 
(808) 933-8380, TDD (808) 933-8321.
Idaho State Office
    9713 West Barnes Drive, Suite A1, Boise, ID 83709, (208) 378-5630, 
TDD (208) 378-5644.
Illinois State Office
    2118 West Park Court, Suite A, Champaign, IL 61821-2986, (217) 403-
6200, TDD (217) 403-6240.
Indiana State Office
    5975 Lakeside Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46278-1966, (317) 290-
3100 (ext. 4) TDD (317) 290-3343.
Iowa State Office
    210 Walnut Street, Room 873, Des Moines, IA 50273, (515) 284-4663, 
TDD (515) 284-4858.
Kansas State Office
    1303 SW First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66604-4040, 
(785) 271-2700, TDD (785) 271-2767.
Kentucky State Office
    771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Lexington, KY 40503, (859) 224-
7300, TDD (859) 224-7422.
Louisiana State Office
    3727 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302, (318) 473-7921, TDD 
(318) 473-7655.
Maine State Office
    967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4, Bangor, ME 04402-0405, (207) 990-9100 
(ext. 4), TDD (207) 942-7331.
Maryland
    Served by Delaware State Office.
Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island State Office
    451 West Street, Suite 2, Amherst, MA 01002, (413) 253-4300, TDD 
(413) 253-4590.
Michigan State Office
    3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 324-
5190, TDD (800) 649-3777.
Minnesota State Office
    375 Jackson Street, Suite 410, St. Paul, MN 55101-1853, (651) 602-
7800, TDD (651) 602-7830.
Mississippi State Office
    Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 W. Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 
39269, (601) 965-4318, TDD (601) 965-5850.
Missouri State Office
    601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade Center, Suite 235, Columbia, MO 
65203, (573) 876-0976, TDD (573) 876-9480.
Montana State Office
    2229 Boot Hill Court, Bozeman, MT 59715, (406) 585-2540, TDD (406) 
585-2562.
Nebraska State Office
    Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall N, Lincoln, NE 
68508, (402) 437-5551, TDD (402) 437-5093.
Nevada State Office
    1390 South Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703-9910, (775) 887-1222 
(ext. 100), TDD (775) 885-0633.
New Hampshire State Office
    10 Ferry Street, Concord, NH 03301-5004, Suite 218, (603) 223-6046, 
TDD (802) 828-6365.
New Jersey State Office
    8000 Midlantic Drive, 5th Floor North Suite 500 Mt. Laurel, NJ 
08054, (856) 787-7700, TDD (856) 787-7784.

[[Page 30856]]

New Mexico State Office
    6200 Jefferson Street NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 761-4950, 
TDD (505) 761-4938.
New York State Office
    The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 S. Salina Street, Suite 357, 
Syracuse, NY 13202-2541, (315) 477-6400, TDD (315) 477-6447.
North Carolina State Office
    4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, Raleigh, NC 27609, (919) 873-2000, TDD 
711 (state relay system).
North Dakota State Office
    Federal Building, Room 208, 220 East Rosser, PO Box 1737, Bismarck, 
ND 58502, (701) 530-2061, TDD (701) 530-2090.
Ohio State Office
    Federal Building, Room 507, 200 North High Street, Columbus, OH 
43215-2477, (614) 255-2400, TDD (800) 877-8339.
Oklahoma State Office
    100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, OK 74074-2654, (405) 742-1000, TDD 
(405) 742-1007.
Oregon State Office
    1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 801, Portland, OR 97232-1274, (503) 
414-3300, TDD (503) 414-3387.
Pennsylvania State Office
    One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, (717) 
237-2299, TDD (717) 237-2261.
Puerto Rico State Office
    654 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Suite 601, San Juan, PR 00918, (787) 766-
5095, TDD (787) 766-5332.
Rhode Island
    Served by Massachusetts State Office.
South Carolina State Office
    Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, 
Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 765-5163, TDD (803) 765-5697.
South Dakota State Office
    Federal Building, Room 210, 200 Fourth Street SW., Huron, SD 57350, 
(605) 352-1100, TDD (605) 352-1147.
Tennessee State Office
    3322 West End Avenue, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203, (615) 783-
1300, TDD (615) 783-1397.
Texas State Office
    Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 South Main, Temple, TX 76501, 
(254) 742-9700, TDD (254) 742-9712.
Utah State Office
    Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 S. State Street, Room 
4311, Salt Lake City, UT 84138, (801) 524-4320, TDD (801) 524-3309.
Vermont State Office
    City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 
828-6080, TDD (802) 223-6365.
Virgin Islands
    Served by Florida State Office.
Virginia State Office
    1606 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 238, Richmond, VA 23229, (804) 287-
1500, TDD (804) 287-1753.
Washington State Office
    1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW., Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512, (360) 704-
7740, TDD (360) 704-7772.
Western Pacific Territories
    Served by Hawaii State Office.
West Virginia State Office
    Federal Building, 1550 Earl Core Road, Suite 101, Morgantown, WV 
26505, (304) 284-4881, TDD (304) 284-4836.
Wisconsin State Office
    5417 Clem's Way, Stevens Point, WI 54481, (715) 345-7600, TDD (715) 
345-7614.
Wyoming State Office
    100 East B. Street Room 1005, Casper, WY 82601, (307) 233-6700, TDD 
(307) 233-6733.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Daniels, Financial and Loan 
Analyst, USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing 
Program, Multi-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Division, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, South Agriculture Building, Room 1263-S, STOP 0781, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0781. Email: 
[email protected]. Telephone: (202) 720-0021. This number is 
not toll-free. Hearing or speech-impaired persons may access that 
number by calling the Federal Information Relay Service toll-free at 
(800) 877-8339.

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Housing Service.
    Solicitation Opportunity Title: Guaranteed Multi-Family Housing 
Loans.
    Announcement Type: Initial Solicitation Announcement.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 10.438.

    Dates: Response Deadline: December 31, 2013, 12:00 p.m. Eastern 
Time.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The GRRHP is authorized by Section 538 of the Housing Act of 1949, 
as amended (42 U.S.C. 1490p-2) and operates under 7 CFR part 3565. The 
purpose of the GRRHP is to increase the supply of affordable rural 
rental housing through the use of loan guarantees that encourage 
partnerships between the Agency, private lenders, and public agencies. 
The Agency advises all interested parties that the applicant bears the 
burden in preparing and submitting an application in response to this 
Notice whether or not funding is appropriated for this program in FY 
2013.
    Eligibility of Prior Year Selected Responses: Prior fiscal year 
response selections that did not develop into complete applications 
within the time constraints stipulated by the corresponding State 
Office have been cancelled. Applicants have been notified of the 
cancellation by the State Office. A new response for the project may be 
submitted subject to the conditions of this Notice.
    Prior years responses that were selected by the Agency, with a 
complete application submitted by the lender within 90 days from the 
date of notification of response selection (unless an extension was 
granted by the Agency), will be eligible for FY 2013 program dollars 
without having to complete a FY 2013 response. A complete application 
includes all Federal environmental documents required by 7 CFR part 
1940, subpart G, and a Form RD 3565-1, ``Application for Loan and 
Guarantee.'' Any approved applications originating from FY 2012 and 
previous fiscal years (outstanding prior years approved applications) 
that are obligated in FY 2013, however, are subject to ``Program Fees 
For Fy 2013'' section in this Notice. Outstanding prior years approved 
applications will be obligated to the extent of available funding in 
order of priority score with the highest scores obligated first. The 
scores the applications received under the NOFA the year the 
application was submitted will be used for the ranking. In the case of 
tied scores, the project with the greatest leveraging (lowest loan to 
cost ratio) will receive selection priority. Once the outstanding prior 
years approved applications have been funded, the Agency will select FY 
2013 responses for further processing in rank order as determined by 
the scoring criteria set forth in this Notice to the extent that funds 
remain available.

II. Award Information

    Anyone interested in submitting an application for funding under 
this program is encouraged to consult the Rural Development Web site 
periodically for updated information regarding the status of funding 
authorized for this program.
    Qualifying Properties: Qualifying properties include new 
construction for multi-family housing units and the acquisition of 
existing structures with a minimum per unit rehabilitation expenditure 
requirement in accordance with 7 CFR 3565.252.

[[Page 30857]]

    Also eligible is the revitalization, repair and transfer (as 
stipulated in 7 CFR 3560.406) of existing direct Section 515 housing 
(transfer costs are subject to Agency approval and must be an eligible 
use of loan proceeds as listed in 7 CFR 3565.205), and properties 
involved in the Agency's Multi-Family Preservation and Revitalization 
(MPR) program. Equity payment, as stipulated in 7 CFR 3560.406, in the 
transfer of existing direct Section 515 housing, is an eligible use of 
guaranteed loan proceeds; however, the amount of funding available for 
transfers of existing Section 515 properties involving equity payments 
will be limited to 25 percent of the FY 2013 funding level through July 
31, 2013. Once the Agency has committed 25 percent of the total funding 
available for transfers of existing Section 515 properties with equity 
payments, no further funding will be available for transfers of 
existing Section 515 properties with equity payments until after July 
31, 2013, if funding is available.
    If there is funding available after July 31, 2013, funding requests 
for transfers of existing Section 515 properties involving equity 
payments will be selected for obligation according to the selection 
criteria stipulated in the ``Obligation of Program Funds'' section of 
this Notice. Funding requests for transfers of existing Section 515 
properties involving equity payments will be kept in a separate queue. 
The 25 percent limit is solely for equity payments and does not affect 
Section 515 properties' use of Section 538 loan guarantees exclusively 
for rehabilitation and repairs. In order to be considered, the transfer 
of Section 515 housing and MPR projects must need repairs and undergo 
revitalization of a minimum of $6,500 per unit.
    Eligible Financing Sources: Any form of Federal, state, and 
conventional sources of financing can be used in conjunction with the 
loan guarantee, including Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) 
grant funds, tax exempt bonds, and Low Income Housing Tax Credits 
(LIHTC).
    Types of Guarantees: The Agency offers three types of guarantees 
which are set forth at 7 CFR 3565.52(c). The Agency's liability under 
any guarantee will decrease or increase, in proportion to any decrease 
or increase in the amount of the unpaid portion of the loan, up to the 
maximum amount specified in the Loan Note Guarantee. Penalties incurred 
as a result of default are not covered by any of the program's 
guarantees. The Agency may provide a lesser guarantee based upon its 
evaluation of the credit quality of the loan.
    Energy Conservation: All new multi-family housing projects financed 
in whole or in part by the USDA, are encouraged to engage in 
sustainable building development that emphasizes energy-efficiency and 
conservation. In order to assist in the achievement of this goal, any 
GRRHP project that participates in one or all of the programs included 
in priority 8 under the ``Scoring of Priority Criteria for Selection of 
Projects'' Section of this Notice may receive a maximum of 25 
additional points added to their project score. Participation in these 
nationwide initiatives is voluntary, but strongly encouraged.
    Interest Credit: The Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 did 
not fund interest credit.
    Program Fees For FY 2013: The Consolidated and Further Continuing 
Appropriations Act, 2013, Public Law 113-6 (March 26, 2013) continued 
the provision ``That to support the loan program level for Section 538 
guaranteed loans made available under this heading the Secretary may 
charge or adjust any fees to cover the projected cost of such loan 
guarantees pursuant to the provisions of the Credit Reform Act of 1990 
(2 U.S.C. 661 et seq), and the interest on such loans may not be 
subsidized.'' The following fees have been determined necessary to 
cover the projected cost of such loan guarantees for FY 2013. These 
fees may be adjusted in future years to cover the projected costs of 
loan guarantees in those future years or additional fees may be 
charged. These fees are also applicable to all outstanding prior years 
responses funded with FY 2013 funds. The fees are as follows:
    1. Initial guarantee fee. The Agency will charge an initial 
guarantee fee equal to 1% of the guarantee principal amount. For 
purposes of calculating this fee, the guarantee amount is the product 
of the percentage of the guarantee times the initial principal amount 
of the guaranteed loan.
    2. Annual guarantee fee. An annual guarantee fee of 50 basis points 
(\1/2\%) of the outstanding principal amount of the loan as of December 
31 will be charged each year or portion of a year that the guarantee is 
outstanding.
    3. As permitted under 7 CFR 3565.302(b)(5), there is a non-
refundable service fee of $1,500 for the review and approval of a 
lender's first request to extend the term of a guarantee commitment 
beyond its original expiration (the request must be received by the 
Agency prior to the commitment's expiration). For any subsequent 
extension request, the fee will be $2,500.
    4. As permitted under 7 CFR 3565.302(b)(5), there is a non-
refundable service fee of $3,500 for the review and approval of a 
lender's first request to reopen an application when a commitment has 
expired. For any subsequent extension request to reopen an application 
after the commitment has expired, the fee will be $3,500.
    5. As permitted under 7 CFR 3565.302(b)(4), there is a non-
refundable service fee of $1,500 in connection with a lender's request 
to approve the transfer of property or a change in composition of the 
ownership entity.
    6. There is no lender application fee for lender approval.
    7. There is no surcharge for the guarantee of construction 
advances.

III. Eligibility Information

    Eligible Lenders: An eligible lender for the Section 538 GRRHP as 
required by 7 CFR 3565.102 must be a licensed business entity or 
Housing Finance Agency (HFA) in good standing in the state or states 
where it conducts business. Lender eligibility requirements are 
contained in 7 CFR 3565.102. Please review that section for a complete 
list of all of the criteria. The Agency will only accept responses from 
GRRHP eligible or approved lenders as described in 7 CFR 3565.102 and 
3565.103 respectively. Lenders whose responses are selected will be 
notified by the Agency to submit a request for GRRHP lender approval 
within 30 days of notification. Lenders who request GRRHP approval must 
meet the standards in 7 CFR 3565.103.
    Lenders that have received GRRHP lender approval that remain in 
good standing do not need to reapply for GRRHP lender approval. A 
lender making a construction loan must demonstrate an ability to 
originate and service construction loans, in addition to meeting the 
other requirements of 7 CFR part 3565, subpart C.
    Submission of Documentation For GRRHP Lender Approval: All lenders 
that have not yet received GRRHP lender approval must submit a complete 
lender application to: Director, Multi-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan 
Division, Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 1263-
S, STOP 0781, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0781. 
Lender applications must be identified as ``Lender Application--Section 
538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program'' on the envelope.

[[Page 30858]]

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Content of Responses: All responses require lender information and 
project specific data as set out in this Notice. Incomplete responses 
will not be considered for funding. Lenders will be notified of 
incomplete responses no later than 30 calendar days from the date of 
receipt of the response by the Agency. Complete responses are to 
include a signed cover letter from the lender, on the lender's 
letterhead, to the office address identified in the ``Submission 
Address'' section of this Notice for the scoring and ranking of a 
proposed GRRHP project. The lender must provide the requested 
information concerning the project, to establish the purpose of the 
proposed project, its location, and how it meets the established 
priorities for funding. The Agency will determine the highest ranked 
responses based on priority criteria and a threshold score.
    (1) Lender Certification: The lender must certify that the lender 
will make a loan to the prospective borrower for the proposed project, 
under specified terms and conditions subject to the issuance of the 
GRRHP guarantee. Lender certification must be on the lender's 
letterhead and signed by both the lender and the prospective borrower.
    (2) Project Specific Data: The lender must submit the project 
specific data below on the lender's letterhead, signed by both the 
lender and the prospective borrower:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Information that must be
              Data element                           included
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lender Name............................  Insert the lender's name.
Lender Tax ID ................  Insert lender's tax ID number.
Lender Contact Name....................  Name of the lender contact for
                                          loan.
Mailing Address........................  Lender's complete mailing
                                          address.
Phone ........................  Phone number for lender
                                          contact.
Fax ..........................  Insert lender's fax number.
Email Address..........................  Insert lender contact email
                                          address.
Borrower Name and Organization Type....  State whether borrower is a
                                          Limited Partnership,
                                          Corporation, Indian Tribe,
                                          etc.
Equal Opportunity Survey...............  Optional Completion.
Tax Classification Type................  State whether borrower is for
                                          profit, not for profit, etc.
Borrower Tax ID ..............  Insert borrower's tax ID
                                          number.
Borrower DUNS ................  Insert DUNS number.
Borrower Address, including County.....  Insert borrower's address and
                                          county.
Borrower Phone , fax   Insert borrower's phone number,
 and email address.                       fax number and email address.
Principal or Key Member for the          Insert name and title. List the
 Borrower.                                general partners if a limited
                                          partnership, officers if a
                                          corporation or members of a
                                          Limited Liability Corporation.
Borrower Information and Statement of    Attach relevant information.
 Housing Development Experience.
New Construction, Acquisition With       State whether the project is
 Rehabilitation.                          new construction or
                                          acquisition with
                                          rehabilitation.
Revitalization, Repair, and Transfer     Yes or No (Transfer costs,
 (as stipulated in 7 CFR 3560.406) of     including equity payments, are
 Existing Direct Section 515 Housing or   subject to Agency approval and
 MPR.                                     must be an eligible use of
                                          loan proceeds in 7 CFR
                                          3565.205).
Project Location Town or City..........  Town or city in which the
                                          project is located.
Project County.........................  County in which the project is
                                          located.
Project State..........................  State in which the project is
                                          located.
Project Zip Code.......................  Insert Zip Code where the
                                          project is located.
Project Congressional District.........  Congressional District for
                                          project location.
Project Name...........................  Insert project name.
Project Type...........................  Family, senior (all residents
                                          55 years or older), or mixed.
Property Description and Proposed        Provide as an attachment.
 Development Schedule.
Total Project Development Cost.........  Enter amount for total project.
 of Units.....................  Insert the number of units in
                                          the project.
Ratio of 3-5 bedroom units to total      Insert percentage of 3-5
 units.                                   bedroom units to total units.
Cost per Unit..........................  Total development cost divided
                                          by number of units.
Rent...................................  Proposed rent structure.
Median Income for Community............  Provide median income for the
                                          community.
Evidence of Site Control...............  Attach relevant information.
Description of Any Environmental Issues  Attach relevant information.
Loan Amount............................  Insert the loan amount.
Borrower's Proposed Equity.............  Insert amount and source.
Tax Credits............................  Have tax credits been awarded?
                                         If tax credits were awarded,
                                          submit a copy of the award/
                                          evidence of award with your
                                          response.
                                         If not, when do you anticipate
                                          an award will be made
                                          (announced)?
                                         What is the [estimated] value
                                          of the tax credits?
                                         Letters of application and
                                          commitment letters should be
                                          included, if available.
Other Sources of Funds.................  List all funding sources other
                                          than tax credits and amounts
                                          for each source, type, rates
                                          and terms of loans or grant
                                          funds.
Loan to Total Development Cost.........  Guaranteed loan divided by the
                                          total development costs of
                                          project.
Debt Coverage Ratio....................  Net Operating Income divided by
                                          debt service payments.
Percentage of Guarantee................  Percentage guarantee requested.
Collateral.............................  Attach relevant information.

[[Page 30859]]

 
Colonia, Tribal Lands, or State's        Colonia, on an Indian
 Consolidated Plan or State Needs         Reservation, or in a place
 Assessment.                              identified in the State's
                                          Consolidated Plan or State
                                          Needs Assessment as a high
                                          need community for multi-
                                          family housing.
Is the Property Located in a Federally   If yes, please provide
 Declared Disaster Area?.                 documentation (i.e.,
                                          Presidential Declaration
                                          document).
Population.............................  Provide the population of the
                                          county, city, or town where
                                          the project is or will be
                                          located.
What type of guarantee is being          Enter the type of guarantee.
 requested, Permanent only (Option 1),
 Construction and Permanent (Option 2)
 or Continuous (Option 3).
Loan Term..............................  Minimum 25-year term.
                                         Maximum 40-year term (includes
                                          construction period).
                                         May amortize up to 40 years.
                                         Balloon mortgages permitted
                                          after the 25th year.
Participation in Energy Efficient        Initial checklist indicating
 Programs.                                prerequisites to register for
                                          participation in a particular
                                          energy efficient program. All
                                          checklists must be accompanied
                                          by a signed affidavit by the
                                          project architect stating that
                                          the goals are achievable. If
                                          property management is
                                          certified for green property
                                          management, the certification
                                          must be provided.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) The Proposed Borrower Information:
    a) Lender certification that the borrower or principals of the 
owner are not barred from participating in Federal housing programs and 
are not delinquent on any Federal debt.
    b) Borrower's unaudited or audited financial statements.
    c) Statement of borrower's housing development experience.
    (4) Lender Eligibility and Approval Status: Evidence that the 
lender is either an approved lender for the purposes of the GRRHP or 
that the lender is eligible to apply for approved lender status. The 
lender's application for approved lender status can be submitted with 
the response but must be submitted to the National Office within 30 
calendar days of the lender's receipt of the ``Notice to Proceed with 
Application Processing'' letter.
    (5) Competitive Criteria: Information that shows how the proposal 
is responsive to the selection criteria specified in this notice.

V. Application Review Information

    Scoring of Priority Criteria For Selection: All FY 2013 responses 
will be scored based on the criteria set forth below to establish their 
priority for further processing. Per 7 CFR 3565.5(b), priority will be 
given to projects: In smaller rural communities, in the most needy 
communities having the highest percentage of leveraging, having the 
lowest interest rate, or having the highest ratio of 3-5 bedroom units 
to total units. In addition, as permitted in 7 CFR 3565.5(b), in order 
to meet important program goals, priority points will be given for 
projects that include LIHTC funding, Section 515 projects with no 
equity payments and projects that are participating in specified energy 
efficient programs.
    The eight priority scoring criteria for projects are listed below.
    Priority 1-- Projects located in eligible rural communities with 
the lowest populations will receive the highest points.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Population size                          Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-5,000.......................................................        30
5,001-10,000 people...........................................        15
10,001-15,000 people..........................................        10
15,001-20,000 people..........................................         5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Priority 2--The neediest communities as determined by the median 
income from the most recent census data published by the United States 
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will receive points. 
The Agency will allocate points to projects located in communities 
having the lowest median income. Points for median income will be 
awarded as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Median income (dollars)                      Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than $45,000.............................................        20
$45,000--less than $55,000....................................        15
$55,000--less than $65,000....................................        10
$65,000--less than $75,000....................................         5
$75,000 or more...............................................         0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Priority 3--Projects that demonstrate partnering and leveraging in 
order to develop the maximum number of units and promote partnerships 
with state and local communities will also receive points. Points will 
be awarded as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Loan to total development cost ratio (percentage %)        Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 25..................................................        60
Less than 50 to 25............................................        30
Less than 70 to 50............................................        10
70 or more....................................................         0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Priority 4--Responses that include equity from low income housing 
tax credits will receive an additional 50 points.
    Priority 5--The USDA Rural Development will award points to 
projects with the highest ratio of 3-5 bedroom units to total units as 
follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Ratio of 3-5 bedroom units to total units             Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
More than 50%.................................................        10
21%-50%.......................................................         5
Less than 21%--more than 0%...................................         1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Priority 6--Responses for the revitalization, repair, and transfer 
(as stipulated in 7 CFR 3560.406) of existing direct section 515 
housing and properties involved in the Agency's MPR program (transfer 
costs, including equity payments, are subject to Agency approval and 
must be an eligible use of loan proceeds listed in 7 CFR 3565.205) will 
receive an additional 10 points. If the transfer of existing section 
515 properties includes equity payments, 0 points will be awarded.
    Priority 7--Section 515 Rural Rental Housing Projects--Projects in 
which Section 538 funds will not be used to finance new construction of 
Section 515 Rural Rental Housing projects will receive 20 points.
    Priority 8--Energy-Efficiency.
    (A) Projects that are energy-efficient and registered for 
participation in the following programs will receive points as 
indicated up to a maximum of 25 points. Each program has an initial 
checklist indicating prerequisites for participation. Each applicant 
must provide a checklist establishing that the prerequisites for each 
program's participation will be met. Additional points will be awarded 
for checklists that achieve higher levels of energy efficiency 
certification as set forth

[[Page 30860]]

below. All checklists must be accompanied by a signed affidavit by the 
project architect stating that the goals are achievable. Points will be 
awarded for the listed programs as follows:
     Energy Star for Homes--5 points;
     Green Communities by the Enterprise Community Partners 
(www.enterprisefoundation.org)--10 points;
     LEED for Homes program by the U.S. Green Building Council 
(USGBC) (www.usgbc.org)--Certified (10 points), Silver (12 points), 
Gold (15 points), or Platinum (25 points);
     National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) ICC 700-
2008--National Green Building StandardTM (www.nahb.org)--Bronze (10 
points), Silver (12 points), Gold (15 points), or Emerald (25 points); 
or
     A State or local green building program--2 points.
    (B) Projects that will be managed by a property management company 
that are certified green property management companies will receive 5 
points. Applicants must provide proof of certification. Certification 
may be achieved through one of the following programs:
     National Apartment Association, Credential for Green 
Property Management (CGPM); www.naahq.org/EDUCATION/DESIGNATIONPROGRAMS/OTHER/Pages/default.aspx;
     National Affordable Housing Management Association 
(NAHMA), Credential for Green Property Management (CGPM); 
www.nahma.org/content/greencred.html; or
     U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Green Building 
Certification Institute (GBCI) LEED AP (any discipline) or LEED Green 
Associate; www.gbci.org.
    Notifications: Responses will be reviewed for completeness and 
eligibility. The Agency will notify those lenders whose responses are 
selected via a Notice to Proceed with Application Processing letter. 
The Agency will request lenders without GRRHP lender approval to apply 
for GRRHP lender approval within 30 days upon receipt of notification 
of selection.
    Lenders will also be invited to submit a complete application to 
the USDA Rural Development State Office where the project is located.
    Submission of GRRHP Applications: Notification letters will 
instruct lenders to contact the USDA Rural Development State Office 
immediately following notification of selection to schedule required 
agency reviews.
    USDA Rural Development State Office staff will work with lenders in 
the development of an application package. The deadline for the 
submission of a complete application is 90 calendar days from the date 
of notification of response selection. If the application is not 
received by the appropriate State Office within 90 calendar days from 
the date of notification, the selection is subject to cancellation, 
thereby allowing another response that is ready to proceed with 
processing to be selected. The Agency may extend this 90 day deadline 
for receipt of an application at its own discretion.

VI. Award Administration Information

    Obligation of Program Funds: The Agency will only obligate funds to 
projects that meet the requirements for obligation under 7 CFR part 
3565 and this Notice, including having undergone a satisfactory 
environmental review in accordance with the National Environmental 
Protection Act (NEPA) and completed Form RD 3565-1 for the selected 
project.
    The Agency will prioritize the obligation requests using the 
highest score and the procedures outlined as follows. The Agency will 
select the responses that meet eligibility criteria and invite lenders 
to submit complete applications to the Agency. Once a complete 
application is received and approved, the State Office will submit a 
request to obligate funds to the National Office. In the event of a 
tie, priority will be given to the request for the project that has the 
highest percentage of leveraging (lowest Loan to Cost) and in the event 
there is still a tie, priority will be given to the project in the 
smaller rural community.
    Conditional Commitment: Once the required documents for obligation 
are received and all NEPA and regulatory requirements have been met, 
the USDA Rural Development State Office will issue a conditional 
commitment, which stipulates the conditions that must be fulfilled 
before the issuance of a guarantee, in accordance with 7 CFR 3565.303.
    Issuance of Guarantee: The USDA Rural Development Office will issue 
a guarantee to the lender for a project in accordance with 7 CFR 
3565.303. No guarantee can be issued without a complete application, 
review of appropriate certifications, satisfactory assessment of the 
appropriate level of environmental review, and the completion of any 
conditional requirements.

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, 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, Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil 
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-
9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 
(TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 
(Spanish Federal-relay). ``USDA is an equal opportunity provider, 
employer, and lender.''

    Dated: May 14, 2013.
Tammye H. Trevi[ntilde]o,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-12325 Filed 5-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P