[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 10, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74104-74105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29335]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Intent To Review Online Homeownership Education Courses 
for Nationwide Use in the Single Family Housing Section 502 Direct Loan 
Program

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On September 23, 2013, the Rural Housing Service (RHS) Single 
Family Housing Direct Program published a Notice in the Federal 
Register, ''Notice of Intent To Review Online Homeownership Education 
Courses for Nationwide Use in the Single Family Housing Section 502 
Direct Loan Program'' (78 FR 58272). Through this action, RHS is 
extending the submission deadline of online homeownership education 
course packages for National Office approval to December 31, 2013.

DATES: Online homeownership education providers interested in having 
their courses reviewed should submit a complete package to the Single 
Family Housing, Direct Loan Division on or before December 31, 2013.
    Submissions may be sent electronically to 
[email protected] or by mail to 1400 Independence Avenue, 
Stop 0783, Washington, DC 20250-0783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shantelle Gordon, 
[email protected] or (202) 205-9567.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective on May 7, 2007, first-time 
homebuyers financed under the direct loan program must successfully 
complete an approved homeownership education course prior to loan 
closing. 7 CFR Part 3550.11 outlines the order of preference given to 
courses. First preference is given to classroom, one-on-one counseling, 
or interactive video conference. These formats are generally extensive 
and require a significant time and participation commitment from the 
Agency applicants. Second preference is given to interactive home-study 
or interactive telephone counseling of at least four hours duration. 
These formats may only be used if the formats under the first 
preference are not reasonably available. Third preference, which can 
only be used if all other formats are not reasonably available, is 
given to online counseling. The regulation also outlines the 
requirements an education provider and their course must meet in order 
to be approved for use by Agency applicants.
    While approval is generally made by the Agency at the state level, 
there is currently one nationally approved online education provider. 
To expand the Agency applicants' access to and options of approved 
education providers, the Agency will consider approving other online 
education providers on a national level. Approval will be subject to 
meeting course criteria, a recommendation by the Agency-selected panel 
of housing partners, and signoff by the Administrator. Approval will be 
given as a third preference format unless the education provider is 
able to demonstrate and document how their online course along with a 
required supplemented service provides the same level of training and 
individualized attention as a first or second preference.
    A notice of education providers approved through this process will 
be issued via a memorandum to the Rural Development (RD) state offices. 
The memorandum will list the format preference assigned to each 
provider. A copy of the memorandum will be simultaneously emailed to 
all education providers who applied through this notice.
    Approvals are not subject to expiration. However, an approval may 
be revoked for justifiable cause.
    At a minimum, courses submitted for consideration must contain the 
following content:

 Preparing for homeownership (evaluate readiness to go from 
rental to homeownership)
 Budgeting (pre and post purchase)
 Credit counseling
 Shopping for a home
 Lender differences (predatory lending)

[[Page 74105]]

 Obtaining a mortgage (mortgage process, different types of 
mortgages)
 Loan closing (closing process, documentation, closing costs)
 Post-occupancy counseling (delinquency and foreclosure 
prevention)
 Life as a homeowner (homeowner warranties, maintenance, and 
repairs)
    The Agency-selected panel will base their recommendation on the 
following considerations:

 Certificate of completion
 Fee (must be nominal)
 Duration
 Topics covered
 System features (chat function, bookmarks, start-stop, audio, 
etc.)
 Readability (level of complexity in language used)
 User Friendliness
 Bi-lingual Spanish
 Multi-lingual
 Pre/Post assessment of knowledge
 Attractiveness of site/course

    Submission packages should include course background, copy of 
certificate of completion, price sheet, and contact information (name, 
phone number, and email address).
    If an education provider wishes to be considered as a first or 
second format preference, they must express which one in their 
submission package, provide strong written justification, and 
supporting materials.
    Due to the lapse in federal funding that caused a partial closing 
of federal government operations from October 1 through October 16, 
2013, RHS is extending this notice and submission deadline for review 
of online homeownership education courses to December 31, 2013.

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, political beliefs, genetic information, 
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.)
    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete, sign and mail a 
program discrimination complaint form, (available at any USDA office 
location or online at www.ascr.usda.gov, or write to: U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410.
    Or call toll-free (866) 632-9992 (voice) to obtain additional 
information, the appropriate office or to request documents. 
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities 
may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or 
(877) 845-6136 (in Spanish). ``USDA is an equal opportunity provider, 
employer and lender.''
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication of program information (e.g. Braille, large print, 
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA TARTET Center at (202) 720-2600 
(voice and TDD).

    Dated: November 20, 2013.
Richard A. Davis,
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-29335 Filed 12-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P