[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 136 (Friday, July 18, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33913-33919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-13548]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service
[Docket No. RHS-25-SFH-0004]
Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Native Community
Development Financial Institution Relending Demonstration Program
(NCDFI) FY 2025
AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
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SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency), a Rural Development
(RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA),
announces the availability of funding for applications under its Native
Community Development Financial Institution (NCDFI) Relending
Demonstration Program for fiscal year (FY) 2025. The purpose of this
notice is to announce the opening and closing dates for receipt of
applications for the NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program from
eligible applicants, as well as submission requirements. These loans
will be made to qualified NCDFIs to relend funds to low- and very low-
income ultimate recipients to acquire, build, rehabilitate, improve, or
relocate dwellings on Tribal Land in rural areas. This program has the
amount of $4,630,000 available for FY 25. Applicants are responsible
for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.
DATES: Completed applications must be submitted using one of the
following methods:
Paper submissions: The Agency must receive a paper
application by 4:30 p.m. Central time, August 29, 2025.
Electronic submissions: Electronic applications must be
submitted via email to [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time
on August 29, 2025.
The Agency will not solicit or consider scoring or eligibility
information that is submitted after the
[[Page 33914]]
application deadline. The application dates and times are firm. The
Agency will not consider any application received after the deadline.
The Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek information
on materials contained in the submitted application.
ADDRESSES: Applicants wanting to apply for assistance may download the
application documents and requirements as stated in this Notice from
the NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program website at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/native-community-development-financial-institution-relending-demonstration-program.
Applicants may also request paper application packages from the
Rural Development National Office by emailing [email protected].
Applications can be mailed or delivered to: USDA Rural Development,
Attention: Brian Hudson, 603B Lakeland Road, Shawano, WI 54166.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Hudson, Finance and Loan
Analyst, Single Family Housing Direct Division, Special Programs and
New Initiatives Branch at (608) 697-7725 (voice) (this is not a toll-
free number) or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Housing Service (RHS).
Funding Opportunity Title: Native Community Development Financial
Institution (NCDFI) Relending Demonstration Program.
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Assistance Listing (AL) Numbers: 10.410.
Dates: Completed applications and supporting materials must be
received on August 29, 2025, by mail at USDA Rural Development,
Attention: Brian Hudson, 603B Lakeland Road, Shawano, WI 54166 by 4:30
p.m. Central Time (CT) or via email at [email protected] by 11:59
Eastern Time. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program
The purpose of the NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program is to
increase homeownership opportunities for Native American Tribes, Alaska
Native Communities, and Native Hawaiian communities in rural areas.
Additionally, the program will provide capital to NCDFIs; loans made to
NCDFIs will be re-lent to the ultimate recipients (low- and very low-
income people who will live in Indian Country and need affordable,
modest single-family homes).
2. Statutory Authority
Funding is authorized pursuant to division A, title I, section
1101(a)(1) of the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions
Act, 2025 which extends those programs as appropriated in the division
B of the Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2024. The program is
authorized by Section 502 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, is
codified at 42 U.S.C. 1472, et. seq and implemented by 7 CFR part 3550.
3. Definitions
The definitions and terms applicable to the loan process for
ultimate recipients can be found at 7 CFR 3550.10 and 2 CFR 200.1.
Additional definitions applicable to this notice are listed below:
a. Native Community Development Financial Institution (NCDFI). An
entity that has been certified as a community development financial
institution by the Secretary of the Treasury; that is not less than 50
percent owned or controlled by members of Indian Tribes, Alaska Native
communities, or Native Hawaiian communities; and for which not less
than 50 percent of the activities of the entity serve Indian Tribes,
Alaska Native communities, or Native Hawaiian communities.
b. Native Hawaiian. The term `Native Hawaiian' has the meaning
given the term in section 801 of the Native American Housing Assistance
and Self-Determination Act of 1996, as amended (25 U.S.C. 4221(9)).
c. Principals of NCDFI. Members, officers, directors, and other
individuals or entities directly involved in the operation and
management (including setting policy) of an NCDFI.
d. Tribal Land. Tribal Land includes any of the following:
(i) any land located within the boundaries of--
(A) an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria; or
(B) a former reservation within Oklahoma;
(ii) any land not located within the boundaries of an Indian
reservation, pueblo, or rancheria, the title to which is held--
(A) in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian
Tribe or an individual Indian;
(B) by an Indian Tribe or an individual Indian, subject to
restriction against alienation under laws of the United States; or
(C) by a dependent Indian community;
(iii) any land located within a region established pursuant to
section 7(a) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, as amended (43
U.S.C. 1606(a));
(iv) Hawaiian Homelands, as defined in section 801 of the Native
American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996, as
amended (25 U.S.C. 4221(4)); or
(v) those areas or communities designated by the Assistant
Secretary of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior that are
near, adjacent, or contiguous to reservations where financial
assistance and social service programs are provided to Indians because
of their status as Indians.
e. Ultimate recipient. An individual that receives a mortgage loan
from a NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program fund.
4. Application Awards
The Agency will review, evaluate and score applications received in
response to this notice based on the provisions found in this notice.
Awards under the NCDFI Relending program will be made on a competitive
basis using specific selection criteria contained in this notice. The
Agency advises all interested parties that expenses incurred in
applying for this Notice will be borne by the applicant and are at the
applicant's sole risk.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Loan.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2025.
Available Funds: $4,630,000.
Award Amounts: Due to limited funding availability, awards larger
than $1 million will be evaluated and awarded based on program demand
and as funding permits. The agency will seek to provide assistance to
as many applicants as is feasible, in the determination of the agency.
Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2025.
Performance Period: A loan may be made by the Secretary to said
applicant for a period of not to exceed thirty-three years from the
date of the closing of the loan. The interest rate shall be one
percent. Interest and principal payments shall be scheduled annually.
The initial principal and interest payment shall be deferred by the
Agency for up to three years. Loan funds must be disbursed and
delivered to the ultimate recipients within three years from the date
of loan closing.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
Type of Assistance Instrument: Direct loan.
[[Page 33915]]
Approximate Number of Awards: Estimation of five to seven awards.
The Agency reserves the right to make no awards under this competition.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible entities for these competitively awarded loans include
NCDFIs who demonstrate that the loans will be made to ultimate
recipients who meet the eligibility criteria in 7 CFR 3550.53 and who
also meet the requirements provided within this Notice.
2. Non-Eligible Applicants
An applicant is ineligible if their submitted application does not
provide enough information to determine eligibility, are not suitable
for evaluation, are missing required elements as stated in this notice,
or have not closed on a previously awarded NCDFI Relending
Demonstration Loan. All applicants must meet the eligibility
requirements provided in this notice and demonstrate that the loans
will be made to ultimate recipients who meet the eligibility criteria
in 7 CFR 3550.53.
An applicant is ineligible if they have been debarred or suspended
or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal
assistance programs under Executive Orders 12549 and 12689; and 2 CFR
200.214. Additional information on debarment and suspension information
is available at 2 CFR part 180 and supplemented by 2 CFR part 417.
In addition, an applicant shall be considered ineligible for a
federal award under this Notice if the NCDFI or any principal of the
NCDFI has an outstanding judgment obtained by the U.S. in a Federal
Court (other than U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the payment of
Federal income taxes, or is delinquent on Federal debt, provided the
debt is uncontested by the Applicant or, if contested, provided that
the Applicant's legal and administrative remedies have been exhausted.
An applicant may not use agency loan funds to satisfy any such debt.
Ultimate Recipient Eligibility
(a) NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program loan funds must be used
to provide direct loans made to ultimate recipients meeting the
eligibility requirements provided by 7 CFR part 3550. Loans from the
NCDFI to the ultimate recipient using the NCDFI Relending Demonstration
Program fund must be used to buy, build, rehabilitate, improve, or
relocate an eligible dwelling (7 CFR 3550.52) on Tribal land for use by
the borrower as a permanent residence. The interest rate charged for
loans made by the NCDFI to the ultimate recipient must be lower than
the maximum monthly interest rate charged for a Section 502 direct
loan, available in any Rural Development office. The following
regulatory references apply to loans made to ultimate recipients:
(i) Eligible costs in accordance with 7 CFR 3550.52(d). If an
origination fee will be charged by the NCDFI, it may not exceed the
maximum `certified packaging body with an intermediary' fee listed in
Handbook-1-3550, Attachment 3-A, as it appeared at the time of
origination.
(ii) Loan restrictions in accordance with 7 CFR 3550.52(e).
(iii) Applicant eligibility requirements in accordance with 7 CFR
3550.53.
(iv) Calculation of income and assets in accordance with 7 CFR
3550.54.
(v) Site requirements in accordance with 7 CFR 3550.56 and must be
located on Tribal lands.
(vi) Dwelling requirement in accordance with 7 CFR 3550.57.
(vii) Ownership requirements in accordance with 7 CFR3550.58.
(viii) Security requirements in accordance with 7 CFR 3550.59,
except that the NCDFIs need not use Agency closing forms, and security
will be vested in the NCDFI and not the Agency.
For more information on how ultimate recipient loans can be
processed, the Section 502 program Handbook-1-3550 can be found online
at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/directives/handbooks.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
An NCDFI that receives a loan under this section shall provide
information on the use of matching funds. Matching funds are not
required; however, NCDFIs that match at least 20 percent of the amount
will receive additional points.
(a) Matching funds must be in the form of cash or confirmed funding
commitments. Matching funds must also be committed for a period of not
less than the loan disbursement period of 3 years.
(b) In-kind contributions such as salaries, donated time and
effort, real and nonexpendable personal property, or goods and services
cannot be used as matching funds.
(c) The NCDFI is responsible for demonstrating that matching funds
are available and committed. Matching funds may be provided by the
NCDFI or a third party.
3. Discretionary Points
None
4. Other
(a) The NCDFI must have been legally organized for a minimum of
three years and indicate adequate experience, as determined by the
Agency. Adequate experience will be demonstrated for Applicants
providing documentation indicating at least one-year of prior
experience working with residential mortgage lending as of the closing
date of this Notice. Applicants that do not have such experience may
provide documentation regarding other related experience to effectively
and efficiently manage and repay a loan through this demonstration
program (e.g., staff expertise, other loan products, homeownership
training, counseling and assistance, etc.) The Agency may review such
information and may consider any such information to indicate adequate
experience.
(b) Proposals must be structured to utilize the funds within three
years from the date of award.
(c) A six percent reserve for bad debt or Loan Loss Reserve (LLR)
will be required.
(d) Loan funds may not be used for payment of the NCDFI's
administrative costs or expenses. All funds will be used for ultimate
recipient loans.
(e) Requests to make loans to ultimate recipients. Review is
required when a NCDFI requests a disbursement of the NCDFI Relending
Demonstration Program loan funds to make a loan to an ultimate
recipient. The request for Agency review of a proposed loan to an
ultimate recipient must include:
(i) A certification by the NCDFI that:
(A) The proposed ultimate recipient is eligible for the loan;
(B) The proposed loan is for eligible purposes;
(C) The proposed loan complies with all applicable statutes and
regulations;
(ii) Copies of sufficient material from the ultimate recipient's
application and the NCDFI's related files, to allow the Agency to
determine the:
(A) Name and address of the ultimate recipient;
(B) Loan purposes;
(C) Interest rate and term; and
(D) Confirmation of matching funds.
(f) NCDFI Relending Program Loan Servicing Requirements. Servicing
requirements are as follows:
Quarterly and semiannually reports are due 30 days after the end of
the period (quarter or semi-annual as described below.)
Reports will be required quarterly during the first year after loan
closing
[[Page 33916]]
and, if all loan funds are not utilized during the first year,
quarterly reports will be continued until at least 90 percent of the
Agency loan funds have been advanced to ultimate recipients.
Thereafter, reports will be required semiannually. Also, the Agency may
require quarterly reports if the intermediary becomes delinquent in
repayment of its loan or otherwise fails to fully comply with the
provisions of its work plan or Loan Agreement, or the Agency determines
that the NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program fund is not adequately
protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the
ultimate recipients.
These reports shall contain information on the NCDFI Relending
Demonstration Program loan fund, and when other funds are included, the
NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program portion of the report shall be
segregated from the other sections.
The reports will be collected on a form provided by the Agency and
must include information on the NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program
lending activity, income and expenses, financial condition and a
summary of names and characteristics of the ultimate recipients the
NCDFI has financed. When other funds are included in the reports, the
NCDFI Relending Demonstration portion of the report shall be segregated
from the other sections.
(g) Loan Closing Information.
The selected NCDFI may be issued a Letter of Conditions and be
required to Complete Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet
Conditions'', as applicable. Conditions may include but are not limited
to completion of:
Form SF 3881, ``ACH Vendor Payment Enrollment Form''
Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement''
The selected NCDFI will execute Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for
Obligations of Funds'' prior to obligation.
The NCDFI will work with USDA to prepare all necessary documents to
close and secure the loan subject to USDA review and concurrence.
The NCDFI will be required to execute a Loan Agreement, Security
Agreement, Promissory Note, and Deposit Agreement at closing. These
items are available for review at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/native-community-development-financial-institution-relending-demonstration-program.
A Financing Statement under the Uniform Commercial Code will be
filed against the NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program loan funds
account.
All applications submitted must meet the eligibility in this notice
and demonstrate the loans will be made to ultimate recipients who meet
the eligibility criteria in 7 CFR 3550.53.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
Entities wishing to apply for assistance may acquire the
application documents described in this Notice from the NCDFI Relending
Demonstration Program website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs.
Applicants may also request paper application packages from the
Rural Development National Office by emailing [email protected].
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
(a) If the applicant is ineligible or the application is
incomplete, the Agency will inform the applicant in writing of the
decision, reasons therefore, and its appeal rights and no further
evaluation of the application will occur.
(b) The Agency requires the following information to make an
eligibility determination:
(i) A completed Standard Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal
Assistance.''
(ii) A written work plan to demonstrate the feasibility of the
NCDFI's ability to meet the objectives of this notice. The plan must,
at a minimum, include:
(A) Documentation demonstrating the NCDFI's ability to administer
NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program funds in accordance with the
provisions of this notice. To adequately demonstrate the ability to
administer the program, the NCDFI must provide a complete listing of
all personnel responsible for administering this program along with a
statement of their qualifications and experience. The personnel may be
either members or employees of the NDCFI's organization or contract
personnel hired for this purpose. If the personnel are to be contracted
for, the contract between the NCDFI and the entity providing such
service will be submitted for Agency review, and the terms of the
contract and its duration must be sufficient to adequately service the
Agency loan to its ultimate conclusion. If the Agency determines the
personnel lack the necessary expertise to administer the program, the
loan request will not be approved;
(B) Documentation demonstrating the NCDFI's ability to commit
financial resources under the control of the NCDFI to the establishment
of NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program. This should include a
statement of the sources of non-Agency funds for administration of the
NCDFI's operations and financial assistance for projects;
(C) Documentation demonstrating a need for loan funds and project
the number of ultimate recipients to be assisted. As a minimum, the
NCDFI should identify a sufficient number of proposed and known
ultimate recipients it has on hand to justify Agency funding of its
loan request, or include well developed targeting criteria for ultimate
recipients consistent with the NCDFI's mission and strategy for NCDFI
Relending Demonstration Program, along with supporting statistical or
narrative evidence that such prospective recipients exist in sufficient
numbers to justify Agency funding of the loan request;
(D) Documentation demonstrating the NCDFI's plan (specific loan
purposes) for relending the loan funds. The plan must be of sufficient
detail to provide the Agency with a complete understanding of what the
NCDFI will accomplish by lending the funds to the ultimate recipient
and the complete mechanics of how the funds will get from the NCDFI to
the ultimate recipient. The service area, eligibility criteria, loan
purposes, fees (the origination fee may not exceed the maximum
`certified packaging body with an intermediary' fee listed in Handbook-
1-3550, Attachment 3-A), rates (the proposed rate must be below the
monthly Section 502 Program interest rate, available at any rural
development office), terms (must be in accordance with the requirements
provided at 7 CFR 3550.53), collateral requirements, limits,
priorities, application process, method of disposition of the funds to
the ultimate recipient, monitoring of the ultimate recipient's
accomplishments, and reporting requirements by the ultimate recipient's
management must be addressed by the NCDFI's relending plan;
(E) Documentation providing a set of goals, strategies, and
anticipated outcomes for the NCDFI's program. Outcomes should be
expressed in quantitative or observable terms such as the number of
homeowners assisted, and the number of homes financed, and should
relate to the purpose of NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program; and
[[Page 33917]]
(F) Documentation providing specific information as to whether and
how the NCDFI will ensure that technical assistance is made available
to ultimate recipients and potential ultimate recipients. Describe the
qualifications of the technical assistance providers, the nature of
technical assistance that will be available, and expected and committed
sources of funding for technical assistance. If other than the NCDFI
itself, describe the organizations providing such assistance and the
arrangements between such organizations and the NCDFI.
(iii) A pro forma balance sheet at start-up and projected balance
sheets for at least three additional years; audited or certified
financial statements for the last three years, or from inception of the
operations of the NCDFI if less than three years; and projected cash
flow and earnings statements for at least four years supported by a
list of assumptions showing the basis for the projections. Principal
repayment on the NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program loan will not be
scheduled during the first three years, thus the projections for the
NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program fund must extend to include a
year with a full annual installment on the NCDFI Relending
Demonstration Program loan.
(iv) Statement of compliance with 2 CFR part 200 and previous
fiscal year most recent audited financial statements.
(v) An agreement on a form provided by the Agency (Form RD 400-4,
``Assurance Agreement,'') assuring compliance with Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964.
(vi) Complete organizational documents, including documents such as
certificate of CDFI status, certificate of good standing, by-laws and
articles of incorporation, and evidence of authority to conduct the
proposed activities.
(vii) A form provided by the Agency (Form RD 1910-11, ``Applicant
Certification Federal Collection Policies for Consumer or Commercial
Debts'') in which the applicant certifies its understanding of the
Federal collection policies for consumer or commercial debts.
(viii) A statement on a form provided by the Agency (Exhibit A-1 of
RD Instruction 1940-Q) regarding lobbying.
3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier
(a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active
registration in the System for Award (SAM) before submitting its
application in accordance with 2 CFR part 25. To register in SAM,
entities will be required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.
An applicant that has done business with the Federal Government
previously may check its entity status using by using its government
issued UEI to determine whether its registration is active. SAM.gov
requires registered users renew registration every 365 days.
(b) Please note that SAM.gov registration is different than
obtaining a UEI only. Obtaining an UEI only validates an organization's
legal business name and address. Please review the Frequently Asked
Question on the difference for additional details. Applicants must
maintain an active SAM registration, with current, accurate and
complete information, at all times during which there is an active
Federal award or an application under consideration by a Federal
awarding agency.
(c) Applicants must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
(d) Applicants must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless
determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.105(c).
(e) The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has
complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. If an
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the
Agency is ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that the
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another
applicant.
4. Submission Dates and Times
Completed applications must be submitted using one of the following
methods:
Paper submissions: The Agency must receive a paper
application by 4:30 p.m. local time, August 29, 2025. Applications can
be mailed or delivered to: USDA Rural Development, Attention: Brian
Hudson, 603B Lakeland Road, Shawano, WI 54166.
Electronic submissions: Electronic applications must be
submitted via email to [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time
on August 29, 2025.
The Agency will not solicit or consider scoring or eligibility
information that is submitted after the application deadline. The
application dates and times are firm. The Agency will not consider any
application received after the deadline. The Agency reserves the right
to contact applicants to seek clarification on materials contained in
the submitted application.
5. Intergovernmental Review
Intergovernmental Review under Executive Order 12372 is not
required for this program. To learn more about Executive Order 12372,
visit https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-chief-financial-officer/federal-financial-assistance-policy/intergovernmental-review.
6. Funding Restrictions
Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the
applicant's cost.
7. Other Submission Requirements
None.
8. Other Federal Statutes and Regulations
The applicant must certify compliance with other Federal Statutes
and regulations by completing the Financial Assistance General
Certification and Representations in SAM, including, but not limited to
the following:
(a) 7 CFR part 15, subpart A--Nondiscrimination in Federally
Assisted Programs of the Department of Agriculture--Effectuation of
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Civil Rights compliance
includes, but is not limited to the following:
(i) Collect and maintain data provided by ultimate recipients on
race, sex, and national origin and ensure that ultimate recipients
collect and maintain this data.
(ii) Race and ethnicity data will be collected in accordance with
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Federal Register Notice,
``Revisions of the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on
Race and Ethnicity'' (published October 30, 1997 (62 FR 58782)); Sex
data will be collected in accordance with Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972. These items should not be submitted with the
application but should be available upon request by RD.
(b) The applicant must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Executive Order 12250, and 7
CFR part 1901, subpart E.
(c) 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Administrative Requirements,
Cost
[[Page 33918]]
Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards), or any successor
regulation, as applicable.
(d) Federal Obligation Certification on Delinquent Debt.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated and scored
based on the selection criteria contained in this notice. Failure to
address any of the application criteria by the application deadline
will result in the application being determined ineligible, and the
application will not be considered for funding.
For applicants to meet all the eligibility, application and
submission requirements, the Rural Development National Office will use
criteria in accordance with this notice as selection for the loan
recipients. Each application and its accompanying statement of
activities will be evaluated and, based solely on the information
contained in the application, the applicant's proposal will be
numerically rated on each criterion within the range provided. The
highest-ranking applicant(s) will be selected based on the following
criteria:
a. Years of experience in residential mortgage lending(originating/
underwriting):
(i) Less than one: 0 points
(ii) 1-2: 1 point
(iii) 3: 2 points
(iv) 4-5: 3 points
(v) More than 5: 4 points
b. Years of experience in servicing residential mortgage loans:
(i) Less than one: 0 points
(ii) 1-2: 1 point
(iii) 3: 2 points
(iv) 4-5: 3 points
(v) More than 5: 4 points
c. Years of experience managing a loan fund:
(i) Less than one: 0 points
(ii) 1-2: 1 point
(iii) 3: 2 points
(iv) 4-5: 3 points
(v) More than 5: 4 points
d. Years of experience managing federal funds:
(i) Less than one: 0 points
(ii) 1-2: 1 point
(iii) 3: 2 points
(iv) 4-5: 3 points
(v) More than 5: 4 points
e. Matching funding:
(i) Less than 20% 0 points
(ii) More than 20%-40% 1 point
iii) More than 40%-60% 2 points
(iv) More than 60%-80% 3 points
(v) More than 80%-100% 4 points
2. Review and Selection Process
The Agency reserves the right to offer the applicant less than loan
funding requested and also reserves the right to not select any
applicants for funding. Rural Development National Office will utilize
the following project selection criteria to make selections.
(a) Providing a financially feasible program for single family
residential mortgage lending, which will result in affordable housing
for very low- and low-income persons.
(b) Serving Tribal Land's in an eligible rural area with housing
for households of very low- and low-income.
(c) Being an eligible applicant as defined in this notice.
(e) Submitting a complete application as outlined in this notice.
(f) Number of points attributable to the application under the
Scoring Criteria outlined in this notice.
(g) providing assistance to as many applicants as is feasible, in
the determination of the agency.
3. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates.
September 30, 2025
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices.
Successful applicants will receive notification for funding from
the USDA Rural Development National Office. Applicants must comply with
the terms of this Notice, and with all applicable statutes and
regulations before the loan award is obligated. The Agency will notify
applicants in writing if their applications have been selected for
funding. At the time of notification, the Agency will advise the
applicant what further information and documentation is required along
with a timeline for submitting additional information. If the Agency
determines it is unable to select the application for funding, the
applicant will be informed in writing. Such notification will include
the reasons the applicant was not selected. The Agency will advise
applicants, whose applications did not meet eligibility and/or
selection criteria of their review rights or appeal rights in
accordance with 7 CFR 3550.4.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
The loan recipient must include the required nondiscrimination
statements in any of their advertisements and brochures. The loan
recipient will be required to collect and maintain data provided by the
ultimate recipients on race, sex, and national origin and ensure
recipients collect and maintain this data. Race and ethnicity data will
be collected in accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, Revisions
to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and
Ethnicity,'' (see, 62 FR 58782; October 30, 1997). Data on recipients'
sex will be collected in accordance with Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972. These items should not be submitted with the
application but should be available upon request by the Agency.
3. Reporting.
Performance reporting, including applicable forms, narratives, and
other documentation, are to be completed and submitted in accordance
with the provisions of this notice and the Agreements referenced in the
`other' section of this notice. Further, all grantees must submit
audited financial statements in accordance with 2 CFR part 200, subpart
F, if applicable, or financial information covering the defined period
of performance as outlined in this notice and the Agreements referenced
in the `other' section of this notice.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
Applicants wanting to apply for assistance may download the
application documents and requirements as stated in this Notice from
the NCDFI Relending Demonstration Program website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/native-community-development-financial-institution-relending-demonstration-program.
Applicants may also request paper application packages from the
Rural Development National Office by emailing [email protected].
H. Other Information
1. Paperwork Reduction Act.
RHS has concluded that the reporting requirements contained in this
NOFO will involve less than 10 people and does not require an approval
under the provisions of the Act. In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), OMB must approve all
collection of information as a requirement for ``answers to * * *
identical reporting or recordkeeping requirements imposed on ten or
more persons * * * .'' (44 U.S.C. 3502(3)(A).)
2. National Environmental Policy Act.
All recipients under this Notice are subject to the requirements of
7 CFR part 1970 available at: https://rd.usda.gov/resources/environmental-studies/environmental-guidance and must comply in
accordance with 7 CFR 3550.5 as noted below.
3. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act.
All applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must be
registered in SAM and have a UEI number as stated in
[[Page 33919]]
Section D.3, of this notice. All recipients of Federal Financial
Assistance are required to report information about first-tier sub-
awards and executive total compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part
170.
4. Non-Discrimination Statement.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or
local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the
Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally,
program information may be made available in languages other than
English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to
File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write
a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA
by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop
9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email:
[email protected].
5. Faith Based Discrimination
Faith-based organizations may apply for an award on the same basis
as any other organization, as set forth at, and subject to the
protections and requirements of, 7 CFR part 16 and any applicable
constitutional and statutory requirements, including 42 U.S.C. 2000bb
et seq. The Agency will not, in the selection of recipients,
discriminate for or against an organization on the basis of the
organization's religious character, motives, or affiliation, or lack
thereof, or on the basis of conduct that would not be considered
grounds to favor or disfavor a similarly situated secular organization.
A faith-based organization that participates in this program will
retain its independence from the Government and may continue to carry
out its mission consistent with religious freedom and conscience
protections in Federal law. Religious accommodations may also be sought
under many of these religious freedom and conscience protection laws.
A faith-based organization may not use direct Federal financial
assistance from the Agency to support or engage in any explicitly
religious activities except when consistent with the Establishment
Clause of the First Amendment and any other applicable requirements. An
organization receiving Federal financial assistance also may not, in
providing services funded by the Agency, or in their outreach
activities related to such services, discriminate against a program
beneficiary or prospective program beneficiary on the basis of
religion, a religious belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or
a refusal to attend or participate in a religious practice.
Christine Mechtly,
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-13548 Filed 7-17-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P