Administrative Guidelines; Subsidy Layering Reviews for Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Housing Assistance Payments Contracts and Mixed-Finance Development, 57955-57966 [2014-22971]

Download as PDF 57955 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Notices gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. As HUD is furnishing a significant amount of data directly to the program participants, the burden in completing the Assessment Tool is reduced. Where HUD is not providing data, as noted earlier in this preamble, program participants are required to consider and in some cases utilize available local data and local knowledge. This refers to data already publicly available and reasonably easy to access. This does not refer to obscure data that may not be known or easily found, that requires an independent data or information collection effort such as a local survey, or that requires extensive analytical expertise or staff effort for instance in manipulating data sets or developing a complex methodology for analyzing complex data that may be available. With the data that HUD provides for use with the Assessment Tool supplemented by available local data and local knowledge, HUD does not anticipate the need for any program participant to turn to outside consultants to collect data and conduct the assessment. In addition, local knowledge may be supplemented with information received through the public participation process. In such cases, program participants retain the discretion to consider data or information collected through this process as well as the manner in which it may be incorporated into the AFH, whether in the Analysis section of the Assessment or in Section III of the AFH with an option to include extensive or lengthy comments in appendices or attachments. In short, the receipt of extensive public comments may require staff effort to review and consider input but would not result in a mandate to incur substantial additional costs and staff hours to do so. To the contrary, the public participation process should be viewed as a tool to acquire additional information to reduce burden. The Assessment Tool is available at https://www.huduser.org/portal/ affht_pt.html. Information on the estimated public reporting burden is provided in the following table: REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING BURDEN Number of respondents CFR Section reference Number of responses per respondent § 5.154(d) (Assessment of Fair Housing) ............. * 4,388 1 Total Burden .................................................. ........................ Frequency of response ........................ Estimated average time for requirement (in hours) Estimated annual burden (in hours) 200 877,600 ........................ 877,600 With each Con Plan or PHA Plan. ....................................... mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES * The number of respondents is based on the number of entities that will complete the version of the Assessment Tool that is the subject of this notice and is designed for use by entitlement jurisdictions other than States and joint submissions by entitlement jurisdictions and public housing agencies (PHAs) that are submitting a joint AFH. Entitlement jurisdictions that would use this template number 1,181. HUD is estimating that half of the PHAs, which number in total 4053, would opt for a joint submission but this estimate, 2026, may be high. In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), HUD is specifically soliciting comment from members of the public and affected program participants on the Assessment Tool on the following: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. HUD encourages not only program participants but interested persons to submit comments regarding the information collection requirements in this proposal. Comments must be received by November 25, 2014 to www.regulations.gov as provided under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:25 Sep 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 Comments must refer to the proposal by name and docket number (FR–5173–N– 02). Following consideration of public comments submitted in response to this notice, HUD will submit for further public comment, for a period of 30 days, a version of the Assessment Tool that reflects consideration of the public comments received in response to this notice. Dated: September 22, 2014. Camille E. Acevedo, Associate General Counsel for Legislation and Regulations. [FR Doc. 2014–22956 Filed 9–25–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–5417–N–02] Administrative Guidelines; Subsidy Layering Reviews for Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Housing Assistance Payments Contracts and Mixed-Finance Development Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, HUD. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ACTION: Notice. This document provides Administrative Guidelines (Guidelines) which qualified Housing Credit Agencies (HCAs) must follow in implementing subsidy layering reviews in accordance with the requirements of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA), in those cases where the HCA elects to conduct the review. In certain instances, described in this notice, HUD will follow these Guidelines in implementing subsidy layering reviews to satisfy the requirements of section 102(d) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (HUD Reform Act). The requirements in this notice do not supersede the subsidy layering requirements of other Federal programs. This notice sets forth the guidelines for conducting subsidy layering reviews for mixed-finance public housing projects and for newly constructed and rehabilitated structures combining other forms of government assistance with project-based voucher assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (1937 Act). SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 57956 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Notices Luci Ann Blackburn, Urban Revitalization Division, Office of Public and Indian Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 4134, Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 202–402–4190 (this is not a toll free number); or Miguel A. Fontanez Sanchez, Director, Housing Voucher Financial Management Division, telephone number 202–402– FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 4212 (this is not a toll free number). Individuals with speech or hearing impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll free Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background A. Summary Chart The remainder of this notice describes the current requirements regarding subsidy layering reviews for different development scenarios. The current legal requirements and HUD’s policy, which are more fully described in this notice, are summarized for ease of reference in the following chart: Type of project SLR reviewer Certification required under section 102(d) of the HUD Reform Act PBV (without LIHTC), New Project ................................... PBV only (without LIHTC), Existing Project ..................... PBV with LIHTC ................................................................ HUD .................................... SL Review not required ...... HCA 1 or HUD .................... PBV with LIHTC and Mixed Finance ................................ Mixed Finance without LIHTC .......................................... Mixed Finance with LIHTC ............................................... Mixed Finance with LIHTC/No HCA or HCA declines to do review. HCA 3 or HUD .................... HUD .................................... HCA 4 or HUD .................... HUD .................................... Yes. No. If the HCA were to do the review, and the HCA’s SL Review took into account proposed PBV assistance, certification would not be required.2 Otherwise, HUD must certify. Yes. Yes. Yes, by entity performing review. Yes. B. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES HERA (Pub. L. 110–289, approved July 30, 2008) made numerous revisions to the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher program. On November 24, 2008, at 73 FR 71037, HUD published a Federal Register notice to provide information about HERA’s applicability to HUD’s public housing and Section 8 tenantbased and project-based voucher programs. That notice provided an overview of key provisions of HERA that affect HUD’s public housing programs, and identified those provisions that are self-implementing, requiring no action on the part of HUD for participants to commence taking action to be in compliance, and those provisions that require implementing regulations or guidance on the part of HUD. That notice also stated that HUD would be issuing implementing guidance on section 8(o)(13)(M)(i) of the 1937Act (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(13)(M)(i)), as applicable to newly constructed or rehabilitated housing. (See 73 FR 71039.) On July 9, 2010, at 75 FR 39561, HUD published a Federal Register notice stating the guidelines HCA’s must use in conducting subsidy layering reviews for newly constructed and/or rehabilitated 1 It should be noted that, at the time of publication of this Notice, HUD is doing the subsidy layering reviews in all types of cases, including in mixed-finance projects with LIHTC. 2 Even though not required by HERA, HUD in practice requires certifications in these cases. 3 See footnote 1. 4 See footnote 2. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:25 Sep 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 structures combining other forms of government assistance with projectbased voucher assistance. These notices state that the HERA provision relating to the elimination of subsidy layering reviews for existing housing is selfimplementing; the provision relating to State or local agencies performing subsidy layering reviews for projectbased voucher housing assistance payment (HAP) contracts for new construction and rehabilitated projects is not self-implementing. This notice restates and updates these prior notices, including specific guidelines related to subsidy layering and low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC). C. Rental Housing Policy Alignment Through the work of the Rental Housing Policy Alignment team, an outgrowth of the Interagency Rental Policy Working Group formed in 2011, various workstreams are currently underway to streamline government oversight and align standards across federal agencies providing funding for affordable rental housing.5 One of these workstreams is the Subsidy Layering Review group, which seeks to provide a template for agencies within a State to share duties and information related to approval and review of federally-funded affordable housing. A pilot program aiding the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between various State and federal agencies providing affordable housing assistance was 5 See https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/02/ 01/urban-update-aligning-federal-rental-housingpolicy. PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 conducted successfully across seven states in 2012,6 and HUD intends to publish a guidebook that will allow all agencies that wish to enter into such an agreement to do so. This notice provides guidance and updates on how and in what situations such agreements can be utilized to reduce the burden of subsidy layering review on government agencies. D. Section 102 of the HUD Reform Act and Other Authorities HUD’s regulations in 24 CFR part 4 implement section 102(d) of the HUD Reform Act (42 U.S.C. 3545(d)) and contain a number of provisions designed to ensure greater accountability and integrity in the way in which HUD makes assistance available under certain of its programs. Section 4.13 of 24 CFR (Limitation of assistance subject to section 102(d)) requires HUD to certify, in accordance with section 102(d) of the HUD Reform Act, that assistance made available by HUD for a specific housing project will not be more than is necessary to make the assisted activity feasible after taking into account assistance from other government sources. In order to make that certification, a subsidy layering review must be performed. In addition, The Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102– 550, approved October 28, 1992), as amended by the Multifamily Housing 6 See https://www.huduser.org/portal/pdredge/ pdr_edge_featd_article_012612.html. E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Notices Property Disposition Reform Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103–233, approved April 4, 1994) added a ‘‘Subsidy Layering Review’’ provision at 42 U.S.C. 3545 note, which states that the subsidy layering requirement for projects receiving assistance under a HUD program and receiving tax credits may be satisfied ‘‘by a certification by a housing credit agency to the Secretary, submitted in accordance with guidelines established by the Secretary, that the combination of assistance within the jurisdiction of the Secretary and other government assistance provided in connection with a property for which assistance is to be provided within the jurisdiction of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall not be any greater than is necessary to provide affordable housing.’’ This statutory note also sets requirements for equity capital and project costs. Finally, as noted, in 2008, HERA altered some of these subsidy layering requirements. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES • Project Based Assistance But No LIHTC Section 2835 of HERA adds subparagraph (M) to section 8(o)(13) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, 42 U.S.C. 1437(o)(13), which provides that a subsidy layering review shall not be required for project-based assistance (1) for an existing structure, or (2) if a subsidy layering review has been conducted by the applicable State or local agency. However, this section does not speak to the case where HUD conducts the review, hence that situation is governed by other applicable law, specifically, section 102(d) of the HUD Reform Act, 42 U.S.C. 3545(d), which requires that the Secretary certify that assistance within the jurisdiction of the Department (except that Title II mortgage insurance for this purpose is not considered such assistance) to any housing project shall not be more than is necessary to provide affordable housing after taking account of assistance described in subsection (b)(1) of this section. Assistance under (b)(1) includes ‘‘any related assistance from the federal government, a State, or a unit of general local government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof.’’ • HUD Assistance Plus LIHTC As noted, 42 U.S.C. 3545 note provides that an HCA certification submitted in accordance with HUD guidelines will suffice in lieu of a HUD review when HUD assistance and LIHTC are used in a project. Where there is no current delegation of subsidy layering review authority to an HCA, on VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Sep 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 a case-by-case basis, and within its sole discretion, HUD may delegate the subsidy layering review activity to a local HCA subject to HUD’s review under 42 U.S.C. 3545 note and these guidelines. In such cases, HUD may request the HCA to make changes to the subsidy layering review or HUD may revise the HCA’s subsidy layering review as needed. Id. • Mixed-Finance and Public Housing Without LIHTC It is also possible for mixed-finance arrangements to occur with other forms of federal assistance, but without LIHTC. In regard to such mixed-finance and public housing, the applicable law is again section 102(d) of the HUD Reform Act, and HUD is responsible for performing subsidy layering reviews. II. Certification A. HUD’s Certification Requirements Pursuant to 102(d) of the HUD Reform Act HUD’s regulation at 24 CFR 4.13 states that before HUD makes any assistance subject to section 102(d), with respect to a housing project for which other government assistance is, or is expected, to be made available, HUD will determine, and execute a certification, that the amount of the assistance is not more than is necessary to make the assisted activity feasible after taking account of the other government assistance. This review certifies that there are no duplicative government subsidies when combining HUD housing assistance and forms of other federal, State, or local government assistance. Where an HCA has performed a subsidy layering review for a project that has been allocated LIHTCs and the subsidy layering review took into consideration the proposed projectbased voucher assistance, section 2835(a)(1)(F) of HERA eliminates the need for the HUD Reform Act’s section 102(d) certification requirement. However, HUD’s obligation to certify in accordance with 102(d) of the HUD Reform Act and implementing regulations at 24 CFR 4.13 still exists where a review has not been substituted in accordance with the Guidelines contained in this notice. 1. HCA Participation Where LIHTC Administered by the HCA Is Involved An HCA is ordinarily designated for the purpose of allocating and administering the LIHTC program under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), and so may do the subsidy layering review pursuant to authorization under this notice where PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57957 there is LIHTC. In those transactions where there are other forms of government assistance involved, as in proposed project-based voucher projects, which do not include LIHTC, and the HCA has no involvement in respect to the assistance, HUD will generally conduct subsidy layering reviews and make the required HUD Reform Act’s section 102(d) certification in accordance with 24 CFR 4.13 for such projects as it is currently doing. HUD will also continue to conduct the review where there is no HCA available, or the applicable HCA has declined to perform the subsidy layering review. 2. HCA Participation Where Other Assistance Administered by the HCA May Be Involved Currently, transactions involving LIHTC are the only case where the HCA has substantial involvement and, absent a waiver requested by the locality and granted by HUD for good cause, are generally the only case where the HCA performs the subsidy layering review. However, in the future, Congress may appropriate forms of assistance where there is involvement by a local HCA. In those cases, HUD may, by notice published in the Federal Register, on such terms and conditions as HUD may provide, and where not contrary to statutory authority, delegate performance of the subsidy layering review to the local HCA. B. HCA Certification Under HERA Under section 8 of the 1937 Act, specifically at 42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(13)(M), the HUD Reform Act section 102(d) certification is not required with respect to project-based assistance, or if a subsidy layering review has been conducted by the applicable HCA. These Guidelines require that HCAs make an initial certification to HUD when the agency notifies HUD of its intent to participate. The HCA certification provides that the HCA will, among other things, properly apply the Guidelines which HUD establishes. In addition, after a subsidy layering review has been performed by the applicable HCA, the HCA must certify that the total assistance provided to the project is not more than is necessary to provide affordable housing (Appendix B of this notice). III. Intent To Participate An HCA must notify HUD of its intent to participate in the preparation of subsidy layering reviews for projects combining other forms of government assistance with project-based voucher assistance before performing subsidy layering reviews pursuant to this notice. E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 57958 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Notices Questions or requests for clarification relating to subsidy layering reviews for units under the project-based voucher program and the implementation of these Guidelines should be addressed to HUD Headquarters, Section 8 Financial Management Division, and should be answered prior to an HCA’s notification to HUD of its intent to participate. A. Letter to HUD An interested HCA shall notify HUD of its intent to perform subsidy layering reviews for newly constructed and rehabilitated projects that will receive project-based voucher assistance by sending a brief letter (Appendix A of this notice), executed by an authorized official of the HCA informing HUD that it: (1) Has reviewed these Guidelines; (2) understands its responsibilities under these Guidelines; and (3) certifies that it will perform the subsidy layering review as it relates to project-based voucher assistance in accordance with all statutory, regulatory and Guideline requirements. Such letters should be forwarded via email to the Section 8 Financial Management Division at HUD Headquarters at the following address: pih.financial.management.division@ hud.gov. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES B. HUD Acknowledgement Once HUD has been notified of an HCA’s intention to participate, HUD will acknowledge that participation by a written letter to the HCA, and post the agency’s name on the Office of Public and Indian Housing’s Web site as a participating agency. Once an HCA’s intent to participate is acknowledged by HUD through a response letter, that agency may perform subsidy layering reviews, and certify such reviews have been performed, on behalf of proposed project-based voucher HAP contracts for newly constructed or rehabilitated units in accordance with the HCA’s existing requirements, provided such requirements are in substantial compliance with these Guidelines. C. Revocation of Participation If HUD determines that an HCA has failed to substantially comply with these Guidelines, or statutory or regulatory requirements, HUD may discontinue the HCA’s permission to perform subsidy layering reviews on behalf of proposed project-based voucher HAP contracts. HUD will inform the HCA in writing of such a determination. D. HUD Participation HUD will follow these Guidelines in conducting the required subsidy layering reviews, and issue a HUD VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Sep 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 Reform Act section 102(d) certification pursuant to such review for projects in cases where: (1) The HCA’s authority has been revoked by HUD; (2) an HCA opts to not accept the responsibilities pursuant to section 2835(a)(1)(F) of HERA; (3) project-based voucher assistance is combined with other government assistance that does not include LIHTCs, and the HCA does not have the authority to conduct such review; or (4) the project is mixed finance. E. Applicability These guidelines apply to any contract, grant, loan, cooperative agreement, or other form of assistance, including the insurance or guarantee of a loan or mortgage that is provided under a program administered by HUD for use in, or in connection with, a specific housing project. Assistance provided under section 8(o)(13) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437f) (projectbased vouchers) for new construction or rehabilitated projects is assistance to which section 102(d) of the HUD Reform Act applies for subsidy layering review purposes. IV. Definitions Category 1 subsidy layering review— Subsidy layering review for proposed project-based voucher HAP contracts where the HCA conducts the review, with consideration of project-based voucher assistance. Category 2 subsidy layering review— Subsidy layering review for proposed project-based voucher HAP contracts where the HCA conducts the review, but without consideration of project-based voucher assistance. Housing Credit Agency (HCA)—For purposes of performing subsidy layering reviews for proposed project-based voucher projects, a housing credit agency includes a State housing finance agency, a participating jurisdiction under HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships program (see 24 CFR part 92), or other State housing agencies that meet the definition of ‘‘housing credit agency’’ as defined by section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Any agency for which HUD has previously acknowledged its participation and posted the agency’s name on the Office of Public and Indian Housing’s Web site as a participating agency prior to the effective date of this notice is also considered to be an HCA for purposes of performing subsidy layering reviews, except where HUD has revoked the HCA’s authority to perform subsidy layering reviews. Mixed-finance development—Mixedfinance development refers to the PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 development (through new construction or acquisition, with or without rehabilitation) or modernization of public housing pursuant to 24 CFR 905.604, where the public housing units are owned in whole or in part by an entity other than a PHA. There are various potential scenarios for the ownership structure of a mixed-finance project, such as: Public housing units may be owned entirely by a private entity; a PHA may co-own with a private entity; or a PHA affiliate or instrumentality may own or co-own the units. Other government assistance is defined to include any loan, grant, guarantee, insurance, payment, rebate, subsidy, credit, tax benefit, or any other form of direct or indirect assistance from the federal government, a State, or a unit of general local government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof. Substantial compliance —For purposes of making the HERA certification, an HCA may perform subsidy layering reviews for proposed project-based voucher HAP contracts for newly constructed and rehabilitated units in accordance with the HCA’s existing requirements, provided such requirements are in substantial compliance with these Guidelines. To be in substantial compliance, the HCA’s guidelines shall be at least as stringent as these Guidelines, and require equivalent disclosures from the ownership entity. V. Public Housing Agencies (PHA) Responsibilities A. When Subsidy Layering Reviews Are Required When a new construction or rehabilitation project has been selected by a PHA pursuant to program regulations at 24 CFR part 983 and the project combines other forms of governmental assistance, the PHAs must request a subsidy layering review. As part of the selection process, the PHA must require information regarding all HUD and/or other federal, State, or local governmental assistance to be disclosed by the project owner. Form HUD–2880 7 (Appendix C of this notice) may be used for this purpose, but is not required. The PHA must also instruct the owner to complete and submit a disclosure statement even if no other governmental assistance has been received or is anticipated. The statement must be submitted with the owner’s application for project-based vouchers. The PHA must also inform the owner that if any information changes on the disclosure, 7 See https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/ huddoc?id=2880.pdf. E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Notices either by the addition or deletion of other governmental assistance, the project owner must submit a revised disclosure statement. If before or during the HAP contract, the owner receives additional HUD or other governmental assistance for the project that results in an increase in project financing in an amount that is equal to or greater than 10 percent of the original development budget, the owner must report such changes to the PHA and the PHA must notify the HCA, or HUD (if there is no participating HCA in their jurisdiction), that a further subsidy layering review is required. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES B. Requesting Performance of Subsidy Layering Reviews The PHA must request a subsidy layering review through the participating HCA. A list of participating HCAs will be posted on HUD’s Office of Public Housing’s Web site and updated periodically. If an HCA is not designated in the PHA’s jurisdiction, the PHA should contact its local HUD field office. The PHA will be informed if there is in fact an HCA in their jurisdiction that will conduct the review or if the PHA must submit the required documentation to its local HUD field office. The local field office will request HUD Headquarters to conduct the subsidy layering review. C. Providing Documents Required for Review The PHA is responsible for collecting all required documentation from the owner. The documentation required is contained within Appendix D of this notice. The PHA is also responsible for providing the HCA with all documents required for the subsidy layering review. The documents must be forwarded to the HCA with a cover letter. If the initial submission to the HCA is incomplete, the HCA is in need of further documentation, or if new information becomes available, the PHA must provide the documentation to the HCA during the review process. The PHA should contact the HCA to determine whether any documents the PHA is required to provide are already in the possession of the HCA. If the most recent copies of documents the PHA has collected from the owner are already in the HCA’s possession, the PHA must state in its cover letter to the HCA which documents are not included because the HCA has informed it that the documents are already in the HCA’s possession. The PHA must still maintain a complete set of the required documents with the project file for quick reference by either HUD or the PHA. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Sep 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 57959 D. Subsidy Layering Review Timing and Outcome VI. Subsidy Layering Review Categories—Overview In accordance with program regulations at 24 CFR 983.55, a PHA may not provide project-based voucher assistance until after the required subsidy layering review has been performed in accordance with these Guidelines. Therefore, before entering into an Agreement to Enter into Housing Assistance Payments Contract (AHAP), the PHA must await the outcome of the subsidy layering review. All other preAHAP requirements must also be satisfied before AHAP execution (e.g., environmental review). If the HCA with jurisdiction over the project has conducted the subsidy layering review, the HCA must certify to HUD that the project-based voucher assistance is in accordance with HUD subsidy layering requirements. The HCA must provide a copy of the certification to the PHA to signify to the agency that the subsidy layering review has been completed and a determination has been made that the project-based voucher assistance does not result in excessive government assistance. The PHA may proceed to execute an AHAP at that time. If the subsidy layering review results in excessive public assistance, the HCA will notify HUD, in writing, with a copy to the PHA, of the outcome. The notification will include either a recommendation to reduce the LIHTC allocation, proposed amount of projectbased voucher assistance, or other assistance, or a recommendation to permanently withhold entering into an AHAP for the proposed project. HUD will consult with the HCA and the PHA prior to issuing its final determination either adopting the HCA’s recommendation or revising the recommendation. Once the PHA receives HUD’s final decision, the PHA must notify the owner in writing of the outcome. If HUD conducts the review, HUD is responsible for making the required HRA section 102(d) certification pursuant to 24 CFR 4.13. If it is determined that the project-based voucher assistance does not result in excessive government subsidy, HUD will notify the PHA in writing. If it is determined that combining housing assistance payment subsidy under the project-based voucher program with other governmental assistance results in excessive public assistance, HUD will require that the PHA reduce the level of project-based voucher subsidy or inform the owner that the provision of projectbased voucher assistance shall not be provided. A. Category 1—Proposed Project-Based Voucher HAP Contracts Where the HCA Conducts the Subsidy Layering Review and Considers Project-Based Voucher Assistance Section 8(o)(13)(M)(i) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(13)(M)(i)), as added by section 2835(a)(1)(F) of HERA, provides that a subsidy layering review in accordance with section 102(d) of the HUD Reform Act is not required if a subsidy layering review has been conducted by a qualified HCA (of course, HUD retains the option to conduct the review itself). Section 42(m)(2) of the IRC (26 U.S.C. 42(m)(2)) mandates that HCAs ensure that the amount of housing tax credit awarded to a project is the minimum amount necessary for the project to be placed-inservice as affordable rental housing. As part of its section 42(m)(2) review, the HCA considers all federal, State, and local subsidies which apply to the project. In making the determination that the LIHTC dollar amount allocated to a project does not exceed the amount the HCA determines is necessary for the financial feasibility of the project, the HCA must evaluate and consider the sources and uses of funds and the total financing planned for the project, the proceeds expected to be generated by reason of the LIHTC, the percentage of the LIHTC dollar amount used for project costs, and the reasonableness of the developmental and operational costs of the project. The subsidy layering review Guidelines under this notice are similar to those required under the IRC section 42(m)(2) review. The amendment made to the requirements of HUD Reform Act section 102(d) pursuant to section 2835(a)(1)(F) of HERA (for purposes of project-based voucher assistance), codified at 42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(13)(M)(i), alleviates the duplication of subsidy layering reviews (that consider the same factors for the same reasons) by both HUD and HCAs. The only other review element that an HCA must consider with the addition of project-based voucher assistance to a proposed project, is the effect the operational support provided by the project-based vouchers will have on the HCA’s analysis in regards to the level of subsidy required to make the project feasible without over-compensation. HCAs must therefore analyze the operating pro-forma that reflects the inclusion of the project-based voucher assistance as part of the subsidy layering review process. The operational support analysis will consider the debt coverage PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 57960 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES ratio (DCR) and the amount of cash-flow generated by an individual project to determine if excess funding exists within the total development budget. In light of the above, when a proposal for project-based voucher assistance is contemporaneous with the application for, or award of, LIHTCs, the subsidy layering review required by these Guidelines may be fulfilled by the IRC section 42(m)(2) review if such review substantially complies with the subsidy layering review requirements under this notice. The Department expects that in most cases it will. If the IRC section 42(m)(2) review substantially complies with the requirements of a subsidy layering review under this notice, the HCA may make the required certification (Appendix B of this notice) to HUD without conducting an additional subsidy layering review pursuant to these Guidelines. If the HCA cannot make the required certification because the operation pro-forma was not reviewed as part of its IRC section 42(m)(2) review in the manner required by these Guidelines, the HCA must perform the limited review as described in section VIII.B of this notice and, if necessary, reduce the subsidy source within its control (i.e., the total tax credit allocation amount) or promptly notify HUD of a recommendation to reduce the project-based voucher units or subsidy. Where HUD conducts the review, for the reasons previously stated, in addition to evaluating the operational budget, HUD must analyze whether certain development costs (specifically general condition, over-head, profits, and developer’s fee) are or were excessive. If it is determined that such costs are excessive, HUD will reduce the amount of project-based voucher assistance to a level that will sustain the project’s viability without overcompensation. HUD will notify the PHA before any action to reduce the project-based voucher units due to issues of overcompensation. operational aspects of the project in accordance with Section VIII.B of this notice. Although project-based voucher projects are exempted from a full subsidy layering review, the HCA must still be able to certify when combining HUD and other governmental assistance, including project-based voucher assistance, that the project is not receiving excessive compensation. The HCA will be able to make this certification if the review performed as required by section 42(m)(2) of the IRC substantially complied with these Guidelines. In addition to ensuring there is no excessive subsidy, the review must also consider whether there are any duplicative forms of assistance (i.e., rental assistance from some other state, federal or local source). If it is found that there is duplicative rental assistance for the same unit, the unit does not qualify for project-based voucher assistance, and the HCA must apprise the PHA of such finding. For purposes of this analysis, LIHTC units are not considered duplicative rental assistance. B. Category 2—Proposed Project-Based Voucher HAP Contracts Where the HCA Conducts the Subsidy Layering Review Without Consideration of Project-Based Voucher Assistance Where a subsidy layering review has been conducted by an HCA on a proposed project-based voucher project for purposes of allocating LIHTCs which may have also included other forms of government assistance, but such review did not consider project-based voucher assistance (e.g., project-based vouchers were obtained subsequent to the LIHTC allocation), the HCA may conduct a limited review with an emphasis on the Subsidy layering reviews are required prior to the execution of an AHAP for new construction and projects that will undergo rehabilitation, if the project combines project-based voucher assistance with other governmental assistance. When an HCA has conducted a subsidy layering review in connection with the allocation of LIHTC, the standards used by the HCA must substantially comply with these Guidelines. When HUD is conducting the subsidy layering review it will follow these Guidelines and use the Subsidy Layering Analysis form (Appendix E of this notice). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Sep 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 C. Category 3—Mixed-Finance Public Housing Projects Under HUD’s mixed-finance regulations, subsidy layering review must be conducted by HUD or its designee (e.g., the HCA) pursuant to section 102(d) of the HUD Reform Act (42 U.S.C. 3545(d)). HUD is responsible for subsidy layering reviews for mixedfinance and public housing development projects. On a case-by-case basis, and within its sole discretion, HUD may delegate the subsidy layering review activity to a local HCA subject to HUD’s review. In such cases, HUD may request the HCA to make changes to the subsidy layering review or HUD may revise the HCA’s subsidy layering review as needed. VII. Subsidy Layering Review Guidelines—Procedural Description PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 A. Maximum Allowable Amounts Maximum Allowable Amounts are those that cannot be exceeded under any circumstances. If values provided by the project owner exceed the maximum allowable amounts, reductions must be made in either the proposed amount of project-based voucher assistance, or the LIHTC equity to bring the values below the maximum allowable amounts before the HCA can make its certification to HUD, and, where HUD is performing the review, before the HRA section 102(d) certification can be made. In the case of LIHTC syndication proceeds, if the values provided by the project owner are lower than the minimum LIHTC price, the PHA shall not enter into an AHAP with the owner unless the LIHTC allocation is reduced to bring the value of the tax credits at or above the minimum LIHTC price. B. Safe Harbor Standards Safe harbor standards are generally applicable development standards. Although the safe harbor standards can be exceeded under certain circumstances, projects for which the owner’s documented development costs and fees are within the safe harbor standards can move forward without further justification. If any of the owner’s costs and/or fees exceed the safe harbor limits, but are within the maximum allowable amount, additional justification and documentation are required. Between the safe harbor standard and the maximum allowable amounts for each of the factors considered in the review is a range in which values may be acceptable if they are justified based on project size, characteristics, location, and risk factors. Additional documentation must be requested from the project owner that demonstrates the need for values that exceed the safe harbor standards. If the review is being conducted by an HCA, instead of HUD, project costs exceeding the safe harbor standards must be consistent with the HCA’s published qualified allocation plan. Under no circumstances may costs exceed the total maximum allowable amounts. For all projects falling within Category 1, the reviewer (either an HCA, or HUD) must evaluate development costs to determine whether predevelopment cost associated with the construction of the project is within a reasonable range, taking into account project size, characteristics, locations and risk factors; and whether over-head, builder’s profit and developer’s fee are also within a reasonable range, taking E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Notices into account project size, characteristics, locations and risk factors. 2. When Development Costs Exceed the Safe Harbor Standard VIII. Subsidy Layering Reviews— Guidelines and Requirements If the costs for builder’s profit, or developer’s fee, exceed the safe harbor values without satisfactory documentation for the need for higher costs, either the HCA or HUD will take the actions outlined below: A. Category 1 Subsidy Layering Reviews For Category 1 projects, HCAs will review all proposed sources and uses of funds. HCAs will also consider all loans, grants, or other funds provided by parties other than HUD and will assess the reasonableness of any escrow or reserve (i.e., maintenance, operational, and replacement reserves) proposed for the project, taking into account project size, project characteristics, project location and project risk factors, as determined by the HCA, even if such reserves do not affect the amount of subsidy allowed under applicable program rules. 1. Safe Harbor Percentage Allowances HCAs will use the following safe harbor standards which HUD has established for subsidy layering analysis purposes for project-based voucher HAP contracts: The percentage allowances may be negotiated between the safe harbor and maximum allowable amounts with the project sponsor and the individual HCAs to reflect their assessment of the market and to respect their qualified allocation plan. Any approved fees that exceed safe harbor amounts must be justified by special circumstances, such as market conditions or other circumstances that HUD may determine. a. Standard (1) General Condition: safe harbor—six percent (6%) of construction contract amount. c. Standard (3) mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Builder’s Profit: safe harbor—six percent (6%) of construction contract amount. The total allowed or allowable Safe Harbor percentages for General Conditions, Overhead, and Builder’s Profit are based on hard construction costs and the maximum combined costs shall not be more than fourteen percent (14%) of the hard construction cost. d. Standard (4) Developer’s fee: safe harbor—twelve percent (12%) of the total development cost (profit and overhead). The maximum allowable developer’s fee is fifteen percent (15%) of the project costs (profit and overhead). Jkt 232001 b. HUD Performing Review Where HUD is performing the review and it is determined that, after evaluating allowable sources and uses, the combination of assistance will result in excessive subsidy, HUD will reduce the proposed amount of project-based voucher assistance. 3. When Development Costs Are Within Safe Harbor If all safe harbor standards are met, the HCA must examine the effect project-based voucher assistance will have on the operation’s pro-forma before making its LIHTC allocation. If the safe harbor and operational standards (discussed below) are met, the HCA must submit its certification to HUD with a copy to the applicable PHA along with its sources and uses statement. If HUD is conducting the review, HUD will make the determination and notify the PHA that an AHAP may be signed. a. Debt Coverage Ratio Overhead: safe harbor—two percent (2%) of construction contract amount. 19:14 Sep 25, 2014 In cases where an HCA is performing the review, the HCA must reduce the subsidy source within its control, i.e., the total tax credit allocation amount, whenever necessary to balance the project’s sources and uses. 4. Operations Standards b. Standard (2) VerDate Sep<11>2014 a. HCA Performing Review In addition to the analysis of the development budget as part of the subsidy layering review process, the HCA must also evaluate the project’s 15-year operating pro-forma and apply the standards discussed below and contained within the Operations section of Appendix E of this notice. Projectbased voucher assistance and the amount of cash flow the project-based voucher rent amounts will generate for a given project must be carefully analyzed. The HCA must analyze the project’s projected DCR over a 15-year period (the maximum initial term of the project-based voucher HAP contract). The DCR is determined to ensure that the net-income for the project is sufficient to cover all repayable debt (i.e., non-forgivable loans) over the life of the debt. In order to determine realistic costs over a 15-year period, the HCA must use appropriate trending assumptions for their market area. PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57961 Generally, operating expenses should be trended at 1 percent to 3 percent per year and rent increases should be trended at 1 percent to 3 percent per year for the first 5 years and 3 percent for each year thereafter. The minimum DCR is 1.10 and the maximum DCR may be up to 1.45 provided cash flow for the project does not exceed the limit established in accordance with section VIII.A.4.b of this notice. HUD may adjust these amounts by notice as new data becomes available. If it is projected that the DCR will not fall below the minimum DCR, the project should have sufficient cash flow to pay all project operating expenses and amortized debt on the project, and have an acceptable percentage of the required debt service available for other uses. In addition, the established DCRs should ultimately provide sufficient cash-flow to subsidize very low-income and extremely low-income families through the project-based voucher program that the LIHTC program is unable to reach. If the DCR exceeds the maximum stated above, there may be government assistance in the project which is more than necessary to make the project feasible. Since variances in such things as vacancy rate, operating cost increases, and rent increases all affect the net operating income of a project, the HCA must perform further trending analysis to determine whether the number of proposed project-based vouchers should be reduced or whether the proposed rent amounts should be reduced. For example, if over the 15-year period the DCR begins to decrease and at some point it falls below the minimum of 1.10, all trending assumptions and costs should be re-visited before recommending a reduction in the project-based voucher subsidy. After further analysis, if the DCR is still at a level above the maximum allowable level, the HCA may either reduce the LIHTC allocation amount (for Category 1 projects) or recommend to HUD the appropriate project-based voucher subsidy amount including supporting documentation. HUD will require that the PHA reduce the level of projectbased voucher subsidy. When HUD is performing the review, HUD will, if necessary, reduce the voucher units or monthly project-based voucher rents proposed by the PHA. b. Cash-Flow In addition to determining an acceptable DCR, actual cash flow to the project must also be analyzed. Cashflow is determined after ensuring all debt can be satisfied and is defined as total income to the project minus total E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 57962 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES expenses. If the cash flow (minus any acceptable reserve amounts) exceeds 10 percent of total expenses, the cash generated from the project-based voucher assistance may be greater than is necessary to provide affordable housing. HUD may adjust this 10 percent standard by notice if new data becomes available. If the cash-flow is greater than 10 percent of the total operating expenses, the HCA must require the owner to revisit the operating pro-forma to bring cash flow to a level that does not exceed 10 percent of the total operating expenses. If the owner declines, the HCA shall recommend to HUD a reduction in the project-based voucher rents or the number of project-based voucher units. Any recommendation shall include documentation to support the HCA’s recommendation. When HUD performs the review, and cash flow is greater than 10 percent of the total operating expenses, HUD will notify the PHA of its determination and instruct the PHA to require the owner to re-visit the operating pro-forma to bring the cash flow to a level that does not exceed 10 percent of the total operating expenses. If the owner declines, HUD will notify the PHA of the maximum number of project-based voucher units that may be approved and the maximum project-based voucher rent amounts that may be approved. B. Category 2 Subsidy Layering Reviews Category 2 projects shall only be required to undergo a limited review. The limited review shall consist of a review of the 15-year operations proforma and a review to ensure there is no duplicative assistance (as stated above in section VI.B of this notice). The Operations Standards outlined in section VIII.A.4. of this notice shall be used for Category 2 subsidy layering reviews. Where it is determined that the inclusion of project-based voucher assistance will result in governmental assistance that is more than necessary to provide affordable housing, the HCA will make a recommendation, including supporting documentation, to HUD as to the appropriate project-based voucher subsidy amount. If HUD is performing the review, HUD will, if necessary, reduce the voucher units or monthly project-based voucher rents proposed by the PHA. C. Category 3 Subsidy Layering Reviews Section 35 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437z–7) allows HUD to provide Capital or Operating Funds, or both, to a mixedfinance public housing project. According to the statute, the units assisted with Capital or Operating VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Sep 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 Funds shall be developed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the requirements of the 1937 Act. The statute permits such projects to have other sources of funding, including private funding and LIHTC funding under the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 42). Regulations related to mixed-finance development are found at 24 CFR 905.604. Pursuant to 24 CFR 905.606 PHAs must submit a development proposal as well as other specific materials and documentation for HUD approval as a precondition to HUD’s release of public housing funds for a project’s construction. Under 24 CFR 905.610(b), after the PHA submits the evidentiary materials and other documentation required by HUD shall carry out a subsidy layering analysis pursuant to section 102(d) of the HUD Reform Act ‘‘to determine whether the amount of assistance being provided for the development is more than necessary to make the assisted activity feasible after taking into account other governmental assistance.’’ The subsidy layering review is currently conducted as a part of HUD’s review of a development proposal and evidentiary materials and is not designated by HUD to HCAs. Contents of Subsidy Layering Analysis for Mixed-Finance Projects The HUD subsidy layering analysis for mixed-finance projects will include the following review: a. Cost Control and Safe Harbor Standards for Rental Mixed-Finance Development; Risk Factors. HUD will review all mixed-finance projects for compliance with HUD’s Cost Control and Safe Harbor Standards (revised April 9, 2003), found at: https://portal. hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc ?id=DOC_9880.pdf. These standards also contain risk factors for developers with fees above the safe harbor standards. If a project is at or below a safe harbor standard, no further review will be required by HUD. If a project is above a safe harbor standard, additional review by HUD will be necessary. In order to approve terms above the safe harbor, the housing authority must demonstrate to HUD in writing that the negotiated terms are appropriate for the level of risk involved in the project, the scope of work, any specific circumstances of the development, and the local or national market for the services provided, as described in the Cost Control and Safe Harbor Standards b. Total Development Cost. HUD will review the total development cost of each mixed-finance development to PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ensure that public housing funds are not spent in excess of the Total Development Cost (TDC) and Housing Construction Cost (HCC) limits pursuant to § 941.306. PIH Notice 2011–38 or successor notice contains the current TDC and HCC limits for specific jurisdictions, and can be found at: https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD ?src=/program_offices/public_indian_ housing/publications/notices/2011. An automated TDC worksheet can be found at the following Web site on mixed-finance development: https:// portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/ program_offices/public_indian_ housing/programs/ph/hope6/mfph. c. Pro Rata Test. To ensure that the amount of public housing funds committed to a project is proportionate to the number of public housing units contained in the project, HUD will conduct a ‘‘Pro Rata Test’’. To meet this test, the proportion of public housing funds compared to total project funds committed to a project must not exceed the proportion of public housing units compared to the total number of units contained in the project. For example, if there are a total of 120 units in the project and 50 are public housing units, the public housing units are 42 percent of the total number of units in the project. Therefore the amount of public housing funds committed to the project cannot exceed 42 percent of the total project budget, unless otherwise approved by HUD. However, if public housing funds are to be used to pay for more than the pro rata cost of common area improvements, HUD will evaluate the proposal to ensure that common area improvements will benefit the residents of the development in a mixed-income project. d. Net Low-Income Tax Credit Equity. Projects using LIHTC as part of their financing are reviewed to ensure that the sale of these credits results in an amount of net tax credit equity being invested in the project that is consistent with amounts generally contributed by investors to similar projects under similar market conditions, and that is not less than 51 cents for each dollar of tax credit allocation awarded to a project. HUD also reviews this net amount to ensure that it represents a market rate of equity, given the current market for the purchase of tax credits. To calculate the discounted net proceeds, HUD reviews the gross syndication proceeds and other expenses relevant to completing the tax credit syndication, compounding the equity installments received prior to the project’s Place-in-Service Date and discounting the installments received after this date. If the project receives 51 E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Notices cents or less or does not receive a market rate of equity, it is subject to additional review to reassess the project’s fees and costs. For mixed-finance projects that comply with the mixed-finance requirements of this notice, no further subsidy layering analysis will be required. For those projects that fail to comply, PHAs must (i) restructure the project so it complies with the requirements and resubmit the revised documentation to HUD for approval, or (ii) provide sufficient justification to HUD to allow HUD to approve a variation(s) from the mixed-finance requirements of this notice. IX. Monitoring HUD may perform quality control reviews of subsidy layering reviews performed by participating HCAs. The quality control reviews will examine the following: • Whether all required documents and materials were available to the reviewer. • Whether the values were correctly determined to be inside or outside of the approvable range. • If values were above the safe harbor standards, whether sufficient documentation was available to the reviewer to justify the higher costs. • If necessary, whether subsidy was reduced correctly. If it is determined that any required documentation was not provided, or that any portion of the review was performed incorrectly, HUD may require appropriate corrective action. Dated: September 22, 2014. Jemine A. Bryon, Acting Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing. Appendix A HCA’s Notice of Intent to Participate mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES [________, 20__] U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street, SW Room 4232 Washington, DC 20410 By: Email: pih.financial.management.division@ hud.gov Re: HCA’s Intent To Participate— Subsidy Layering Reviews for Proposed Project-Based Voucher Housing Assistance Payments Contracts Ladies and Gentlemen: The undersigned, a qualified Housing Credit Agency as defined under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, hereby notifies the United States Department of Housing and Urban VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Sep 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 Development that it intends to conduct Subsidy Layering Reviews pursuant to HUD’s Administrative Guidelines for Proposed Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Housing Assistance Payments Contracts for the purpose of ensuring that the combination of assistance under the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Program with other federal, State, or local assistance does not result in excessive compensation. By signifying our intent to participate, the _____(name of agency) hereby certifies that: The required personnel have reviewed the above cited statutes, the Federal Register Notice— Administrative Guidelines: Subsidy Layering Reviews for Proposed Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Housing Assistance Payments Contracts and Mixed-Finance Development, and 24 CFR Section 983.55. The agency understands its responsibilities under the above cited statutes and the Guidelines. The agency certifies it will perform subsidy layering reviews in accordance with all statutory, regulatory and Guideline requirements, as well as any future HUD Notices, Directives, or other program information. By executing this Intent to Participate, the undersign acknowledges that its participation will continue unless and until, the Department of Housing and Urban Development revokes this intent or ______(name of agency) informs the HUD, in writing, upon 30 days’ notice of its decision to withdraw its intent to participate. This Notice of Intent to Participate is hereby executed and dated as of the date first listed above. By executing this Notice of Intent, the ______(name of agency) certifies that, upon HUD approval, the ______(name of agency) shall immediately assume the responsibility of performing subsidy layering reviews for proposed Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Housing Assistance Payments Contracts. The Undersigned requests that the Department of Housing and Urban Development please direct all inquiries and correspondence relating to this Notice to: [UNDERSIGNED NAME AND Title] [STREET ADDRESS] [CITY], [STATE] [ZIP] Attention of: [NAME], [TITLE] By Phone—[XXX–XXX–XXXX] By Fax—[XXX–XXX–XXXX] By Email—[email address] [NAME OF Agency] By: llllllllllllllllll l Name: Title: The completed, signed, and dated Notice of Intent to Participate should be PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57963 sent as a PDF attachment to an email message addressed to Miguel Fontanez at pih.financial.management.division@ hud.gov. The email message subject line should read ‘‘Submission of Notice of Intent to Participate.’’ For questions concerning the submission and receipt of the email please call (202) 708–2934. Appendix B HCA Certification For purposes of the provision of Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Assistance authorized pursuant to 42 U.S.C. section 8(o)(13), section 2835(a)(1)(M)(i) of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA), section 102 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989, and in accordance with HUD’s Administrative Guidelines, all of which address the prevention of excess governmental subsidy, I hereby certify that the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Assistance provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to ______, located in ______ is not more than is necessary to provide affordable housing after taking into account other government assistance. Name of HCA llllllllllll Printed Name of Authorized HCA Certifying Official llllllllllll Signature of Authorized HCA Certifying Official llllllllllllll Date llllllllllllllll Appendix C HUD Form 2880 https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/ documents/huddoc?id=2880.pdf Appendix D DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE PHA TO THE APPLICABLE HCA OR HUD HEADQUARTERS FOR SUBSIDY LAYERING REVIEWS 1. Narrative description of the project. This should include the total number of units, including bedroom distribution. If only a portion of the units will receive project-based voucher assistance, this information is needed for both the project as a whole, and for the assisted portion. 2. Sources and Uses of Funds Statement Sources: List each source separately, indicate whether loan, grant, syndication proceeds, contributed equity, etc. Sources should generally include only permanent financing. If E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 57964 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES interim financing or a construction loan will be utilized, details should be included in a narrative (item 3 below). Uses: Should be detailed. Do not use broad categories such as ‘‘soft costs.’’ Acquisition costs should distinguish the purchase price from related costs such as appraisal, survey, titled and recording, and related legal fees. Construction and rehabilitation should include builder’s profit and overhead as separate items. 3. Narrative describing details of each funding source. For loans, details should include principle, interest rate, amortization, term, and any accrual, deferral, balloon or forgiveness provisions. If a lender, grantor, or syndicator is imposing reserve or escrow requirements, details should be included in the narrative. If a lender will receive a portion of the net cash flow, either as additional debt service or in addition to debt service, this should be disclosed in the narrative. 4. Commitment Letters from lenders or other funding sources evidencing their commitment to provide funding to VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 Sep 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 the project and disclosing significant terms. Loan agreements and grant agreements are sufficient to meet this requirement. However, proposal letters and letters of intent are not sufficient to meet this requirement. 5. Appraisal Report. The appraisal should establish the ‘‘as is’’ value of the property, before construction or rehabilitation, and without consideration of any financial implications of tax credits or projectbased voucher assistance. An appraisal establishing value after the property is built or rehabilitated is not acceptable unless it also includes an ‘‘as is’’ valuation. 6. Stabilized Operating Pro Forma. Should include projected rental, commercial, and miscellaneous income, vacancy loss, operating expenses, debt service, reserve contributions, and cash flow. The analysis must be projected over a 15 year period. Income and expenses must be trended at lllll percent. 7. Tax Credit Allocation Letter. Issued by the State tax credit allocation agency, this letter advises the developer of the PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 amount of LIHTCs reserved for the project. 8. Historic Tax Credits. Some projects in designated historical districts may receive an additional one time historic tax credit. When applicable, the amount of the historic tax credit should be disclosed. 9. Equity Contribution Schedule. If equity contributed to the project will be paid in installments over time, a schedule should be provided showing the amount and timing of planned contributions. 10. Bridge Loans. If the financing plan includes a bridge loan so that proceeds can be paid up front when equity contributions are planned over an extended period, appropriate details should be provided. 11. Standard disclosure and perjury statement. 12. Identity of Interest Statement. 13. PHA commitment letter for project-based voucher assistance. 14. Proposed project-based voucher gross rent amounts. BILLING CODE 4210–67–P E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Notices 57965 Appendix E Subsid AppendixE SUBSIDY LAYERING ANALYSIS SUMMARY and Phase Information "Safe Harbor" Standard This Project 1. Builder Profit/General Condition/Over-head "Ceiling" Standard 6%,2%,6% SUMMARY: Subsidy Layering Guideline Standards (Note A) 14% Gen Cond + OH&P 2. Developer Fee 12.0% 15.0% 3. Net Equity Proceeds 4. Debt Coverage Ratio $0.80 Market rate 1.45 1.10 Calculation of Net Equity Proceeds from Syndication (Guideline Standard 3) (a) Gross LIHTC Equity Syndication Proceeds from Investor (b) Equity Proceeds Not Available for Project Uses (i) Bridge Financing Costs (on loans to be repaid by equity) (Note A) ~.,,.,,,,,,,,,,.,,,,,,,,.,,,,,,,,.,••.•..•..• 1 (A) Bridge loan interest o: (B) Bridge loan costs other than interest (lender legal, bank fees, etc.) (ii) Other Syndication Fees and Expenses (Note B) (A) Ownership entity organizational and legal cost (B) Syndication fees paid from gross syndication proceeds (C) Tax credit fees (to LIHTC-awarding agency, etc.) (D) Other syndication fees and costs (accounting, cost certification, etc.) ··········u·····························~-----,-1 (E) Total deductions from equity syndication proceeds (c) Amount of Equity Contribution Per Dollar of Tax Credit to the Project (i) Net Equity Proceeds as of the Placed-in-Service Date (a(i) minus b(ii)(E)) l (ii) Enter amount of annual tax credit allocation (from tax credit award letter): (iii) Multiply by 10 (LIHTC award amant is annual allocation per year for 10 years: 1U X $ (iv) Equals total LIHTC allocation to project over 10 years: (v) Multiplied by investor's ownership percentage: (vi) Equals LIHTC allocation to the investor: (vii) Net proceeds (c(i)), divided by LIHTC allocation to investor (c(vi)), yields net equity per dollar of = Calculation of Debt Coverage Ratio (guideline standard 4) (a) Net Operating Income (i) Total Operating Income (ii) minus Total Operating Expenses (iii) Equals NOI (b) Debt Coverage Ratio (i) Debt Service (II) Net Operating Income (4.(a)(iii) above) divided by Debt Service equals DCR: (c) Cash Flow (i)Annual Reserve contributions (ii) Cash Flow (4.a.iii minus 4.b.i minus 4.c.i) (iii) Cash Flow as a percentage of Expenses (4.c.ii divided by 4.a.ii) Notes: Syndication expenses are total costs (other than bridge loan interest and costs) incurred by the owner in obtaining cash for the sale of tax credits to investors. Include Q!})y those expenses incurred because of the extraordinary legal, organizational and accounting services and activities associated with utilizing tax credits. 19:14 Sep 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1 EN26SE14.002</GPH> VerDate Sep<11>2014 Analysis must confirm that only reasonable, market-rate bridge loan interest and costs are recognized (to avoid excess profits that may result when loans are not negotiated through arm's-length transactions). B. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES A. 57966 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 2014 / Notices BILLING CODE 4210–67–C SUBTOTAL MORTGAGEABLE REPLACEMENT COST USES$ Appendix F DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service SOURCES AND USES STATEMENT Non-Mortgage Uses: (i.e. Uses Payable by Sources Other than the Mortgage) 10 (Sample Format) SOURCES: [FWS–HQ–IA–2014–N201; FXIA16710900000–145–FF09A30000] Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits Debt Sources: Mortgage— Loans— Other Loans (specify)— Other (Specify)— Working Capital Reserve or 11— Operating Deficit Reserve 12— SUBTOTAL NON-MORTGAGEABLE USES—$ Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of issuance of permits. TOTAL PROJECT USES$ SUMMARY: AGENCY: [FR Doc. 2014–22971 Filed 9–25–14; 8:45 am] We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have issued the following permits to conduct certain activities with marine mammals. We issue these permits under Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). ADDRESSES: Brenda Tapia, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, Branch of Permits, MS: IA, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041; fax (703) 358– 2281; or email DMAFR@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Tapia, (703) 358–2104 (telephone); (703) 358–2280 (fax); DMAFR@fws.gov (email). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On the dates below, as authorized by the provisions of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), as amended, and/or the MMPA, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), we issued requested permits subject to certain conditions set forth therein. For each permit for an endangered species, we found that (1) The application was filed in good faith, (2) The granted permit would not operate to the disadvantage of the endangered species, and (3) The granted permit would be consistent with the purposes and policy set forth in section 2 of the ESA. BILLING CODE 4210–67–P Marine Mammals Equity Sources: Estimated Net Syndication Proceeds: Grants available for project uses— Estimated Net Syndication Proceeds— Additional Owner Equity Necessary 8— Other Equity Sources (specify) Total Sources: $llllll The HCA may use this format before completing the Net Syndication Proceeds estimate line above on the Sources and Uses Statement, and must use this format to reflect final allocation determination assumptions. Total Tax Credit Allocation—$ Estimated Gross Syndication Proceeds— $ PROJECT USES: Mortgage Replacement Cost Uses— Total Land Improvements— Total Structures— General Requirements— Builder’s General Overhead— Builder’s Profit 9— Architects’ Fees— Bond Premium— Other Fees— Construction interest— Taxes— Examination Fee— Inspection Fee— Financing Fee— FNMA/GNMA Fee— Title & Recording— Legal— Organization— Cost Certification Fee— Contingency Reserve (Sub Rehab)— BSPRA/SPRA (if applicable)— Acquisition Costs— Syndication Expenses: Accountant’s Fee—$ Syndicator’s Fee—$ Attorney’s Fee 13—$ HCA Fee—$ Organizational Expense 14—$ Other (Specify)—$ Subtotal Syndication Expenses—$ 15 Bridge Loan Costs less Interest (if applicable)—$ Adjustment for Early and Late Installments (See Glossary, Net Syndication Proceeds Estimate for adjustment explanation)—$ Total Reductions from Gross—$ Estimated Net Syndication Proceeds—$ Permit No. Applicant Receipt of application Federal Register notice 05664B ......... 166346 ......... Bristol Bay Native Association ...................... Matson’s Laboratory ..................................... 78 FR 50083; August 16, 2013 .................................... 79 FR 35375; June 20, 2014 ....................................... Availability of Documents mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 8 This line may be used for the additional amount needed from the owner to balance sources against uses when no additional monies are available from other sources. 9 Builder’s Profit for non-Identity-of-Interest cases (a SPRA allowance may also be added below). See also Standard #1 safe harbor and ceiling standard alternatives before completing. The Mortgage Use lines relating to Builder’s Profit and Developer’s Fee may be left blank if alternative funding standards are used, and the amounts are reflected below. 19:14 Sep 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 September 10, 2014. September 5, 2014. Freedom of Information Act, by any party who submits a written request for a copy of such documents to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, Branch of Documents and other information submitted with these applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and VerDate Sep<11>2014 Permit issuance date Permits, MS: IA, 5275 Leesburg Pike, 10 Note that syndication expenses are included below in the estimation of Net tax credit proceeds for this Statement, and therefore, are not included within this Statement. 11 Only Letter of Credit Costs may be included if the reserve is funded by a Letter of Credit. 12 Indicate the full cash reserve amount if funded by LIHTC proceeds. Indicate only the costs of obtaining a Letter of Credit for the reserve if funded by a Letter of Credit at initial closing. 13 Such fees may not duplicate legal nor title work charges already recognized. Therefore, only fees associated with the additional legal service associated with LIHTC projects should be recognized here by the HCA. 14 Such expenses may not include Organizational expenses which are already included, and should not be duplicated. Therefore, only extraordinary organizational expenses incurred because of the additional LIHTC-associated application preparation activities should be included here. 15 See Guideline Standard #3 for separate safe harbor and ceiling limitations for private and public offerings. PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM 26SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57955-57966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22971]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5417-N-02]


Administrative Guidelines; Subsidy Layering Reviews for Section 8 
Project-Based Voucher Housing Assistance Payments Contracts and Mixed-
Finance Development

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
Housing, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document provides Administrative Guidelines (Guidelines) 
which qualified Housing Credit Agencies (HCAs) must follow in 
implementing subsidy layering reviews in accordance with the 
requirements of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA), 
in those cases where the HCA elects to conduct the review. In certain 
instances, described in this notice, HUD will follow these Guidelines 
in implementing subsidy layering reviews to satisfy the requirements of 
section 102(d) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
Reform Act of 1989 (HUD Reform Act). The requirements in this notice do 
not supersede the subsidy layering requirements of other Federal 
programs.
    This notice sets forth the guidelines for conducting subsidy 
layering reviews for mixed-finance public housing projects and for 
newly constructed and rehabilitated structures combining other forms of 
government assistance with project-based voucher assistance under 
section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (1937 Act).

[[Page 57956]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Luci Ann Blackburn, Urban 
Revitalization Division, Office of Public and Indian Housing, 
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 
4134, Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 202-402-4190 (this is not 
a toll free number); or Miguel A. Fontanez Sanchez, Director, Housing 
Voucher Financial Management Division, telephone number 202-402-4212 
(this is not a toll free number). Individuals with speech or hearing 
impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll free 
Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

A. Summary Chart

    The remainder of this notice describes the current requirements 
regarding subsidy layering reviews for different development scenarios. 
The current legal requirements and HUD's policy, which are more fully 
described in this notice, are summarized for ease of reference in the 
following chart:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Certification
                                                       required under
        Type of project            SLR reviewer    section 102(d) of the
                                                       HUD Reform Act
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PBV (without LIHTC), New        HUD..............  Yes.
 Project.
PBV only (without LIHTC),       SL Review not      No.
 Existing Project.               required.
PBV with LIHTC................  HCA \1\ or HUD...  If the HCA were to do
                                                    the review, and the
                                                    HCA's SL Review took
                                                    into account
                                                    proposed PBV
                                                    assistance,
                                                    certification would
                                                    not be required.\2\
                                                    Otherwise, HUD must
                                                    certify.
PBV with LIHTC and Mixed        HCA \3\ or HUD...  Yes.
 Finance.
Mixed Finance without LIHTC...  HUD..............  Yes.
Mixed Finance with LIHTC......  HCA \4\ or HUD...  Yes, by entity
                                                    performing review.
Mixed Finance with LIHTC/No     HUD..............  Yes.
 HCA or HCA declines to do
 review.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA)

    HERA (Pub. L. 110-289, approved July 30, 2008) made numerous 
revisions to the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher program. On November 
24, 2008, at 73 FR 71037, HUD published a Federal Register notice to 
provide information about HERA's applicability to HUD's public housing 
and Section 8 tenant-based and project-based voucher programs. That 
notice provided an overview of key provisions of HERA that affect HUD's 
public housing programs, and identified those provisions that are self-
implementing, requiring no action on the part of HUD for participants 
to commence taking action to be in compliance, and those provisions 
that require implementing regulations or guidance on the part of HUD. 
That notice also stated that HUD would be issuing implementing guidance 
on section 8(o)(13)(M)(i) of the 1937Act (42 U.S.C. 
1437f(o)(13)(M)(i)), as applicable to newly constructed or 
rehabilitated housing. (See 73 FR 71039.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ It should be noted that, at the time of publication of this 
Notice, HUD is doing the subsidy layering reviews in all types of 
cases, including in mixed-finance projects with LIHTC.
    \2\ Even though not required by HERA, HUD in practice requires 
certifications in these cases.
    \3\ See footnote 1.
    \4\ See footnote 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On July 9, 2010, at 75 FR 39561, HUD published a Federal Register 
notice stating the guidelines HCA's must use in conducting subsidy 
layering reviews for newly constructed and/or rehabilitated structures 
combining other forms of government assistance with project-based 
voucher assistance. These notices state that the HERA provision 
relating to the elimination of subsidy layering reviews for existing 
housing is self-implementing; the provision relating to State or local 
agencies performing subsidy layering reviews for project-based voucher 
housing assistance payment (HAP) contracts for new construction and 
rehabilitated projects is not self-implementing. This notice restates 
and updates these prior notices, including specific guidelines related 
to subsidy layering and low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC).

C. Rental Housing Policy Alignment

    Through the work of the Rental Housing Policy Alignment team, an 
outgrowth of the Interagency Rental Policy Working Group formed in 
2011, various workstreams are currently underway to streamline 
government oversight and align standards across federal agencies 
providing funding for affordable rental housing.\5\ One of these 
workstreams is the Subsidy Layering Review group, which seeks to 
provide a template for agencies within a State to share duties and 
information related to approval and review of federally-funded 
affordable housing. A pilot program aiding the signing of Memoranda of 
Understanding between various State and federal agencies providing 
affordable housing assistance was conducted successfully across seven 
states in 2012,\6\ and HUD intends to publish a guidebook that will 
allow all agencies that wish to enter into such an agreement to do so. 
This notice provides guidance and updates on how and in what situations 
such agreements can be utilized to reduce the burden of subsidy 
layering review on government agencies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/02/01/urban-update-aligning-federal-rental-housing-policy.
    \6\ See https://www.huduser.org/portal/pdredge/
pdredgefeatdarticle012612.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

D. Section 102 of the HUD Reform Act and Other Authorities

    HUD's regulations in 24 CFR part 4 implement section 102(d) of the 
HUD Reform Act (42 U.S.C. 3545(d)) and contain a number of provisions 
designed to ensure greater accountability and integrity in the way in 
which HUD makes assistance available under certain of its programs. 
Section 4.13 of 24 CFR (Limitation of assistance subject to section 
102(d)) requires HUD to certify, in accordance with section 102(d) of 
the HUD Reform Act, that assistance made available by HUD for a 
specific housing project will not be more than is necessary to make the 
assisted activity feasible after taking into account assistance from 
other government sources. In order to make that certification, a 
subsidy layering review must be performed. In addition, The Housing and 
Community Development Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-550, approved October 
28, 1992), as amended by the Multifamily Housing

[[Page 57957]]

Property Disposition Reform Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-233, approved 
April 4, 1994) added a ``Subsidy Layering Review'' provision at 42 
U.S.C. 3545 note, which states that the subsidy layering requirement 
for projects receiving assistance under a HUD program and receiving tax 
credits may be satisfied ``by a certification by a housing credit 
agency to the Secretary, submitted in accordance with guidelines 
established by the Secretary, that the combination of assistance within 
the jurisdiction of the Secretary and other government assistance 
provided in connection with a property for which assistance is to be 
provided within the jurisdiction of the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development and under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
shall not be any greater than is necessary to provide affordable 
housing.'' This statutory note also sets requirements for equity 
capital and project costs. Finally, as noted, in 2008, HERA altered 
some of these subsidy layering requirements.
 Project Based Assistance But No LIHTC
    Section 2835 of HERA adds subparagraph (M) to section 8(o)(13) of 
the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, 42 U.S.C. 1437(o)(13), which provides 
that a subsidy layering review shall not be required for project-based 
assistance (1) for an existing structure, or (2) if a subsidy layering 
review has been conducted by the applicable State or local agency. 
However, this section does not speak to the case where HUD conducts the 
review, hence that situation is governed by other applicable law, 
specifically, section 102(d) of the HUD Reform Act, 42 U.S.C. 3545(d), 
which requires that the Secretary certify that assistance within the 
jurisdiction of the Department (except that Title II mortgage insurance 
for this purpose is not considered such assistance) to any housing 
project shall not be more than is necessary to provide affordable 
housing after taking account of assistance described in subsection 
(b)(1) of this section. Assistance under (b)(1) includes ``any related 
assistance from the federal government, a State, or a unit of general 
local government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof.''
 HUD Assistance Plus LIHTC
    As noted, 42 U.S.C. 3545 note provides that an HCA certification 
submitted in accordance with HUD guidelines will suffice in lieu of a 
HUD review when HUD assistance and LIHTC are used in a project. Where 
there is no current delegation of subsidy layering review authority to 
an HCA, on a case-by-case basis, and within its sole discretion, HUD 
may delegate the subsidy layering review activity to a local HCA 
subject to HUD's review under 42 U.S.C. 3545 note and these guidelines. 
In such cases, HUD may request the HCA to make changes to the subsidy 
layering review or HUD may revise the HCA's subsidy layering review as 
needed. Id.
 Mixed-Finance and Public Housing Without LIHTC
    It is also possible for mixed-finance arrangements to occur with 
other forms of federal assistance, but without LIHTC. In regard to such 
mixed-finance and public housing, the applicable law is again section 
102(d) of the HUD Reform Act, and HUD is responsible for performing 
subsidy layering reviews.

II. Certification

A. HUD's Certification Requirements Pursuant to 102(d) of the HUD 
Reform Act

    HUD's regulation at 24 CFR 4.13 states that before HUD makes any 
assistance subject to section 102(d), with respect to a housing project 
for which other government assistance is, or is expected, to be made 
available, HUD will determine, and execute a certification, that the 
amount of the assistance is not more than is necessary to make the 
assisted activity feasible after taking account of the other government 
assistance. This review certifies that there are no duplicative 
government subsidies when combining HUD housing assistance and forms of 
other federal, State, or local government assistance. Where an HCA has 
performed a subsidy layering review for a project that has been 
allocated LIHTCs and the subsidy layering review took into 
consideration the proposed project-based voucher assistance, section 
2835(a)(1)(F) of HERA eliminates the need for the HUD Reform Act's 
section 102(d) certification requirement. However, HUD's obligation to 
certify in accordance with 102(d) of the HUD Reform Act and 
implementing regulations at 24 CFR 4.13 still exists where a review has 
not been substituted in accordance with the Guidelines contained in 
this notice.
1. HCA Participation Where LIHTC Administered by the HCA Is Involved
    An HCA is ordinarily designated for the purpose of allocating and 
administering the LIHTC program under section 42 of the Internal 
Revenue Code (IRC), and so may do the subsidy layering review pursuant 
to authorization under this notice where there is LIHTC. In those 
transactions where there are other forms of government assistance 
involved, as in proposed project-based voucher projects, which do not 
include LIHTC, and the HCA has no involvement in respect to the 
assistance, HUD will generally conduct subsidy layering reviews and 
make the required HUD Reform Act's section 102(d) certification in 
accordance with 24 CFR 4.13 for such projects as it is currently doing. 
HUD will also continue to conduct the review where there is no HCA 
available, or the applicable HCA has declined to perform the subsidy 
layering review.
2. HCA Participation Where Other Assistance Administered by the HCA May 
Be Involved
    Currently, transactions involving LIHTC are the only case where the 
HCA has substantial involvement and, absent a waiver requested by the 
locality and granted by HUD for good cause, are generally the only case 
where the HCA performs the subsidy layering review. However, in the 
future, Congress may appropriate forms of assistance where there is 
involvement by a local HCA. In those cases, HUD may, by notice 
published in the Federal Register, on such terms and conditions as HUD 
may provide, and where not contrary to statutory authority, delegate 
performance of the subsidy layering review to the local HCA.

B. HCA Certification Under HERA

    Under section 8 of the 1937 Act, specifically at 42 U.S.C. 
1437f(o)(13)(M), the HUD Reform Act section 102(d) certification is not 
required with respect to project-based assistance, or if a subsidy 
layering review has been conducted by the applicable HCA. These 
Guidelines require that HCAs make an initial certification to HUD when 
the agency notifies HUD of its intent to participate. The HCA 
certification provides that the HCA will, among other things, properly 
apply the Guidelines which HUD establishes. In addition, after a 
subsidy layering review has been performed by the applicable HCA, the 
HCA must certify that the total assistance provided to the project is 
not more than is necessary to provide affordable housing (Appendix B of 
this notice).

III. Intent To Participate

    An HCA must notify HUD of its intent to participate in the 
preparation of subsidy layering reviews for projects combining other 
forms of government assistance with project-based voucher assistance 
before performing subsidy layering reviews pursuant to this notice.

[[Page 57958]]

Questions or requests for clarification relating to subsidy layering 
reviews for units under the project-based voucher program and the 
implementation of these Guidelines should be addressed to HUD 
Headquarters, Section 8 Financial Management Division, and should be 
answered prior to an HCA's notification to HUD of its intent to 
participate.

A. Letter to HUD

    An interested HCA shall notify HUD of its intent to perform subsidy 
layering reviews for newly constructed and rehabilitated projects that 
will receive project-based voucher assistance by sending a brief letter 
(Appendix A of this notice), executed by an authorized official of the 
HCA informing HUD that it: (1) Has reviewed these Guidelines; (2) 
understands its responsibilities under these Guidelines; and (3) 
certifies that it will perform the subsidy layering review as it 
relates to project-based voucher assistance in accordance with all 
statutory, regulatory and Guideline requirements. Such letters should 
be forwarded via email to the Section 8 Financial Management Division 
at HUD Headquarters at the following address: 
pih.financial.management.division@hud.gov.

B. HUD Acknowledgement

    Once HUD has been notified of an HCA's intention to participate, 
HUD will acknowledge that participation by a written letter to the HCA, 
and post the agency's name on the Office of Public and Indian Housing's 
Web site as a participating agency. Once an HCA's intent to participate 
is acknowledged by HUD through a response letter, that agency may 
perform subsidy layering reviews, and certify such reviews have been 
performed, on behalf of proposed project-based voucher HAP contracts 
for newly constructed or rehabilitated units in accordance with the 
HCA's existing requirements, provided such requirements are in 
substantial compliance with these Guidelines.

C. Revocation of Participation

    If HUD determines that an HCA has failed to substantially comply 
with these Guidelines, or statutory or regulatory requirements, HUD may 
discontinue the HCA's permission to perform subsidy layering reviews on 
behalf of proposed project-based voucher HAP contracts. HUD will inform 
the HCA in writing of such a determination.

D. HUD Participation

    HUD will follow these Guidelines in conducting the required subsidy 
layering reviews, and issue a HUD Reform Act section 102(d) 
certification pursuant to such review for projects in cases where: (1) 
The HCA's authority has been revoked by HUD; (2) an HCA opts to not 
accept the responsibilities pursuant to section 2835(a)(1)(F) of HERA; 
(3) project-based voucher assistance is combined with other government 
assistance that does not include LIHTCs, and the HCA does not have the 
authority to conduct such review; or (4) the project is mixed finance.

E. Applicability

    These guidelines apply to any contract, grant, loan, cooperative 
agreement, or other form of assistance, including the insurance or 
guarantee of a loan or mortgage that is provided under a program 
administered by HUD for use in, or in connection with, a specific 
housing project. Assistance provided under section 8(o)(13) of the 1937 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1437f) (project-based vouchers) for new construction or 
rehabilitated projects is assistance to which section 102(d) of the HUD 
Reform Act applies for subsidy layering review purposes.

IV. Definitions

    Category 1 subsidy layering review--Subsidy layering review for 
proposed project-based voucher HAP contracts where the HCA conducts the 
review, with consideration of project-based voucher assistance.
    Category 2 subsidy layering review--Subsidy layering review for 
proposed project-based voucher HAP contracts where the HCA conducts the 
review, but without consideration of project-based voucher assistance.
    Housing Credit Agency (HCA)--For purposes of performing subsidy 
layering reviews for proposed project-based voucher projects, a housing 
credit agency includes a State housing finance agency, a participating 
jurisdiction under HUD's HOME Investment Partnerships program (see 24 
CFR part 92), or other State housing agencies that meet the definition 
of ``housing credit agency'' as defined by section 42 of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986. Any agency for which HUD has previously 
acknowledged its participation and posted the agency's name on the 
Office of Public and Indian Housing's Web site as a participating 
agency prior to the effective date of this notice is also considered to 
be an HCA for purposes of performing subsidy layering reviews, except 
where HUD has revoked the HCA's authority to perform subsidy layering 
reviews.
    Mixed-finance development--Mixed-finance development refers to the 
development (through new construction or acquisition, with or without 
rehabilitation) or modernization of public housing pursuant to 24 CFR 
905.604, where the public housing units are owned in whole or in part 
by an entity other than a PHA. There are various potential scenarios 
for the ownership structure of a mixed-finance project, such as: Public 
housing units may be owned entirely by a private entity; a PHA may co-
own with a private entity; or a PHA affiliate or instrumentality may 
own or co-own the units.
    Other government assistance is defined to include any loan, grant, 
guarantee, insurance, payment, rebate, subsidy, credit, tax benefit, or 
any other form of direct or indirect assistance from the federal 
government, a State, or a unit of general local government, or any 
agency or instrumentality thereof.
    Substantial compliance --For purposes of making the HERA 
certification, an HCA may perform subsidy layering reviews for proposed 
project-based voucher HAP contracts for newly constructed and 
rehabilitated units in accordance with the HCA's existing requirements, 
provided such requirements are in substantial compliance with these 
Guidelines. To be in substantial compliance, the HCA's guidelines shall 
be at least as stringent as these Guidelines, and require equivalent 
disclosures from the ownership entity.

V. Public Housing Agencies (PHA) Responsibilities

A. When Subsidy Layering Reviews Are Required

    When a new construction or rehabilitation project has been selected 
by a PHA pursuant to program regulations at 24 CFR part 983 and the 
project combines other forms of governmental assistance, the PHAs must 
request a subsidy layering review. As part of the selection process, 
the PHA must require information regarding all HUD and/or other 
federal, State, or local governmental assistance to be disclosed by the 
project owner. Form HUD-2880 \7\ (Appendix C of this notice) may be 
used for this purpose, but is not required. The PHA must also instruct 
the owner to complete and submit a disclosure statement even if no 
other governmental assistance has been received or is anticipated. The 
statement must be submitted with the owner's application for project-
based vouchers. The PHA must also inform the owner that if any 
information changes on the disclosure,

[[Page 57959]]

either by the addition or deletion of other governmental assistance, 
the project owner must submit a revised disclosure statement. If before 
or during the HAP contract, the owner receives additional HUD or other 
governmental assistance for the project that results in an increase in 
project financing in an amount that is equal to or greater than 10 
percent of the original development budget, the owner must report such 
changes to the PHA and the PHA must notify the HCA, or HUD (if there is 
no participating HCA in their jurisdiction), that a further subsidy 
layering review is required.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=2880.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Requesting Performance of Subsidy Layering Reviews

    The PHA must request a subsidy layering review through the 
participating HCA. A list of participating HCAs will be posted on HUD's 
Office of Public Housing's Web site and updated periodically. If an HCA 
is not designated in the PHA's jurisdiction, the PHA should contact its 
local HUD field office. The PHA will be informed if there is in fact an 
HCA in their jurisdiction that will conduct the review or if the PHA 
must submit the required documentation to its local HUD field office. 
The local field office will request HUD Headquarters to conduct the 
subsidy layering review.

C. Providing Documents Required for Review

    The PHA is responsible for collecting all required documentation 
from the owner. The documentation required is contained within Appendix 
D of this notice. The PHA is also responsible for providing the HCA 
with all documents required for the subsidy layering review. The 
documents must be forwarded to the HCA with a cover letter. If the 
initial submission to the HCA is incomplete, the HCA is in need of 
further documentation, or if new information becomes available, the PHA 
must provide the documentation to the HCA during the review process.
    The PHA should contact the HCA to determine whether any documents 
the PHA is required to provide are already in the possession of the 
HCA. If the most recent copies of documents the PHA has collected from 
the owner are already in the HCA's possession, the PHA must state in 
its cover letter to the HCA which documents are not included because 
the HCA has informed it that the documents are already in the HCA's 
possession. The PHA must still maintain a complete set of the required 
documents with the project file for quick reference by either HUD or 
the PHA.

D. Subsidy Layering Review Timing and Outcome

    In accordance with program regulations at 24 CFR 983.55, a PHA may 
not provide project-based voucher assistance until after the required 
subsidy layering review has been performed in accordance with these 
Guidelines. Therefore, before entering into an Agreement to Enter into 
Housing Assistance Payments Contract (AHAP), the PHA must await the 
outcome of the subsidy layering review. All other pre-AHAP requirements 
must also be satisfied before AHAP execution (e.g., environmental 
review). If the HCA with jurisdiction over the project has conducted 
the subsidy layering review, the HCA must certify to HUD that the 
project-based voucher assistance is in accordance with HUD subsidy 
layering requirements. The HCA must provide a copy of the certification 
to the PHA to signify to the agency that the subsidy layering review 
has been completed and a determination has been made that the project-
based voucher assistance does not result in excessive government 
assistance. The PHA may proceed to execute an AHAP at that time.
    If the subsidy layering review results in excessive public 
assistance, the HCA will notify HUD, in writing, with a copy to the 
PHA, of the outcome. The notification will include either a 
recommendation to reduce the LIHTC allocation, proposed amount of 
project-based voucher assistance, or other assistance, or a 
recommendation to permanently withhold entering into an AHAP for the 
proposed project. HUD will consult with the HCA and the PHA prior to 
issuing its final determination either adopting the HCA's 
recommendation or revising the recommendation. Once the PHA receives 
HUD's final decision, the PHA must notify the owner in writing of the 
outcome.
    If HUD conducts the review, HUD is responsible for making the 
required HRA section 102(d) certification pursuant to 24 CFR 4.13. If 
it is determined that the project-based voucher assistance does not 
result in excessive government subsidy, HUD will notify the PHA in 
writing. If it is determined that combining housing assistance payment 
subsidy under the project-based voucher program with other governmental 
assistance results in excessive public assistance, HUD will require 
that the PHA reduce the level of project-based voucher subsidy or 
inform the owner that the provision of project-based voucher assistance 
shall not be provided.

VI. Subsidy Layering Review Categories--Overview

A. Category 1--Proposed Project-Based Voucher HAP Contracts Where the 
HCA Conducts the Subsidy Layering Review and Considers Project-Based 
Voucher Assistance

    Section 8(o)(13)(M)(i) of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 
1437f(o)(13)(M)(i)), as added by section 2835(a)(1)(F) of HERA, 
provides that a subsidy layering review in accordance with section 
102(d) of the HUD Reform Act is not required if a subsidy layering 
review has been conducted by a qualified HCA (of course, HUD retains 
the option to conduct the review itself). Section 42(m)(2) of the IRC 
(26 U.S.C. 42(m)(2)) mandates that HCAs ensure that the amount of 
housing tax credit awarded to a project is the minimum amount necessary 
for the project to be placed-in-service as affordable rental housing. 
As part of its section 42(m)(2) review, the HCA considers all federal, 
State, and local subsidies which apply to the project. In making the 
determination that the LIHTC dollar amount allocated to a project does 
not exceed the amount the HCA determines is necessary for the financial 
feasibility of the project, the HCA must evaluate and consider the 
sources and uses of funds and the total financing planned for the 
project, the proceeds expected to be generated by reason of the LIHTC, 
the percentage of the LIHTC dollar amount used for project costs, and 
the reasonableness of the developmental and operational costs of the 
project. The subsidy layering review Guidelines under this notice are 
similar to those required under the IRC section 42(m)(2) review.
    The amendment made to the requirements of HUD Reform Act section 
102(d) pursuant to section 2835(a)(1)(F) of HERA (for purposes of 
project-based voucher assistance), codified at 42 U.S.C. 
1437f(o)(13)(M)(i), alleviates the duplication of subsidy layering 
reviews (that consider the same factors for the same reasons) by both 
HUD and HCAs. The only other review element that an HCA must consider 
with the addition of project-based voucher assistance to a proposed 
project, is the effect the operational support provided by the project-
based vouchers will have on the HCA's analysis in regards to the level 
of subsidy required to make the project feasible without over-
compensation. HCAs must therefore analyze the operating pro-forma that 
reflects the inclusion of the project-based voucher assistance as part 
of the subsidy layering review process. The operational support 
analysis will consider the debt coverage

[[Page 57960]]

ratio (DCR) and the amount of cash-flow generated by an individual 
project to determine if excess funding exists within the total 
development budget.
    In light of the above, when a proposal for project-based voucher 
assistance is contemporaneous with the application for, or award of, 
LIHTCs, the subsidy layering review required by these Guidelines may be 
fulfilled by the IRC section 42(m)(2) review if such review 
substantially complies with the subsidy layering review requirements 
under this notice. The Department expects that in most cases it will. 
If the IRC section 42(m)(2) review substantially complies with the 
requirements of a subsidy layering review under this notice, the HCA 
may make the required certification (Appendix B of this notice) to HUD 
without conducting an additional subsidy layering review pursuant to 
these Guidelines. If the HCA cannot make the required certification 
because the operation pro-forma was not reviewed as part of its IRC 
section 42(m)(2) review in the manner required by these Guidelines, the 
HCA must perform the limited review as described in section VIII.B of 
this notice and, if necessary, reduce the subsidy source within its 
control (i.e., the total tax credit allocation amount) or promptly 
notify HUD of a recommendation to reduce the project-based voucher 
units or subsidy.
    Where HUD conducts the review, for the reasons previously stated, 
in addition to evaluating the operational budget, HUD must analyze 
whether certain development costs (specifically general condition, 
over-head, profits, and developer's fee) are or were excessive. If it 
is determined that such costs are excessive, HUD will reduce the amount 
of project-based voucher assistance to a level that will sustain the 
project's viability without overcompensation. HUD will notify the PHA 
before any action to reduce the project-based voucher units due to 
issues of overcompensation.

B. Category 2--Proposed Project-Based Voucher HAP Contracts Where the 
HCA Conducts the Subsidy Layering Review Without Consideration of 
Project-Based Voucher Assistance

    Where a subsidy layering review has been conducted by an HCA on a 
proposed project-based voucher project for purposes of allocating 
LIHTCs which may have also included other forms of government 
assistance, but such review did not consider project-based voucher 
assistance (e.g., project-based vouchers were obtained subsequent to 
the LIHTC allocation), the HCA may conduct a limited review with an 
emphasis on the operational aspects of the project in accordance with 
Section VIII.B of this notice.
    Although project-based voucher projects are exempted from a full 
subsidy layering review, the HCA must still be able to certify when 
combining HUD and other governmental assistance, including project-
based voucher assistance, that the project is not receiving excessive 
compensation. The HCA will be able to make this certification if the 
review performed as required by section 42(m)(2) of the IRC 
substantially complied with these Guidelines. In addition to ensuring 
there is no excessive subsidy, the review must also consider whether 
there are any duplicative forms of assistance (i.e., rental assistance 
from some other state, federal or local source). If it is found that 
there is duplicative rental assistance for the same unit, the unit does 
not qualify for project-based voucher assistance, and the HCA must 
apprise the PHA of such finding. For purposes of this analysis, LIHTC 
units are not considered duplicative rental assistance.

C. Category 3--Mixed-Finance Public Housing Projects

    Under HUD's mixed-finance regulations, subsidy layering review must 
be conducted by HUD or its designee (e.g., the HCA) pursuant to section 
102(d) of the HUD Reform Act (42 U.S.C. 3545(d)). HUD is responsible 
for subsidy layering reviews for mixed-finance and public housing 
development projects. On a case-by-case basis, and within its sole 
discretion, HUD may delegate the subsidy layering review activity to a 
local HCA subject to HUD's review. In such cases, HUD may request the 
HCA to make changes to the subsidy layering review or HUD may revise 
the HCA's subsidy layering review as needed.

VII. Subsidy Layering Review Guidelines--Procedural Description

    Subsidy layering reviews are required prior to the execution of an 
AHAP for new construction and projects that will undergo 
rehabilitation, if the project combines project-based voucher 
assistance with other governmental assistance. When an HCA has 
conducted a subsidy layering review in connection with the allocation 
of LIHTC, the standards used by the HCA must substantially comply with 
these Guidelines. When HUD is conducting the subsidy layering review it 
will follow these Guidelines and use the Subsidy Layering Analysis form 
(Appendix E of this notice).

A. Maximum Allowable Amounts

    Maximum Allowable Amounts are those that cannot be exceeded under 
any circumstances. If values provided by the project owner exceed the 
maximum allowable amounts, reductions must be made in either the 
proposed amount of project-based voucher assistance, or the LIHTC 
equity to bring the values below the maximum allowable amounts before 
the HCA can make its certification to HUD, and, where HUD is performing 
the review, before the HRA section 102(d) certification can be made. In 
the case of LIHTC syndication proceeds, if the values provided by the 
project owner are lower than the minimum LIHTC price, the PHA shall not 
enter into an AHAP with the owner unless the LIHTC allocation is 
reduced to bring the value of the tax credits at or above the minimum 
LIHTC price.

B. Safe Harbor Standards

    Safe harbor standards are generally applicable development 
standards. Although the safe harbor standards can be exceeded under 
certain circumstances, projects for which the owner's documented 
development costs and fees are within the safe harbor standards can 
move forward without further justification. If any of the owner's costs 
and/or fees exceed the safe harbor limits, but are within the maximum 
allowable amount, additional justification and documentation are 
required.
    Between the safe harbor standard and the maximum allowable amounts 
for each of the factors considered in the review is a range in which 
values may be acceptable if they are justified based on project size, 
characteristics, location, and risk factors. Additional documentation 
must be requested from the project owner that demonstrates the need for 
values that exceed the safe harbor standards. If the review is being 
conducted by an HCA, instead of HUD, project costs exceeding the safe 
harbor standards must be consistent with the HCA's published qualified 
allocation plan. Under no circumstances may costs exceed the total 
maximum allowable amounts.
    For all projects falling within Category 1, the reviewer (either an 
HCA, or HUD) must evaluate development costs to determine whether pre-
development cost associated with the construction of the project is 
within a reasonable range, taking into account project size, 
characteristics, locations and risk factors; and whether over-head, 
builder's profit and developer's fee are also within a reasonable 
range, taking

[[Page 57961]]

into account project size, characteristics, locations and risk factors.

VIII. Subsidy Layering Reviews--Guidelines and Requirements

A. Category 1 Subsidy Layering Reviews

    For Category 1 projects, HCAs will review all proposed sources and 
uses of funds. HCAs will also consider all loans, grants, or other 
funds provided by parties other than HUD and will assess the 
reasonableness of any escrow or reserve (i.e., maintenance, 
operational, and replacement reserves) proposed for the project, taking 
into account project size, project characteristics, project location 
and project risk factors, as determined by the HCA, even if such 
reserves do not affect the amount of subsidy allowed under applicable 
program rules.
1. Safe Harbor Percentage Allowances
    HCAs will use the following safe harbor standards which HUD has 
established for subsidy layering analysis purposes for project-based 
voucher HAP contracts: The percentage allowances may be negotiated 
between the safe harbor and maximum allowable amounts with the project 
sponsor and the individual HCAs to reflect their assessment of the 
market and to respect their qualified allocation plan. Any approved 
fees that exceed safe harbor amounts must be justified by special 
circumstances, such as market conditions or other circumstances that 
HUD may determine.
a. Standard (1)
    General Condition: safe harbor--six percent (6%) of construction 
contract amount.
b. Standard (2)
    Overhead: safe harbor--two percent (2%) of construction contract 
amount.
c. Standard (3)
    Builder's Profit: safe harbor--six percent (6%) of construction 
contract amount.
    The total allowed or allowable Safe Harbor percentages for General 
Conditions, Overhead, and Builder's Profit are based on hard 
construction costs and the maximum combined costs shall not be more 
than fourteen percent (14%) of the hard construction cost.
d. Standard (4)
    Developer's fee: safe harbor--twelve percent (12%) of the total 
development cost (profit and overhead).
    The maximum allowable developer's fee is fifteen percent (15%) of 
the project costs (profit and overhead).
2. When Development Costs Exceed the Safe Harbor Standard
    If the costs for builder's profit, or developer's fee, exceed the 
safe harbor values without satisfactory documentation for the need for 
higher costs, either the HCA or HUD will take the actions outlined 
below:
a. HCA Performing Review
    In cases where an HCA is performing the review, the HCA must reduce 
the subsidy source within its control, i.e., the total tax credit 
allocation amount, whenever necessary to balance the project's sources 
and uses.
b. HUD Performing Review
    Where HUD is performing the review and it is determined that, after 
evaluating allowable sources and uses, the combination of assistance 
will result in excessive subsidy, HUD will reduce the proposed amount 
of project-based voucher assistance.
3. When Development Costs Are Within Safe Harbor
    If all safe harbor standards are met, the HCA must examine the 
effect project-based voucher assistance will have on the operation's 
pro-forma before making its LIHTC allocation. If the safe harbor and 
operational standards (discussed below) are met, the HCA must submit 
its certification to HUD with a copy to the applicable PHA along with 
its sources and uses statement. If HUD is conducting the review, HUD 
will make the determination and notify the PHA that an AHAP may be 
signed.
4. Operations Standards
a. Debt Coverage Ratio
    In addition to the analysis of the development budget as part of 
the subsidy layering review process, the HCA must also evaluate the 
project's 15-year operating pro-forma and apply the standards discussed 
below and contained within the Operations section of Appendix E of this 
notice. Project-based voucher assistance and the amount of cash flow 
the project-based voucher rent amounts will generate for a given 
project must be carefully analyzed. The HCA must analyze the project's 
projected DCR over a 15-year period (the maximum initial term of the 
project-based voucher HAP contract). The DCR is determined to ensure 
that the net-income for the project is sufficient to cover all 
repayable debt (i.e., non-forgivable loans) over the life of the debt. 
In order to determine realistic costs over a 15-year period, the HCA 
must use appropriate trending assumptions for their market area.
    Generally, operating expenses should be trended at 1 percent to 3 
percent per year and rent increases should be trended at 1 percent to 3 
percent per year for the first 5 years and 3 percent for each year 
thereafter. The minimum DCR is 1.10 and the maximum DCR may be up to 
1.45 provided cash flow for the project does not exceed the limit 
established in accordance with section VIII.A.4.b of this notice. HUD 
may adjust these amounts by notice as new data becomes available.
    If it is projected that the DCR will not fall below the minimum 
DCR, the project should have sufficient cash flow to pay all project 
operating expenses and amortized debt on the project, and have an 
acceptable percentage of the required debt service available for other 
uses. In addition, the established DCRs should ultimately provide 
sufficient cash-flow to subsidize very low-income and extremely low-
income families through the project-based voucher program that the 
LIHTC program is unable to reach. If the DCR exceeds the maximum stated 
above, there may be government assistance in the project which is more 
than necessary to make the project feasible.
    Since variances in such things as vacancy rate, operating cost 
increases, and rent increases all affect the net operating income of a 
project, the HCA must perform further trending analysis to determine 
whether the number of proposed project-based vouchers should be reduced 
or whether the proposed rent amounts should be reduced. For example, if 
over the 15-year period the DCR begins to decrease and at some point it 
falls below the minimum of 1.10, all trending assumptions and costs 
should be re-visited before recommending a reduction in the project-
based voucher subsidy. After further analysis, if the DCR is still at a 
level above the maximum allowable level, the HCA may either reduce the 
LIHTC allocation amount (for Category 1 projects) or recommend to HUD 
the appropriate project-based voucher subsidy amount including 
supporting documentation. HUD will require that the PHA reduce the 
level of project-based voucher subsidy. When HUD is performing the 
review, HUD will, if necessary, reduce the voucher units or monthly 
project-based voucher rents proposed by the PHA.
b. Cash-Flow
    In addition to determining an acceptable DCR, actual cash flow to 
the project must also be analyzed. Cash-flow is determined after 
ensuring all debt can be satisfied and is defined as total income to 
the project minus total

[[Page 57962]]

expenses. If the cash flow (minus any acceptable reserve amounts) 
exceeds 10 percent of total expenses, the cash generated from the 
project-based voucher assistance may be greater than is necessary to 
provide affordable housing. HUD may adjust this 10 percent standard by 
notice if new data becomes available.
    If the cash-flow is greater than 10 percent of the total operating 
expenses, the HCA must require the owner to re-visit the operating pro-
forma to bring cash flow to a level that does not exceed 10 percent of 
the total operating expenses. If the owner declines, the HCA shall 
recommend to HUD a reduction in the project-based voucher rents or the 
number of project-based voucher units. Any recommendation shall include 
documentation to support the HCA's recommendation. When HUD performs 
the review, and cash flow is greater than 10 percent of the total 
operating expenses, HUD will notify the PHA of its determination and 
instruct the PHA to require the owner to re-visit the operating pro-
forma to bring the cash flow to a level that does not exceed 10 percent 
of the total operating expenses. If the owner declines, HUD will notify 
the PHA of the maximum number of project-based voucher units that may 
be approved and the maximum project-based voucher rent amounts that may 
be approved.

B. Category 2 Subsidy Layering Reviews

    Category 2 projects shall only be required to undergo a limited 
review. The limited review shall consist of a review of the 15-year 
operations pro-forma and a review to ensure there is no duplicative 
assistance (as stated above in section VI.B of this notice). The 
Operations Standards outlined in section VIII.A.4. of this notice shall 
be used for Category 2 subsidy layering reviews. Where it is determined 
that the inclusion of project-based voucher assistance will result in 
governmental assistance that is more than necessary to provide 
affordable housing, the HCA will make a recommendation, including 
supporting documentation, to HUD as to the appropriate project-based 
voucher subsidy amount. If HUD is performing the review, HUD will, if 
necessary, reduce the voucher units or monthly project-based voucher 
rents proposed by the PHA.

C. Category 3 Subsidy Layering Reviews

    Section 35 of the 1937 Act (42 U.S.C. 1437z-7) allows HUD to 
provide Capital or Operating Funds, or both, to a mixed-finance public 
housing project. According to the statute, the units assisted with 
Capital or Operating Funds shall be developed, operated, and maintained 
in accordance with the requirements of the 1937 Act. The statute 
permits such projects to have other sources of funding, including 
private funding and LIHTC funding under the Internal Revenue Code (26 
U.S.C. 42).
    Regulations related to mixed-finance development are found at 24 
CFR 905.604. Pursuant to 24 CFR 905.606 PHAs must submit a development 
proposal as well as other specific materials and documentation for HUD 
approval as a precondition to HUD's release of public housing funds for 
a project's construction. Under 24 CFR 905.610(b), after the PHA 
submits the evidentiary materials and other documentation required by 
HUD shall carry out a subsidy layering analysis pursuant to section 
102(d) of the HUD Reform Act ``to determine whether the amount of 
assistance being provided for the development is more than necessary to 
make the assisted activity feasible after taking into account other 
governmental assistance.'' The subsidy layering review is currently 
conducted as a part of HUD's review of a development proposal and 
evidentiary materials and is not designated by HUD to HCAs.
Contents of Subsidy Layering Analysis for Mixed-Finance Projects
    The HUD subsidy layering analysis for mixed-finance projects will 
include the following review:
    a. Cost Control and Safe Harbor Standards for Rental Mixed-Finance 
Development; Risk Factors. HUD will review all mixed-finance projects 
for compliance with HUD's Cost Control and Safe Harbor Standards 
(revised April 9, 2003), found at: https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/
documents/huddoc?id=DOC9880.pdf. These standards also contain 
risk factors for developers with fees above the safe harbor standards.
    If a project is at or below a safe harbor standard, no further 
review will be required by HUD. If a project is above a safe harbor 
standard, additional review by HUD will be necessary. In order to 
approve terms above the safe harbor, the housing authority must 
demonstrate to HUD in writing that the negotiated terms are appropriate 
for the level of risk involved in the project, the scope of work, any 
specific circumstances of the development, and the local or national 
market for the services provided, as described in the Cost Control and 
Safe Harbor Standards
    b. Total Development Cost. HUD will review the total development 
cost of each mixed-finance development to ensure that public housing 
funds are not spent in excess of the Total Development Cost (TDC) and 
Housing Construction Cost (HCC) limits pursuant to Sec.  941.306. PIH 
Notice 2011-38 or successor notice contains the current TDC and HCC 
limits for specific jurisdictions, and can be found at: https://
portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/programoffices/
publicindianhousing/publications/notices/2011.
    An automated TDC worksheet can be found at the following Web site 
on mixed-finance development: https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/
programoffices/publicindianhousing/programs/
ph/hope6/mfph.
    c. Pro Rata Test. To ensure that the amount of public housing funds 
committed to a project is proportionate to the number of public housing 
units contained in the project, HUD will conduct a ``Pro Rata Test''. 
To meet this test, the proportion of public housing funds compared to 
total project funds committed to a project must not exceed the 
proportion of public housing units compared to the total number of 
units contained in the project. For example, if there are a total of 
120 units in the project and 50 are public housing units, the public 
housing units are 42 percent of the total number of units in the 
project. Therefore the amount of public housing funds committed to the 
project cannot exceed 42 percent of the total project budget, unless 
otherwise approved by HUD. However, if public housing funds are to be 
used to pay for more than the pro rata cost of common area 
improvements, HUD will evaluate the proposal to ensure that common area 
improvements will benefit the residents of the development in a mixed-
income project.
    d. Net Low-Income Tax Credit Equity. Projects using LIHTC as part 
of their financing are reviewed to ensure that the sale of these 
credits results in an amount of net tax credit equity being invested in 
the project that is consistent with amounts generally contributed by 
investors to similar projects under similar market conditions, and that 
is not less than 51 cents for each dollar of tax credit allocation 
awarded to a project. HUD also reviews this net amount to ensure that 
it represents a market rate of equity, given the current market for the 
purchase of tax credits. To calculate the discounted net proceeds, HUD 
reviews the gross syndication proceeds and other expenses relevant to 
completing the tax credit syndication, compounding the equity 
installments received prior to the project's Place-in-Service Date and 
discounting the installments received after this date. If the project 
receives 51

[[Page 57963]]

cents or less or does not receive a market rate of equity, it is 
subject to additional review to reassess the project's fees and costs.
    For mixed-finance projects that comply with the mixed-finance 
requirements of this notice, no further subsidy layering analysis will 
be required. For those projects that fail to comply, PHAs must (i) 
restructure the project so it complies with the requirements and 
resubmit the revised documentation to HUD for approval, or (ii) provide 
sufficient justification to HUD to allow HUD to approve a variation(s) 
from the mixed-finance requirements of this notice.

IX. Monitoring

    HUD may perform quality control reviews of subsidy layering reviews 
performed by participating HCAs. The quality control reviews will 
examine the following:
     Whether all required documents and materials were 
available to the reviewer.
     Whether the values were correctly determined to be inside 
or outside of the approvable range.
     If values were above the safe harbor standards, whether 
sufficient documentation was available to the reviewer to justify the 
higher costs.
     If necessary, whether subsidy was reduced correctly.
    If it is determined that any required documentation was not 
provided, or that any portion of the review was performed incorrectly, 
HUD may require appropriate corrective action.

    Dated: September 22, 2014.
Jemine A. Bryon,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.

Appendix A

HCA's Notice of Intent to Participate

    [
, 20]
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street, SW
Room 4232
Washington, DC 20410
By: Email: pih.financial.management.division@hud.gov

Re: HCA's Intent To Participate--Subsidy Layering Reviews for Proposed 
Project-Based Voucher Housing Assistance Payments Contracts

Ladies and Gentlemen:
    The undersigned, a qualified Housing Credit Agency as defined under 
Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, hereby notifies the 
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development that it 
intends to conduct Subsidy Layering Reviews pursuant to HUD's 
Administrative Guidelines for Proposed Section 8 Project-Based Voucher 
Housing Assistance Payments Contracts for the purpose of ensuring that 
the combination of assistance under the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher 
Program with other federal, State, or local assistance does not result 
in excessive compensation. By signifying our intent to participate, the 
(name of agency) hereby 
certifies that:
    The required personnel have reviewed the above cited statutes, the 
Federal Register Notice--Administrative Guidelines: Subsidy Layering 
Reviews for Proposed Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Housing Assistance 
Payments Contracts and Mixed-Finance Development, and 24 CFR Section 
983.55.
    The agency understands its responsibilities under the above cited 
statutes and the Guidelines. The agency certifies it will perform 
subsidy layering reviews in accordance with all statutory, regulatory 
and Guideline requirements, as well as any future HUD Notices, 
Directives, or other program information.
    By executing this Intent to Participate, the undersign acknowledges 
that its participation will continue unless and until, the Department 
of Housing and Urban Development revokes this intent or 
(name of agency) 
informs the HUD, in writing, upon 30 days' notice of its decision to 
withdraw its intent to participate.
    This Notice of Intent to Participate is hereby executed and dated 
as of the date first listed above. By executing this Notice of Intent, 
the (name of 
agency) certifies that, upon HUD approval, the 
(name of agency) 
shall immediately assume the responsibility of performing subsidy 
layering reviews for proposed Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Housing 
Assistance Payments Contracts.
    The Undersigned requests that the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development please direct all inquiries and correspondence relating to 
this Notice to:
[UNDERSIGNED NAME AND Title]
[STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]
    Attention of: [NAME], [TITLE]
    By Phone--[XXX-XXX-XXXX]
    By Fax--[XXX-XXX-XXXX]
    By Email--[email address]
[NAME OF Agency]
By:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
    The completed, signed, and dated Notice of Intent to Participate 
should be sent as a PDF attachment to an email message addressed to 
Miguel Fontanez at pih.financial.management.division@hud.gov. The email 
message subject line should read ``Submission of Notice of Intent to 
Participate.''
    For questions concerning the submission and receipt of the email 
please call (202) 708-2934.

Appendix B

HCA Certification

    For purposes of the provision of Section 8 Project-Based Voucher 
Assistance authorized pursuant to 42 U.S.C. section 8(o)(13), section 
2835(a)(1)(M)(i) of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 
(HERA), section 102 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
Reform Act of 1989, and in accordance with HUD's Administrative 
Guidelines, all of which address the prevention of excess governmental 
subsidy, I hereby certify that the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher 
Assistance provided by the United States Department of Housing and 
Urban Development to 
, located in 
 is not more than 
is necessary to provide affordable housing after taking into account 
other government assistance.

Name of HCA------------------------------------------------------------

Printed Name of Authorized HCA Certi-fying Official--------------------

Signature of Authorized HCA Certifying Official------------------------

Date-------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix C

HUD Form 2880

https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=2880.pdf

Appendix D

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE PHA TO THE APPLICABLE HCA OR HUD 
HEADQUARTERS FOR SUBSIDY LAYERING REVIEWS

    1. Narrative description of the project. This should include the 
total number of units, including bedroom distribution. If only a 
portion of the units will receive project-based voucher assistance, 
this information is needed for both the project as a whole, and for the 
assisted portion.
    2. Sources and Uses of Funds Statement
    Sources: List each source separately, indicate whether loan, grant, 
syndication proceeds, contributed equity, etc. Sources should generally 
include only permanent financing. If

[[Page 57964]]

interim financing or a construction loan will be utilized, details 
should be included in a narrative (item 3 below).
    Uses: Should be detailed. Do not use broad categories such as 
``soft costs.'' Acquisition costs should distinguish the purchase price 
from related costs such as appraisal, survey, titled and recording, and 
related legal fees. Construction and rehabilitation should include 
builder's profit and overhead as separate items.
    3. Narrative describing details of each funding source. For loans, 
details should include principle, interest rate, amortization, term, 
and any accrual, deferral, balloon or forgiveness provisions. If a 
lender, grantor, or syndicator is imposing reserve or escrow 
requirements, details should be included in the narrative. If a lender 
will receive a portion of the net cash flow, either as additional debt 
service or in addition to debt service, this should be disclosed in the 
narrative.
    4. Commitment Letters from lenders or other funding sources 
evidencing their commitment to provide funding to the project and 
disclosing significant terms. Loan agreements and grant agreements are 
sufficient to meet this requirement. However, proposal letters and 
letters of intent are not sufficient to meet this requirement.
    5. Appraisal Report. The appraisal should establish the ``as is'' 
value of the property, before construction or rehabilitation, and 
without consideration of any financial implications of tax credits or 
project-based voucher assistance.
    An appraisal establishing value after the property is built or 
rehabilitated is not acceptable unless it also includes an ``as is'' 
valuation.
    6. Stabilized Operating Pro Forma. Should include projected rental, 
commercial, and miscellaneous income, vacancy loss, operating expenses, 
debt service, reserve contributions, and cash flow.
    The analysis must be projected over a 15 year period. Income and 
expenses must be trended at 
 percent.
    7. Tax Credit Allocation Letter. Issued by the State tax credit 
allocation agency, this letter advises the developer of the amount of 
LIHTCs reserved for the project.
    8. Historic Tax Credits. Some projects in designated historical 
districts may receive an additional one time historic tax credit. When 
applicable, the amount of the historic tax credit should be disclosed.
    9. Equity Contribution Schedule. If equity contributed to the 
project will be paid in installments over time, a schedule should be 
provided showing the amount and timing of planned contributions.
    10. Bridge Loans. If the financing plan includes a bridge loan so 
that proceeds can be paid up front when equity contributions are 
planned over an extended period, appropriate details should be 
provided.
    11. Standard disclosure and perjury statement.
    12. Identity of Interest Statement.
    13. PHA commitment letter for project-based voucher assistance.
    14. Proposed project-based voucher gross rent amounts.
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P

[[Page 57965]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN26SE14.002


[[Page 57966]]


BILLING CODE 4210-67-C

Appendix F

SOURCES AND USES STATEMENT

(Sample Format)

SOURCES:

Debt Sources:

Mortgage--
Loans--
Other Loans (specify)--
Other (Specify)--

Equity Sources:

Grants available for project uses--
Estimated Net Syndication Proceeds--
Additional Owner Equity Necessary \8\--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ This line may be used for the additional amount needed from 
the owner to balance sources against uses when no additional monies 
are available from other sources.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Equity Sources (specify)

Total Sources: $

PROJECT USES:

Mortgage Replacement Cost Uses--

Total Land Improvements--
Total Structures--
General Requirements--
Builder's General Overhead--
Builder's Profit \9\--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ Builder's Profit for non-Identity-of-Interest cases (a SPRA 
allowance may also be added below). See also Standard 1 
safe harbor and ceiling standard alternatives before completing. The 
Mortgage Use lines relating to Builder's Profit and Developer's Fee 
may be left blank if alternative funding standards are used, and the 
amounts are reflected below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Architects' Fees--
Bond Premium--
Other Fees--
Construction interest--
Taxes--
Examination Fee--
Inspection Fee--
Financing Fee--
FNMA/GNMA Fee--
Title & Recording--
Legal--
Organization--
Cost Certification Fee--
Contingency Reserve (Sub Rehab)--
BSPRA/SPRA (if applicable)--
Acquisition Costs--

SUBTOTAL MORTGAGEABLE REPLACEMENT COST USES$

Non-Mortgage Uses:
(i.e. Uses Payable by Sources Other than the Mortgage) \10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ Note that syndication expenses are included below in the 
estimation of Net tax credit proceeds for this Statement, and 
therefore, are not included within this Statement.

Working Capital Reserve or \11\--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Only Letter of Credit Costs may be included if the reserve 
is funded by a Letter of Credit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating Deficit Reserve \12\--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ Indicate the full cash reserve amount if funded by LIHTC 
proceeds. Indicate only the costs of obtaining a Letter of Credit 
for the reserve if funded by a Letter of Credit at initial closing.

SUBTOTAL NON-MORTGAGEABLE USES--$

TOTAL PROJECT USES$

Estimated Net Syndication Proceeds:

    The HCA may use this format before completing the Net Syndication 
Proceeds estimate line above on the Sources and Uses Statement, and 
must use this format to reflect final allocation determination 
assumptions.
Total Tax Credit Allocation--$
Estimated Gross Syndication Proceeds--$

Syndication Expenses:
Accountant's Fee--$
Syndicator's Fee--$
Attorney's Fee \13\--$
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ Such fees may not duplicate legal nor title work charges 
already recognized. Therefore, only fees associated with the 
additional legal service associated with LIHTC projects should be 
recognized here by the HCA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

HCA Fee--$
Organizational Expense \14\--$
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ Such expenses may not include Organizational expenses which 
are already included, and should not be duplicated. Therefore, only 
extraordinary organizational expenses incurred because of the 
additional LIHTC-associated application preparation activities 
should be included here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other (Specify)--$
Subtotal Syndication Expenses--$ \15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See Guideline Standard 3 for separate safe harbor 
and ceiling limitations for private and public offerings.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bridge Loan Costs less Interest (if applicable)--$

Adjustment for Early and Late Installments (See Glossary, Net 
Syndication Proceeds Estimate for adjustment explanation)--$

Total Reductions from Gross--$
Estimated Net Syndication Proceeds--$

[FR Doc. 2014-22971 Filed 9-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.