Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for Section 514 Farm Labor Housing Loans and Section 516 Farm Labor Housing Grants for Off-Farm Housing for Fiscal Year 2005, 12559-12564 [05-4774]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 48 / Monday, March 14, 2005 / Notices State’s average total development costs exceed the National average by 50 percent or more. B. No State may receive more than $2.5 million, including set-aside funds. 2. List of designated places for which applications for new section 515 facilities may be submitted. III. Rental Assistance (RA) A. The RHS encourages the use of funding from other sources in conjunction with Agency loans. This year there will be a National Office Initiative pursuant to 7 CFR 3560.56(c)(1)(iii), whereby preference points will be awarded to loan requests that meet the selection criteria as follows: In states where RHS has an ongoing formal working relationship, agreement, or MOU with the State to provide State resources (State funds, State RA, HOME funds, CDBG funds, or LIHTC) for RHS proposals; or where the State provides preference or points to RHS proposals in awarding these State Resources, 20 points will be provided to loan requests that include such State resources in an amount equal to at least 5 percent of the TDC. NAHASDA funds may be considered a State Resource if the Tribal Plan for NAHASDA funds contains provisions for partnering with RHS for multifamily housing. B. $8,928,000 is available nationwide in a set-aside for eligible nonprofit organizations as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1485(w). C. $4,960,000 is available nationwide in a set-aside for the 100 most Underserved Counties and Colonias. D. $5,000,000 is available nationwide in a set-aside for EZ, EC, and REAP zone. E. $1,000,000 is available nationwide in a reserve for States with viable State RA programs. In order to participate, States are to submit specific written information about the State RA program, i.e., a memorandum of understanding, documentation from the provider, etc., to the National Office. In addition to the State Matching RA program as described in Section VI. E. of this Notice and subject to its availability, new construction RA will be held in the National Office for use with section 515 Rural Rental Housing loans. Because the amount of RA available for new construction is minimal, RA will be granted to projects which best meet the scoring and ranking criteria at 7 CFR 3560.56(c). In addition, preferential consideration for RA will be given to projects: (1) where a subsidy for rent is provided from within the state jurisdiction; and (2) where the least amount of RA is needed to make the project feasible, calculated as a percentage. New construction RA may not be used in conjunction with a transfer or subsequent loan for repairs or rehabilitation, preservation purposes or for inventory property sales. IV. Application Process All applications for section 515 new construction funds must be filed with the appropriate Rural Development State office and must meet the requirements of 7 CFR 3560.56 and Section V. of this Notice. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and will be returned to the applicant. No application will be accepted after 5 p.m., local time, on the application deadline previously mentioned unless that date and time is extended by a Notice published in the Federal Register. V. Application Submission Requirements A. Each application shall include all of the information, materials, forms and exhibits required by 7 CFR 3560, subpart B as well as comply with the provisions of this Notice. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to include a checklist and to have their applications indexed and tabbed to facilitate the review process. The Rural Development State Office will base its determination of completeness of the application and the eligibility of each applicant on the information provided in the application. B. Applicants are advised to contact the Rural Development State Office serving the place in which they desire to submit an application for the following: 1. Application information; and VerDate jul<14>2003 15:35 Mar 11, 2005 Jkt 205001 VI. Areas of Special Emphasis or Consideration Dated: March 3, 2005. Russell T. Davis, Administrator, Rural Housing Service. [FR Doc. 05–4773 Filed 3–11–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for Section 514 Farm Labor Housing Loans and Section 516 Farm Labor Housing Grants for Off-Farm Housing for Fiscal Year 2005 Announcement Type: Initial Notice inviting applications from qualified applicants for Fiscal Year 2005. PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 12559 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDA): 10.405 and 10.427. SUMMARY: This NOFA announces the timeframe to submit applications for section 514 Farm Labor Housing (FLH) loans and section 516 FLH grants for the construction of new off-farm FLH units and related facilities for domestic farm laborers. The intended purpose of these loans and grants is to increase the number of available housing units for domestic farm laborers. Applications may also include requests for section 521 rental assistance (RA) and operating assistance for migrant units. This document describes the method used to distribute funds, the application process, and submission requirements. DATES: The deadline for receipt of all applications in response to this NOFA is 5 p.m., local time for each Rural Development State Office on May 13, 2005. The application closing deadline is firm as to date and hour. The Agency will not consider any application that is received after the closing deadline. Applicants intending to mail applications must provide sufficient time to permit delivery on or before the closing deadline. Acceptance by a post office or private mailer does not constitute delivery. Facsimile (FAX), COD, and postage due applications will not be accepted. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas H. MacDowell or Henry Searcy, Senior Loan Specialists, Multi-Family Housing Processing Division—STOP 0781 (Room 1263–S), U.S. Department of Agriculture—Rural Housing Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250–0781 or by telephone at (202) 720–1627 or (202) 720–1753, respectively. (This is not a toll free number.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Paperwork Reduction Act The reporting requirements contained in this Notice have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 0575–0045. Overview The FLH program is authorized by the Housing Act of 1949: section 514 (42 U.S.C. 1484) for loans and section 516 (42 U.S.C. 1486) for grants. Tenant subsidies (RA) are available through section 521 (42 U.S.C. 1490a). Sections 514 and 516 provide Rural Housing Service (RHS) the authority to make loans and grants for financing off-farm housing to broad-based nonprofit organizations, nonprofit organizations of farmworkers, federally recognized Indian tribes, agencies or political subdivisions of State or local E:\FR\FM\14MRN2.SGM 14MRN2 12560 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 48 / Monday, March 14, 2005 / Notices government. In addition, loans may be made to limited partnerships in which the general partner is a nonprofit entity. Program Administration I. Funding Opportunities Description The Agency’s FLH program is authorized by Title V of the Housing Act of 1949: section 514 (42 U.S.C. 1484) for loans and section 516 (42 U.S.C. 1486) for grants. Tenant subsidies (RA and operating assistance) are available through section 521 (42 U.S.C. 1490a). Agency regulations for the FLH program are published at 7 CFR part 3560, subpart L. Eligibility for section 516 offfarm FLH grants is limited to broadbased nonprofit organizations, nonprofit organizations of farmworkers, federally recognized Indian tribes, agencies or political subdivisions of State or local government, and public agencies (such as housing authorities). Eligibility for section 514 off-farm FLH loans includes each of the aforementioned entities and also includes limited partnerships which have a nonprofit entity as their sole general partner. Housing that is constructed with these loans and grants must meet the Agency design and construction standards contained in 7 CFR part 1924, subparts A and C. Once constructed, off-farm FLH must be managed in accordance with the program’s management regulation, 7 CFR part 3560. Tenant eligibility is limited to persons who meet the definition of a ‘‘domestic farm laborer’’, a ‘‘retired domestic farm laborer’’, or a ‘‘disabled domestic farm laborer’’, as these terms are defined in 7 CFR 3560.11 A domestic farm laborer is defined as ‘‘[a] person who, * * *, receives a substantial portion of his or her income from farm labor employment (not self-employed) in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands and either is a citizen of the United States or resides in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands after being legally admitted for permanent residence. This definition may include the immediate family members residing with such a person.’’ Farmworkers who are admitted to this country on a temporary basis under the Temporary Agricultural Workers (H–2A Visa) program are not eligible to occupy section 514/516 off-farm FLH. The term ‘‘farm labor,’’ as used in the definition of domestic farm laborer, includes ‘‘[s]ervices in connection with cultivating the soil, raising or harvesting any agriculture or aquaculture commodity; or in catching, netting, handling, planting, drying, packing, grading, storing, or preserving in the unprocessed stage, * * *, any VerDate jul<14>2003 15:35 Mar 11, 2005 Jkt 205001 agriculture or aquaculture commodity; or delivering to storage, market, or a carrier for transportation to market or to processing any agricultural or aquacultural commodity in its unprocessed stage.’’ In addition, offfarm FLH must be operated on a nonprofit basis and tenancy must be open to all qualified domestic farm laborers, regardless at which farm they work. Operating assistance may be used in lieu of tenant-specific rental assistance in off-farm labor housing projects financed under section 514 or section 516(i) of the Housing Act of 1949 (U.S.C. 1486(i)) that serve migrant farmworkers. To be eligible for the operating assistance, projects must be off-farm FLH projects financed under section 514 or section 516 with units that are for migrant farmworkers (housing units for year-round farmworker households are ineligible) and must otherwise meet the requirements of 7 CFR 3560.574. Migrants or migrant agricultural laborer is defined in 7 CFR 3560.11 as ‘‘[a] person (and the family of such person) who receives a substantial portion of his or her income from farm labor employment and who establishes a residence in a location on a seasonal or temporary basis, in an attempt to receive farm labor employment at one or more locations away from their home base state, excluding day-haul agricultural workers whose travels are limited to work areas within one day of their residence.’’ Owners of eligible projects may choose tenant-specific RA or operating assistance, or a combination of both; however, any tenant or unit assisted with operating assistance may not also receive RA. II. Award Information Applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 will only be accepted through the date and time listed in this NOFA. Because RHS has the ability to adjust loan and grant levels, final loan and grant levels will fluctuate. The estimated funds available for FY 2005 for off-farm housing are: section 514, $32,000,000 and section 516, $12,000,000. Individual requests may not exceed $3 million (total loan and grant). If RA is available, it will be held in the National Office and will be awarded based on each project’s financial structure and need. Section 516 off-farm FLH grants may not exceed 90 percent of the total development cost of the housing. Applications that require leveraged funding must have firm commitments in place for all of the leveraged funding within 1 year of the issuance of a ‘‘Notice of Preapplication PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 Review Action,’’ Form AD–622. In order to be eligible for leveraged funding selection points, the commitment for leveraged funds must be submitted with the initial preapplication. III. Eligibility Information Applicant Eligibility (1) To be eligible to receive a section 516 grant for off-farm FLH, the applicant must be a broad-based nonprofit organization, a nonprofit organization of farmworkers, a federally recognized Indian tribe, or an agency or political subdivision of a State or local government, or a public agency (such as a housing authority). (2) To be eligible to receive a section 514 loan for off-farm FLH, the applicant must be a broad-based nonprofit organization, a nonprofit organization of farmworkers, a federally recognized Indian tribe, or an agency or political subdivision of a State or local government, a public agency (such as a housing authority) or a limited partnership which has a nonprofit entity as its sole general partner and: (a) Be unable to provide the necessary housing from its own resources; and (b) Except for State or local public agencies and Indian tribes, be unable to obtain the necessary credit through a labor housing loan or from other sources upon terms and conditions the applicant could reasonably be expected to fulfill. (3) Broad-based nonprofit organizations must have a membership that reflects a variety of interests in the area where the housing will be located. Cost Sharing or Matching Section 516 grants for off-farm FLH may not exceed the lesser of 90 percent of the total development cost or the amount provided in 7 CFR 3560.562(c)(2). Other Administrative Requirements The following policies and regulations apply to loans and grants made in response to this NOFA: (1) The policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E regarding equal opportunity requirements; (2) The requirements of 7 CFR part 3015, and 7 CFR part 3016 or 7 CFR part 3019 (as applicable), which establish the uniform administrative requirements for grants and cooperative agreements to state and local governments and to nonprofit organizations; (3) The policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 1901, subpart F regarding historical and archaeological properties; E:\FR\FM\14MRN2.SGM 14MRN2 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 48 / Monday, March 14, 2005 / Notices (4) The policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 1940, subpart G regarding environmental assessments; (5) The policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 3560, subpart L regarding the loan and grant authorities of the FLH program; (6) The policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 1924, subpart A regarding planning and construction; (7) The policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 1924, subpart C regarding the planning and performing of site development work; and (8) All other policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 3560 regarding the section 514/516 off-farm FLH program. IV. Application and Submission Information The application process will be in two phases: the initial preapplication (or proposal) and the submission of a formal application. Only those proposals that are selected for funding will be invited to submit formal applications. In the event that a proposal is selected for further processing and the applicant declines, the next highest ranked unfunded preapplication may be selected. All preapplications for sections 514 and 516 funds must be filed with the appropriate Rural Development State Office and must meet the requirements of this Notice. Incomplete preapplications will not be reviewed and will be returned to the applicant. No preapplication will be accepted after 5 p.m., local time for each Rural Development State Office on May 13, 2005, unless date and time is extended by another Notice published in the Federal Register. If a preapplication is accepted for further processing, the applicant will be expected to submit a complete, formal application prior to the obligation of Agency funds. Preapplication Requirements The preapplication must contain the following: (1) A summary page listing the following items. This information should be double-spaced between items and not be in narrative form. (a) Applicant’s name. (b) Applicant’s Taxpayer Identification Number. (c) Applicant’s address. (d) Applicant’s telephone number. (e) Name of applicant’s contact person, telephone number, and address. (f) Amount of loan and grant requested. (g) For grants, the applicant’s Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering VerDate jul<14>2003 15:35 Mar 11, 2005 Jkt 205001 System (DUNS) number. As required by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), all grant applicants must provide a DUNS number when applying for Federal grants, on or after October 1, 2003. Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 1–866–705–5711. Additional information concerning this requirement is provided in a policy directive issued by OMB and published in the Federal Register on June 27, 2003 (68 FR 38402–38405). (2) A narrative describing the applicant’s ability to meet the eligibility requirements stated in this Notice. (3) Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424) which can be found online at https:// www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/ sf424.pdf. (4) A current, dated, and signed financial statement showing assets and liabilities with information on the repayment schedule and status of all debts. (5) Evidence that the applicant is unable to obtain credit from other sources. Letters from credit institutions who normally provide real estate loans in the area should be obtained and these letters should indicate the rates and terms upon which a loan might be provided. (Note: Not required from State or local public agencies or Indian tribes.) (6) A statement concerning the need for a labor housing grant. The statement should include preliminary estimates of the rents required with and without a grant. (7) A statement of the applicant’s experience in operating labor housing or other rental housing. If the applicant’s experience is limited, additional information should be provided to indicate how the applicant plans to compensate for this limited experience (i.e., obtaining assistance and advice of a management firm, non-profit group, public agency, or other organization which is experienced in rental management and will be available on a continuous basis). (8) A brief statement explaining the applicant’s proposed method of operation and management (i.e., on-site manager, contracting for management services, etc.). As stated in this Notice: (a) The housing must be managed in accordance with the program’s management regulation, 7 CFR part 3560 and (b) Tenancy is limited to ‘‘domestic farm laborers,’’ as defined in this Notice. (9) Applicants must provide: (a) A copy of, or an accurate citation to, the special provisions of State law PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 12561 under which they are organized, a copy of the applicant’s charter, their Articles of Incorporation, and their By-laws; (b) The names, occupations, and addresses of the applicant’s members, directors, and officers; and (c) If a member or subsidiary of another organization, the organization’s name, address, and nature of business. (10) A preliminary survey to identify the supply and demand for labor housing in the market area. The market area must be clearly identified and may include only the area from which tenants can reasonably be drawn for the proposed project. Documentation must be provided to justify a need within the intended market area for housing for ‘‘domestic farm laborers’’, as defined in this Notice. The preliminary survey should address or include the following items: (a) The annual income level of farmworker families in the area and the probable income of the farmworkers who are apt to occupy the proposed housing; (b) A realistic estimate of the number of farmworkers who are home-based in the area and the number of farmworkers who normally migrate into the area. Information on migratory workers should indicate the average number of months the migrants reside in the area and an indication of what type of family groups are represented by the migrants (i.e., single individuals as opposed to families); (c) General information concerning the type of labor intensive crops grown in the area and prospects for continued demand for farm laborers (i.e., prospects for mechanization, etc.); (d) The overall occupancy rate for comparable rental units in the area and the rents charged and customary rental practices for these units (i.e., will they rent to large families, do they require annual leases, etc.); (e) The number, condition, adequacy, rental rates and ownership of units currently used or available to farmworkers; (f) A description of the units proposed, including the number, type, size, rental rates, amenities such as carpets and drapes, related facilities such as a laundry room or community room and other facilities providing supportive services in connection with the housing and the needs of the prospective tenants such as a health clinic or day care facility, estimated development timeline, estimated total development cost, and applicant contribution; and (g) The applicant must also identify all other sources of funds, including the E:\FR\FM\14MRN2.SGM 14MRN2 12562 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 48 / Monday, March 14, 2005 / Notices dollar amount, source, and commitment status. (Note: A section 516 grant may not exceed 90 percent of the total development cost of the housing.) (11) A completed Form RD 1940–20, ‘‘Request for Environmental Information,’’ and a description of anticipated environmental issues or concerns. The form can be found online at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/ forms/1940–20.pdf. (12) A prepared HUD 935.2, ‘‘Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan.’’ The plan will reflect that occupancy is open to all qualified ‘‘domestic farm laborers,’’ regardless of which farming operation they work at and that they will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, disability, marital or familial status or National origin in regard to the occupancy or use of the units. The form can be found online at https:// www.hudclips.org/sub_nonhud/html/ pdfforms/935–2.pdf. (13) Evidence of site control such as an option or sales contract. In addition, a map and description of the proposed site, including the availability of water, sewer, and utilities and the proximity to community facilities and services such as shopping, schools, transportation, doctors, dentists, and hospitals. (14) Preliminary plans and specifications, including plot plans, building layouts, and type of construction and materials. The housing must meet the Agency’s design and construction standards contained in 7 CFR part 1924, subparts A and C and must also meet all applicable Federal, State, and local accessibility standards. (15) A Supportive Services Plan describing services that will be provided on-site or made available to tenants through cooperative agreements with service providers in the community, such as a health clinic or day care facility. Off-site services must be accessible and affordable to farmworkers and their families. Letters of intent from service providers are acceptable documentation at the preapplication stage. (16) A proposed operating budget utilizing Form RD 3560–7, ‘‘Multi Family Housing Project Budget/Utility Allowance.’’ The form can be found online at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ regs. (17) An estimate of development cost utilizing Form RD 1924–13, ‘‘Estimate and Certificate of Actual Cost.’’ The form can be found online at https:// www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/forms/1924– 13.pdf. VerDate jul<14>2003 15:35 Mar 11, 2005 Jkt 205001 (18) Form RD 3560–30, ‘‘Certification of No Identity Of Interest (IOI)’’ and Form RD 3560–31, ‘‘Identity of Interest Disclosure/Qualification Certification.’’ These forms can be found online at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs. (19) Form HUD 2530, ‘‘Previous Participation Certification.’’ The form can be found online at https:// www.hudclips.org/sub_nonhud/html/ pdfforms/2530.pdf. (20) If requesting RA or Operating Assistance, Form RD 3560–25, ‘‘Initial Request for Rental Assistance or Operating Assistance.’’ The form can be found online at https:// www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs. (21) A Sources and Uses Statement showing all sources of funding included in the proposed project. The terms and schedules of all sources included in the project should be included in the Sources and Uses Statement. (22) A separate one-page information sheet listing each of the ‘‘Application Scoring Criteria’’ contained in this Notice, followed by the page numbers of all relevant material and documentation that is contained in the proposal that supports the criteria. (23) Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to include a checklist of all of the application requirements and to have their application indexed and tabbed to facilitate the review process. Funding Restrictions Individual requests may not exceed $3 million (total loan and grant). Grants may not exceed 90 percent of the total development cost of the housing. Intergovernmental Review The construction of new section 516 off-farm FLH is subject to the Intergovernmental Review provisions of 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. Submission Address Applicants wishing to apply for assistance must contact the Rural Development State Office serving the place in which they desire to submit an application for off-farm labor housing to receive further information and copies of the application package. Rural Development will date and time stamp incoming applications to evidence timely receipt, and, upon request, will provide the applicant with a written acknowledgment of receipt. A listing of Rural Development State Offices, their addresses, telephone numbers, and person to contact follows: Note: Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free. Alabama State Office PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 Suite 601, Sterling Center 4121 Carmichael Road Montgomery, AL 36106–3683 (334) 279–3455 TDD (334) 279–3495 James B. Harris Alaska State Office 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201 Palmer, AK 99645 (907) 761–7740 TDD (907) 761–8905 Debbie Andrys Arizona State Office Phoenix Courthouse and Federal Building 230 North First Ave., Suite 206 Phoenix, AZ 85003–1706 (602) 280–8706 TDD (602) 280–8770 Johnna Vargas Arkansas State Office 700 W. Capitol Ave., Rm. 3416 Little Rock, AR 72201–3225 (501) 301–3250 TDD (501) 301–3063 Clinton King California State Office 430 G Street, #4169 Davis, CA 95616–4169 (530) 792–5830 TDD (530) 792–5848 Jeff Deiss Colorado State Office 655 Parfet Street, Room E100 Lakewood, CO 80215 (720) 544–2923 TDD (800) 659–2656 Mary Summerfield Connecticut Served by Massachusetts State Office Delaware & Maryland State Office 4607 South Dupont Highway PO Box 400 Camden, DE 19934–9998 (302) 697–4353 TDD (302) 697–4303 Pat Baker Florida & Virgin Islands State Office 4440 N.W. 25th Place Gainesville, FL 32606–6563 (352) 338–3465 TDD (352) 338–3499 Elizabeth M. Whitaker Georgia State Office Stephens Federal Building 355 E. Hancock Avenue Athens, GA 30601–2768 (706) 546–2164 TDD (706) 546–2034 Wayne Rogers Hawaii State Office (Services all Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam and Western Pacific) Room 311, Federal Building 154 Waianuenue Avenue Hilo, HI 96720 (808) 933–8305 TDD (808) 933–8321 Jack Mahan Idaho State Office Suite A1 9173 West Barnes Dr. Boise, ID 83709 (208) 378–5628 TDD (208) 378–5644 E:\FR\FM\14MRN2.SGM 14MRN2 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 48 / Monday, March 14, 2005 / Notices LaDonn McElligott Illinois State Office 2118 W. Park Court, Suite A Champaign, IL 61821–2986 (217) 403–6222 TDD (217) 403–6240 Barry L. Ramsey Indiana State Office 5975 Lakeside Boulevard Indianapolis, IN 46278 (317) 290–3100 (ext. 423) TDD (317) 290–3343 John Young Iowa State Office 210 Walnut Street Room 873 Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 284–4666 TDD (515) 284–4858 Sue Wilhite Kansas State Office 1303 SW First American Place, Suite 100 Topeka, KS 66604–4040 (785) 271–2721 TDD (785) 271–2767 Virginia M. Hammersmith Kentucky State Office 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200 Lexington, KY 40503 (859) 224–7325 TDD (859) 224–7422 Paul Higgins Louisiana State Office 3727 Government Street Alexandria, LA 71302 (318) 473–7962 TDD (318) 473–7655 Yvonne R. Emerson Maine State Office 967 Illinois Ave., Suite 4 PO Box 405 Bangor, ME 04402–0405 (207) 990–9110 TDD (207) 942–7331 Bob Nadeau Maryland Served by Delaware State Office Massachusetts, Connecticut, & Rhode Island State Office 451 West Street Amherst, MA 01002 (413) 253–4315 TDD (413) 253–4590 Paul Geoffroy Michigan State Office 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200 East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 324–5192 TDD (517) 337–6795 Ghulam R. Sumbal Minnesota State Office 375 Jackson Street Building, Suite 410 St. Paul, MN 55101 (651) 602–7782 TDD (651) 602–7826 Peter Lundquist Mississippi State Office Federal Building, Suite 831 100 W. Capitol Street Jackson, MS 39269 (601) 965–4325 TDD (601) 965–5850 Darnella Smith-Murray Missouri State Office VerDate jul<14>2003 15:35 Mar 11, 2005 Jkt 205001 601 Business Loop 70 West Parkade Center, Suite 235 Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 876–9305 TDD (573) 876–9480 Colleen James Montana State Office 900 Technology Blvd. Suite B Bozeman, MT 59715 (406) 585–2565 TDD (406) 585–2562 Deborah Chorlton Nebraska State Office Federal Building, Room 152 100 Centennial Mall N Lincoln, NE 68508 (402) 437–5594 TDD (402) 437–5093 Phil Willnerd Nevada State Office 1390 South Curry Street Carson City, NV 89703–9910 (775) 887–1222 (ext. 25) TDD (775) 885–0633 Angilla Denton New Hampshire State Office Concord Center Suite 218, Box 317 10 Ferry Street Concord, NH 03301–5004 (603) 223–6046 TDD (603) 229–0536 Jim Fowler New Jersey State Office 5th Floor North Suite 500 8000 Midlantic Dr. Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 (856) 787–7740 TDD (856) 787–7784 George Hyatt, Jr. New Mexico State Office 6200 Jefferson St., NE, Room 255 Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 761–4944 TDD (505) 761–4938 Carmen N. Lopez New York State Office The Galleries of Syracuse 441 S. Salina Street, Suite 357 5th Floor Syracuse, NY 13202 (315) 477–6419 TDD (315) 477–6447 George N. Von Pless North Carolina State Office 4405 Bland Road, Suite 2120 Raleigh, NC 271209 (919) 873–2066 TDD (919) 873–2003 Bill Hobbs North Dakota State Office Federal Building, Room 208 220 East Rosser PO Box 1737 Bismarck, ND 58502 (701) 530–2049 TDD (701) 530–2113 Kathy Lake Ohio State Office Federal Building, Room 507 200 North High Street Columbus, OH 43215–2477 (614) 255–2418 TDD (614) 255–2554 Melodie Taylor-Ward PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 12563 Oklahoma State Office 100 USDA, Suite 108 Stillwater, OK 74074–2654 (405) 742–1070 TDD (405) 742–1007 Ivan Graves Oregon State Office 101 SW Main, Suite 1410 Portland, OR 97204–3222 (503) 414–3325 TDD (503) 414–3387 Margo Donelin Pennsylvania State Office One Credit Union Place, Suite 330 Harrisburg, PA 17110–2996 (717) 237–2282 TDD (717) 237–2261 Martha E. Hanson Puerto Rico State Office IBM Building, Suite 601 Munoz Rivera Ave. #654Street San Juan, PR 00918 (787) 766–5095 (ext. 254) TDD 1–800–274–1572 Lourdes Colon Rhode Island Served by Massachusetts State Office South Carolina State Office Strom Thurmond Federal Building 1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 253–3432 TDD (803) 765–5697 Larry D. Floyd South Dakota State Office Federal Building, Room 210 200 Fourth Street, SW Huron, SD 57350 (605) 352–1132 TDD (605) 352–1147 Roger Hazuka or Pam Reilly Tennessee State Office Suite 300 3322 West End Avenue Nashville, TN 37203–1084 (615) 783–1375 TDD (615) 783–1397 G. Benson Lasater Texas State Office Federal Building, Suite 102 101 South Main Temple, TX 76501 (254) 742–9758 TDD (254) 742–9712 Julie Hayes Utah State Office Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building 125 S. State Street, Room 4311 Salt Lake City, UT 84138 (801) 524–4325 TDD (801) 524–3309 Janice Kocher Vermont State Office City Center, 3rd Floor 89 Main Street Montpelier, VT 05602 (802) 828–6021 TDD (802) 223–6365 Heidi Setien Virgin Islands Served by Florida State Office Virginia State Office Culpeper Building, Suite 238 1606 Santa Rosa Road E:\FR\FM\14MRN2.SGM 14MRN2 12564 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 48 / Monday, March 14, 2005 / Notices Richmond, VA 23229 (804) 287–1596 TDD (804) 287–1753 CJ Michels Washington State Office 1835 Black Lake Blvd., Suite B Olympia, WA 98512 (360) 704–7730 TDD (360) 704–7760 Robert Lund Western Pacific Territories Served by Hawaii State Office West Virginia State Office Federal Building 75 High Street, Room 320 Morgantown, WV 26505–7500 (304) 284–4889 TDD (304) 284–4836 Craig St. Clair Wisconsin State Office 4949 Kirschling Court Stevens Point, WI 54481 (715) 345–7608 (ext. 7145) TDD (715) 345–7614 Peter Kohnen Wyoming State Office PO Box 11005 Casper, WY 82602–5006 (307) 233–6715 TDD (307) 233–6733 Jack Hyde state or federal funds. A minimum of ten percent leveraged assistance is required to earn points; however, if the total percentage of leveraged assistance is less than ten percent and the proposal includes donated land, two points will be awarded for the donated land. To count as leveraged funds for purposes of the selection criteria, a commitment of funds must be provided with the preapplication. Points will be awarded in accordance with the following table. (0 to 20 points) Percentage 75 or more ...................................... 60–74 .............................................. 50–59 .............................................. 40–49 .............................................. 30–39 .............................................. 20–29 .............................................. 10–19 .............................................. 0–9 .................................................. V. Application Review Information All applications for sections 514 and 516 funds must be filed with the appropriate Rural Development State Office and must meet the requirements of this Notice. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and will be returned to the applicant. No application will be accepted after 5 p.m., local time for each Rural Development State Office on May 13, 2005, unless date and time is extended by another Notice published in the Federal Register. The Rural Development State Office will base its determination of completeness of the application and the eligibility of each applicant on the information provided in the application. Selection Criteria Section 514 loan funds and section 516 grant funds will be distributed to States based on a national competition, as follows: (1) States will accept, review, and score requests in accordance with the Notice. The scoring factors are: (a) The presence and extent of leveraged assistance, including donated land, for the units that will serve program-eligible tenants, calculated as a percentage of the RHS total development cost (TDC). RHS TDC excludes non-RHS eligible costs such as a developer’s fee. Leveraged assistance includes, but is not limited to, funds for hard construction costs, section 8 or other non-RHS tenant subsidies, and VerDate jul<14>2003 15:35 Mar 11, 2005 Jkt 205001 Points 20 18 16 12 10 8 5 0 Donated land in proposals with less than ten percent total leveraged Assistance: 2 (b) Percent of units for seasonal, temporary, migrant housing. (5 points for up to and including 50 percent of the units; 10 points for 51 percent or more.) (c) The selection criteria includes one optional criteria set by the National Office. The National Office initiative will be used in the selection criteria as follows: Up to 10 points will be awarded based on the presence of and extent to which a tenant services plan exists that clearly outlines services that will be provided to the residents of the proposed project. These services may include, but are not limited to, transportation related services, on-site English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, move-in funds, emergency assistance funds, homeownership counseling, food pantries, after school tutoring, and computer learning centers. Two points will be awarded for each resident service included in the tenant services plan up to a maximum of 10 points. Plans must detail how the services are to be administered, who will administer them, and where they will be administered. All tenant service plans must include letters of intent that clearly state the service that will be provided at the project for the benefit of the residents from any party administering each service, including the applicant. (0 to 10 points) (2) States will conduct the preliminary eligibility review, score the applications, and forward them to the National Office. (3) The National Office will rank all requests nationwide and distribute funds to States in rank order, within funding and RA limits. A lottery in PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 accordance with 7 CFR 3560.56(c)(2) will be used for applications with tied point scores when they all cannot be funded. If insufficient funds or RA remain for the next ranked proposal, that applicant will be given a chance to modify their application to bring it within remaining funding levels. This will be repeated for each next ranked eligible proposal until an award can be made or the list is exhausted. Dated: March 3, 2005. Russell T. Davis, Administrator, Rural Housing Service. [FR Doc. 05–4774 Filed 3–11–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Notice of Funds Availability for the Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants for Fiscal Year 2005 Announcement Type: Initial Notice inviting applications from qualified applicants for Fiscal Year 2005. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDA): 10.433. SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) announces that it is soliciting competitive applications under its Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program. The HPG program is a grant program which provides qualified public agencies, private nonprofit organizations, and other eligible entities grant funds to assist very low- and lowincome homeowners in repairing and rehabilitating their homes in rural areas. In addition, the HPG program assists rental property owners and cooperative housing complexes in repairing and rehabilitating their units if they agree to make such units available to low- and very low-income persons. This action is taken to comply with Agency regulations found in 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N, which require the Agency to announce the opening and closing dates for receipt of pre-applications for HPG funds from eligible applicants. The intended effect of this Notice is to provide eligible organizations notice of these dates. DATES: The closing deadline for receipt of all applications in response to this Notice is 5 p.m., local time for each Rural Development State Office on May 13, 2005. The application closing deadline is firm as to date and hour. RHS will not consider any application that is received after the closing deadline. Applicants intending to mail applications must provide sufficient time to permit delivery on or before the E:\FR\FM\14MRN2.SGM 14MRN2

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 48 (Monday, March 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12559-12564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4774]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for Section 514 Farm Labor 
Housing Loans and Section 516 Farm Labor Housing Grants for Off-Farm 
Housing for Fiscal Year 2005

    Announcement Type: Initial Notice inviting applications from 
qualified applicants for Fiscal Year 2005.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDA): 10.405 and 
10.427.

SUMMARY: This NOFA announces the timeframe to submit applications for 
section 514 Farm Labor Housing (FLH) loans and section 516 FLH grants 
for the construction of new off-farm FLH units and related facilities 
for domestic farm laborers. The intended purpose of these loans and 
grants is to increase the number of available housing units for 
domestic farm laborers. Applications may also include requests for 
section 521 rental assistance (RA) and operating assistance for migrant 
units. This document describes the method used to distribute funds, the 
application process, and submission requirements.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of all applications in response to this 
NOFA is 5 p.m., local time for each Rural Development State Office on 
May 13, 2005. The application closing deadline is firm as to date and 
hour. The Agency will not consider any application that is received 
after the closing deadline. Applicants intending to mail applications 
must provide sufficient time to permit delivery on or before the 
closing deadline. Acceptance by a post office or private mailer does 
not constitute delivery. Facsimile (FAX), COD, and postage due 
applications will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas H. MacDowell or Henry Searcy, 
Senior Loan Specialists, Multi-Family Housing Processing Division--STOP 
0781 (Room 1263-S), U.S. Department of Agriculture--Rural Housing 
Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-0781 or by 
telephone at (202) 720-1627 or (202) 720-1753, respectively. (This is 
not a toll free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The reporting requirements contained in this Notice have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number 
0575-0045.

Overview

    The FLH program is authorized by the Housing Act of 1949: section 
514 (42 U.S.C. 1484) for loans and section 516 (42 U.S.C. 1486) for 
grants. Tenant subsidies (RA) are available through section 521 (42 
U.S.C. 1490a). Sections 514 and 516 provide Rural Housing Service (RHS) 
the authority to make loans and grants for financing off-farm housing 
to broad-based nonprofit organizations, nonprofit organizations of 
farmworkers, federally recognized Indian tribes, agencies or political 
subdivisions of State or local

[[Page 12560]]

government. In addition, loans may be made to limited partnerships in 
which the general partner is a nonprofit entity.

Program Administration

I. Funding Opportunities Description

    The Agency's FLH program is authorized by Title V of the Housing 
Act of 1949: section 514 (42 U.S.C. 1484) for loans and section 516 (42 
U.S.C. 1486) for grants. Tenant subsidies (RA and operating assistance) 
are available through section 521 (42 U.S.C. 1490a). Agency regulations 
for the FLH program are published at 7 CFR part 3560, subpart L. 
Eligibility for section 516 off-farm FLH grants is limited to broad-
based nonprofit organizations, nonprofit organizations of farmworkers, 
federally recognized Indian tribes, agencies or political subdivisions 
of State or local government, and public agencies (such as housing 
authorities). Eligibility for section 514 off-farm FLH loans includes 
each of the aforementioned entities and also includes limited 
partnerships which have a nonprofit entity as their sole general 
partner.
    Housing that is constructed with these loans and grants must meet 
the Agency design and construction standards contained in 7 CFR part 
1924, subparts A and C. Once constructed, off-farm FLH must be managed 
in accordance with the program's management regulation, 7 CFR part 
3560. Tenant eligibility is limited to persons who meet the definition 
of a ``domestic farm laborer'', a ``retired domestic farm laborer'', or 
a ``disabled domestic farm laborer'', as these terms are defined in 7 
CFR 3560.11 A domestic farm laborer is defined as ``[a] person who, * * 
*, receives a substantial portion of his or her income from farm labor 
employment (not self-employed) in the United States, Puerto Rico, or 
the Virgin Islands and either is a citizen of the United States or 
resides in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands after 
being legally admitted for permanent residence. This definition may 
include the immediate family members residing with such a person.'' 
Farmworkers who are admitted to this country on a temporary basis under 
the Temporary Agricultural Workers (H-2A Visa) program are not eligible 
to occupy section 514/516 off-farm FLH.
    The term ``farm labor,'' as used in the definition of domestic farm 
laborer, includes ``[s]ervices in connection with cultivating the soil, 
raising or harvesting any agriculture or aquaculture commodity; or in 
catching, netting, handling, planting, drying, packing, grading, 
storing, or preserving in the unprocessed stage, * * *, any agriculture 
or aquaculture commodity; or delivering to storage, market, or a 
carrier for transportation to market or to processing any agricultural 
or aquacultural commodity in its unprocessed stage.'' In addition, off-
farm FLH must be operated on a non-profit basis and tenancy must be 
open to all qualified domestic farm laborers, regardless at which farm 
they work.
    Operating assistance may be used in lieu of tenant-specific rental 
assistance in off-farm labor housing projects financed under section 
514 or section 516(i) of the Housing Act of 1949 (U.S.C. 1486(i)) that 
serve migrant farmworkers. To be eligible for the operating assistance, 
projects must be off-farm FLH projects financed under section 514 or 
section 516 with units that are for migrant farmworkers (housing units 
for year-round farmworker households are ineligible) and must otherwise 
meet the requirements of 7 CFR 3560.574. Migrants or migrant 
agricultural laborer is defined in 7 CFR 3560.11 as ``[a] person (and 
the family of such person) who receives a substantial portion of his or 
her income from farm labor employment and who establishes a residence 
in a location on a seasonal or temporary basis, in an attempt to 
receive farm labor employment at one or more locations away from their 
home base state, excluding day-haul agricultural workers whose travels 
are limited to work areas within one day of their residence.'' Owners 
of eligible projects may choose tenant-specific RA or operating 
assistance, or a combination of both; however, any tenant or unit 
assisted with operating assistance may not also receive RA.

II. Award Information

    Applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 will only be accepted 
through the date and time listed in this NOFA.
    Because RHS has the ability to adjust loan and grant levels, final 
loan and grant levels will fluctuate. The estimated funds available for 
FY 2005 for off-farm housing are: section 514, $32,000,000 and section 
516, $12,000,000.
    Individual requests may not exceed $3 million (total loan and 
grant). If RA is available, it will be held in the National Office and 
will be awarded based on each project's financial structure and need. 
Section 516 off-farm FLH grants may not exceed 90 percent of the total 
development cost of the housing. Applications that require leveraged 
funding must have firm commitments in place for all of the leveraged 
funding within 1 year of the issuance of a ``Notice of Preapplication 
Review Action,'' Form AD-622. In order to be eligible for leveraged 
funding selection points, the commitment for leveraged funds must be 
submitted with the initial preapplication.

III. Eligibility Information

Applicant Eligibility
    (1) To be eligible to receive a section 516 grant for off-farm FLH, 
the applicant must be a broad-based nonprofit organization, a nonprofit 
organization of farmworkers, a federally recognized Indian tribe, or an 
agency or political subdivision of a State or local government, or a 
public agency (such as a housing authority).
    (2) To be eligible to receive a section 514 loan for off-farm FLH, 
the applicant must be a broad-based nonprofit organization, a nonprofit 
organization of farmworkers, a federally recognized Indian tribe, or an 
agency or political subdivision of a State or local government, a 
public agency (such as a housing authority) or a limited partnership 
which has a nonprofit entity as its sole general partner and:
    (a) Be unable to provide the necessary housing from its own 
resources; and
    (b) Except for State or local public agencies and Indian tribes, be 
unable to obtain the necessary credit through a labor housing loan or 
from other sources upon terms and conditions the applicant could 
reasonably be expected to fulfill.
    (3) Broad-based nonprofit organizations must have a membership that 
reflects a variety of interests in the area where the housing will be 
located.
Cost Sharing or Matching
    Section 516 grants for off-farm FLH may not exceed the lesser of 90 
percent of the total development cost or the amount provided in 7 CFR 
3560.562(c)(2).
Other Administrative Requirements
    The following policies and regulations apply to loans and grants 
made in response to this NOFA:
    (1) The policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 1901, 
subpart E regarding equal opportunity requirements;
    (2) The requirements of 7 CFR part 3015, and 7 CFR part 3016 or 7 
CFR part 3019 (as applicable), which establish the uniform 
administrative requirements for grants and cooperative agreements to 
state and local governments and to non-profit organizations;
    (3) The policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 1901, 
subpart F regarding historical and archaeological properties;

[[Page 12561]]

    (4) The policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 1940, 
subpart G regarding environmental assessments;
    (5) The policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 3560, 
subpart L regarding the loan and grant authorities of the FLH program;
    (6) The policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 1924, 
subpart A regarding planning and construction;
    (7) The policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 1924, 
subpart C regarding the planning and performing of site development 
work; and
    (8) All other policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 3560 
regarding the section 514/516 off-farm FLH program.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    The application process will be in two phases: the initial 
preapplication (or proposal) and the submission of a formal 
application. Only those proposals that are selected for funding will be 
invited to submit formal applications. In the event that a proposal is 
selected for further processing and the applicant declines, the next 
highest ranked unfunded preapplication may be selected.
    All preapplications for sections 514 and 516 funds must be filed 
with the appropriate Rural Development State Office and must meet the 
requirements of this Notice. Incomplete preapplications will not be 
reviewed and will be returned to the applicant. No preapplication will 
be accepted after 5 p.m., local time for each Rural Development State 
Office on May 13, 2005, unless date and time is extended by another 
Notice published in the Federal Register.
    If a preapplication is accepted for further processing, the 
applicant will be expected to submit a complete, formal application 
prior to the obligation of Agency funds.
Preapplication Requirements
    The preapplication must contain the following:
    (1) A summary page listing the following items. This information 
should be double-spaced between items and not be in narrative form.
    (a) Applicant's name.
    (b) Applicant's Taxpayer Identification Number.
    (c) Applicant's address.
    (d) Applicant's telephone number.
    (e) Name of applicant's contact person, telephone number, and 
address.
    (f) Amount of loan and grant requested.
    (g) For grants, the applicant's Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number. As required by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB), all grant applicants must provide a DUNS number when 
applying for Federal grants, on or after October 1, 2003. Organizations 
can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free 
DUNS Number request line at 1-866-705-5711. Additional information 
concerning this requirement is provided in a policy directive issued by 
OMB and published in the Federal Register on June 27, 2003 (68 FR 
38402-38405).
    (2) A narrative describing the applicant's ability to meet the 
eligibility requirements stated in this Notice.
    (3) Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424) which 
can be found online at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/sf424.pdf.
    (4) A current, dated, and signed financial statement showing assets 
and liabilities with information on the repayment schedule and status 
of all debts.
    (5) Evidence that the applicant is unable to obtain credit from 
other sources. Letters from credit institutions who normally provide 
real estate loans in the area should be obtained and these letters 
should indicate the rates and terms upon which a loan might be 
provided.

    (Note: Not required from State or local public agencies or 
Indian tribes.)

    (6) A statement concerning the need for a labor housing grant. The 
statement should include preliminary estimates of the rents required 
with and without a grant.
    (7) A statement of the applicant's experience in operating labor 
housing or other rental housing. If the applicant's experience is 
limited, additional information should be provided to indicate how the 
applicant plans to compensate for this limited experience (i.e., 
obtaining assistance and advice of a management firm, non-profit group, 
public agency, or other organization which is experienced in rental 
management and will be available on a continuous basis).
    (8) A brief statement explaining the applicant's proposed method of 
operation and management (i.e., on-site manager, contracting for 
management services, etc.). As stated in this Notice:
    (a) The housing must be managed in accordance with the program's 
management regulation, 7 CFR part 3560 and
    (b) Tenancy is limited to ``domestic farm laborers,'' as defined in 
this Notice.
    (9) Applicants must provide:
    (a) A copy of, or an accurate citation to, the special provisions 
of State law under which they are organized, a copy of the applicant's 
charter, their Articles of Incorporation, and their By-laws;
    (b) The names, occupations, and addresses of the applicant's 
members, directors, and officers; and
    (c) If a member or subsidiary of another organization, the 
organization's name, address, and nature of business.
    (10) A preliminary survey to identify the supply and demand for 
labor housing in the market area. The market area must be clearly 
identified and may include only the area from which tenants can 
reasonably be drawn for the proposed project.
    Documentation must be provided to justify a need within the 
intended market area for housing for ``domestic farm laborers'', as 
defined in this Notice. The preliminary survey should address or 
include the following items:
    (a) The annual income level of farmworker families in the area and 
the probable income of the farmworkers who are apt to occupy the 
proposed housing;
    (b) A realistic estimate of the number of farmworkers who are home-
based in the area and the number of farmworkers who normally migrate 
into the area. Information on migratory workers should indicate the 
average number of months the migrants reside in the area and an 
indication of what type of family groups are represented by the 
migrants (i.e., single individuals as opposed to families);
    (c) General information concerning the type of labor intensive 
crops grown in the area and prospects for continued demand for farm 
laborers (i.e., prospects for mechanization, etc.);
    (d) The overall occupancy rate for comparable rental units in the 
area and the rents charged and customary rental practices for these 
units (i.e., will they rent to large families, do they require annual 
leases, etc.);
    (e) The number, condition, adequacy, rental rates and ownership of 
units currently used or available to farmworkers;
    (f) A description of the units proposed, including the number, 
type, size, rental rates, amenities such as carpets and drapes, related 
facilities such as a laundry room or community room and other 
facilities providing supportive services in connection with the housing 
and the needs of the prospective tenants such as a health clinic or day 
care facility, estimated development timeline, estimated total 
development cost, and applicant contribution; and
    (g) The applicant must also identify all other sources of funds, 
including the

[[Page 12562]]

dollar amount, source, and commitment status.

    (Note: A section 516 grant may not exceed 90 percent of the 
total development cost of the housing.)

    (11) A completed Form RD 1940-20, ``Request for Environmental 
Information,'' and a description of anticipated environmental issues or 
concerns. The form can be found online at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/forms/1940-20.pdf.
    (12) A prepared HUD 935.2, ``Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing 
Plan.'' The plan will reflect that occupancy is open to all qualified 
``domestic farm laborers,'' regardless of which farming operation they 
work at and that they will not discriminate on the basis of race, 
color, sex, age, disability, marital or familial status or National 
origin in regard to the occupancy or use of the units. The form can be 
found online at https://www.hudclips.org/sub_nonhud/html/pdfforms/935-2.pdf.
    (13) Evidence of site control such as an option or sales contract. 
In addition, a map and description of the proposed site, including the 
availability of water, sewer, and utilities and the proximity to 
community facilities and services such as shopping, schools, 
transportation, doctors, dentists, and hospitals.
    (14) Preliminary plans and specifications, including plot plans, 
building layouts, and type of construction and materials. The housing 
must meet the Agency's design and construction standards contained in 7 
CFR part 1924, subparts A and C and must also meet all applicable 
Federal, State, and local accessibility standards.
    (15) A Supportive Services Plan describing services that will be 
provided on-site or made available to tenants through cooperative 
agreements with service providers in the community, such as a health 
clinic or day care facility. Off-site services must be accessible and 
affordable to farmworkers and their families. Letters of intent from 
service providers are acceptable documentation at the preapplication 
stage.
    (16) A proposed operating budget utilizing Form RD 3560-7, ``Multi 
Family Housing Project Budget/Utility Allowance.'' The form can be 
found online at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs.
    (17) An estimate of development cost utilizing Form RD 1924-13, 
``Estimate and Certificate of Actual Cost.'' The form can be found 
online at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/forms/1924-13.pdf.
    (18) Form RD 3560-30, ``Certification of No Identity Of Interest 
(IOI)'' and Form RD 3560-31, ``Identity of Interest Disclosure/
Qualification Certification.'' These forms can be found online at 
https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs.
    (19) Form HUD 2530, ``Previous Participation Certification.'' The 
form can be found online at https://www.hudclips.org/sub_nonhud/html/pdfforms/2530.pdf.
    (20) If requesting RA or Operating Assistance, Form RD 3560-25, 
``Initial Request for Rental Assistance or Operating Assistance.'' The 
form can be found online at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs.
    (21) A Sources and Uses Statement showing all sources of funding 
included in the proposed project. The terms and schedules of all 
sources included in the project should be included in the Sources and 
Uses Statement.
    (22) A separate one-page information sheet listing each of the 
``Application Scoring Criteria'' contained in this Notice, followed by 
the page numbers of all relevant material and documentation that is 
contained in the proposal that supports the criteria.
    (23) Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to include a 
checklist of all of the application requirements and to have their 
application indexed and tabbed to facilitate the review process.
Funding Restrictions
    Individual requests may not exceed $3 million (total loan and 
grant). Grants may not exceed 90 percent of the total development cost 
of the housing.
Intergovernmental Review
    The construction of new section 516 off-farm FLH is subject to the 
Intergovernmental Review provisions of 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V which 
requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials.
Submission Address
    Applicants wishing to apply for assistance must contact the Rural 
Development State Office serving the place in which they desire to 
submit an application for off-farm labor housing to receive further 
information and copies of the application package. Rural Development 
will date and time stamp incoming applications to evidence timely 
receipt, and, upon request, will provide the applicant with a written 
acknowledgment of receipt. A listing of Rural Development State 
Offices, their addresses, telephone numbers, and person to contact 
follows:


    Note: Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free.

Alabama State Office
Suite 601, Sterling Center
4121 Carmichael Road
Montgomery, AL 36106-3683
(334) 279-3455
TDD (334) 279-3495
James B. Harris

Alaska State Office
800 West Evergreen, Suite 201
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 761-7740
TDD (907) 761-8905
Debbie Andrys

Arizona State Office
Phoenix Courthouse and Federal Building
230 North First Ave., Suite 206
Phoenix, AZ 85003-1706
(602) 280-8706
TDD (602) 280-8770
Johnna Vargas

Arkansas State Office
700 W. Capitol Ave., Rm. 3416
Little Rock, AR 72201-3225
(501) 301-3250
TDD (501) 301-3063
Clinton King

California State Office
430 G Street, 4169
Davis, CA 95616-4169
(530) 792-5830
TDD (530) 792-5848
Jeff Deiss

Colorado State Office
655 Parfet Street, Room E100
Lakewood, CO 80215
(720) 544-2923
TDD (800) 659-2656
Mary Summerfield

Connecticut
    Served by Massachusetts State Office

Delaware & Maryland State Office
4607 South Dupont Highway
PO Box 400
Camden, DE 19934-9998
(302) 697-4353
TDD (302) 697-4303
Pat Baker

Florida & Virgin Islands State Office
4440 N.W. 25th Place
Gainesville, FL 32606-6563
(352) 338-3465
TDD (352) 338-3499
Elizabeth M. Whitaker

Georgia State Office
Stephens Federal Building
355 E. Hancock Avenue
Athens, GA 30601-2768
(706) 546-2164
TDD (706) 546-2034
Wayne Rogers

Hawaii State Office
    (Services all Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam and Western Pacific)
Room 311, Federal Building
154 Waianuenue Avenue
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 933-8305
TDD (808) 933-8321
Jack Mahan

Idaho State Office
Suite A1
9173 West Barnes Dr.
Boise, ID 83709
(208) 378-5628
TDD (208) 378-5644

[[Page 12563]]

LaDonn McElligott

Illinois State Office
2118 W. Park Court, Suite A
Champaign, IL 61821-2986
(217) 403-6222
TDD (217) 403-6240
Barry L. Ramsey

Indiana State Office
5975 Lakeside Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN 46278
(317) 290-3100 (ext. 423)
TDD (317) 290-3343
John Young

Iowa State Office
210 Walnut Street Room 873
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 284-4666
TDD (515) 284-4858
Sue Wilhite

Kansas State Office
1303 SW First American Place, Suite 100
Topeka, KS 66604-4040
(785) 271-2721
TDD (785) 271-2767
Virginia M. Hammersmith

Kentucky State Office
771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200
Lexington, KY 40503
(859) 224-7325
TDD (859) 224-7422
Paul Higgins

Louisiana State Office
3727 Government Street
Alexandria, LA 71302
(318) 473-7962
TDD (318) 473-7655
Yvonne R. Emerson

Maine State Office
967 Illinois Ave., Suite 4
PO Box 405
Bangor, ME 04402-0405
(207) 990-9110
TDD (207) 942-7331
Bob Nadeau

Maryland
    Served by Delaware State Office

Massachusetts, Connecticut, & Rhode Island State Office
451 West Street
Amherst, MA 01002
(413) 253-4315
TDD (413) 253-4590
Paul Geoffroy

Michigan State Office
3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 324-5192
TDD (517) 337-6795
Ghulam R. Sumbal

Minnesota State Office
375 Jackson Street Building, Suite 410
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 602-7782
TDD (651) 602-7826
Peter Lundquist

Mississippi State Office
Federal Building, Suite 831
100 W. Capitol Street
Jackson, MS 39269
(601) 965-4325
TDD (601) 965-5850
Darnella Smith-Murray

Missouri State Office
601 Business Loop 70 West
Parkade Center, Suite 235
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 876-9305
TDD (573) 876-9480
Colleen James

Montana State Office
900 Technology Blvd. Suite B
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 585-2565
TDD (406) 585-2562
Deborah Chorlton

Nebraska State Office
Federal Building, Room 152
100 Centennial Mall N
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 437-5594
TDD (402) 437-5093
Phil Willnerd

Nevada State Office
1390 South Curry Street
Carson City, NV 89703-9910
(775) 887-1222 (ext. 25)
TDD (775) 885-0633
Angilla Denton

New Hampshire State Office
Concord Center
Suite 218, Box 317
10 Ferry Street
Concord, NH 03301-5004
(603) 223-6046
TDD (603) 229-0536
Jim Fowler

New Jersey State Office
5th Floor North Suite 500
8000 Midlantic Dr.
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
(856) 787-7740
TDD (856) 787-7784
George Hyatt, Jr.

New Mexico State Office
6200 Jefferson St., NE, Room 255
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 761-4944
TDD (505) 761-4938
Carmen N. Lopez

New York State Office
The Galleries of Syracuse
441 S. Salina Street, Suite 357 5th Floor
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 477-6419
TDD (315) 477-6447
George N. Von Pless

North Carolina State Office
4405 Bland Road, Suite 2120
Raleigh, NC 271209
(919) 873-2066
TDD (919) 873-2003
Bill Hobbs

North Dakota State Office
Federal Building, Room 208
220 East Rosser
PO Box 1737
Bismarck, ND 58502
(701) 530-2049
TDD (701) 530-2113
Kathy Lake

Ohio State Office
Federal Building, Room 507
200 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215-2477
(614) 255-2418
TDD (614) 255-2554
Melodie Taylor-Ward

Oklahoma State Office
100 USDA, Suite 108
Stillwater, OK 74074-2654
(405) 742-1070
TDD (405) 742-1007
Ivan Graves
Oregon State Office
101 SW Main, Suite 1410
Portland, OR 97204-3222
(503) 414-3325
TDD (503) 414-3387
Margo Donelin

Pennsylvania State Office
One Credit Union Place, Suite 330
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996
(717) 237-2282
TDD (717) 237-2261
Martha E. Hanson

Puerto Rico State Office
IBM Building, Suite 601
Munoz Rivera Ave. 654Street
San Juan, PR 00918
(787) 766-5095 (ext. 254)
TDD 1-800-274-1572
Lourdes Colon

Rhode Island
    Served by Massachusetts State Office

South Carolina State Office
Strom Thurmond Federal Building
1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 253-3432
TDD (803) 765-5697
Larry D. Floyd

South Dakota State Office
Federal Building, Room 210
200 Fourth Street, SW
Huron, SD 57350
(605) 352-1132
TDD (605) 352-1147
Roger Hazuka or Pam Reilly

Tennessee State Office
Suite 300
3322 West End Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203-1084
(615) 783-1375
TDD (615) 783-1397
G. Benson Lasater

Texas State Office
Federal Building, Suite 102
101 South Main
Temple, TX 76501
(254) 742-9758
TDD (254) 742-9712
Julie Hayes

Utah State Office
Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building
125 S. State Street, Room 4311
Salt Lake City, UT 84138
(801) 524-4325
TDD (801) 524-3309
Janice Kocher

Vermont State Office
City Center, 3rd Floor
89 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
(802) 828-6021
TDD (802) 223-6365
Heidi Setien

Virgin Islands
    Served by Florida State Office

Virginia State Office
Culpeper Building, Suite 238
1606 Santa Rosa Road

[[Page 12564]]

Richmond, VA 23229
(804) 287-1596
TDD (804) 287-1753
CJ Michels

Washington State Office
1835 Black Lake Blvd., Suite B
Olympia, WA 98512
(360) 704-7730
TDD (360) 704-7760
Robert Lund

Western Pacific Territories
    Served by Hawaii State Office

West Virginia State Office
Federal Building
75 High Street, Room 320
Morgantown, WV 26505-7500
(304) 284-4889
TDD (304) 284-4836
Craig St. Clair

Wisconsin State Office
4949 Kirschling Court
Stevens Point, WI 54481
(715) 345-7608 (ext. 7145)
TDD (715) 345-7614
Peter Kohnen

Wyoming State Office
PO Box 11005
Casper, WY 82602-5006
(307) 233-6715
TDD (307) 233-6733
Jack Hyde

V. Application Review Information

    All applications for sections 514 and 516 funds must be filed with 
the appropriate Rural Development State Office and must meet the 
requirements of this Notice. Incomplete applications will not be 
reviewed and will be returned to the applicant. No application will be 
accepted after 5 p.m., local time for each Rural Development State 
Office on May 13, 2005, unless date and time is extended by another 
Notice published in the Federal Register. The Rural Development State 
Office will base its determination of completeness of the application 
and the eligibility of each applicant on the information provided in 
the application.
Selection Criteria
    Section 514 loan funds and section 516 grant funds will be 
distributed to States based on a national competition, as follows:
    (1) States will accept, review, and score requests in accordance 
with the Notice. The scoring factors are:
    (a) The presence and extent of leveraged assistance, including 
donated land, for the units that will serve program-eligible tenants, 
calculated as a percentage of the RHS total development cost (TDC). RHS 
TDC excludes non-RHS eligible costs such as a developer's fee. 
Leveraged assistance includes, but is not limited to, funds for hard 
construction costs, section 8 or other non-RHS tenant subsidies, and 
state or federal funds. A minimum of ten percent leveraged assistance 
is required to earn points; however, if the total percentage of 
leveraged assistance is less than ten percent and the proposal includes 
donated land, two points will be awarded for the donated land. To count 
as leveraged funds for purposes of the selection criteria, a commitment 
of funds must be provided with the preapplication. Points will be 
awarded in accordance with the following table. (0 to 20 points)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Percentage                             Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
75 or more....................................................        20
60-74.........................................................        18
50-59.........................................................        16
40-49.........................................................        12
30-39.........................................................        10
20-29.........................................................         8
10-19.........................................................         5
0-9...........................................................         0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Donated land in proposals with less than ten percent total 
leveraged Assistance: 2
    (b) Percent of units for seasonal, temporary, migrant housing. (5 
points for up to and including 50 percent of the units; 10 points for 
51 percent or more.)
    (c) The selection criteria includes one optional criteria set by 
the National Office. The National Office initiative will be used in the 
selection criteria as follows: Up to 10 points will be awarded based on 
the presence of and extent to which a tenant services plan exists that 
clearly outlines services that will be provided to the residents of the 
proposed project. These services may include, but are not limited to, 
transportation related services, on-site English as a Second Language 
(ESL) classes, move-in funds, emergency assistance funds, homeownership 
counseling, food pantries, after school tutoring, and computer learning 
centers. Two points will be awarded for each resident service included 
in the tenant services plan up to a maximum of 10 points. Plans must 
detail how the services are to be administered, who will administer 
them, and where they will be administered. All tenant service plans 
must include letters of intent that clearly state the service that will 
be provided at the project for the benefit of the residents from any 
party administering each service, including the applicant. (0 to 10 
points)
    (2) States will conduct the preliminary eligibility review, score 
the applications, and forward them to the National Office.
    (3) The National Office will rank all requests nationwide and 
distribute funds to States in rank order, within funding and RA limits. 
A lottery in accordance with 7 CFR 3560.56(c)(2) will be used for 
applications with tied point scores when they all cannot be funded. If 
insufficient funds or RA remain for the next ranked proposal, that 
applicant will be given a chance to modify their application to bring 
it within remaining funding levels. This will be repeated for each next 
ranked eligible proposal until an award can be made or the list is 
exhausted.

    Dated: March 3, 2005.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-4774 Filed 3-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P
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