Notice of Funding Availability: Section 515 Multi-Family Housing Preservation and Revitalization Restructuring (MPR) Demonstration Program for Fiscal Year 2006, 13569-13575 [06-2594]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 51 / Thursday, March 16, 2006 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
South Deep Management Project,
Colville National Forest, Stevens
County, WA
Forest Service, USDA.
Cancellation notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: On January 2, 2002, a Notice
of Intent (NOI) to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS)
for the South Deep Management Project
on the Three Rivers Ranger District of
the Colville National Forest, was
published in the Federal Register (67
FR 51). Forest Service has decided to
cancel the preparation of this EIS. The
NOI is hereby rescinded.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions may be addressed to James
Parker, Environmental Coordinator,
Colville National Forest, 650 East
Delaware, Republic WA 99166,
telephone (509) 775–7462.
Dated: March 10, 2006.
Mimi A. Tryon,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 06–2555 Filed 3–15–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–M
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service
Notice of Funding Availability: Section
515 Multi-Family Housing Preservation
and Revitalization Restructuring (MPR)
Demonstration Program for Fiscal Year
2006
Rural Housing Service, USDA.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Announcement Type: Inviting
applications from eligible applicants for
Fiscal Year 2006 funding.
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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Number (CFDA): 10.447
SUMMARY: USDA Rural Development
(RD) administers the programs of Rural
Housing Service (RHS). RD announces
the availability of funds and the
timeframe to submit applications to
participate in a demonstration program
to preserve and revitalize existing rural
rental housing projects financed by RD
under section 515 of the Housing Act of
1949. The intended effect is to
restructure selected existing section 515
loans expressly for the purpose of
ensuring that sufficient resources are
available to preserve the rental project
for the purpose of providing safe and
affordable housing for low-income
residents. Expectations are that
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properties participating in this program
will be able to be revitalized and extend
affordable use without displacing
tenants because of increased rents. No
additional Rental Assistance units will
be made available under this program.
DATES: The deadline for receipt of all
applications in response to this Notice
of Funding Availability (NOFA) is 5
p.m., Eastern Time, April 17, 2006. 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
allow 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) and postage-due
applications will not be accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carlton Jarratt, Senior Loan Specialist,
Multi-Family Housing Office of Rental
Housing Preservation—STOP 0782
(Room 1263–S), or Byron Ross, Director,
Multi-Family Housing Office of Rental
Housing Preservation—STOP 0782
(Room 1263–S), U.S. Department of
Agriculture Rural Housing Service, 1400
Independence Ave. SW., Washington,
DC 20250–0782 or by telephone at (804)
561–0665 or (202) 690–0669, or via email, carlton.jarratt@wdc.usda.gov or
Byron.Ross@wdc.usda.gov. (Please note
these phone numbers are not toll free
numbers.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection
requirements contained in this Notice
have received temporary emergency
clearance by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) under Control
Number 0575–0190. However, in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, RD will seek
standard OMB approval of the reporting
requirements contained in this Notice.
Publication of this Notice hereby opens
a 60-day public comment period.
Title: Section 515 Multi-Family
Housing Preservation and Revitalization
Restructuring Demonstration Program.
Type of Request: New collection.
Abstract: The Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109–
97) provides funding for, and authorizes
RD to conduct a demonstration program
for the preservation and revitalization of
the section 515 multi-family housing
portfolio. The section 515 multi-family
housing program is authorized by
section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949
(42 U.S.C. 1485) and provides RD the
authority to make loans for low-income
multi-family housing and related
facilities.
RD refers to this program as MultiFamily Housing Preservation and
Revitalization Restructuring Program
(MPR). This NOFA sets forth the
eligibility and application requirements.
Information will be collected from
applicants and grant recipients by Rural
Development staff in its Local, Area,
State, and National offices. This
information will be used to determine
applicant eligibility for this
demonstration program. If an applicant
proposal is selected, that applicant will
be notified of the selection and given
the opportunity to submit a formal
application.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average 1.26 hours per
response.
Respondents: Individuals,
partnerships, public and private
nonprofit corporations, agencies,
institutions, organizations, and Indian
tribes.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
710.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 1.01.
Estimated Number of Responses:
1520.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 1940 hours.
Copies of this information collection
can be obtained from Tracy Givelekian,
Regulations and Paperwork
Management Branch, at (202) 692–0039.
Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of the RD, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
RD’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology. Comments may be sent to
Tracy Givelekian, Regulations and
Paperwork Management Branch, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Rural
Development, STOP 0742, 1400
Independence Ave. SW., Washington,
DC 20250. All responses to this notice
will be summarized and included in the
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request for OMB approval. All
comments will also become a matter of
public record.
Overview
The Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
2006 (Pub. L. 109–97), November 10,
2005, provides funding for, and
authorizes RD to conduct a
demonstration program for the
preservation and revitalization of the
section 515 multi-family housing
portfolio. The section 515 multi-family
housing program is authorized by
section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949
(42 U.S.C. 1485) and provides RD the
authority to make loans for low-income
multi-family housing and related
facilities.
Program Administration
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I. Funding Opportunities Description
This NOFA requests applications
from eligible borrowers/applicants to
restructure existing multi-family
housing within the Agency’s section 515
multi-family housing portfolio for the
purpose of revitalization and
preservation. The demonstration
program shall be referred to in this
notice as the Multi-Family Housing
Preservation and Revitalization
Restructuring Demonstration (MPR)
program. Agency regulations for the
section 515 multi-family housing
program are published at 7 CFR part
3560. The MPR is intended to assure
that existing rental projects will be able
to continue to deliver decent, safe, and
sanitary affordable rental housing for
the lesser of the remaining term of the
loan or 20 years from the date of the
MPR transaction closing. Once an
applicant and project have been selected
in the process described in this notice,
confirmed eligible by the Agency, and
agree to participate in the MPR
demonstration by written notification to
the Agency, an independent third party
capital needs assessment (CNA) will be
conducted to provide a fair and
objective review of projected capital
needs. The Agency shall implement this
NOFA through an MPR Conditional
Commitment (MPRCC) with the eligible
borrower, which will include all the
terms and conditions under this NOFA,
including the MPR Debt Deferral
Agreement.
The primary restructuring tool to be
used in this program will be up to a 20year debt deferral of the payment on 1%
section 515 loans. The cash flow from
the deferred payment will be re-directed
to reserve account deposits to help meet
the physical needs of the property. If the
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resulting cash flow is not adequate to
address the long-term needs of the
project, other Agency restructuring tools
and resources from third party sources
including loans made with Agency
guarantees under section 538 of the
Housing Act of 1949 and 7 CFR part
3560, may be used to supplement the
deferral. For the purposes of the MPR,
the potential restructuring transactions
will be identified in three categories:
(1) SIMPLE transactions will consist
of a debt deferral only.
(2) MODERATE transactions will
consist of a deferral and the use of at
least one other Agency restructuring
tool.
(3) COMPLEX transactions will
consist of a MODERATE transaction that
also includes the use of funding sources
provided by a third party. Section 538
guarantees may be available to third
party lenders.
Restructuring tools that may be used
during the MPR demonstration based on
the underwriting feasibility
determination of the Agency include:
(1) A deferral of the existing Agency
debt for the lesser of the remaining term
of the loan or 20 years. All terms and
conditions of the deferral will be
described in the MPR Debt Deferral
Agreement. A balloon payment of
accrued principal and interest will be
due at the end of the deferral period.
(2) A revitalization grant, limited to
no more than $5,000 per unit will be
available to fund immediate capital or
reserve needs determined by the capital
needs assessment process. The grant
administration will be in accordance
with 7 CFR part 3015.
(3) A section 515 rehabilitation loan at
zero percent interest that will be
amortized over 30 years.
(4) A soft mortgage will be available
in limited situations to address capital
needs. This will be accomplished by the
use of a subordinate 1 percent section
515 rehabilitation loan that will have its
interest and principal deferred, to a
balloon payment, under the same terms
as the longest remaining 515 debt. The
total principal amount of the senior RD
section 515 loan and the soft second
mortgage may exceed the market value
of the property. Payment of the
subordinate debt will not be required
from normal project operation income,
but from excess cash after all other
secured debts are satisfied.
(5) A subsequent section 515
rehabilitation loan at traditional rates
and terms.
(6) Transfers, subordinations, and
consolidations may be approved as part
of a MPR transaction in accordance with
existing servicing authorities of the
Agency as available in 7 CFR part 3560.
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Using the results of the CNA to help
identify the need for resources and
information regarding anticipated or
available third party financing, the
Agency will determine the financial
feasibility of each potential transaction,
using restructuring tools available either
through existing regulatory authorities
or specifically authorized through this
demonstration program.
Project financial feasibility is
determined when a property can
provide affordable, safe, decent, sanitary
housing for 20 years or the remaining
term of the loan whichever is less, by
using the authorities of this program
while minimizing the cost to the Agency
and without increasing rents for tenants,
except when necessary to meet normal
and necessary operating expenses. If the
transaction is determined financially
feasible by the Agency, the borrower
will be offered a restructuring proposal,
which will include a restrictive use
covenant consistent with 7 CFR
3560.662.
If accepted by the borrower, the
Agency and applicant will enter into a
MPRCC. The applicant must also agree
to a maximum of 20 years restricted use,
pursuant to 7 CFR 3560.662 for the
property when the MPR transaction is
closed.
The MPR may be conducted with a
stay-in owner or may involve a change
in ownership. Any housing or related
facilities that is constructed or repaired
must meet the Agency design and
construction standards and the
development standards contained in 7
CFR part 1924, subparts A and C,
respectively. Once constructed, section
515 multi-family housing must be
managed in accordance with the, 7 CFR
part 3560. Tenant eligibility will be
limited to persons who qualify as a very
low-, low-, or moderate-income
household under Agency regulations or
who are eligible under the requirements
established to qualify for housing
benefits provided by sources other than
the Agency, such as U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development
Section 8 assistance or Low Income
Housing Tax Credit Assistance, when a
tenant receives such housing benefits.
Additional tenant eligibility
requirements are contained in 7 CFR
3560.152.
II. Award Information
Public Law 109–97 makes funding
available to the Secretary of Agriculture
for RD to provide the restructuring tools
of the MPR demonstration. Based on the
planned use of a combination of MPR
tools, the Agency anticipates that the
total amount of funding available for
this program is $173,951,000. The types
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and amount of assistance the Agency
anticipates are: $165,894,000 in deferred
debt, $210,000 in grants, $280,000 in
zero percent loans, and $7,571,000 in
soft mortgage loans. The Agency
anticipates the ability to revitalize
approximately 200 properties (5,400
units) with the funds available. Funding
levels may differ from above when
necessary to assure all funds are used.
All funding must be approved no later
than September 15, 2006, and obligated
by the Agency not later than September
29, 2006.
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III. Eligibility Information
Applicants (and principals) must
demonstrate:
(1) Eligibility under 7 CFR 3560.55
with the exception of the requirement
described in 7 CFR 3560.55(a)(6) (have
or able to obtain 2% of the total
development costs for use as initial
operating capital).
(2) That the project is needed in the
market as evidenced by an average
physical vacancy rate over the last
twelve months of no more than 10% for
projects of 16 units or more and 15% for
projects under 16 units, except that the
Agency may consider and accept
documentation submitted by the
applicant that demonstrates the
occupancy standard will be met once a
restructuring is performed.
(3) Ownership of, and the ability to
operate, the facility after the transaction
is completed.
(4) Compliance with any commitment
to contribute funds to pay transaction
costs as represented at the time of
application for the MPR program.
Further, a CNA and Agency financial
evaluation must demonstrate the MPR
program is financially feasible and
necessary for the revitalization and
preservation of the property for
affordable housing.
IV. Equal Opportunity and
Nondiscrimination Requirements
(1) In accordance with the Fair
Housing Act, title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act, the Age
Discrimination Act of 1975, Executive
Order 12898, the Americans with
Disabilities Act, and section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, neither the
Applicant nor the Agency will
discriminate against any employee,
proposed intermediary or proposed
ultimate recipient on the basis of sex,
marital status, race, color, religion,
national origin, age, physical or mental
disability (provided the proposed
intermediary or proposed ultimate
recipient has the capacity to contract),
because all or part of the proposed
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intermediary’s or proposed ultimate
recipient’s income is derived from
public assistance of any kind, or
because the proposed intermediary or
proposed ultimate recipient has in good
faith exercised any right under the
Consumer Credit Protection Act, with
respect to any aspect of a credit
transaction anytime Agency loan funds
are involved.
(2) The policies and regulations
contained in 7 CFR part 1901, subpart
E and RD Instruction 2006–P (available
in any Rural Development Office) apply
to this program.
(3) The Administrator will assure that
equal opportunity and
nondiscrimination requirements are met
in accordance with the Fair Housing
Act, title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act,
the Age Discrimination Act of 1975,
Executive Order 12898, the Americans
with Disabilities Act, and section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
(4) All housing must meet the
accessibility requirements found at 7
CFR 3560.60(d).
V. Authorities Available for MPR
MPR tools will be used in accordance
with 7 CFR part 3560 and its associated
handbooks (available in any Rural
Development office). The program will
be administered within the resources
and authorities made available to the
Agency through Public Law 109–97 for
the preservation and revitalization of
section 515 financed properties. In the
event that provisions of 7 CFR part 3560
conflicts with this demonstration
program, the provisions of the MPR will
take precedence.
VI. Application and Submission
Information
(1) The application submission and
scoring process will be completed in
two phases in order to avoid
unnecessary effort and expense on the
part of interested borrowers/applicants
and to allow additional points to be
added to applicants that propose a
transfer of a troubled project to an
eligible owner.
The first phase is the application
process, the applicant must submit a
complete application no later than 30
days from the date of this publication.
The applicant’s submission will be
classified complete when they submit a
‘‘MPR Application’’ for each MPR
transaction they wish to be considered
for in the demonstration. The MPR
Application is the form attached at the
end of this Notice. An electronic version
of the application may be found on the
Internet at https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/
rd/nofas/.
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The second phase will be completed
by the Agency and based on Agency
records. Points will be assigned to each
application when a proposal involving a
transfer to a new eligible owner
indicates that the property is currently
classified by the Agency as a troubled
project.
All complete and timely filed
applications will then be scored and
ranked based on points received during
the two phase application process.
Further, the Agency will categorize each
MPR proposal as being potentially
SIMPLE, MODERATE, or COMPLEX
based on the information submitted on
the application and in accordance with
the category description provided in
Section I of this Notice.
(2) Applications can be submitted
either electronically or in hard copy.
The time electronic filings will be
considered received by the Agency is
the actual time the transmission is
received in the website mail box. The
Agency will give preference to
applications received electronically by
using the close of business as the time
a hardcopy application is received.
Assistance for filing electronic and hard
copy applications can be obtained from
any Rural Development State Office.
The application is stored in the form
of a .pdf format and may be completed
as a fillable form. The form contains a
button labeled ‘‘Submit by Email.’’
Clicking on the button will result in an
e-mail containing a completed
application being sent to the MultiFamily National Office for
consideration.
Application forms may be
downloaded from the site above or
obtained by contacting the State Office
in the state the project is located. Hard
copy applications should be submitted
to USDA Rural Housing Service;
Attention: Carlton Jarratt, Senior Loan
Specialist, Multi-Family Housing Office
of Rental Housing Preservation—STOP
0782 (Room 1263–S), or Byron Ross,
Director, Multi-Family Housing Office
of Rental Housing Preservation—STOP
0781 (Room 1263–S), U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Rural Housing Service,
1400 Independence Ave. SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–0781.
VII. Selection Process
Application ranking points will be
based on information, provided during
the submission process. Applicants will
need to provide reasonable evidence
that the items have a high probability of
being accomplished at the time the
formal application is submitted. Points
will be awarded as follows:
(1) Ownership of the property. The
maximum points awarded for this
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criterion is 25 points. These points will
be awarded in the following manner:
(i) Owner will continue ownership—
25 points.
(ii) Transfer to a new eligible owner
with site control as evidenced by a
binding purchase agreement—20 points.
(iii) Transfer to a new owner without
site control—10 points.
(2) Contribution of non-agency third
party funds. Points awarded are to be
based on documented written evidence
that the funds are available. The
maximum points awarded for this
criterion is 25 points. These points will
be awarded in the following manner:
(i) Owner contribution sufficient to
pay transaction costs (those soft costs
required to complete the transaction and
include but are not limited to CNA,
legal costs, appraisals and filing fees)
expected to be a minimum of $5,000
that will be deposited in the property
reserve account prior to closing—5
points, and
(ii) At least $3,000 to $5,000 per unit
from other sources—15 points, or
(iii) Greater than $5,000 per unit from
other sources—20 points.
(3) Age of Project. Since the age of the
project and date that the loan was made
are directly related to physical needs, a
maximum of 25 points will be awarded
on the following criteria:
(i) Initial loans made prior to
December 21, 1979—25 points.
(ii) Initial loans made on or after
December 21, 1979, but before
December 15, 1989—20 points.
(iii) Initial loans made on or after
December 15, 1989, but before October
1, 1991—15 points.
(iv) Initial loans made on or after
October 1, 1991—10 points.
(4) Troubled Project Points. The
Agency may award up to 25 additional
points to facilitate the transfer and
revitalization of troubled projects with
an Agency classification of ‘‘C’’ or ‘‘D’’
according to HB 2–3560, Paragraph 9.7
(available at https://
www.rurdevusda.gov/regs/hblist.html).
These projects may be troubled due to
an act of nature or physical or financial
deterioration or to correct management
issues. Points will be awarded in the
following manner:
(i) If the Agency servicing
classification is C or D for less than 24
months—15 points.
(ii) If the Agency servicing
classification is C or D for more than 24
months—25 points.
The Agency will total the selection
criteria points for all applications
received within the timeframes of this
Notice and rank each application
according to their total score. In the
event that point totals are equal, the
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time and date the application was
received by the Agency will determine
the priority for selection (first come,
first served).
Once priority ranking has been
established, the Agency will conduct a
five step process to select applicants.
The five step process is needed to assure
that the Agency can process the
proposed transactions within available
staffing resources, develop a
representative sampling of revitalization
transaction types, and assure an
adequate pipeline of transactions to use
all available funding.
Step One: The Agency will identify
the highest scoring applications whose
section 515 loan’s unpaid principal
balance total approximately $160
million.
Step Two: The Agency will identify
the six states that have the most
applicants identified in Step One.
Step Three: The Agency will select all
the applicants identified in Step One for
the six states identified in Step Two and
place the applicants in funding queues
by the three basic revitalization
transaction types (SIMPLE,
MODERATE, or COMPLEX).
Step Four: The Agency will then
place the remaining applicants
identified in Step One in the three
funding queues. They will be placed in
order of their scoring in Step One, but
after the applicants placed in queue in
Step Three.
Step Five: The Agency will then select
the top ranked projects in each queue to
result in a ratio as close as possible to
30 percent simple, 35 percent moderate
and 35 percent complex. Selections will
be made until the unpaid balance of
selected transactions equal at least 150
percent of available deferral authority.
It is important to note that the
identification of each application as
being in one of the three transaction
types is at the discretion of the Agency
and is to be used only to attempt to
develop a representative sampling of
MPR transaction types. The actual
transaction type that may be proposed
to the applicant will be determined
through the Agency underwriting
process and may vary from the original
transaction classification.
VIII. Processing for Selected
Applications
Those proposals that are ranked and
then selected for further processing will
be invited to sign an agreement to
proceed. In the event that a proposal is
selected for further processing and the
applicant declines, the next highest
ranked application will be selected.
Applications can be submitted either
electronically or in hard copy.
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If an application is accepted for
further processing, the applicant will be
expected to submit additional relevant
information requested that is needed to
demonstrate eligibility and feasibility,
consistent with this NOFA and the
appropriate sections of 7 CFR part 3560,
prior to the issuance of a restructuring
offer.
RD will work with applicants selected
for further processing in accordance
with the following steps:
(1) Based on the feasibility of the type
of transaction that will best suit the
project and the availability of funds,
further eligibility confirmation
determinations will be conducted by the
Office of Rental Housing Preservation
with the assistance of designated MultiFamily Housing Revitalization
coordinators assigned by each Rural
Development State Director.
(2) A CNA will be conducted in
accordance with the requirements of 7
CFR 3560.103(c) and HB 3–3560,
Chapter 7, Section 5 and Unnumbered
Letter, dated October 22, 2005,
‘‘Guidance on the Capital Needs
Assessment Process’’ (available in any
Rural Development State Office). The
cost of the CNA will be considered a
part of the project expense and may be
paid from the ‘‘project reserve’’ with
prior approval of the Agency. The
Agency approval for participation in
this program will be contingent upon
the Agency’s final approval of the CNA
and concurrence of the scope of work
with the owner.
(3) Underwriting will be conducted by
the Office of Rental Housing
Preservation with the assistance of the
designated Multi-Family Housing
Revitalization Coordinator assigned by
each Rural Development State Director.
The feasibility and structure of each
revitalization proposal will be
determined using this underwriting
process and will include a
determination of the restructuring tools
that will minimize the cost to the
Government consistent with the
purposes of this NOFA. The Agency
expects that some of the transactions
proposed by selected applicants will
prove to be infeasible. The applicant
entity may be determined to be
ineligible under Section III of this
Notice. If a proposed transaction is
determined infeasible or the applicant
determined ineligible, the Agency will
then select the next highest ranked
project for processing.
Each MPR offer will be approved by
the Revitalization Review committee
chaired by the Deputy Administrator for
Multi-Family Housing. Approved MPR
offers will be presented to applicants
who will then have up to 15 calendar
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days to accept or reject the offer in
writing. Offers will expire after 15 days.
The Agency will replace expired
applications by selecting the next
highest ranked project. Closing of MPR
offers will occur within 60 days of
acceptance by the applicant unless
extended by the Agency.
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IX. Funding Restrictions
Applicants will be selected in
accordance with selection criteria and
the five step process identified in
Section VII of this Notice. Once selected
to proceed, the Agency will provide
additional guidance to the applicant and
request information and documents
necessary to complete the underwriting
and review process. Since the character
of each application may vary
substantially depending on the type of
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transactions proposed, information
requirements will be provided as
appropriate. Complete project
information must be submitted no later
than 45 days from the date of Agency
notification of the applicant’s selection
for further processing. Failure to submit
the required information in a timely
manner may result in the Agency
discontinuing the processing of the
request. Funding under this NOFA will
be obligated under a first come, first
served basis within each of the 3
funding queues described in Section VI
of this Notice.
X. Application Review
All complete applications will be
evaluated, ranked and selected for
further processing by a review
committee. The committee will make
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recommendations for final decision to
the Agency Administrator based on the
selection criteria contained in this
NOFA. The Administrator will inform
applicants of the status of their request
within 30 days of the application
closing date of the NOFA.
XI. Appeal Process
All adverse determinations regarding
applicant eligibility and the awarding of
points as a part of the selection process
are appealable. Instructions on the
appeal process will be provided at the
time an applicant is notified of the
adverse.
Dated: March 7, 2006.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 51 / Thursday, March 16, 2006 / Notices
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 51 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13569-13575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2594]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service
Notice of Funding Availability: Section 515 Multi-Family Housing
Preservation and Revitalization Restructuring (MPR) Demonstration
Program for Fiscal Year 2006
AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Announcement Type: Inviting applications from eligible applicants
for Fiscal Year 2006 funding.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): 10.447
SUMMARY: USDA Rural Development (RD) administers the programs of Rural
Housing Service (RHS). RD announces the availability of funds and the
timeframe to submit applications to participate in a demonstration
program to preserve and revitalize existing rural rental housing
projects financed by RD under section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949.
The intended effect is to restructure selected existing section 515
loans expressly for the purpose of ensuring that sufficient resources
are available to preserve the rental project for the purpose of
providing safe and affordable housing for low-income residents.
Expectations are that properties participating in this program will be
able to be revitalized and extend affordable use without displacing
tenants because of increased rents. No additional Rental Assistance
units will be made available under this program.
DATES: The deadline for receipt of all applications in response to this
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is 5 p.m., Eastern Time, April
17, 2006. 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 allow
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) and postage-due applications will not be
accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carlton Jarratt, Senior Loan
Specialist, Multi-Family Housing Office of Rental Housing
Preservation--STOP 0782 (Room 1263-S), or Byron Ross, Director, Multi-
Family Housing Office of Rental Housing Preservation--STOP 0782 (Room
1263-S), U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service, 1400
Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-0782 or by telephone at
(804) 561-0665 or (202) 690-0669, or via e-mail,
carlton.jarratt@wdc.usda.gov or Byron.Ross@wdc.usda.gov. (Please note
these phone numbers are not toll free numbers.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection requirements contained in this Notice
have received temporary emergency clearance by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) under Control Number 0575-0190. However, in accordance
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, RD will seek standard OMB
approval of the reporting requirements contained in this Notice.
Publication of this Notice hereby opens a 60-day public comment period.
Title: Section 515 Multi-Family Housing Preservation and
Revitalization Restructuring Demonstration Program.
Type of Request: New collection.
Abstract: The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Pub. L.
109-97) provides funding for, and authorizes RD to conduct a
demonstration program for the preservation and revitalization of the
section 515 multi-family housing portfolio. The section 515 multi-
family housing program is authorized by section 515 of the Housing Act
of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485) and provides RD the authority to make loans
for low-income multi-family housing and related facilities.
RD refers to this program as Multi-Family Housing Preservation and
Revitalization Restructuring Program (MPR). This NOFA sets forth the
eligibility and application requirements. Information will be collected
from applicants and grant recipients by Rural Development staff in its
Local, Area, State, and National offices. This information will be used
to determine applicant eligibility for this demonstration program. If
an applicant proposal is selected, that applicant will be notified of
the selection and given the opportunity to submit a formal application.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 1.26 hours per response.
Respondents: Individuals, partnerships, public and private
nonprofit corporations, agencies, institutions, organizations, and
Indian tribes.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 710.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.01.
Estimated Number of Responses: 1520.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1940 hours.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tracy
Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-
0039.
Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the RD, including whether the information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the RD's estimate of the burden of the proposed
collection of information including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity
of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden
of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information
technology. Comments may be sent to Tracy Givelekian, Regulations and
Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural
Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC
20250. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in
the
[[Page 13570]]
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of
public record.
Overview
The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration,
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109-97),
November 10, 2005, provides funding for, and authorizes RD to conduct a
demonstration program for the preservation and revitalization of the
section 515 multi-family housing portfolio. The section 515 multi-
family housing program is authorized by section 515 of the Housing Act
of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485) and provides RD the authority to make loans
for low-income multi-family housing and related facilities.
Program Administration
I. Funding Opportunities Description
This NOFA requests applications from eligible borrowers/applicants
to restructure existing multi-family housing within the Agency's
section 515 multi-family housing portfolio for the purpose of
revitalization and preservation. The demonstration program shall be
referred to in this notice as the Multi-Family Housing Preservation and
Revitalization Restructuring Demonstration (MPR) program. Agency
regulations for the section 515 multi-family housing program are
published at 7 CFR part 3560. The MPR is intended to assure that
existing rental projects will be able to continue to deliver decent,
safe, and sanitary affordable rental housing for the lesser of the
remaining term of the loan or 20 years from the date of the MPR
transaction closing. Once an applicant and project have been selected
in the process described in this notice, confirmed eligible by the
Agency, and agree to participate in the MPR demonstration by written
notification to the Agency, an independent third party capital needs
assessment (CNA) will be conducted to provide a fair and objective
review of projected capital needs. The Agency shall implement this NOFA
through an MPR Conditional Commitment (MPRCC) with the eligible
borrower, which will include all the terms and conditions under this
NOFA, including the MPR Debt Deferral Agreement.
The primary restructuring tool to be used in this program will be
up to a 20-year debt deferral of the payment on 1% section 515 loans.
The cash flow from the deferred payment will be re-directed to reserve
account deposits to help meet the physical needs of the property. If
the resulting cash flow is not adequate to address the long-term needs
of the project, other Agency restructuring tools and resources from
third party sources including loans made with Agency guarantees under
section 538 of the Housing Act of 1949 and 7 CFR part 3560, may be used
to supplement the deferral. For the purposes of the MPR, the potential
restructuring transactions will be identified in three categories:
(1) SIMPLE transactions will consist of a debt deferral only.
(2) MODERATE transactions will consist of a deferral and the use of
at least one other Agency restructuring tool.
(3) COMPLEX transactions will consist of a MODERATE transaction
that also includes the use of funding sources provided by a third
party. Section 538 guarantees may be available to third party lenders.
Restructuring tools that may be used during the MPR demonstration
based on the underwriting feasibility determination of the Agency
include:
(1) A deferral of the existing Agency debt for the lesser of the
remaining term of the loan or 20 years. All terms and conditions of the
deferral will be described in the MPR Debt Deferral Agreement. A
balloon payment of accrued principal and interest will be due at the
end of the deferral period.
(2) A revitalization grant, limited to no more than $5,000 per unit
will be available to fund immediate capital or reserve needs determined
by the capital needs assessment process. The grant administration will
be in accordance with 7 CFR part 3015.
(3) A section 515 rehabilitation loan at zero percent interest that
will be amortized over 30 years.
(4) A soft mortgage will be available in limited situations to
address capital needs. This will be accomplished by the use of a
subordinate 1 percent section 515 rehabilitation loan that will have
its interest and principal deferred, to a balloon payment, under the
same terms as the longest remaining 515 debt. The total principal
amount of the senior RD section 515 loan and the soft second mortgage
may exceed the market value of the property. Payment of the subordinate
debt will not be required from normal project operation income, but
from excess cash after all other secured debts are satisfied.
(5) A subsequent section 515 rehabilitation loan at traditional
rates and terms.
(6) Transfers, subordinations, and consolidations may be approved
as part of a MPR transaction in accordance with existing servicing
authorities of the Agency as available in 7 CFR part 3560.
Using the results of the CNA to help identify the need for
resources and information regarding anticipated or available third
party financing, the Agency will determine the financial feasibility of
each potential transaction, using restructuring tools available either
through existing regulatory authorities or specifically authorized
through this demonstration program.
Project financial feasibility is determined when a property can
provide affordable, safe, decent, sanitary housing for 20 years or the
remaining term of the loan whichever is less, by using the authorities
of this program while minimizing the cost to the Agency and without
increasing rents for tenants, except when necessary to meet normal and
necessary operating expenses. If the transaction is determined
financially feasible by the Agency, the borrower will be offered a
restructuring proposal, which will include a restrictive use covenant
consistent with 7 CFR 3560.662.
If accepted by the borrower, the Agency and applicant will enter
into a MPRCC. The applicant must also agree to a maximum of 20 years
restricted use, pursuant to 7 CFR 3560.662 for the property when the
MPR transaction is closed.
The MPR may be conducted with a stay-in owner or may involve a
change in ownership. Any housing or related facilities that is
constructed or repaired must meet the Agency design and construction
standards and the development standards contained in 7 CFR part 1924,
subparts A and C, respectively. Once constructed, section 515 multi-
family housing must be managed in accordance with the, 7 CFR part 3560.
Tenant eligibility will be limited to persons who qualify as a very
low-, low-, or moderate-income household under Agency regulations or
who are eligible under the requirements established to qualify for
housing benefits provided by sources other than the Agency, such as
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8 assistance
or Low Income Housing Tax Credit Assistance, when a tenant receives
such housing benefits. Additional tenant eligibility requirements are
contained in 7 CFR 3560.152.
II. Award Information
Public Law 109-97 makes funding available to the Secretary of
Agriculture for RD to provide the restructuring tools of the MPR
demonstration. Based on the planned use of a combination of MPR tools,
the Agency anticipates that the total amount of funding available for
this program is $173,951,000. The types
[[Page 13571]]
and amount of assistance the Agency anticipates are: $165,894,000 in
deferred debt, $210,000 in grants, $280,000 in zero percent loans, and
$7,571,000 in soft mortgage loans. The Agency anticipates the ability
to revitalize approximately 200 properties (5,400 units) with the funds
available. Funding levels may differ from above when necessary to
assure all funds are used.
All funding must be approved no later than September 15, 2006, and
obligated by the Agency not later than September 29, 2006.
III. Eligibility Information
Applicants (and principals) must demonstrate:
(1) Eligibility under 7 CFR 3560.55 with the exception of the
requirement described in 7 CFR 3560.55(a)(6) (have or able to obtain 2%
of the total development costs for use as initial operating capital).
(2) That the project is needed in the market as evidenced by an
average physical vacancy rate over the last twelve months of no more
than 10% for projects of 16 units or more and 15% for projects under 16
units, except that the Agency may consider and accept documentation
submitted by the applicant that demonstrates the occupancy standard
will be met once a restructuring is performed.
(3) Ownership of, and the ability to operate, the facility after
the transaction is completed.
(4) Compliance with any commitment to contribute funds to pay
transaction costs as represented at the time of application for the MPR
program.
Further, a CNA and Agency financial evaluation must demonstrate the
MPR program is financially feasible and necessary for the
revitalization and preservation of the property for affordable housing.
IV. Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Requirements
(1) In accordance with the Fair Housing Act, title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Age
Discrimination Act of 1975, Executive Order 12898, the Americans with
Disabilities Act, and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
neither the Applicant nor the Agency will discriminate against any
employee, proposed intermediary or proposed ultimate recipient on the
basis of sex, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin,
age, physical or mental disability (provided the proposed intermediary
or proposed ultimate recipient has the capacity to contract), because
all or part of the proposed intermediary's or proposed ultimate
recipient's income is derived from public assistance of any kind, or
because the proposed intermediary or proposed ultimate recipient has in
good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection
Act, with respect to any aspect of a credit transaction anytime Agency
loan funds are involved.
(2) The policies and regulations contained in 7 CFR part 1901,
subpart E and RD Instruction 2006-P (available in any Rural Development
Office) apply to this program.
(3) The Administrator will assure that equal opportunity and
nondiscrimination requirements are met in accordance with the Fair
Housing Act, title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Executive Order
12898, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
(4) All housing must meet the accessibility requirements found at 7
CFR 3560.60(d).
V. Authorities Available for MPR
MPR tools will be used in accordance with 7 CFR part 3560 and its
associated handbooks (available in any Rural Development office). The
program will be administered within the resources and authorities made
available to the Agency through Public Law 109-97 for the preservation
and revitalization of section 515 financed properties. In the event
that provisions of 7 CFR part 3560 conflicts with this demonstration
program, the provisions of the MPR will take precedence.
VI. Application and Submission Information
(1) The application submission and scoring process will be
completed in two phases in order to avoid unnecessary effort and
expense on the part of interested borrowers/applicants and to allow
additional points to be added to applicants that propose a transfer of
a troubled project to an eligible owner.
The first phase is the application process, the applicant must
submit a complete application no later than 30 days from the date of
this publication. The applicant's submission will be classified
complete when they submit a ``MPR Application'' for each MPR
transaction they wish to be considered for in the demonstration. The
MPR Application is the form attached at the end of this Notice. An
electronic version of the application may be found on the Internet at
https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas/.
The second phase will be completed by the Agency and based on
Agency records. Points will be assigned to each application when a
proposal involving a transfer to a new eligible owner indicates that
the property is currently classified by the Agency as a troubled
project.
All complete and timely filed applications will then be scored and
ranked based on points received during the two phase application
process. Further, the Agency will categorize each MPR proposal as being
potentially SIMPLE, MODERATE, or COMPLEX based on the information
submitted on the application and in accordance with the category
description provided in Section I of this Notice.
(2) Applications can be submitted either electronically or in hard
copy. The time electronic filings will be considered received by the
Agency is the actual time the transmission is received in the website
mail box. The Agency will give preference to applications received
electronically by using the close of business as the time a hardcopy
application is received. Assistance for filing electronic and hard copy
applications can be obtained from any Rural Development State Office.
The application is stored in the form of a .pdf format and may be
completed as a fillable form. The form contains a button labeled
``Submit by Email.'' Clicking on the button will result in an e-mail
containing a completed application being sent to the Multi-Family
National Office for consideration.
Application forms may be downloaded from the site above or obtained
by contacting the State Office in the state the project is located.
Hard copy applications should be submitted to USDA Rural Housing
Service; Attention: Carlton Jarratt, Senior Loan Specialist, Multi-
Family Housing Office of Rental Housing Preservation--STOP 0782 (Room
1263-S), or Byron Ross, Director, Multi-Family Housing Office of Rental
Housing Preservation--STOP 0781 (Room 1263-S), U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Rural Housing Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-0781.
VII. Selection Process
Application ranking points will be based on information, provided
during the submission process. Applicants will need to provide
reasonable evidence that the items have a high probability of being
accomplished at the time the formal application is submitted. Points
will be awarded as follows:
(1) Ownership of the property. The maximum points awarded for this
[[Page 13572]]
criterion is 25 points. These points will be awarded in the following
manner:
(i) Owner will continue ownership--25 points.
(ii) Transfer to a new eligible owner with site control as
evidenced by a binding purchase agreement--20 points.
(iii) Transfer to a new owner without site control--10 points.
(2) Contribution of non-agency third party funds. Points awarded
are to be based on documented written evidence that the funds are
available. The maximum points awarded for this criterion is 25 points.
These points will be awarded in the following manner:
(i) Owner contribution sufficient to pay transaction costs (those
soft costs required to complete the transaction and include but are not
limited to CNA, legal costs, appraisals and filing fees) expected to be
a minimum of $5,000 that will be deposited in the property reserve
account prior to closing--5 points, and
(ii) At least $3,000 to $5,000 per unit from other sources--15
points, or
(iii) Greater than $5,000 per unit from other sources--20 points.
(3) Age of Project. Since the age of the project and date that the
loan was made are directly related to physical needs, a maximum of 25
points will be awarded on the following criteria:
(i) Initial loans made prior to December 21, 1979--25 points.
(ii) Initial loans made on or after December 21, 1979, but before
December 15, 1989--20 points.
(iii) Initial loans made on or after December 15, 1989, but before
October 1, 1991--15 points.
(iv) Initial loans made on or after October 1, 1991--10 points.
(4) Troubled Project Points. The Agency may award up to 25
additional points to facilitate the transfer and revitalization of
troubled projects with an Agency classification of ``C'' or ``D''
according to HB 2-3560, Paragraph 9.7 (available at https://
www.rurdevusda.gov/regs/hblist.html). These projects may be troubled
due to an act of nature or physical or financial deterioration or to
correct management issues. Points will be awarded in the following
manner:
(i) If the Agency servicing classification is C or D for less than
24 months--15 points.
(ii) If the Agency servicing classification is C or D for more than
24 months--25 points.
The Agency will total the selection criteria points for all
applications received within the timeframes of this Notice and rank
each application according to their total score. In the event that
point totals are equal, the time and date the application was received
by the Agency will determine the priority for selection (first come,
first served).
Once priority ranking has been established, the Agency will conduct
a five step process to select applicants. The five step process is
needed to assure that the Agency can process the proposed transactions
within available staffing resources, develop a representative sampling
of revitalization transaction types, and assure an adequate pipeline of
transactions to use all available funding.
Step One: The Agency will identify the highest scoring applications
whose section 515 loan's unpaid principal balance total approximately
$160 million.
Step Two: The Agency will identify the six states that have the
most applicants identified in Step One.
Step Three: The Agency will select all the applicants identified in
Step One for the six states identified in Step Two and place the
applicants in funding queues by the three basic revitalization
transaction types (SIMPLE, MODERATE, or COMPLEX).
Step Four: The Agency will then place the remaining applicants
identified in Step One in the three funding queues. They will be placed
in order of their scoring in Step One, but after the applicants placed
in queue in Step Three.
Step Five: The Agency will then select the top ranked projects in
each queue to result in a ratio as close as possible to 30 percent
simple, 35 percent moderate and 35 percent complex. Selections will be
made until the unpaid balance of selected transactions equal at least
150 percent of available deferral authority.
It is important to note that the identification of each application
as being in one of the three transaction types is at the discretion of
the Agency and is to be used only to attempt to develop a
representative sampling of MPR transaction types. The actual
transaction type that may be proposed to the applicant will be
determined through the Agency underwriting process and may vary from
the original transaction classification.
VIII. Processing for Selected Applications
Those proposals that are ranked and then selected for further
processing will be invited to sign an agreement to proceed. In the
event that a proposal is selected for further processing and the
applicant declines, the next highest ranked application will be
selected. Applications can be submitted either electronically or in
hard copy.
If an application is accepted for further processing, the applicant
will be expected to submit additional relevant information requested
that is needed to demonstrate eligibility and feasibility, consistent
with this NOFA and the appropriate sections of 7 CFR part 3560, prior
to the issuance of a restructuring offer.
RD will work with applicants selected for further processing in
accordance with the following steps:
(1) Based on the feasibility of the type of transaction that will
best suit the project and the availability of funds, further
eligibility confirmation determinations will be conducted by the Office
of Rental Housing Preservation with the assistance of designated Multi-
Family Housing Revitalization coordinators assigned by each Rural
Development State Director.
(2) A CNA will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of
7 CFR 3560.103(c) and HB 3-3560, Chapter 7, Section 5 and Unnumbered
Letter, dated October 22, 2005, ``Guidance on the Capital Needs
Assessment Process'' (available in any Rural Development State Office).
The cost of the CNA will be considered a part of the project expense
and may be paid from the ``project reserve'' with prior approval of the
Agency. The Agency approval for participation in this program will be
contingent upon the Agency's final approval of the CNA and concurrence
of the scope of work with the owner.
(3) Underwriting will be conducted by the Office of Rental Housing
Preservation with the assistance of the designated Multi-Family Housing
Revitalization Coordinator assigned by each Rural Development State
Director. The feasibility and structure of each revitalization proposal
will be determined using this underwriting process and will include a
determination of the restructuring tools that will minimize the cost to
the Government consistent with the purposes of this NOFA. The Agency
expects that some of the transactions proposed by selected applicants
will prove to be infeasible. The applicant entity may be determined to
be ineligible under Section III of this Notice. If a proposed
transaction is determined infeasible or the applicant determined
ineligible, the Agency will then select the next highest ranked project
for processing.
Each MPR offer will be approved by the Revitalization Review
committee chaired by the Deputy Administrator for Multi-Family Housing.
Approved MPR offers will be presented to applicants who will then have
up to 15 calendar
[[Page 13573]]
days to accept or reject the offer in writing. Offers will expire after
15 days. The Agency will replace expired applications by selecting the
next highest ranked project. Closing of MPR offers will occur within 60
days of acceptance by the applicant unless extended by the Agency.
IX. Funding Restrictions
Applicants will be selected in accordance with selection criteria
and the five step process identified in Section VII of this Notice.
Once selected to proceed, the Agency will provide additional guidance
to the applicant and request information and documents necessary to
complete the underwriting and review process. Since the character of
each application may vary substantially depending on the type of
transactions proposed, information requirements will be provided as
appropriate. Complete project information must be submitted no later
than 45 days from the date of Agency notification of the applicant's
selection for further processing. Failure to submit the required
information in a timely manner may result in the Agency discontinuing
the processing of the request. Funding under this NOFA will be
obligated under a first come, first served basis within each of the 3
funding queues described in Section VI of this Notice.
X. Application Review
All complete applications will be evaluated, ranked and selected
for further processing by a review committee. The committee will make
recommendations for final decision to the Agency Administrator based on
the selection criteria contained in this NOFA. The Administrator will
inform applicants of the status of their request within 30 days of the
application closing date of the NOFA.
XI. Appeal Process
All adverse determinations regarding applicant eligibility and the
awarding of points as a part of the selection process are appealable.
Instructions on the appeal process will be provided at the time an
applicant is notified of the adverse.
Dated: March 7, 2006.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
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