Single Family Housing Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program, 48031-48035 [2023-15759]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Housing Service

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 26, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48031-48035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15759]



========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 26, 2023 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 48031]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

7 CFR Part 3555


Single Family Housing Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Announcement of pilot programs.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural 
Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), is announcing the implementation of two pilot programs for the 
Section 502 Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP), 
which are the Tribal Property Valuation Pilot Program and the Tribal 
Rehabilitation Pilot Program. Both pilot programs will provide flexible 
options for obtaining financing on tribal lands, one with a flexible 
appraisal option and the other permitting rehabilitation loans for 
homeowners. The Agency's intention is to evaluate the existing 
regulations, expand opportunities for economic development, and improve 
the quality of life in rural tribal communities. Details about these 
two pilot programs are provided in this notification.

DATES: The effective date of the two pilot programs is July 26, 2023. 
The duration of both pilot programs is anticipated to continue until 
July 28, 2025, at which time the RHS may extend the pilot programs 
(with or without modifications) or terminate them depending on the 
workload and resources needed to administer the programs, feedback from 
the public, and the effectiveness of the programs. RHS will notify the 
public if the pilot programs are extended or terminated.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information about the 
pilot programs, contact Laurie Mohr, Finance and Loan Analyst, Policy, 
Analysis, and Communications Branch, Single Family Housing Guaranteed 
Loan Division, Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Email: [email protected]; Phone: (314) 679-6917.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority

    Title V, section 502 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended; 42 
U.S.C. 1472.

Background

    The RHS is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of 
life in rural areas by offering a variety of programs. The Agency 
offers loans, grants, and loan guarantees to help create jobs, expand 
economic development, and provide critical infrastructure investments. 
RHS also provides technical assistance loans and grants by partnering 
with agricultural producers, cooperatives, Indian tribes, non-profits, 
and other local, state, and Federal agencies.
    Affordable housing is essential to the vitality of communities in 
rural America. RHS's Single Family Housing Programs give families and 
individuals the opportunity to purchase, build, repair their existing 
home, or to refinance their current mortgage under certain criteria. 
Eligibility for these loans, loan guarantees, or grants is based on 
income, which varies according to the average median income for each 
eligible rural area. Through various program options, RHS offers 
qualifying individuals and families the opportunity to purchase or 
build a new single family home with no money down, to repair their 
existing home, or to refinance their current mortgage under certain 
qualifying circumstances. There are also programs to assist non-profit 
entities in their efforts to provide new homes or home repair to 
qualifying individuals and families. One such program is the Section 
502 Guaranteed Loan Program, implemented under 7 CFR part 3555, which 
provides a 90% loan note guarantee to approved lenders which are 
intended to assist low- and moderate-income households with the 
opportunity to own adequate, modest, decent, safe, and sanitary 
dwellings as their primary residence in eligible rural areas.
    The SFHGLP offers applicants without sufficient resources to 
provide the necessary housing on their own account, and unable to 
secure the credit necessary for such housing from other sources upon 
terms and conditions, which the applicant can reasonably be expected to 
fulfill without the guarantee, an opportunity to acquire, build, 
rehabilitate, improve, or relocate dwellings in rural areas. Eligible 
applicants may purchase, build, rehabilitate, improve, or relocate a 
dwelling in an eligible rural area. Applicant eligibility for this 
program is determined by an approved lender.
    The RHS is exploring ways the SFHGLP may be able to assist in 
breaking down barriers in lending on tribal land. One such way is to 
use its statutory authority to authorize limited demonstration programs 
(i.e., pilot programs) as allowed by law. The objective of these pilot 
programs is to test new approaches to offering housing under the 
statutory authority granted to the Secretary, as set forth in 7 CFR 
3555.2(b) (Demonstration programs). Such demonstration programs may not 
be consistent with some of the provisions contained in 7 CFR part 3555. 
However, any SFHGLP requirements that are statutory will remain in 
effect. These pilot programs are intended to assist more eligible very 
low to moderate income applicants seeking to purchase or rehabilitate 
affordable housing on tribal land. This notification outlines two new 
pilot programs under the Section 502 SFHGLP, the Tribal Property 
Valuation Pilot Program and the Tribal Rehabilitation Pilot Program.

Issues in Lending on Tribal Land

    Native American stakeholders have identified significant barriers 
regarding mortgage lending on tribal land. These include obtaining 
accurate and fair priced appraisals and being able to secure funds to 
improve a dwelling even when the dwelling is owned without any 
encumbrances.
    With the unique aspects of real estate located on tribal land, it 
has become increasingly difficult to secure a traditional appraisal 
that is both accurate and completed at a reasonable price. There are 
very few local appraisers and lenders are forced to hire appraisers 
from different counties, and sometimes different states, to complete 
appraisal reports. These appraisals often yield reports that are very 
expensive and frequently completed by

[[Page 48032]]

individuals that are unfamiliar with the local market area. The local 
market area will have few or no comparable housing units. The result 
can be an appraisal report that is not accurate, with a value that is 
not reflective of the true property value, or the report is not 
completed to industry standards. The Tribal Property Valuation Pilot 
Program intends to provide more individuals the ability to purchase 
homes on tribal lands by allowing an alternative appraisal option to 
obtain the value of the property.
    On tribal lands, it is typical to hand down dwellings from one 
generation to another and many of these dwellings need extensive 
renovations. In many situations, the property does not have liens. Over 
time, many of these homes require substantial repairs or restoration. 
The current SFHGLP regulations do not allow RHS to finance these 
properties unless the applicant was to purchase the property, instead 
of inheriting the home, or unless they currently have an existing 
Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan.
    The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) \1\ estimates that 
40% of housing on tribal land is considered substandard, with less than 
50% connected to public sewer systems and 16% lacking indoor plumbing. 
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services \2\ reported that as 
of 2019, an estimated 5.7 million people living in the United States 
are American Indian and/or Alaska Native, with approximately 22% living 
on tribal land. The median household income for American Indian and 
Alaska Native families is $46,906, compared to $71,664 for non-Hispanic 
white households. According to the World Population Review, 33 percent 
of all Native Americans live in poverty.\3\ Consequently, many live in 
homes on tribal lands that are overcrowded and in poor condition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ https://www.ncai.org/policy-issues/economic-development-commerce/housing-infrastructure.
    \2\ https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=3&lvlid=62.
    \3\ Native American Issues Today [verbar] Current Problems & 
Struggles 2022--https://www.powwows.com/issues-and-problems-facing-native-americans-today/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These statistics show there is a significant need for affordable 
financial resources to be made available to improve housing conditions 
on tribal land. Currently, the SFHGLP can assist with purchase 
transactions on tribal land, which may provide funding for repairs at 
acquisition. The SFHGLP, however, cannot assist those that already own 
their own home on tribal land. The Tribal Rehabilitation Pilot Program 
intends to help those that currently own a home without encumbrances 
and need to make improvements to ensure these individuals have adequate 
and safe housing for their families on tribal land.
    These pilot programs will provide additional flexibility in lending 
on tribal lands. One pilot program offers an alternative appraisal 
option and the other offers funding to rehabilitate homes owned without 
liens or encumbrances that will facilitate additional homeownership 
opportunities and allow others to remain in improved and safer homes on 
tribal land.

Discussion of the Two Pilot Programs

(1) Tribal Property Valuation Pilot Program

    The implementation of the Tribal Property Valuation pilot program 
is an alternative approach to obtain values when providing financing in 
remote rural properties on tribal lands. Currently, the SFHGLP 
regulation at 7 CFR 3555.107(d) (Appraisals) requires the lender to 
``supply a current appraisal report of the property for which the 
guarantee is requested.'' Furthermore, 7 CFR 3555.107(d)(6) 
(Appraisals) specifies that the ``[u]se of an alternative approach to 
value for appraisals performed in remote rural areas, on tribal lands, 
or where a lack of market activity exists may be accepted at the 
Agency's discretion.'' Qualified appraisers that understand and are in 
close proximity to tribal land in rural areas are limited. This forces 
lenders to often use appraisers that must travel long distances. Many 
times, the appraisal report will cost substantially more, and, in some 
cases, the appraiser will not be familiar with the local market which 
will affect the accuracy of the appraisal report itself.
    Typically, Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHE), Tribal 
Housing Authorities (THA), Tribal Housing Programs, and other tribal 
organizations have experience determining property values, adjustments, 
satisfactory comparables, cost of improvements, etc. on tribal land. 
Many Tribes have established relationships with appraisers that are 
familiar with their market area and trends, however many times travel 
is required to complete a traditional appraisal report. Additionally, 
the Agency has appraisal staff who are familiar with lending on tribal 
land. Building partnerships between Rural Development programs and 
appraisal staff, lenders, tribal organizations, and appraisers to 
develop a method to obtain accurate appraisals on tribal land would 
eliminate a significant barrier in tribal mortgage lending and provide 
a path to increase affordable homeownership opportunities for tribal 
members. The alternative method would be a desktop appraisal, as 
explained in the eligibility requirements section of this notification.
    (i) Eligibility Requirements. Approved lenders in the SFHGLP do not 
require additional approval to participate in this pilot program. Under 
7 CFR 3555.107(d)(6), (Appraisals) the ``[u]se of an alternative 
approach to value for appraisals performed in remote rural areas, on 
tribal lands, or where a lack of market activity exists may be accepted 
at the Agency's discretion.'' This pilot program will allow lenders to 
provide property information obtained from a qualified entity to either 
a qualified appraiser or the Agency for review and completion of a 
desktop appraisal to accurately determine the appraised value of 
properties located on tribal land. To be eligible for financing under 
the Tribal Property Valuation Pilot Program, all program requirements 
of 7 CFR part 3555 must be met, with the following exceptions and/or 
considerations:
    (A) property must be located on tribal land;
    (B) property must meet the existing dwelling property standards and 
new construction inspection requirements described in 7 CFR 3555.202 
(Dwelling requirements);
    (C) the site must have acceptable water and wastewater disposal 
systems to ensure the property is decent, safe, sanitary, and meets 
community standards. Inspections of private water and wastewater 
disposal systems are required in accordance with 7 CFR 3555.201 (Site 
requirements);
    (D) fees charged by the qualified entity providing the property 
documentation required to complete the appraisal constitute an eligible 
loan cost under 7 CFR 3555.101(b) (Eligible costs); and
    (E) the applicant(s) and property must meet all other criteria set 
forth in 7 CFR part 3555.
    (ii) Desktop Appraisals. Based on the availability of qualified 
appraisers, the lender may use one of the following two options to 
obtain a desktop appraisal on tribal land:
    Option 1--When a qualified appraiser is readily available to 
complete a desktop appraisal, at reasonable terms, the following 
process will be used:
    (A) A qualified entity, as determined by the lender and appraiser, 
will provide all required property documentation to the lender for 
consideration. Examples of qualified

[[Page 48033]]

entities include TDHE, THA, or other entities familiar with housing 
construction, repair, and conditions on tribal lands. Documentation 
provided by a party who has a financial interest in the sale of the 
property may be accepted if the appraiser verifies such data from a 
disinterested source.
    (B) The lender will submit the required property *documentation to 
the appraiser for review. The appraiser will review the documentation 
provided by the lender and determine if the information is accurate, 
reliable, and sufficient to produce a creditable report.
    (C) Once all necessary information has been received, the appraiser 
will complete a desktop appraisal. Upon completion, the appraisal will 
be provided to the lender for review and acceptance. The appraisal will 
be included in the complete loan application package submitted to Rural 
Development for a Conditional Commitment request.
    (D) If the lender determines this option is not available, they may 
use option two.
    Option 2--When the lender determines a qualified appraiser is not 
readily available to complete a desktop appraisal at reasonable terms, 
a Rural Development Staff Appraiser will become involved, and the 
following process will be used:
    (A) A qualified entity, as determined by the lender and concurred 
with by Rural Development, will provide all required property 
documentation to the lender for consideration. Documentation provided 
by a party who has a financial interest in the sale or financing of the 
property may be accepted if the Rural Development Staff Appraiser 
verifies such data from a disinterested source.
    (B) The lender will submit the required property *documentation to 
Rural Development for review. The Rural Development Staff Appraiser 
will review the documentation provided by the lender and determine if 
the information is accurate, reliable, and sufficient to produce a 
creditable report. Once all necessary information has been received, 
the Rural Development Staff Appraiser will complete a desktop 
appraisal.
    (C) When an approved lender needs to use RD for the desktop 
appraisal, they will email [email protected] with their lender name, 
lender number, contact name, phone number, email address, and property 
address. A staff member from the Agency will complete the request for 
the appraisal division to complete a desktop appraisal for the 
transaction on tribal land. The request will be placed on the national 
SharePoint for appraisal requests to be completed by the RD team of 
staff appraisers. The RD appraisal division uses SharePoint to track 
all appraisal requests and will forward a request out to the lender 
with all items needed. The appraisal will be completed with USDA 
identified as the client.
    (D) Upon completion, a copy of the appraisal prepared for Rural 
Development will be provided to the lender and the Policy, Analysis and 
Communication (PAC) Branch. The lender will have the appraisal 
available to submit with the rest of the file to the Origination and 
Processing Division (OPD) in the complete loan application package for 
a Conditional Commitment request.
    (iii) *Documentation. At a minimum, include the following, as 
applicable:
    (A) address of property;
    (B) legal description;
    (C) assessor data from local website;
    (D) status of utilities (present, working condition, etc.);
    (E) site plan-approximate well and septic location;
    (F) all property structures and any improvements;
    (G) copy of floor plan with exterior dimensions and approximate 
interior walls;
    (H) purchase agreement;
    (I) seller disclosure statement;
    (J) copy of specifications, including materials list for 
construction and interior finishes (for new constructions);
    (K) scope of rehabilitation/repairs to be completed;
    (L) copy of specifications including materials list for repairs and 
interior finishes;
    (M) copy of land leases;
    (N) photos of site and street providing access to the site;
    (O) prior appraisal assignment results if available;
    (P) photos of existing home; exterior front and back, interior 
photos of each room, interior and exterior photo repair, and 
rehabilitation items necessary;
    (Q) street providing access;
    (R) any information deemed relevant to accurately value the 
property.
    (iv) Submission to the Agency. These guaranteed loan applications 
must be manually underwritten; however, the documents may be uploaded 
through Guaranteed Underwriting System (GUS). A job aid for this type 
of submission is available in our USDA LINC Training and Resources 
Library in the ``Loan Origination'' menu at the following link: https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/usda-linc-training-resource-library/loan-origination. Use of the job aid is optional and not required. The 
lender will use the Lender Loan Closing (LLC) system to load the loan 
closing documents.
    When option 2 is utilized, thus the appraisal is prepared by Rural 
Development, the requirements of 7 CFR 3555.108(d)(1)(iv) will be 
waived. All other requirements of 7 CFR 3555.108(d)(1) remain in 
effect. In all instances, the lender remains responsible for the 
accuracy of the property documentation provided to complete the 
appraisal and to ensure compliance with all investor requirements that 
may apply.
    Please be aware investors may require a note be made at loan 
delivery that a desktop appraisal was used as the appraisal method in 
the mortgage transaction. The lender is responsible for ensuring all 
investor requirements are met.

(2) Tribal Rehabilitation Pilot Program

    The implementation of the Tribal Rehabilitation pilot program is 
intended to focus on providing a rehabilitation loan program for homes 
free of encumbrances on tribal lands. The Agency is proposing to 
provide loan funds to finance renovations of an existing home without 
being part of an acquisition, provided the property is on tribal land. 
Consistent with the statute, the SFHGLP regulation 7 CFR 3555.101(a) 
(Eligible purposes) identifies the following eligible purposes which 
loan funds may be utilized for: (1) the construction or purchase of a 
new dwelling; (2) the cost of acquisition of an existing dwelling; (3) 
the cost of repairs associated with the acquisition of an existing 
dwelling; or (4) acquisition and relocation of an existing dwelling.
    In addition, 7 CFR 3555.101(d) (Refinancing) authorizes utilizing 
loan funds for refinancing transactions, in limited circumstances, 
however funding for repairs associated with a refinance transaction is 
not permitted.
    With many homes on tribal lands being passed on from one generation 
to the next, many of these homes need renovations to make them safe and 
bring them up to current codes. Additionally, many of these properties 
are free of encumbrances, which would enable this pilot to benefit many 
homes on tribal lands. The pilot program will allow individuals to 
remain in safe and improved housing on tribal lands and improve their 
quality of life.
    (i) Eligibility Requirements. Approved lenders in the SFHGLP do not 
require additional approval to participate in this pilot program. The 
regulation at 7 CFR 3555.101(a) (Eligible purposes) allows the cost of 
repairs associated with the acquisition of an existing dwelling.

[[Page 48034]]

Since the inception of the program, the SFHGLP has restricted loan 
funds from being used to finance solely the rehabilitation of an 
existing home, without being part of an acquisition. Since many 
properties on tribal land need significant rehabilitation, this pilot 
program will allow loan funds to be utilized to finance repairs to 
existing dwellings located on tribal land that are owned and are free 
of encumbrances.
    To be eligible for financing under the pilot, all program 
requirements of 7 CFR part 3555 must be met, with the following 
exceptions and/or considerations:
    (A) The home must be located on tribal land;
    (B) The home must be owned by the proposed applicant(s), with no 
outstanding mortgages encumbering or other liens on the property;
    (C) The guaranteed loan must have first lien position at closing. 
The acceptable lien position requirements outlined in 7 CFR 3555.204 
(Security requirements) apply for the purpose of this pilot program;
    (D) The transaction will be considered as a ``purchase'' 
transaction;
    (F) The loan amount cannot exceed the as-improved appraised value 
of the property, only to the extent that the excess represents the 
financed guarantee fee;
    (G) Additional guidance on appraisal requirements may be found in 7 
CFR 3555.107(d) (Appraisals);
    (H) Property and construction requirements described in 7 CFR 
3555.105 (Combination construction and permanent loans) apply;
    (I) The site must have acceptable water and wastewater disposal 
systems to ensure the property is decent, safe, sanitary, and meets 
community standards.
    (J) Inspections of private water and wastewater disposal systems 
are required in accordance with 7 CFR 3555.201(b) (Site standards);
    (K) Upon completion of the repairs, the home must meet the minimum 
property requirements of Department of Housing and Urban Development 
(HUD) Handbook 4000.1;
    (L) Properties must have adequate hazard insurance on the 
collateral to protect against fire and weather-related damage (7 CFR 
3555.252(b) (Payment of taxes and insurance), and an escrow account for 
property taxes (if applicable) and hazard insurance will be maintained 
by the lender.
    (M) Manufactured home requirements.
    (1) Repairs to existing manufactured homes constitute an eligible 
loan purpose under the pilot program when the requirements of 7 CFR 
3555.208 are met, including: The manufactured home was constructed on 
or after January 1, 2006; in conformance with the Federal Manufactured 
Home Construction and Safety Standards (FMHCSS), as evidenced by an 
affixed Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Data Plate and 
Certification Label.
    (2) The unit inspection is required using one of the following two 
methods:
    Option 1--Form HUD-309, ``HUD Manufactured Home Installation 
Certification and Verification Report,'' completed in accordance with 
24 CFR 3286.507(b) by a party qualified as required by 7 CFR 3286.511 
such as: a manufactured home or residential building inspector employed 
by the local authority having jurisdiction over the site of the home, 
provided that the jurisdiction has a residential code enforcement 
program; a professional engineer; a registered architect; a HUD-
accepted Production Inspection Primary Inspection Agency (IPIA) or a 
Design Approval Primary Inspection Agency (DAPIA), or an International 
Code Council (ICC) certified Inspector.
    Option 2--Obtain a certification that the foundation design meets 
the requirements of either HUD Handbook 4930.3G or HUD Publication 
7584, which updated and revised the pre-1996 version of HUD Handbook 
4930.3G, ``Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing 
(PFGMH).'' Certifications referencing either Publication 7584 or 
Handbook 4930.3G are acceptable. The foundation certification must be 
from a licensed professional engineer, or registered architect, who is 
licensed/registered in the state where the manufactured home is located 
and must attest to compliance with current guidelines of the PFGMH. The 
certification must be site specific and contain the engineer's or 
registered architect's signature, seal and/or state license/
certification number. This certification can take place of Form HUD-
309.
    (3) The unit must not have had any alterations or modifications to 
it since construction in the factory, except for porches, decks or 
other structures which were built to engineered designs or were 
approved and inspected by local code officials.
    (4) The unit must not have been previously installed on a different 
homesite.
    (5) The unit must have a floor area of not less than 400 square 
feet.
    (6) The unit must meet the Comfort Heating and Cooling Certificate 
Uo (coefficient of heat transmission) Value Zone for the location.
    (7) The towing hitch and running gear must have been removed.
    (8) The manufactured home must be classified and taxed (if 
applicable) as real estate.
    (9) The remaining economic life of the property must meet or exceed 
the 30-year term of the proposed loan.
    (N) The applicant(s) and property must meet all other criteria set 
forth in 7 CFR part 3555. Loan servicing will be conducted in 
accordance with 7 CFR part 3555.
    (ii) Submission to the Agency. These Guaranteed loan applications 
must be manually underwritten; however, the documents may be uploaded 
through GUS. A job aid for this type of submission is available in our 
USDA LINC Training and Resources Library in the ``Loan Origination'' 
tab or directly here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/usda-linc-training-resource-library/loan-origination. Use of the job aid is 
optional and not required.
    The lender will use the Lender Loan Closing (LLC) system to load 
the loan closing documents. The Loan Note Guarantee will be issued 
prior to the completion of the repairs. Once the repairs are completed, 
the lender is responsible to go back in the LLC System and complete the 
Lender Administration Page. A job aid for this task is available in our 
USDA LINC Training and Resources Library in the ``Loan Closing'' tab or 
directly here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/usda-linc-training-resource-library/loan-closing. Use of the job aid is optional and not 
required.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The regulatory waivers for this pilot program contain no new 
reporting or recordkeeping burdens under Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) control number 0575-0179 that would require approval under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

Non-Discrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and USDA civil rights 
regulations and policies, the USDA, its Mission Areas, agencies, staff 
offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering 
USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, 
national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender 
expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, 
family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or

[[Page 48035]]

funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and 
complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Program information may be made available in languages other than 
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large 
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the 
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET 
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay Service 
at 711.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should 
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, 
which can be obtained online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-
9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain 
the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written 
description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail 
to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the 
nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-
3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 
20250-9410; or
    (2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].

Cathy Glover,
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service, Rural Development, USDA.
[FR Doc. 2023-15759 Filed 7-25-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P