Single Family Housing Section 504 Repair Pilot, 52355-52356 [2024-13697]

Download as PDF 52355 Rules and Regulations Federal Register Vol. 89, No. 121 Monday, June 24, 2024 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. Background DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service 7 CFR Part 3550 [Docket No. RHS–24–SFH–0017] Single Family Housing Section 504 Repair Pilot Rural Housing Service, USDA. Notification of waivers. AGENCY: ACTION: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is issuing this document to continue to waive two regulatory requirements for the Section 504 Direct Single Family Housing Loans and Grants (DSFHLG) pilot program while the Agency contemplates a future rulemaking to remove regulatory barriers to assist eligible applicants with improved ease of use for very lowincome homeowners seeking to repair or rehabilitate their homes. This document briefly discusses the waivers that the Agency intends to continue and provides contact information for additional details about the pilot program. SUMMARY: Effective dates: The effective date of the two regulatory waivers is June 24, 2024. The duration of the pilot program is anticipated to continue until June 24, 2026, at which time the RHS may extend the pilot program (with or without modifications) or terminate it depending on the workload and resources needed to administer the program, feedback from the public, funding constraints and the effectiveness of the program. If the pilot program is extended or terminated, the RHS will notify the public. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Williams, Management and Program Analyst, Special Programs, Single Family Housing Direct Loan Division, Rural Development, U.S. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:39 Jun 21, 2024 Jkt 262001 Department of Agriculture, Email: anthonyl.williams@usda.gov; Phone: (202) 720–9649. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: Title V, Section 504 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 1474. The RHS offers a variety of programs to build or improve housing and essential community facilities in rural areas. The Agency offer loans, grants, and loan guarantees for single- and multifamily housing, child-care centers, fire and police stations, hospitals, libraries, nursing homes, schools, first responder vehicles and equipment, housing for farm laborers and much more. RHS also provides technical assistance loans and grants in partnership with non-profit organizations, Indian tribes, state and Federal government agencies, and local communities. The RHS Single Family Housing Direct Loans and Grants Program (SFHDLGP) Division implements the Section 504 loan/grant program under 7 CFR part 3550 with the objective to assist very low-income owner occupants of modest single-family homes in rural areas repair or rehabilitate their homes. Loan funds are available for repairs to improve or modernize a home, make it safer or more sanitary, or remove health and safety hazards. The eligibility requirements, as described in 7 CFR 3550.103, states that homeowner must be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere at reasonable terms and conditions but must demonstrate a reasonable ability to repay the Section 504 loan. For homeowners 62 years old and over, grant funds are available to correct health or safety hazards, or remodel dwellings to make them accessible to a household member with a disability. RHS may authorize limited demonstration programs to test new approaches to offering housing under the statutory authority granted to the Secretary, as set forth in 7 CFR 3550.7. Such demonstration programs may not be consistent with some of the provisions contained in this part. However, any program requirements that are statutory will remain in effect. In 2019, the Agency initiated the Section 504 pilot program to evaluate existing regulations and remove PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 regulatory barriers to assist very lowincome homeowners seeking to repair or rehabilitate their homes. The pilot program has been successful in creating additional opportunities and greater accessibility for eligible applicants. All but two of the waived regulatory requirements were included in the Direct Singe Family Loans and Grants Programs Final rule (87 FR 6761), which became effective on March 9, 2022. Section 504 Pilot Regulatory Waivers The Agency is continuing the Section 504 Pilot Program with the two waivers that were not included in the Final rule (87 FR 6761), but were subsequently included in the notification of waivers (87 FR 40709) published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2022 (which expires on July 8, 2024). The Agency anticpates a rulemaking in the future that will codify the waivers into 7 CFR part 3550, and which will be applied programwide. The first waiver is that pilot applicants are not subject to the site requirement outlined in 7 CFR 3550.105(b) which states that ‘‘the site must not be large enough to be subdivided into more than one site under existing local zoning ordinances.’’ While pilot applicants can have subdividable sites, their homes must meet the other site requirements found in 7 CFR 3550.105(a) and the dwelling requirements found in 7 CFR 3550.106. The second waiver is that pilot applicants are not subject to the same appraisal threshold outlined in 7 CFR 3550.111, which requires an appraisal when the Section 504 debt to be secured exceeds $15,000 or whenever the Agency determines that an appraisal is necessary to establish the adequacy of the security. A ‘‘subject to repairs’’ appraisal and appraisal fee will be required when the assessed valuation by local authorities does not support a fully secured interest by the Agency, or when the sum of all secured (Rural Development or non-Rural Devleopment) indebtedness including the proposed repair loan, exceeds $25,000. Eligibility Requirements Eligible participants in the Section 504 program must abide by the requriements set forth in 7 CFR part 3550. The following twenty-three (23) States and U.S. Territories are selected to provide wide geographic and historic E:\FR\FM\24JNR1.SGM 24JNR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 52356 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 121 / Monday, June 24, 2024 / Rules and Regulations production variation for the pilot: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. If an existing borrower in a pilot state qualifies for a subsequent loan or grant, the pilot conditions can apply to the subsequent request as appropriate. Non-pilot states may request case-by-case administrative waivers (if justified) that mirror the allowances in the pilot. 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 SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410; or (2) Fax: (833) 256–1665 or (202) 690– 7442; or (3) Email: Program.Intake@usda.gov. Paperwork Reduction Act The regulatory waivers for this pilot contains no new reporting or recordkeeping burdens under OMB control number 0575–0179 that would require approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Joaquin Altoro, Administrator, Rural Housing Service. 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 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 (800) 877–8339. 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, Federal Aviation Administration VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:39 Jun 21, 2024 Jkt 262001 [FR Doc. 2024–13697 Filed 6–21–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 14 CFR Part 71 [Docket No. FAA–2023–2195; Airspace Docket No. 23–ASO–48] RIN 2120–AA66 Revocation of Colored Federal Airway Blue 9 (B–9); Eastern United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: This action revokes Colored Federal Airway Blue 9 (B–9) in the eastern United States. The FAA is taking this action due to the decommissioning of the Marathon, FL (MTH), Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB). DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 5, 2024. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order JO 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments. ADDRESSES: A copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), all comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. FAA Order JO 7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/ publications/. You may also contact the Rules and Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–8783. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Vidis, Rules and Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–8783. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority for This Rulemaking The FAA’s authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency’s authority. This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section, the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of the airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority as it modifies the Air Traffic Service (ATS) route structure as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace System (NAS). History The FAA published a NPRM for Docket No. FAA 2023–2195 in the Federal Register (88 FR 78267; November 15, 2023), proposing to revoke Colored Federal Airway B–9 in the eastern United States. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. Incorporation by Reference Colored Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6009(d) of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This document amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 2023. FAA Order JO 7400.11H is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. These amendments will be published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11H lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points. The Rule The action amends 14 CFR part 71 by revoking Colored Federal Airway B–9. E:\FR\FM\24JNR1.SGM 24JNR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52355-52356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13697]



========================================================================
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. 89, No. 121 / Monday, June 24, 2024 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 52355]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

7 CFR Part 3550

[Docket No. RHS-24-SFH-0017]


Single Family Housing Section 504 Repair Pilot

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notification of waivers.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural 
Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), is issuing this document to continue to waive two regulatory 
requirements for the Section 504 Direct Single Family Housing Loans and 
Grants (DSFHLG) pilot program while the Agency contemplates a future 
rulemaking to remove regulatory barriers to assist eligible applicants 
with improved ease of use for very low-income homeowners seeking to 
repair or rehabilitate their homes. This document briefly discusses the 
waivers that the Agency intends to continue and provides contact 
information for additional details about the pilot program.

DATES: Effective dates: The effective date of the two regulatory 
waivers is June 24, 2024. The duration of the pilot program is 
anticipated to continue until June 24, 2026, at which time the RHS may 
extend the pilot program (with or without modifications) or terminate 
it depending on the workload and resources needed to administer the 
program, feedback from the public, funding constraints and the 
effectiveness of the program. If the pilot program is extended or 
terminated, the RHS will notify the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Williams, Management and 
Program Analyst, Special Programs, Single Family Housing Direct Loan 
Division, Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Email: 
[email protected]; Phone: (202) 720-9649.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Authority: Title V, Section 504 of the Housing Act of 1949, as 
amended; 42 U.S.C. 1474.

Background

    The RHS offers a variety of programs to build or improve housing 
and essential community facilities in rural areas. The Agency offer 
loans, grants, and loan guarantees for single- and multifamily housing, 
child-care centers, fire and police stations, hospitals, libraries, 
nursing homes, schools, first responder vehicles and equipment, housing 
for farm laborers and much more. RHS also provides technical assistance 
loans and grants in partnership with non-profit organizations, Indian 
tribes, state and Federal government agencies, and local communities.
    The RHS Single Family Housing Direct Loans and Grants Program 
(SFHDLGP) Division implements the Section 504 loan/grant program under 
7 CFR part 3550 with the objective to assist very low-income owner 
occupants of modest single-family homes in rural areas repair or 
rehabilitate their homes. Loan funds are available for repairs to 
improve or modernize a home, make it safer or more sanitary, or remove 
health and safety hazards. The eligibility requirements, as described 
in 7 CFR 3550.103, states that homeowner must be unable to obtain 
affordable credit elsewhere at reasonable terms and conditions but must 
demonstrate a reasonable ability to repay the Section 504 loan. For 
homeowners 62 years old and over, grant funds are available to correct 
health or safety hazards, or remodel dwellings to make them accessible 
to a household member with a disability.
    RHS may authorize limited demonstration programs to test new 
approaches to offering housing under the statutory authority granted to 
the Secretary, as set forth in 7 CFR 3550.7. Such demonstration 
programs may not be consistent with some of the provisions contained in 
this part. However, any program requirements that are statutory will 
remain in effect.
    In 2019, the Agency initiated the Section 504 pilot program to 
evaluate existing regulations and remove regulatory barriers to assist 
very low-income homeowners seeking to repair or rehabilitate their 
homes. The pilot program has been successful in creating additional 
opportunities and greater accessibility for eligible applicants. All 
but two of the waived regulatory requirements were included in the 
Direct Singe Family Loans and Grants Programs Final rule (87 FR 6761), 
which became effective on March 9, 2022.

Section 504 Pilot Regulatory Waivers

    The Agency is continuing the Section 504 Pilot Program with the two 
waivers that were not included in the Final rule (87 FR 6761), but were 
subsequently included in the notification of waivers (87 FR 40709) 
published in the Federal Register on July 8, 2022 (which expires on 
July 8, 2024). The Agency anticpates a rulemaking in the future that 
will codify the waivers into 7 CFR part 3550, and which will be applied 
program-wide.
    The first waiver is that pilot applicants are not subject to the 
site requirement outlined in 7 CFR 3550.105(b) which states that ``the 
site must not be large enough to be subdivided into more than one site 
under existing local zoning ordinances.'' While pilot applicants can 
have subdividable sites, their homes must meet the other site 
requirements found in 7 CFR 3550.105(a) and the dwelling requirements 
found in 7 CFR 3550.106.
    The second waiver is that pilot applicants are not subject to the 
same appraisal threshold outlined in 7 CFR 3550.111, which requires an 
appraisal when the Section 504 debt to be secured exceeds $15,000 or 
whenever the Agency determines that an appraisal is necessary to 
establish the adequacy of the security. A ``subject to repairs'' 
appraisal and appraisal fee will be required when the assessed 
valuation by local authorities does not support a fully secured 
interest by the Agency, or when the sum of all secured (Rural 
Development or non-Rural Devleopment) indebtedness including the 
proposed repair loan, exceeds $25,000.

Eligibility Requirements

    Eligible participants in the Section 504 program must abide by the 
requriements set forth in 7 CFR part 3550. The following twenty-three 
(23) States and U.S. Territories are selected to provide wide 
geographic and historic

[[Page 52356]]

production variation for the pilot: California, Hawaii, Illinois, 
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New 
Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto 
Rico, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and West 
Virginia. If an existing borrower in a pilot state qualifies for a 
subsequent loan or grant, the pilot conditions can apply to the 
subsequent request as appropriate. Non-pilot states may request case-
by-case administrative waivers (if justified) that mirror the 
allowances in the pilot.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The regulatory waivers for this pilot contains no new reporting or 
recordkeeping burdens under 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 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 (800) 877-8339.
    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 SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410; or
    (2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].

Joaquin Altoro,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-13697 Filed 6-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P

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