Rural Housing Service May 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Rural Housing Service is correcting a notice published in the Federal Register on Thursday, April 19, 2007. This action is taken to correct a State Office address referenced in the contact information of the application and submission portion of the notice. This correction will insure that the applicant receives the most current and accurate information necessary for the submission of the proposal packages. Accordingly, the notice published on April 19, 2007 (72 FR 19680- 19684) is corrected as follows: On page 19680, in the third column under the heading, ``Submission Address,'' the Idaho State Office address is added to read as follows: Idaho State Office, 9173 West Barnes Drive, Suite A1, Boise, ID 83709, (208) 378-5627, Roni Atkins.

The Rural Housing Service (Agency) is proposing to amend its regulations to be consistent with other federal agencies. The current thermal standards for existing single family housing can impose an unnecessary financial burden on the borrower. Removing the thermal standards for existing single family housing will provide consistency with HUD existing single family housing thermal standards. This change will not affect the thermal standards for new construction; such requirements are generally prescribed by adopted building and model energy codes. Construction materials and building techniques have improved tremendously during the last thirty years, creating many alternatives to achieve thermally efficient homes. Removing the Agency's imposed thermal standards for existing single family housing will give a borrower the opportunity to allocate money towards other improvements which may result in higher cost savings. The rule will not result in any increase in costs or prices to consumers; non-profit organizations; businesses; Federal, State, or local government agencies; or geographic regions.