Rural Housing Service 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS's) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of 7 CFR part 3560, Direct Multi-Family Housing Loans and Grants.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for Technical and Supervisory Assistance (TSA) grants.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is amending its regulations to add new servicing options to the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) that lenders may utilize while still maintaining the SFHGLP loan guarantee. The Agency will allow lenders to extend loans for a term of up to 40 years from the date of modification. The Agency also will allow lenders to advance funds on behalf of borrowers in amounts necessary to bring defaulted loans current, up to 30 percent of the unpaid principal balance of the loan. Upon request, RHS will reimburse the lender for eligible advances. The intended effect is to reduce mortgage foreclosures among SFHGLP borrowers and help stabilize the national housing market. This amendment is being issued as a final rule pursuant to section 101(c)(1) of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009, which authorizes RHS to promulgate this rule without regard to the notice and comment provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553 or the Statement of Policy of the Secretary of Agriculture effective July 24, 1971 (36 FR 13804) relating to notices of proposed rulemaking and public participation in rulemaking.

The United States Department of Agriculture (``USDA'') grants a project waiver of the Buy American Requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (``ARRA''), to Custer County, South Dakota (``County'') for the purchase of foreign manufactured Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (``HVAC'') equipment for a Courthouse renovation and expansion project because the necessary manufactured goods are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality. This action permits the purchase of a Daikin VRV III HVAC unit and Tempeff Dual Core Technology unit of Japan and Canada respectively. These units

The Rural Housing published a document in the Federal Register of June 16, 2010, concerning the extension of a currently approved information collection. The document contained incorrect information.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for Fire and Rescue Loans.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) hereby gives notice of a nationwide exception to the Buy American requirements of Section 1605 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (``ARRA'') under the authority of Section 1605(b)(1) (public interest waiver) for de minimis incidental components of eligible publicly owned essential community facilities projects using assistance provided under ARRA. This action permits the use of non-domestic iron, steel and manufactured goods when they occur in de minimis incidental components that may otherwise be prohibited under Section 1605(a). As used in this Notice, ``de minimis incidental components'' means those components otherwise prohibited under Section 1605(a) that cumulatively comprise no more than a total of 5 percent of the total cost of the materials used in a project funded in whole or in part with ARRA assistance.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection to measure Rural Development implementation of and compliance with the Equal Treatment Rule (7 CFR part 16) and Executive Order (EO) 13279 Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-Based and Community Organizations.

The Rural Housing Service published a document in the Federal Register on April 27, 2010, announcing that it is soliciting competitive applications under its Housing Preservation Grant program. The set-aside funding for the Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones was excluded from the notice and the listing for the Rural Development Ohio State Office telephone number, and TDD number and West Virginia State

The Rural Housing Service, USDA published a document in the Federal Register of February 2, 2010, concerning upcoming public forums and request for comments regarding the Section 523 Mutual Self-Help Housing Program. Notice is hereby given that the forums scheduled for June 4, 2010 in Vermont and June 11, 2010 in Iowa have been cancelled.

This notice announces the timeframe to submit pre-applications for section 514 Farm Labor Housing (FLH) loans and section 516 FLH grants for the construction of new off-farm FLH units and related facilities for domestic farm laborers. The intended purpose of these loans and grants is to increase the number of available housing units for domestic farm laborers. This notice describes the method used to distribute funds, the application process, and submission requirements.

The Rural Housing Service, USDA published a document in the Federal Register of February 2, 2010, concerning upcoming public forums and request for comments regarding the Section 523 Mutual Self-Help Housing Program. There has been a change in the date to receive written comments, a change in one of the forum dates and a change in contact information.

This notice informs the public that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Fiscal Year 2006 established a demonstration Rural Development Voucher Program, as authorized under Section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 as amended, (without regard to Section 542(b)). This notice informs the public that funding is now available for the Rural Development Voucher Program. The notice also sets forth the general policies and procedures for use of these vouchers for fiscal Year 2010. Pursuant to the requirements in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, Public Law 111-80 (October 16, 2009), Rural Development Vouchers are only available to low income tenants of Rural Development-financed multifamily properties where the section 515 loan has been prepaid, either through prepayment or a foreclosure action, prior to the loan's maturity date and after September 30, 2005.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for Rural Housing Loans.

Through this action, the Rural Housing Service (RHS) is proposing to amend its regulations for the Direct Single Family Housing Loans by reinstating language to enable full repayment of the entire subsidy in event of foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (voluntary conveyance). This action will clarify that in the event of foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (voluntary conveyance) the RHS will recapture the full subsidy from the value of the property.

This is a request for proposals for loan guarantees under the section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP) pursuant to 7 CFR 3565.4 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010. FY 2010 funding for the section 538 program is $129,130,434.78. Applicants will submit proposals in the form of ``responses.'' Responses to this NOFA will be accepted until December 31, 2010, 12 p.m. Eastern Time. The commitment of program dollars will be made to applicants of selected responses that have fulfilled the necessary requirements for obligation. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant's risk. The following paragraphs outline the timeframes, eligibility requirements, lender responsibilities, and the overall response and application processes.

The Rural Housing Service (an agency within the Rural Development mission area) is proposing an additional form of guarantee under the Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program regulation. This action is taken to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and effectiveness in managing the program. The Agency currently offers a guarantee on a permanent loan only and a guarantee on construction advances and the permanent financing phase of a project. In addition to the proposed form of guarantee, the Agency will continue to offer the two types of guarantees currently provided.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Development's intention to request clearance for continuation of information collection to measure the quality of loan servicing provided by the Rural Development, Centralized Servicing Center (CSC) in St. Louis, MO.