Rural Housing Service August 23, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Through this action, the Rural Housing Service (RHS) is proposing to amend its regulations for the section 502 direct single family housing loan program to create a certified loan application packaging process for eligible loan application packagers. Loan application packagers, who are separate and independent from the Agency, provide an optional service to parties seeking mortgage loans by helping them navigate the loan application process. Currently, packagers assisting parties applying for section 502 direct loans do so under an informal arrangement, which is free from Agency oversight or minimum competency standards. This proposed rule will impose experience, training, proficiency, and structure requirements on eligible service providers. This proposed rule also regulates the packaging fee that will be allowed under this process. By establishing a vast network of competent, experienced, and committed Agency-certified packagers, this action is intended to benefit low- and very low-income people who wish to achieve homeownership in rural areas by increasing their awareness of the Agency's housing program, increasing specialized support available to them to complete the application for assistance, and improving the quality of loan application packages submitted on their behalf.