Rural Housing Service 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U. S. Department of Agriculture (``Department'') is amending several regulations, which make reference to RD Instruction 1940-J, Intergovernmental Review.'' This action is necessary since the affected regulations refer to RD Instruction 1940-J, which is being rewritten and replaced by RD Instruction 1970-I. The intended effect is to simplify and update the regulations and to ensure the Department's field offices have current guidance on intergovernmental review of proposed projects being reviewed pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.

The United States Department of Agricultural (USDA), Rural Housing Service (RHS) proposes a change to its Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) regulation. The proposed action is taken to implement authorities granted the Secretary of the USDA, in Sec. 102 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-212, July 29, 2010) to collect from the lender an annual fee not to exceed 0.5 percent of the outstanding principal balance of the loan for the life of the loan. The intent of the annual fee is to make the SFHGLP subsidy neutral when used in conjunction with the one-time guarantee fee, thus eliminating the need for taxpayer support of the program. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, an annual fee of 0.3 percent of the outstanding principal balance will be required in order that the SFHGLP may maintain subsidy neutrality. Beginning with all loans obligated on or after October 1, 2011, RHS proposes to charge an annual fee of 0.3 percent of the outstanding principal balance of the loan for the life of the loan.

The Rural Housing Service of Rural Development previously announced the availability of funds and the timeframe to submit applications for loans to private non-profit organizations, and State and local housing finance agencies, to carry out a demonstration program to provide revolving loans for the preservation and revitalization of low-income Multi-Family Housing (MFH) in a Notice published November 9, 2010 (75 FR 68748). Rural Development did not receive sufficient applications to use all available funds. As a result, Rural Development is soliciting additional applications under this Notice. Housing that is assisted by this demonstration program must be financed by Rural Development through its MFH loan program under Sections 515, 514 and 516 of the Housing Act of 1949. The goals of this demonstration program will be achieved through loans made to intermediaries. The intermediaries will establish their programs for the purpose of providing loans to ultimate recipients for the preservation and revitalization of low income Sections 515, 514 and 516 MFH as affordable housing.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service (RHS), the Rural Business- Cooperative Service (RBS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of compliance with Civil Rights laws.

This notice announces the timeframe to submit pre-applications

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants a project waiver of the Buy American Requirements [manufactured goods are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality] of ARRA, to Haywood County, North Carolina, (County) for the purchase of foreign- manufactured Heating,Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment for an adaptive reuse renovation project for the Haywood County Department of Social Services. This is a project-specific waiver under section 1605(b)(2) of ARRA. This waiver only applies to the use of the specified product for the ARRA project being proposed. Any other ARRA recipient that wishes to use the same product must apply for a separate waiver based on project-specific circumstances. The County-proposed HVAC improvements were selected to address the unique conditions presented by the existing building. Based upon information submitted by the County and its consultants, it was determined that the HVAC equipment that will meet the County's design and performance specifications is manufactured only by Daikin of Japan and Thailand. This determination is based on the review and recommendations of the Rural Development Buy American Coordinator. The County, through its design engineer, has provided sufficient documentation to support its request. The Under Secretary for Rural Development has concurred in this decision to waive section 1605 of ARRA. This action permits the purchase of a Daikin VRV III HVAC unit. This unit addresses the operational requirements to heat and cool simultaneously, perform very efficiently, and is compatible and adaptable to the space restrictions created by the existing facility.

This is a request for proposals for guaranteed loans under the section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP) pursuant to 7 CFR 3565.4 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011. The Department of Defense and Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (Pub. L. 112-20) (April 15, 2011) appropriated approximately $31,000,000 to the Agency for FY 2011 funding for the section 538 program. The commitment of program dollars will be made first to approved and complete applications from prior years NOFA, then to applicants of selected responses in the order they are ranked under this NOFA 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. Eligible lenders are invited to submit responses for new construction and acquisition with rehabilitation of affordable rural rental housing. The Agency will review responses submitted by eligible lenders, on the lender's letterhead, and signed by both the prospective borrower and lender. Although a complete application is not required in response to this NOFA, eligible lenders may submit a complete application concurrently with the response. Submitting a complete application will not have any effect on the respondent's NOFA response score.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the above-named Agencies to request an extension for the currently approved information collection in support of the servicing of Community and Direct Business Programs Loans and Grants.

The United States Department of Agriculture (``USDA'') grants a project waiver of the Buy American Requirements [manufactured goods are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality] of ARRA to Drew County, Arkansas, (``County'') for the purchase of foreign manufactured Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment for a hospital renovation and expansion project. This is a project specific waiver under section 1605 (b)(2) of ARRA. This waiver only applies to the use of the specified product for the ARRA project being proposed. Any other ARRA recipient that wishes to use the same product must apply for a separate waiver based on project specific circumstances. The County- proposed HVAC improvements were selected to address the unique conditions presented by the existing building. Based upon information submitted by the County and its consultants, it was determined that the HVAC equipment that will meet the County's design and performance specifications is manufactured only by Daikin and SkyAir of Japan and Thailand, respectively. This determination is based on the review and recommendations of the Rural Development Buy American Coordinator. The County, through its design engineer, has provided sufficient documentation to support its request. The Under Secretary for Rural Development has concurred in this decision to waive Section 1605 of ARRA. This action permits the purchase of a Daikin RXS/FTXS (wall mounted indoor unit) HVAC unit and SkyAir FCQ/RZQ (cassette-style, ceiling mounted indoor unit). These units address the operational requirement to heat and cool simultaneously, perform very efficiently, and are compatible and adaptable to the space restrictions created by the existing facility.

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 the Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) (an agency within the Rural Development mission area) is amending its regulations to add an additional form of guarantee that is now available under its Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program. A single, continuous guarantee during the construction phase for construction advances and the permanent financing phase of the project (for loans that meet certain criteria) will now be provided in addition to the two existing forms of guarantees under the program. This action is taken to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and effectiveness in managing the program.