Search Results for agency_names:"Rural Housing Service"

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities Service within the USDA have issued corrections to a final rule for the OneRD Guarantee Loan Program originally published on September 30, 2024. These corrections address issues such as a misspelled subject heading, incorrect instructions, an incomplete definition of an "affiliate," and inaccuracies regarding protective advances. Key changes include clarifying rules about when agency approval is required for protective advances and updating specific sections of the regulation. This corrected rule aims to improve the management of agricultural and rural development loan programs.

Rural Development, part of the USDA, is adopting seven Categorical Exclusions (CEs) from the Department of Energy to use in their programs, under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These CEs will help streamline environmental reviews for projects improving infrastructure like electric power, water systems, and renewable energy in rural areas. The agency has consulted with the DOE to ensure appropriateness and plans to apply these CEs while considering environmental impact safeguards. This decision aims to enhance the efficiency of RD projects while maintaining environmental compliance.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS), a part of the United States Department of Agriculture, is inviting applications for Section 514 Off-Farm Labor Housing loans and Section 516 Off-Farm Labor Housing grants. These funds are aimed at building new housing for domestic farm laborers, including retired or disabled ones, to boost affordable housing availability. The process involves a pre-application and final application phase, and RHS encourages applications that offer benefits to rural communities, especially those in Opportunity Zones or persistent poverty areas. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria and the deadline for submissions is outlined in the notice.

The Rural Housing Service, part of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced that it is accepting applications for the 2021 Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant Program. This program aims to help organizations in rural areas access funding for essential community services. Applications must be submitted by March 29, 2021, for paper copies, and by March 22, 2021, for electronic submissions. The grants will focus on projects that strengthen rural communities, particularly those tackling issues like opioid misuse, under the USDA's efforts to boost rural economic prosperity and quality of life.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, issued a rule to modify regulations on Special Servicing Options and the Mortgage Recovery Advance process. This final rule, initially set to take effect on February 11, 2025, has been postponed to April 14, 2025. A correction regarding this effective date was published in the Federal Register to reflect these changes. Christine Mechtly, the Acting Administrator of the Rural Housing Service, announced the update.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities Service in the Department of Agriculture announced a correction to a previous document about loan guarantee rates and fees for fiscal year 2021. The correction added missing details specific to Alaska and clarified when certain fee payments begin. The original notice was issued on September 1, 2020, and the correction updates it to include all necessary information.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) of the Department of Agriculture announced updates to the competitive process for lenders submitting applications for the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP). The updates include new scoring criteria focusing on priorities like maturing mortgages and Qualified Contract waivers, adjustments in scoring points, and changes to the application process such as requiring lenders to include closing dates and details about commercial spaces. Applications are being accepted continuously, and funding will depend on allocations provided by the Appropriations Act each fiscal year. The goal of the GRRHP is to increase affordable rental housing in rural areas by supporting partnerships between private lenders and public agencies.

The Rural Housing Service of the USDA issued a final rule to update regulations for Multi-Family Housing and Community Facilities, aligning them with new federal financial assistance guidelines from the Office of Management and Budget. Significant changes include raising the audit threshold to $1 million for certain federal financial assistance recipients and revising financial language to ensure compliance with OMB updates. Additionally, the rule clarifies exceptions and updates language in specific sections related to applications and financial reporting requirements. These changes are effective from December 6, 2024.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, proposes changes to the Single-Family Housing Self-Help Technical Assistance Grant Program to improve flexibility, reduce regulatory burdens, and better serve rural communities by providing more decent, safe, and sanitary housing options. The proposed rule includes updates to outdated references, revises program objectives, and suggests changes to processes like grant application and approval, aiming to streamline various aspects for applicants and grant recipients. The RHS seeks public comments on these changes to ensure they align with the program’s mission and do not impose unnecessary burdens.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS), a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, had planned a new rule regarding how credit reports are obtained for their Multifamily Housing Programs. This rule was initially set to go into effect on January 30, 2025, but the effective date has now been delayed until March 31, 2025. The delay is due to a presidential memorandum that called for a review of new regulations. This action allows department officials more time to review the changes without the need for public comments, as the delay is intended to ensure orderly implementation of the rule.