Search Results for keywords:"Rural Housing Service"

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 Department of Agriculture has submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. They are seeking public comments on whether this data collection is necessary, the accuracy of the time estimates, and how to reduce the burden of data collection. The Rural Housing Service is using this collection to manage and evaluate the Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP), which aims to increase affordable rural rental housing by partnering with lenders and public agencies. Interested parties have until March 15, 2021, to submit comments.

The Rural Housing Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has introduced a final rule updating how credit reports are obtained for the eligibility and feasibility assessments in the Multifamily Housing Programs. Starting January 30, 2025, applicants will need to provide their own credit reports instead of paying a fee for the agency to do it, simplifying the process and aligning with industry practices. This update also includes adding definitions and specific requirements for credit reports, aiming to streamline and modernize the applications for housing loans and grants in rural areas.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development (RD) division is changing its funding opportunities to remove references to the previous Administration's key priorities and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) criteria. This update follows an Executive Order titled "Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing," issued in January 2025. Programs affected by this change will no longer consider these previous criteria for application scoring. Additionally, the Rural Energy for America Program's funding notice is corrected to include $50 million from the 2018 Farm Bill that was previously omitted.

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 Housing Service (RHS), a branch of the USDA, has extended its pilot program for simplifying transfers of certain rural rental housing properties. This program, which now includes Section 514 properties, aims to reduce application requirements, lower costs, and improve processing times for ownership changes. There are three transfer options focusing on expedited ownership change, rehabilitation, and future rehabilitation plans, each tailored to different property conditions and needs. The program will run until December 9, 2025, and any changes or termination will be publicly announced by the RHS.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) of the USDA has announced a new pilot program under the Section 504 Direct Single Family Housing Loans and Grants. This program aims to simplify the process for very low-income homeowners in rural areas who need to repair or renovate their homes. A key feature of the pilot is allowing funds to be used for construction materials payment before delivery, addressing common payment issues faced by contractors and applicants. The program is set to run from December 2, 2024, to December 2, 2026, with the possibility of extension, and it includes 25 states and U.S. territories.

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 of the USDA has issued a final rule to update smoke alarm requirements for housing funded through its Section 515 Rural Rental Housing and Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing Direct Loan Programs. This rule aligns with the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which mandates that federally assisted housing units must have either hardwired smoke alarms or 10-year battery-powered alarms that are sealed and tamper-resistant, with additional notification systems for individuals with hearing loss. The changes aim to enhance safety in rural housing units by ensuring smoke alarms meet modern safety standards, and they apply from January 21, 2025. Feedback from the public was considered, but no changes were made to the final rule as a result.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) and other agencies under the U.S. Department of Agriculture are seeking to revise an existing information collection to ensure they comply with civil rights laws. This involves gathering data on the people served by RHS programs to verify that they receive benefits without discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. The information collected is used for internal monitoring and is shared with other federal agencies and Congress. The public is invited to comment on whether this collection is necessary, its burden, and ways to improve or reduce the burden, with comments due by March 15, 2021.