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charge); Home Improvement and Repair Loans, PA-1184, no charge. INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:

Consult your local telephone directory for Rural Development county office number. If no listing, contact your Rural Development State office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog or visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html.

Headquarters Office:

Director, Single-Family Housing Processing Division, Rural Development Rural Housing Programs, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-1474. Use the same number for FTS. Web Site Address:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

RELATED PROGRAMS:

10.410, Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Not applicable.

10.420 RURAL SELF-HELP HOUSING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

(Section 523 Technical Assistance)

FEDERAL AGENCY:

RURAL DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURE

AUTHORIZATION:

Housing Act of 1949, as amended, Section 523, Public Laws 89-117 and 89-754, 42 U.S.C. 1490c.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide Self-Help Technical Assistance Grants to provide financial assistance to qualified nonprofit organizations and public bodies that will aid needy very low and low-income individuals and their families to build homes in rural areas by the self help method. Any State, political subdivision, private or public nonprofit corporation is eligible to apply. Section 523 Grants are used to pay salaries, rent, and office expenses of the nonprofit organization. Pre-development grants up to $10,000 may be available to qualified organizations.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Eligible organizations may use technical assistance funds to hire the personnel to carry out a technical assistance program for self-help housing in rural areas; to pay necessary and reasonable office and administrative expenses; to purchase or rent equipment such as power tools for use by families participating in self-help housing construction; and to pay fees for training self-help group members in construction techniques or for other professional services needed. Funds will not be used to hire personnel to perform any construction work, to buy real estate or building materials, or pay any debts, expenses or costs other than previously outlined for participating families in self-help projects. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:

Must be a State or political subdivision, public nonprofit corporation or a private nonprofit corporation. Assistance is authorized for eligible applicants in the United States, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Marianas.

Beneficiary Eligibility:

Very low and low-income rural families, usually in groups of 6 to 10 families.

Credentials/Documentation:

Applicants must furnish evidence of the need for such services, have legal capacity to incur the obligation and operate the proposed project, and be unable to obtain the necessary funds from other sources. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination:

The State Director must request funding approval from the National office of all requests. A technical review and analysis must be completed by the Technical and Management Assistance (T&MA) contractor on all predevelopment, new, and existing (refunding) grant applications. In

addition to the T&MA contractor's review, Agency personnel must also review and evaluate the feasibility of the grantee's request and make the appropriate recommendation. The level of National office review will be based on the amount of the grant. For grant requests under $300,000 the State Director should submit: (1) the analysis from the T&MA contractor; (2) statement indicating whether or not the grant recipient will be working in Empowerment Zones (EZ), Enterprise Communities (EC) or Rural Economic Area Partnerships (REAP) and census tract designation of area; (3) the State Director's recommendation; (4) a copy of the conditions to be met; (5) a copy of From RD 1940-1, "Request for Obligation of Funds;" and (6) if the grantee is a marginal performer, specific information showing actions to correct performance. For grant requests that equal or exceed $300,000, the complete application docket along with a statement indicating whether the grant recipient will be working in an EZ, EC, REAP or tribal community, must be sent to the National office. $34 million has been appropriated for section 523 Mutual and Self-Help Technical Assistance grants. Of these funds, $1 million is earmarked for EZ, EC or REAP communities. All section 523 grants will be obligated in the National office. This will enable the National office staff to monitor fund utilization. For section 523 mutual and self-help site loans and section 524 RH site loans, State Directors are responsible for developing an outreach program to increase public awareness of these programs. The State Director must request funding authority from the National office prior to obligating loan funds. Preapplication Coordination: The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by Departmental Regulations 3015 and 3016 must be used for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102.

Application Procedure:

Form SF-424 is submitted to the Field office of the Rural Development (RD), including information attached to Part IV, fully documenting the applicant's experience, need for the grant and the proposed amount needed. Attachments relating to the size of the proposed project, estimated cost, budget and need are also required. This program is subject to provisions of Departmental Regulation 3015 and 3016.

Award Procedure:

Award is made by the National office. Deadlines:

None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:

From 60 to 190 days from the time discussion begins. Appeals:

Agency regulations providing customers with the rights for an informal review, mediation or alternative dispute resolution (ADR), or appeal to the National Appeals Division (NAD) are contained in 7 CFR Part 3550. NAD regulations are found at 7 CFR Part 11. Requests for an informal review, mediation and ADR must be received within 30 days from the date of the adverse decision. Requests for an appeal to NAD must be received within 30 days of receipt of the adverse decision. Renewals:

Applicants may reapply at any time, if needed to help low-income
families build homes in rural areas by the mutual self-help method is clearly
evidenced.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements:
None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:

Grants are typically for a 2-year period, however, other time periods may

be authorized if appropriate. Applications for assistance far exceed available funding. There is generally a waiting list for funding. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Reports:

Quarterly progress reports are to be made to the RD-Housing Programs District Office.

Audits:

Annual audits should be made as part of the recipient's systems of financial management and internal control to meet terms and conditions of grants

and other agreements.

Records:

Adequate operating records must be maintained by Grantee.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:

12-2006-0-1-604.

Obligations:

(Grants) FY 05 $37,213,771 (includes carryover); FY 06 est $34,016,000; and FY 07 est $37,062,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:

Fiscal year 2005 average was $375,897.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

There were 99 grants made in fiscal year 2005, including both predevelopment and regular operating grants.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

7 CFR Subpart I of Part 1944; Chapter XVIII; RD Instruction 1944-I, "Self-Help Technical Assistance Grants"; (PA 1254) (no charge). INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:

Consult your local telephone directory for Rural Development District Office number. If no listing, contact the appropriate Rural Development State office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog or see our web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

Headquarters Office:

Director, Single-Family Housing Processing Division, Rural Development, Housing Programs, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-1474.

Web Site Address:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

RELATED PROGRAMS:

10.410, Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans; 10.411, Rural Housing Site Loans and Self Help Housing Land Development Loans. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

An example of a funded project is Self-Help Enterprises, Visalia, California and the City of Casa Grande, Casa Grande, and Arizona. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

The criteria for selecting proposals are the evidence of a clearly defined need in an area for mutual self-help housing and the families in the area cannot afford or obtain a modest house by customary methods, and the applicant possesses the expertise to provide the technical assistance (TA) required.

10.421 INDIAN TRIBES AND TRIBAL CORPORATION LOANS FEDERAL AGENCY:

FARM SERVICE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AUTHORIZATION:

Loans to Indian Tribes and Tribal Corporations Act, Section 488-492,
Public Law 91-229.

OBJECTIVES:

To enable federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal corporations to acquire land within tribal reservations and Alaskan communities. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Loans.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Loan funds may be used to acquire land and interest therein for the benefit and use of the tribe or its members for purposes such as rounding out farming and ranching units or elimination of fractional heir ships. Funds may also be used for incidental costs connected with land purchase such as appraisals, title clearance, legal services, land surveys, and loan closing. Loan funds may be used to refinance non-United States Department of Agriculture preexisting debts that applicant incurred to purchase land subject to certain conditions. Loan funds cannot be used for any improvement or development purposes, acquisition or repair of buildings or personal property, payment of operating costs, payment of finder's fees, or similar costs.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility:

Limited to any Indian tribe recognized by the Secretary of the Interior or tribal corporation established pursuant to the Indian Reorganization Act or community in Alaska incorporated by the Secretary of Interior pursuant to the Indian Reorganization Act which does not have adequate uncommitted funds to acquire lands within the tribe's reservation or in a community in

Alaska. The tribe must be unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere at reasonable rates and terms and must be able to show reasonable prospects of repaying the loan as determined by an acceptable repayment plan and a satisfactory management plan for the land being acquired.

Beneficiary Eligibility:

American Indian Tribe or tribal corporation recognized by the Secretary of the Interior, or a community in Alaska incorporated by the Secretary of the Interior.

Credentials/Documentation:

Credentials provided by the Secretary of the Interior. Feasibility documentation must be supplied by the applicant. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:

The Secretary of the Interior must determine that lands to be acquired lie within a tribal reservation or community in Alaska incorporated by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Reorganization Act. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. An environmental assessment is required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:

Application Form FSA 770-2620 will be submitted to the State FSA offices. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A110.

Award Procedure:

After an application has been recommended by Agency loan specialist, the State Executive Director has final approval authority on loans up to $500,000. Loans in excess of that amount require the National office approval. Following approval, payment authorization is forwarded to the National finance office which issues the check. Deadlines:

None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 30 to 90 days.

Appeals:

If an application is rejected, the reasons for rejection are fully stated and appropriate appeal rights given. The applicant may reapply at any time that the reasons for rejection are corrected. If not satisfied with the State Executive Director's action, the applicant is given an opportunity to appeal the decision to the National Appeals Division decision making process. The applicant may in the final step of the appeals process, ask for a review of the decision by the Director of the National Appeals Division, Washington, DC.

Renewals:

Not applicable.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:

Program size and requirement does not permit equitable distribution on a Tribe or State basis. The loan assistance may equal the project cost if the applicant is financially unable to contribute a part of the cost. This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:

Loans may be scheduled over a period not to exceed 40 years. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:

None.

Audits:

In accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR Part 3052, which implement OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 7 CFR 3052.

Records:

Records and accounts are required to reflect the operations of the project. FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:

12-4140-0-3-351; 12-1140-0-1-351.

Obligations:

(Loans) FY 05 $0; FY 06 est $2,000,000; and FY 07 est $3,960,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:

$450,000 to $2,000,000. Average: $224,000.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

One loan was awarded in fiscal year 2001, one loan has been awarded so far in fiscal year 2002.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

7 CFR Part 770, and FSA Handbook 6-FLP, Part 2., FMHA Instruction 442.11, FMHA Credit for American Indians, PA-1129. INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:

Contact the appropriate FSA State office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:

Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, Director, Loan Servicing and Property Management Division, Ag Box 0523, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-4572.

Web Site Address:

http://www.fsa.usda.gov.

RELATED PROGRAMS:

15.124, Indian Loans_Economic Development.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Not applicable.

10.427 RURAL RENTAL ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS

(Rental Assistance)

FEDERAL AGENCY:

RURAL DEVELOPMENT (RD), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION:

Housing Act of 1949, as amended, Section 521, Public Laws 90-448 and 93-128, 42 U.S.C. 1490a.

OBJECTIVES:

To reduce the tenant contribution paid by low-income families occupying eligible Rural Rental Housing (RRH), Rural Cooperative Housing (RCH), and Farm Labor Housing (LH) projects financed by the Rural Housing Service (RHS) through its Sections 515, 514 and 516 loans and grants. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments for Specified Use. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Rental assistance may be used to reduce the rents paid by low-income senior citizens or families and domestic farm laborers and families whose rents exceed 30 percent of an adjusted annual income. Tenants who may be eligible must occupy units in eligible RRH, RCH and LH projects financed by RHS.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility:

To be eligible to participate in the rental assistance program, borrowers must have an eligible project. All projects must convert to Interest Credit Plan II before they are eligible, except direct RRH and insured RRH loans approved prior to August 1, 1968, and LH loans and grants. For a borrower to have an eligible project, the loan must be an RRH insured or direct loan made to a broad-based nonprofit organization, or State or local agency or; an RRH insured loan made to an individual or organization who has or will agree to operate the housing on a limited profit basis as defined in 7 CFR 3560.254 (a) or; an RCH insured or direct loan or; an LH loan, or an LH loan and grant combination made to a broad-based nonprofit organization or nonprofit organization of farm workers or a State or local public agency. New construction and/or rehabilitation projects, utilizing the Section 8 program from HUD will not be considered eligible projects, although it may be used for eligible families in existing projects utilizing Section 8 for part of the units.

Beneficiary Eligibility:

Any very low and low-income family, handicapped or senior citizen that is unable to pay the approved rental rate for an eligible RHS rental assistance unit within 30 percent of their adjusted monthly income. Households eligible for rental assistance are those 1) whose net tenant contribution to rent, determined in accordance with 3560.203 (a)(2), is less than the basic rent for the unit; 2) whose head of the household is a U.S. citizen or a legal alien as defined in 3560.11; 3) who meet the occupancy rules established by the borrower in accordance with 3560.155 (e); and 4) who have a signed,

unexpired tenant certification form on file with the borrower. Credentials/Documentation:

The applicant must be the owner or plan to become an owner of an eligible RHS RRH,RCH, or LH project operating on a limited profit or nonprofit basis. This program is excluded from coverage under 7 CFR 3015 or 3016. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program is excluded from coverage under 7 CFR 3015 or 3016.

Application Procedure:

Eligible borrowers will initiate the processing by submitting Form RD 356025, "Request for Rental Assistance". Applications shall then be reviewed under the procedure set forth in 7CFR 3560.255. This program is excluded from coverage under 7 CFR 3015 or 3016.

Award Procedure:

After the application has been reviewed by the Rural Development Manager, it is given final approval by the State Director. The State Director will determine the number of rental assistance units to be given from the total of units that were allocated to the State. Projects may be eligible for rental assistance for up to 100 percent of the number of units in the project.

Deadlines:

None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:

From 30 to 90 days from the time Form RD 1944-25, "Request for Rental Assistance" is filed.

Appeals:

Applicant may request reconsideration on the basis of pertinent facts concerning the application under the provisions of RD Instruction 1900-B. Renewals:

Rental assistance contracts for new as well as existing projects may be renewed for at the end of the original contract subject to the availability of funds.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:

The statistical factors used for fund allocation are: 1. State percentage of RHS rural population and the source is "2000 Census" updated by ERS; 2. State percentage of RHS rural housing units lacking plumbing and/or overcrowded and the source is "2000 Census"; and 3. State percentage of persons in poverty living in RHS rural areas and the source is "2000 Census."

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:

Rental assistance contracts shall be funded subject to the availability of funds and appropriation language. POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS: Reports:

The borrower must initially submit Form RD 3560-8, "Tenant Certification," for each tenant. Subsequent tenant certifications must be obtained annually and submitted to the Rural Development Manager. Quarterly progress reports are to be made to the Rural Development Manager during the first year of successful operation and each quarter thereafter until discontinued by the Rural Development Manager. An annual report will also be necessary. Audits:

Borrowers not covered by OMB Circular No. A-133, are required to provide annual financial repoprts in accordancw with 7 CFR 3560.308. This program is also subject to audit by the USDA Office of Inspector General. In accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR Part 3052, which implement OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 7 CFR 3052.

Records:

Adequate operating records must be maintained by borrower. FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:

12-0137-0-1-604; 12-2002-0-1-604.

Obligations:

(Direct payments) FY 05 $587,263,968; FY 06 est $646,570,980; and

FY 07 est $487,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:

Data unavailable at this time.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In fiscal year 2005, 45,428 families were assisted. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

7 CFR Part 3560, Direct Multi-Family Housing Loans and Grants. INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:

Consult your local telephone directory for Rural Development office number. If no listing, contact the appropriate Rural Development State office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Headquarters Office:

Director, Multi-family Housing Portfolio Management Division, Rural Housing Programs (RP), Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-1615. Use the same number for FTS. Web Site Address:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

RELATED PROGRAMS:

10.405, Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants; 10.415, Rural Rental Housing Loans.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Not applicable.

10.433 RURAL HOUSING PRESERVATION GRANTS

FEDERAL AGENCY:

RURAL DEVELOPMENT (RD), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION:

Housing Act of 1949, as amended, Section 533, Public Law 98-181, 42 U.S.C. 1480.

OBJECTIVES:

To assist very low- and low-income rural residents individual homeowners, rental property owners (single/multi-unit) or by providing the consumer cooperative housing projects (co-ops) the necessary assistance to repair or rehabilitate their dwellings. These objectives will be accomplished through the establishment of repair/rehabilitation, projects run by eligible applicants. This program is intended to make use of and leverage any other available housing programs which provide resources to very low and lowincome rural residents to bring their dwellings up to development standards. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Organizations may use less than 20 percent of the Housing Preservation Grant funds for program administration purposes, such as to hire the personnel to carry out a project of housing rehabilitation to meet the needs of very low and low-income persons in rural areas; to pay necessary and reasonable office and administrative expenses; and to pay reasonable fees for training of organization personnel. Eighty percent or more of funds must be used for loans, grants or other assistance on individual homes, homeowners, rental properties or co-ops to pay any part of the cost for repair or rehabilitation of structures; funds may not be used to hire personnel to perform construction or to pay any debts, expenses or costs other than previously outlined and approved in the project application. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:

Must be a State or political subdivision, public nonprofit corporation, Indian tribal corporations, authorized to receive and administer housing preservation grants, private nonprofit corporation, or a consortium of such eligible entities. Applicants must provide assistance under this program to persons residing in open country and communities with a population of 10,000 that are rural in character and places with a population of up to 20,000 under certain conditions. Applicants in towns with population of 10,000 to 20,000 should check with local Rural Development office to determine if the Agency can serve them. Assistance is authorized for eligible applicants in the United States, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and the territories and possessions of the United

States.

Beneficiary Eligibility:

Very low and low-income rural individuals and families who are homeowners and need resources to bring their housing up to code standards, rental property owners, or co-ops.

Credentials/Documentation:

Applicants must have the financial, legal, administrative, and operational capacity to carry out the objectives of the program by having experience in rural housing rehabilitation. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:

The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by 7 CFR parts 3015 or 3016 must be used for this program. Preapplications on SF 424.1 "Application for Federal Assistance (for nonconstruction)," must be submitted to Rural Development. Applicants are encouraged to consult with the Rural Development District or State office prior to submission of a Preapplication and to receive assistance in the preparation of their preapplication. An environmental impact assessment is required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:

In FY 06, the section 533 program will be awarded through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announced in the Federal Register March 15, 2006. The NOFA application period is 60 days from the date of the announcement. The NOFA deadline is May 14, 2006.

Award Procedure:

Award is made by the Rural Development State Director. Deadlines:

Dates governing the acceptance, review, and selection of project preapplication will be published annually in the Federal Register. Applicants may also contact the Rural Development State Office for deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:

Notice of action taken on preapplications will be generally within 60 days of final date of acceptance of preapplication.

Appeals:

Applicants may request reconsideration on the basis of pertinent facts concerning their application within 30 days of notification of action taken on the preapplication or application.

Renewals:

Applicants may apply for an additional HPG grant when they have achieved or nearly achieved the goals established for the previous or existing grant. The grantee must file a preapplication for the current fiscal year which will be processed and compared under the project selection criteria to others submitted at that time. ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Formula and Matching Requirements:

See 7 CFR 1940-L, "Methodology and Formulas for Allocation of Loan and Grant Funds." This program has a statutory formula consisting of the following factors and weights: State's percentage of national rural population, 33 1/3 percent; State's percentage of national number of rural occupied substandard units, 33 1/3 percent; and State's percentage of national rural families with incomes below the poverty level, 33 1/3 percent. Data source for each factor is based on the latest census data available. The percentage for each factor is multiplied by the weight assigned and summed to arrive at a State factor. The State factor is multiplied by the total amount available for allocation nationally, minus the national office reserve (approximately 5 percent). This program has no cost-sharing arrangement or matching requirements although priorities under the project selection criteria include extent of leveraging of funds to complement the housing preservation grant.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:

Grants are made for a 12 month period. Agency consent is required for grants that exceed 1 year.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:

Quarterly financial and project performance reports are to be made to the
Rural Development office receiving the grant.

Audits:

Periodic audits should be made as part of the recipient's system of financial management and internal control to meet terms and conditions of grants and other agreements. In accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR Part 3052, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," which implement OMB Circular A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a programspecific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 7 CFR 3052.

Records:

Grantees shall maintain adequate records and accounts to assure that grant funds are used for authorized purposes.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:

12-2070-0-1-604.

Obligations:

(Grants) FY 05 $8,583,648; FY 06 est $10,000,000; and FY 07 est $9,900,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:

For fiscal year 2005, approximately 164 grants were obligated providing assistance for 2,108 units.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

For fiscal year 2005, applications were funded to assist 2,108 units. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

7 CFR 1944-N, Section 1944.651 through 1944.700, RD Instruction 1944-N. Regulations are available from Rural Development State offices. INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:

Consult your local telephone directory for your local Rural Development Area Office number. If no listing, contact the appropriate Rural Development State Office listed in Appexdix IV of the Catalog or on the internet at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html. Headquarters Office:

Multi-Family Housing Processing Division, Rural Development, Department of Agriculture, Washington DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-1604. Use the same number for FTS.

Web Site Address:

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. RELATED PROGRAMS:

10.410, Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans; 10.411, Rural Housing Site Loans and Self Help Housing Land Development Loans; 10.417, Very Low-Income Housing Repair Loans and Grants; 10.420, Rural Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance; 14.108, Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance; 14.121, Mortgage Insurance_Homes in Outlying Areas. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Funded projects generally provide financial assistance to very low-income persons for bringing their dwellings up to local code standards through an HPG grant combined with other Federal funding, such as HUD's community development block grants or HHS's weatherization program. Other variations funded includes using HPG funds to establish a revolving loan fund that provides homeowners a long term, interest subsidized loan; "lending homeowners the money and "forgiving" 20 percent per year until the loan becomes a grant after five years; using the grantee's own employees to perform the rehabilitation work to reduce the costs; and, in a few instances, leveraging State resources for repair loans or grants. In most cases, grantees that are currently active in home repair and rehabilitation were selected and were able to leverage their existing programs with the new HPG funds.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Projects must provide a feasible repair rehabilitation program and serve areas with a concentration of substandard housing and very low and lowincome persons. In addition, the following criteria will be considered in the selection of grant recipients. Each preapplication and its accompanying statement of activities will be evaluated on: (1) The percentage of very low-income persons assisted; (2) the percentage of use of HPG funds to total cost of housing preservation; (3) the applicant's administrative capacity and experience in (i) housing rehabilitation or weatherization, (ii) assisting very low and low-income persons attain housing assistance and (iii) prior programs no outstanding audits findings; (4) the proposed program will be undertaken in non-Metropolitan Statistical Areas identified

by Rural Development as having populations below 10,000 or in remote parts of other rural areas, (i.e., rural areas contained in Metropolitan Statistical Areas with less than 5,000 population); (5) the program will minimize the use of grant funds for administrative purposes, i.e., less than 20 percent of grant funds; (6) the program will alleviate overcrowding in rural residences inhabited by very low and low-income families; and (7) if an existing grantee has met the objectives of its current grant.

10.435 STATE MEDIATION GRANTS

FEDERAL AGENCY:

FARM SERVICE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AUTHORIZATION:

Agricultural Credit Act of 1987, Title V, Public Law 100-233; Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, Public Law 101-624; Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992; Federal Crop Insurance Reform Act of 1994, Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, Public Law 103-354; the United States Grain Standards Act of 2000, Public Law 106-472.

OBJECTIVES:

To assist States in establishing and administering mediation programs and services for agricultural producers, creditors of producers (as applicable), and persons directly affected by actions of the Department of Agriculture. TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Grants are to be used for the operation and administration of a State's mediation program which has been certified by the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) as meeting the requirements of Section 501 (c) of Title V of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (U.S.C. 510), as amended. A grant will not exceed 70 percent of the total fiscal year funds that a qualifying State requires to operate and administer its mediation program, or $500,000, whichever is less. Eligible costs are limited to those that are reasonable and necessary to carry out the mission of the State's mediation program and may include activities related to the intake and scheduling of cases, the provision of background and selected information regarding the mediation process, financial advisory and counseling services, and the mediation session. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant Eligibility:

State governments.

Beneficiary Eligibility:

Agricultural producers, creditors of producers (as applicable) and persons directly affected by actions of the Department of Agriculture. Credentials/Documentation:

Have a mediation program which has been certified by the Administrator
of FSA, and for which certification has not been withdrawn; provide
evidence to justify the estimated costs of operating and administering the
State's mediation program. The Governor of a State or head of an entity
designated by the Governor of a State must make a written request to FSA
on or before August 1 of each year to receive a matching grant during the
fiscal year commencing on October 1, of that same year. Request for
certification are accepted after August 1 of each year; however, the State
will be considered in order of date received for reserved grant funds. Costs
will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and
local governments. To be certified as a qualifying State, the mediation
program of the State must mediate issues involving agricultural loans
(regardless of whether the loans are made or guaranteed by the Secretary of
Agriculture or made by third party); and may provide mediation services
for disputes involving wetlands determinations, compliance with farm
programs including conservation programs, rural water loan programs,
grazing on National forest system lands, pesticides, and such other issues,
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary meeting the requirements of Section
501 of Title V of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 510), as
amended.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:
Preapplication Coordination:

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure:

The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by 7 CFR part 3016, must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Award Procedure:

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