82 FR 34623 - Notice of Intent To Review Online Homeownership Education Courses for Nationwide Use in the Single Family Housing Section 502 Direct Loan Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 142 (July 26, 2017)

Page Range		34623-34624
FR Document		2017-15625

First-time homebuyers seeking financing under the Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency) Single Family Housing Section 502 Direct loan program are required to successfully complete an approved homeownership education course prior to loan closing. While homeownership education providers are generally approved by the Agency at the state level, there are currently two nationally approved online education providers. Through this notice the Agency will consider approving other online education providers on a national level in order to expand the Agency applicants' options and access to approved education providers.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 142 (Wednesday, July 26, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34623-34624]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15625]


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Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 142 / Wednesday, July 26, 2017 / 
Notices

[[Page 34623]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Intent To Review Online Homeownership Education Courses 
for Nationwide Use in the Single Family Housing Section 502 Direct Loan 
Program

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: First-time homebuyers seeking financing under the Rural 
Housing Service (RHS or Agency) Single Family Housing Section 502 
Direct loan program are required to successfully complete an approved 
homeownership education course prior to loan closing. While 
homeownership education providers are generally approved by the Agency 
at the state level, there are currently two nationally approved online 
education providers. Through this notice the Agency will consider 
approving other online education providers on a national level in order 
to expand the Agency applicants' options and access to approved 
education providers.

DATES: Online homeownership education providers interested in having 
their courses reviewed should submit a complete package to the Single 
Family Housing Direct Loan Division by August 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submissions must be sent electronically to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brooke Baumann, Branch Chief, at 
[email protected] or (202) 690-4250.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Approval will be subject to meeting course 
criteria, a recommendation by the Agency-selected panel of housing 
partners, and signoff by the Administrator. Approval will be given as a 
third preference format unless the education provider is able to 
demonstrate and document how their online course along with a required 
supplemented service provides the same level of training and 
individualized attention as a first or second preference. 7 CFR 3550.11 
outlines the order of preference given to homeownership education 
courses. First preference is given to classroom, one-on-one counseling, 
or interactive video conference. These formats are generally extensive 
and require a significant time and participation commitment from the 
Agency applicants. Second preference is given to interactive home-study 
or interactive telephone counseling of at least four hours duration. 
These formats may only be used if the formats under the first 
preference are not reasonably available. Third preference, which can 
only be used if all other formats are not reasonably available, is 
given to online counseling. 7 CFR 3550.11 also outlines the 
requirements an education provider and its course must meet in order to 
be approved for use by Agency applicants.
    At a minimum, courses submitted for consideration must contain the 
following topics/content:

 Preparing for homeownership (evaluate readiness to go from 
rental to homeownership)
 Budgeting (pre- and post-purchase)
 Credit counseling
 Shopping for a home
 Lender differences (predatory lending)
 Obtaining a mortgage (mortgage process, different types of 
mortgages)
 Loan closing (closing process, documentation, closing costs)
 Post-occupancy counseling (delinquency and foreclosure 
prevention)
 Life as a homeowner (homeowner warranties, maintenance, and 
repairs)

    Online homeownership education providers interested in having their 
courses reviewed must provide a complete package consisting of the 
course background, online login access to the course for the Agency-
selected panel, a copy of the completion certification, price sheet, 
and contact information (name, phone number, and email address).
    The Agency-selected panel will base their recommendation on the 
following considerations:

 The format of the course (i.e. classroom, one-on-one 
counseling, or interactive video conference features that supplement 
and complement the online course; or, strictly online counseling)
 Certificate of completion
 Fee (should be nominal--approximately $100 or less)
 Duration
 Topics covered
 System features (chat functionality, bookmarks, start/pause/
play options, audio playback option, etc.)
 Readability/Comprehension (level of complexity in language 
used)
 User-friendliness
 Browser-friendliness
 Ability to use mobile devices (phone, tablet, etc.)
 Alternative languages offered (Spanish, etc.)
 Pre/Post assessment of knowledge
 Web site aesthetics
 Section 508 compliancy and reasonable accommodations 
procedures

    A notice of education providers approved through this process will 
be issued via a memorandum to the Rural Development State Offices. The 
memorandum will list the format preference assigned to each provider. A 
copy of the memorandum will be simultaneously emailed to all education 
providers who applied through this notice.
    Approvals are not subject to expiration. However, an approval may 
be revoked for justifiable cause.

Non-Discrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for

[[Page 34624]]

program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American 
Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's 
TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through 
the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program 
information may be made available in languages other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or 
write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the 
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint 
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA 
by:
    (1) By mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-9410;
    (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    Dated: July 18, 2017.
Richard A. Davis,
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-15625 Filed 7-25-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P

34624 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 26, 2017 / Notices

program information (e.g., Braille, large RHS will publish on its Web site, Grants for Off-Farm Housing for Fiscal
print, audiotape, American Sign http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs- Year 2017.
Language, etc.) should contact the services/farm-labor-housing-direct- Announcement Type: Solicitation of
responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET loans-grants, the amount of funding pre-applications from qualified
Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and available in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 based applicants for FY 2017.
TTY) or contact USDA through the on current appropriations. Catalog of Federal Domestic
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. The Agency will assign additional Assistance Numbers (CFDA): 10.405 and
Additionally, program information may points to pre-applications for projects 10.427.
be made available in languages other based in or serving census tracts with Due Date for Applications: September
than English. poverty rates greater than or equal to 20 11, 2017.
To file a program discrimination percent over the last 30 years. This A. Federal Award Description
complaint, complete the USDA Program emphasis will support Rural Pre-applications will only be accepted
Discrimination Complaint Form, AD– Development’s mission of improving the through the date and time listed in this
3027, found online at http:// quality of life for rural Americans and Notice. All awards are subject to
www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_ commitment to directing resources to availability of funding. Individual
cust.html and at any USDA office or those who most need them. requests may not exceed $3 million
write a letter addressed to USDA and DATES: The deadline for receipt of all (total loan and grant). No State may
provide in the letter all of the applications in response to this Notice receive more than 30 percent of
information requested in the form. To is 5:00 p.m., local time to the available FLH funding available in FY
request a copy of the complaint form, appropriate Rural Development State 2017.
call (866) 632–9992. Submit your Office on September 11, 2017. Rural If there are insufficient applications
completed form or letter to USDA by: Development will not consider any from around the country to exhaust
(1) By mail: U.S. Department of application that is received after the Sections 514 and 516 funds available,
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant deadline unless the date and time is the Agency may then exceed the 30
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 extended by another notice published in percent cap per State. Section 516 off-
Independence Avenue SW., the Federal Register. Applicants farm FLH grants may not exceed 90
Washington, DC 20250–9410; intending to mail applications must percent of the total development cost
(2) Fax: (202) 690–7442; or provide sufficient time to permit (TDC) of the housing as defined in 7
(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov. delivery on or before the deadline. CFR 3560.11.
USDA is an equal opportunity Acceptance by a post office or private If leveraged funds are going to be used
provider, employer, and lender. mailer does not constitute delivery. and are in the form of tax credits, the
Dated: July 18, 2017. Facsimile (FAX) and postage due applicant must include in its pre-
Richard A. Davis,
applications will not be accepted. application written evidence that a tax
ADDRESSES: Applicants wishing to credit application has been submitted
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
submit an application in response to and accepted by the Housing Finance
[FR Doc. 2017–15625 Filed 7–25–17; 8:45 am]
this Notice must contact the Rural Agency (HFA). All applications that will
BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P
Development State Office serving the receive any leveraged funds must have
State of the proposed off-FLH project in firm commitments in place within 12
order to receive further information and months of the issuance of a ‘‘Notice of
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
copies of the application package. You Pre-application Review Action,’’
Rural Housing Service may find the addresses and contact Handbook Letter 106 (3560). Applicants
information for each State Office without written evidence that a tax
Notice of Solicitation of Applications following this web link, http:// credit application has been submitted
for Section 514 Farm Labor Housing www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state- and accepted by the HFA must certify
Loans and Section 516 Farm Labor offices. Rural Development will date in writing they will apply for tax credits
Housing Grants for Off-Farm Housing and time stamp incoming applications to the HFA and obtain a firm
for Fiscal Year 2017 to evidence timely receipt and, upon commitment within 12 months of the
request, will provide the applicant with issuance of a ‘‘Notice of Pre-application
AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA. Review Action.’’
a written acknowledgment of receipt.
ACTION: Notice. Rental Assistance (RA) and operating
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
assistance will be available for new
SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service Mirna Reyes-Bible, Finance and Loan construction in FY 2017. Operating
(RHS) announces the timeframe to Analyst, Multi-Family Housing assistance is explained at 7 CFR
submit pre-applications for Section 514 Preservation and Direct Loan Division, 3560.574 and may be used in lieu of
Farm Labor Housing (FLH) loans and STOP 0781 (Room 1263–S), USDA Rural tenant-specific RA in off-FLH projects
Section 516 FLH grants for the Development, 1400 Independence that serve migrant farm workers as
construction of new off-farm FLH units Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250– defined in 7 CFR 3560.11, that are
and related facilities for domestic farm 0781, telephone: (202) 720–1753 (this is financed under Section 514 or Section
laborers and for the purchase and not a toll free number.), or via email: 516 (h) of the Housing Act of 1949, as
substantial rehabilitation of an existing mirna.reyesbible@wdc.usda.gov. amended (42 U.S.C. 1484 and 1486(h)
non-FLH property. The intended SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: respectively), and otherwise meet the
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

purpose of these loans and grants is to requirements of 7 CFR 3560.574.
Overview
increase the number of available In order to maximize the use of our
housing units for domestic farm Federal Agency: Rural Housing limited supply of FLH funds, if it is
laborers. This Notice describes the Service. financially feasible we may contact
method used to distribute funds, the Funding Opportunity Title: NOSA for eligible NOSA responses selected for an
application process, and submission Section 514 Farm Labor Housing Loans award in point score order starting with
requirements. and Section 516 Farm Labor Housing the higher scores, with proposals to

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Document Created: 2017-07-26 01:29:47
Document Modified: 2017-07-26 01:29:47

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Online homeownership education providers interested in having their courses reviewed should submit a complete package to the Single Family Housing Direct Loan Division by August 25, 2017.
Contact		Brooke Baumann, Branch Chief, at [email protected] or (202) 690-4250.
FR Citation		82 FR 34623

82 FR 34623 - Notice of Intent To Review Online Homeownership Education Courses for Nationwide Use in the Single Family Housing Section 502 Direct Loan Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURERural Housing Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 142 (July 26, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service