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)

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, 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.

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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