82 FR 60579 - Notice of Solicitation of Applications for Loan Guarantees Under the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program for Fiscal Year 2018
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 244 (December 21, 2017)
Rural Housing Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 244 (December 21, 2017)
| Page Range | 60579-60584 | |
| FR Document | 2017-27527 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 244 (Thursday, December 21, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 60579-60584] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-27527] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Notice of Solicitation of Applications for Loan Guarantees Under the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program for Fiscal Year 2018 AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency), an agency within Rural Development, announces that it is soliciting competitive lender submissions (responses) regarding proposed projects for the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP). The amount of program dollars available for the GRRHP will be determined by the Appropriations Act for each fiscal year that this Notice is open. DATES: Eligible responses to this Notice will be accepted until December 31, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Funding for selected responses that develop into complete applications and meet all Federal eligibility requirements will be based on the Appropriations Act for each individual fiscal year that this NOSA is open. Selected responses to this Notice that are deemed eligible for further processing after each fiscal year ends, will be funded to the extent an Appropriations Act provides sufficient funding in the fiscal year the response is selected. Approved applications are subject to the fee structure in effect when the response was selected for further processing. For example, a response that was selected under the 2016 NOSA will be subject to all fees stated in the 2016 NOSA. ADDRESSES: Responses to this Notice may be submitted either electronically using the Section 538 electronic response form found at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/multi-family-housing-loan-guarantees under the Forms and Resources tab or in hard copy to the appropriate Rural Development State Office where the project will be located. USDA Rural Development State Offices, their addresses, and telephone numbers may be found at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. Note: Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free. Applicants are strongly encouraged, but not required, to submit the response electronically. Eligible lenders mailing a response or application must provide sufficient time to permit delivery to the appropriate submission address below on or before the closing deadline and time. Acceptance by a U.S. Post Office or private mailer does not constitute delivery. Postage due responses and applications will not be accepted. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Cole, Financial and Loan Analyst, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program, Multi-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Division, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 1263S-STOP 0781, Washington, DC 20250-0781 or email: monica.cole@wdc.usda.gov. Telephone: (202) 720-1251. This number is not toll-free. Hearing or speech-impaired persons may access that number by calling the Federal Information Relay Service toll-free at (800) 877-8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The obligation of available funds, via the issuance of Conditional Commitments for loan guarantees, will be made in the following order: (1) To outstanding approved applications from prior years for which Conditional Commitments have not been issued; then (2) to applications approved under this Notice in the order by which the request for funding obligation is received by the USDA Rural Development National Office (National Office) from the State Offices. When funding is insufficient to serve all applications approved under this Notice, they will be funded according to the priority scoring set forth in Section V of this Notice. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant's risk. The following paragraphs outline the timeframes, eligibility requirements, lender responsibilities, and the overall response and application processes. Any modifications to this Notice, including cancellation, will be published in the Federal Register. Eligible lenders are invited to submit responses for new construction and acquisition with rehabilitation of affordable rural rental housing. The Agency will review responses submitted by eligible lenders, on the lender's letterhead, and signed by both the prospective borrower and lender. Although a complete application is not required in response to this Notice, eligible lenders may submit a complete application concurrently with the response. Submitting a complete application will not have any effect on the respondent's response score. Overview Federal Agency: Rural Housing Service. Solicitation Opportunity Title: Guaranteed Multi-Family Housing Loans. Announcement Type: Initial Solicitation Announcement. [[Page 60580]] Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 10.438. Dates: Response Deadline: December 31, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. I. Funding Opportunity Description The GRRHP is authorized by Section 538 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1490p-2) and operates under 7 CFR part 3565. The purpose of the GRRHP is to increase the supply of affordable rural rental housing through the use of loan guarantees that encourage partnerships between the Agency, private lenders, and public agencies. Eligibility of Prior Year Selected Responses: Prior fiscal year response selections that did not develop into complete applications within the time constraints stipulated by the corresponding State Office have been cancelled. Lenders and applicants have been notified of the cancellation by the State Office. A new response for the project may be submitted subject to the conditions of this Notice. Prior years' responses that were selected by the Agency, with a complete application submitted by the lender within 90 days from the date of notification of response selection (unless an extension was granted by the Agency), will be eligible for review, approval and FY 2018 program dollars without having to complete a FY 2018 response. A complete application includes all Federal environmental documents required by 7 CFR part 1970, subpart G, and a Form RD 3565-1, ``Application for Loan and Guarantee''. If approved, applications that accompanied a response submitted under a prior year's notice (outstanding prior years approved applications) will be obligated in the order by which the Agency's National Office received the request for obligation from the State Offices, to the extent of available funding. Once the outstanding prior years approved applications have been funded, the Agency will fund applications approved pursuant to this Notice in the order by which the Agency's National Office received the request for obligation from the State Offices. If funding is insufficient to serve applications pursuant to this Notice, they will be funded according to the priority scoring set forth in Section V of this Notice. The obligation of program funds is discussed further in Section VI of this Notice. II. Award Information Anyone interested in submitting a response and application for funding under this program is encouraged to consult the Rural Development website http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/multi-family-housing-loan-guarantees periodically for updated information regarding the status of funding authorized for this program. Qualifying Properties: Qualifying properties include new construction for multi-family housing units and the acquisition of existing structures with a minimum per unit rehabilitation expenditure requirement in accordance with 7 CFR 3565.252. The Agency does not finance acquisition only deals. Also eligible is the revitalization, repair, and transfer (as stipulated in 7 CFR 3560.406) of existing direct Section 515 housing and Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing (FLH) (transfer costs are subject to Agency approval and must be an eligible use of loan proceeds as listed in 7 CFR 3565.205), and properties involved in the Agency's Multifamily Preservation and Revitalization (MPR) Demonstration program. Equity payment, as stipulated in 7 CFR 3560.406, in the transfer of existing direct Section 515 and Section 514/516 FLH, is an eligible use of guaranteed loan proceeds. In order to be considered, the transfer of Section 515 and Section 514/516 FLH and MPR projects must need repairs and undergo revitalization of a minimum of $6,500 per unit. Eligible Financing Sources: Any form of Federal, State, and conventional sources of financing can be used in conjunction with the loan guarantee, including Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) grant funds, tax exempt bonds, and Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). Types of Guarantees: The Agency offers three types of guarantees which are set forth at 7 CFR 3565.52(c). The Agency's liability under any guarantee will decrease or increase, in proportion to any decrease or increase in the amount of the unpaid portion of the loan, up to the maximum amount specified in the Loan Note Guarantee. Penalties incurred as a result of default are not covered by any of the program's guarantees. The Agency may provide a lesser guarantee based upon its evaluation of the credit quality of the loan. Energy Conservation: All new multi-family housing projects financed in whole or in part by USDA are encouraged to engage in sustainable building development that emphasizes energy-efficiency and conservation. In order to assist in the achievement of this goal, any GRRHP project that participates in one or all of the programs included in priority 7 under the ``Scoring of Priority Criteria for Selection of Projects'' section of this Notice may receive a maximum of 25 additional points added to their project score. Participation in these nationwide initiatives is voluntary, but strongly encouraged. Interest Credit: There will be no interest credit. Program Fees: The following fees have been determined necessary to cover the projected cost of loan guarantees. These fees may be adjusted based on the 2018 Appropriation requirements and in future years to cover the projected costs of loan guarantees in those future years, or additional fees may be charged. The fees are as follows: 1. Initial guarantee fee. The Agency will charge an initial guarantee fee equal to one percent of the guarantee principal amount. For purposes of calculating this fee, the guarantee amount is the product of the percentage of the guarantee times the initial principal amount of the guaranteed loan. 2. Annual guarantee fee. An annual guarantee fee of 50 basis points (\1/2\ percent) of the outstanding principal amount of the loan as of December 31 will be charged each year or portion of a year that the guarantee is outstanding. 3. As permitted under 7 CFR 3565.302(b)(5), there is a non- refundable service fee of $1,500 for the review of a lender's first request to extend the term of a guarantee commitment beyond its original expiration (the request must be received by the Agency prior to the commitment's expiration). For any subsequent extension request, the fee will be $2,500. 4. As permitted under 7 CFR 3565.302(b)(5), there is a non- refundable service fee of $3,500 for the review of a lender's first request to reopen an application when a commitment has expired. For any subsequent extension request to reopen an application after the commitment has expired, the fee will be $3,500. 5. As permitted under 7 CFR 3565.302(b)(4), there is a non- refundable service fee of $1,500 in connection with a lender's request to approve the transfer of property or a change in composition of the ownership entity. 6. There is no application fee. 7. There is no lender application fee for lender approval. 8. There is no surcharge for the guarantee of construction advances. III. Lender Eligibility Information Eligible Lenders: An eligible lender for the Section 538 GRRHP as required by 7 CFR 3565.102 must be a licensed business entity or Housing Finance [[Page 60581]] Agency (HFA) in good standing in the State or States where it conducts business. Lender eligibility requirements are contained in 7 CFR 3565.102. Please review that section for a complete list of all of the criteria. The Agency will only consider responses from GRRHP eligible or approved lenders as described in 7 CFR 3565.102 and 3565.103 respectively. Lenders who do not have GRRHP approved lender status and whose responses are selected will be notified by the Agency to submit a request for GRRHP lender approval within 30 days of notification. Alternately, lenders may submit a request for GRRHP approved lender status with the response. Lenders who request GRRHP approval must meet the standards in 7 CFR 3565.103. Lenders that have received GRRHP lender approval that remain in good standing in accordance with 7 CFR 3565.105, do not need to reapply for GRRHP lender approval. Submission of Documentation for GRRHP Lender Approval: All lenders that have not yet received GRRHP lender approval must submit a complete lender application to: Director, Multi-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 1263S-STOP 0781, Washington, DC 20250- 0781. Lender applications must be identified as ``Lender Application-- Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program'' on the envelope. IV. Response Submission Information Responses to this Notice may be submitted either electronically using the Section 538 electronic response form found at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/multi-family-housing-loan-guarantees under the Forms and Resources tab or in hard copy to the appropriate Rural Development State Office where the project will be located. USDA Rural Development State Offices, their addresses, and telephone numbers may be found at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. Note: Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free. Lenders are strongly encouraged, but not required, to submit their responses electronically. The electronic form contains a button labeled ``Send Form.'' By clicking on the button, the applicant will see an email message window with an attachment that includes the electronic form the applicant filled out as a data file with an .fdf extension. In addition, an auto- reply acknowledgement will be sent to the applicant when the electronic response form is received by the Agency unless the sender has software that will block the receipt of the auto-reply email. The State Office will record responses received electronically by the actual date and time when all attachments are received at the State Office. Submission of the response to this Notice does not constitute submission of the entire loan guarantee application package, which requires additional forms and supporting documentation. Content of Responses: All responses require lender information and project specific data as set out in this Notice. Incomplete responses will not be considered for funding. Lenders will be notified of incomplete responses no later than 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of the response by the Agency. Complete responses are to include a signed cover letter from the lender, on the lender's letterhead. The lender must provide the requested information concerning the project, to establish the purpose of the proposed project, its location, and how it meets the established priorities for funding. In the case of insufficient funding for applications approved under this Notice, the Agency will fund those applications by highest ranked responses based on priority criteria. (1) Lender Certification: The lender must certify that the lender will make a loan to the prospective borrower for the proposed project, under specified terms and conditions subject to the issuance of the GRRHP guarantee. Lender certification must be on the lender's letterhead and signed by both the lender and the prospective borrower. (2) Project Specific Data: The lender must submit the project specific data below on the lender's letterhead, signed by both the lender and the prospective borrower: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Information that must be Data element included ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lender Name............................ Insert the lender's name. Lender Tax ID #........................ Insert lender's tax ID number. Lender Contact Name.................... Name of the lender contact for loan. Mailing Address........................ Lender's complete mailing address. Phone #................................ Phone number for lender contact. Fax #.................................. Insert lender's fax number. EMail Address.......................... Insert lender contact email address. Borrower Name and Organization Type.... State whether borrower is a Limited Partnership, Corporation, Indian Tribe, etc. Equal Opportunity Survey............... Optional Completion. Tax Classification Type................ State whether borrower is for profit, not for profit, etc. Borrower Tax ID #...................... Insert borrower's tax ID number. Borrower DUNS #........................ Insert DUNS number. Borrower Address, including County..... Borrower's complete address and county. Borrower Phone #, Fax # and EMail Insert borrower's phone number, Address. fax number and email address. Principal or Key Member for the Insert name and title. List the Borrower. general partners if a limited partnership, officers if a corporation or members of a Limited Liability Corporation. Borrower Information and Statement of Attach relevant information. Housing Development Experience. New Construction, Acquisition With State whether the project is Rehabilitation. new construction or acquisition with rehabilitation. Revitalization, Repair, and Transfer Yes or No (Transfer costs, (as stipulated in 7 CFR 3560.406) of including equity payments, are Existing Direct Section 515 and subject to Agency approval and Section 514/516 FLH or MPR. must be an eligible use of loan proceeds in 7 CFR 3565.205). Project Location Town or City.......... Town or city in which the project is located. Project County......................... County in which the project is located. Project State.......................... State in which the project is located. Project Zip Code....................... Insert zip code where the project is located. Project Congressional District......... Congressional District for project location. [[Page 60582]] Project Name........................... Insert project name. Project Type........................... Family, senior (all residents 55 years or older), or mixed. Property Description and Proposed Provide as an attachment. Development Schedule. Total Project Development Cost......... Enter amount for total project. # of Units............................. Insert the number of units in the project. Ratio of 3-5 Bedroom Units to Total Insert percentage of 3-5 Units. bedroom units to total units. Cost Per Unit.......................... Total development cost divided by number of units. Rent................................... Proposed rent structure. Median Income for Community............ Provide median income for the community. Evidence of Site Control............... Attach relevant information. Description of Any Environmental Issues Attach relevant information. Loan Amount............................ Insert the loan amount. Borrower's Proposed Equity............. Insert amount and source. Low Income Housing Tax Credits......... Have tax credits been awarded? If tax credits were awarded, submit a copy of the award/ evidence of award with your response. If not, when do you anticipate an award will be made (announced)? What is the [estimated] value of the tax credits? Letters of application and commitment letters should be included, if available. Other Sources of Funds................. List all funding sources other than tax credits and amounts for each source, type, rates and terms of loans or grant funds. Loan to Total Development Cost......... Guaranteed loan divided by the total development costs of project. Debt Coverage Ratio.................... Net Operating Income divided by debt service payments. Percentage of Guarantee................ Percentage guarantee requested. Collateral............................. Attach relevant information. Colonia, Tribal Lands, or State's Colonia, on an Indian Consolidated Plan or State Needs Reservation, or in a place Assessment. identified in the State's Consolidated Plan or State Needs Assessment as a high need community for multi- family housing. Is the Property Located in a Federally If yes, please provide Declared Disaster Area?. documentation (i.e., Presidential Declaration document). Population............................. Provide the population of the county, city, or town where the project is or will be located. What Type of Guarantee is Being Enter the type of guarantee. Requested, Permanent Only (Option 1), Construction and Permanent (Option 2), or Continuous (Option 3). Loan Term.............................. Minimum 25-year term. Maximum 40-year term (includes construction period). May amortize up to 40 years. Balloon mortgages permitted after the 25th year. Participation in Energy Efficient Initial checklist indicating Programs. prerequisites to register for participation in a particular energy efficient program. All checklists must be accompanied by a signed affidavit by the project architect stating that the goals are achievable. If property management is certified for green property management, the certification must be provided. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (3) The Proposed Borrower Information: (a) Lender certification that the borrower and principals are not barred or suspended from participating in State or Federal loan programs and are not delinquent on any Federal debt. (b) Borrower's unaudited or audited financial statements. (c) Statement of borrower's housing development experience. (4) Lender Eligibility and Approval Status: Evidence that the lender is either an approved lender for the purposes of the GRRHP or that the lender is eligible to apply for approved lender status. The lender's application package requesting approved lender status can be submitted with the response. If a lender has not yet been approved by the Agency submits a response and receives a Notice to Proceed from the State Office, the lender approval application must be submitted to the National Office within 30 calendar days of the lender's receipt of the Notice to Proceed letter. The Agency will not issue a loan note guarantee until the lender is approved by the Agency. (5) Competitive Criteria: Information that shows how the proposal is responsive to the priority scoring criteria specified in this Notice. V. Application Review Information Scoring of Priority Criteria for Selection: All responses received under this Notice will be scored based on the criteria set forth below to establish priority in the event there is insufficient funding. Per 7 CFR 3565.5(b), priority will be given to projects: in smaller rural communities, in the most needy communities having the highest percentage of leveraging, having the lowest interest rate, or having the highest ratio of 3-5 bedroom units to total units. In addition, as permitted in 7 CFR 3565.5(b), in order to meet important program goals, priority points will be given for projects that include LIHTC funding and projects that are participating in specified energy efficient programs. The eight priority scoring criteria for projects are listed below. Priority 1--Projects located in eligible rural communities with the lowest populations will receive the highest points. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Population size (people) Points ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0-5,000...................................................... 30 5,001-10,000................................................. 15 10,001-15,000................................................ 10 15,001-20,000................................................ 5 20,001-35,000................................................ 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Priority 2--The neediest communities as determined by the median income from the most recent census data published by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, will receive points. The Agency will allocate points to projects located in communities having the lowest median income. Points for median income will be awarded as follows: [[Page 60583]] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Median income (dollars) Points ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $45,000............................................ 20 $45,000-less than $55,000.................................... 15 $55,000-less than $65,000.................................... 10 $65,000-less than $75,000.................................... 5 $75,000 or more.............................................. 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Priority 3--Projects that demonstrate partnering and leveraging in order to develop the maximum number of units and promote partnerships with State and local communities will also receive points. Points will be awarded as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Loan to total development cost ratio (%) Points ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than 25................................................. 60 Less than 50 to 25........................................... 30 Less than 70 to 50........................................... 10 70 or more................................................... 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Priority 4--Responses that include equity from low income housing tax credits will receive an additional 50 points. Priority 5--The USDA Rural Development will award points to projects with the highest ratio of 3-5 bedroom units to total units as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ratio of 3-5 bedroom units to total units Points ------------------------------------------------------------------------ More than 50%................................................ 10 21%-50%...................................................... 5 Less than 21%-more than 0%................................... 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Priority 6--Responses for the revitalization, repair, and transfer (as stipulated in 7 CFR 3560.406) of existing direct Section 515 and Section 514/516 FLH and properties involved in the Agency's MPR Demonstration program (transfer costs, including equity payments, are subject to Agency approval and must be an eligible use of loan proceeds listed in 7 CFR 3565.205) will receive an additional 10 points. If the transfer of existing Section 515 and Section 514/516 FLH properties includes equity payments, 0 points will be awarded. Priority 7--Energy Efficiency: (A) Projects that are energy-efficient and registered for participation in the following programs will receive points as indicated up to a maximum of 25 points. Each program has an initial checklist indicating prerequisites for participation. Each applicant must provide a checklist establishing that the prerequisites for each program's participation will be met. Additional points will be awarded for checklists that achieve higher levels of energy efficiency certification as set forth below. All checklists must be accompanied by a signed affidavit by the project architect stating that the goals are achievable. Points will be awarded for the listed programs as follows. Because Energy Star for Homes is a requirement within other programs such as LEED and Green Communities, points will only be awarded separately for Energy Star for Homes if it is the only program in which the project is enrolled, excluding local programs that do not require participation in Energy Star for Homes:Energy Star for Homes--5 points; Green Communities by the Enterprise Community Partners (www.enterprisefoundation.org)--10 points; LEED for Homes program by the U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org)--Certified (10 points), Silver (12 points), Gold (15 points), or Platinum (25 points); Home Innovation's National Green Building StandardTM certification program (www.homeinnovation.com/green)--Bronze (10 points), Silver (12 points), Gold (15 points), or Emerald (25 points); or A State or local green building program--2 points. (B) Projects that will be managed by a property management company that are certified green property management companies will receive 5 points. Applicants must provide proof of certification. Certification may be achieved through one of the following programs: National Apartment Association, Credential for Green Property Management; www.naahq.org/EDUCATION/DESIGNATIONPROGRAMS/OTHER/Pages/default.aspx; National Affordable Housing Management Association, Credential for Green Property Management; www.nahma.org/content/greencred.html; or U.S. Green Building Council, Green Building Certification Institute LEED AP (any discipline) or LEED Green Associate; www.gbci.org. (C) Energy Generation (maximum 5 points). Responses for new construction or purchase and rehabilitation of non-program multi-family projects which participate in the Energy Star for Homes V3 Program, Green Communities, LEED for Homes, or Home Innovation's National Green Building StandardTM are eligible to earn additional points for installation of on-site renewable energy sources. In order to receive more than 1 point for this energy generation section, an accurate energy analysis prepared by an engineer will need to be submitted with the response. Energy analysis of preliminary building plans using industry-recognized simulation software must document the projected total energy consumption of the building, the portion of the building consumption which will be satisfied through on-site generation and the building's Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score. Projects with an energy analysis of the preliminary or rehabilitation building plans that propose a 10 percent to 100 percent energy generation commitment (where generation is considered to be the total amount of energy needed to be generated on-site to make the building a net-zero consumer of energy) will be awarded points as follows: (a) 0 to 9 percent commitment to energy generation receives 0 points; (b) 10 to 29 percent commitment to energy generation receives 1 point; (c) 30 to 49 percent commitment to energy generation receives 2 points; (d) 50 to 69 percent commitment to energy generation receives 3 points; (e) 70 to 89 percent commitment to energy generation receives 4 points; (f) 90 percent or more commitment to energy generation receives 5 points. Priority 8--Promise Zones/Persistent Poverty Areas: Additional 10 points will be awarded to projects located in Promise Zones and/or Persistent Poverty Counties. A county is considered persistently poor if 20 percent or more of its population was living in poverty over the last 30 years (measured by the 1990, 2000, and 2010 decennial censuses and 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-year estimates), as determined by the Agency. Notifications: Responses will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility. The Agency will notify those lenders whose responses are selected via a ``Notice to Proceed with Application Processing'' letter. The Agency will request lenders without GRRHP lender approval to apply for GRRHP lender approval within 30 days upon receipt of notification of selection. Lenders will also be invited to submit a complete application to the USDA Rural Development State Office where the project is located. Submission of GRRHP Applications: The Agency will issue a ``Notice to Proceed with Application Processing'' (Notice to Proceed) to lenders whose responses have been selected. The Notice to Proceed instruct lenders to contact the USDA Rural Development State Office immediately following notification of selection to schedule required Agency reviews. USDA Rural Development State Office staff will work with lenders in the [[Page 60584]] development of an application package. The deadline for the submission of a complete application is 90 calendar days from the date of notification of response selection. If the application is not received by the appropriate State Office within 90 calendar days from the date of notification, the selection is subject to cancellation, thereby allowing another response that is ready to proceed with processing to be selected. The Agency may extend this 90 day deadline for receipt of an application at its own discretion. VI. Award Administration Information Obligation of Program Funds: The Agency will only obligate funds to projects that meet the requirements under 7 CFR part 3565 and this Notice, including having undergone a satisfactory environmental review in accordance with the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and completed Form RD 3565-1, ``Application for Loan and Guarantee''. The Agency will select the responses that meet eligibility criteria and invite lenders, via a Notice to Proceed, to submit complete applications to the Agency, as well as a request for GRRHP approved lender status if necessary. Once a complete application is received and approved (and any request for GRRHP approved lender status is granted), the Agency's State Office will submit a request to obligate funds to the Agency's National Office. Obligation requests submitted to the National Office will be accumulated and placed in a queue for funding based on the order by which the obligation request was received by the National Office. In the event that multiple obligation requests are received at the same time, first priority will be given to the request for the project that has the highest percentage of leveraging (lowest Loan to Cost). If there is still a tie, priority will be given to the project in the smaller rural community. In the event there is insufficient funding for applications approved under this Notice, the Agency will fund applications based on priority score ranking described in Section V. Conditional Commitment: Once the required documents for obligation are received and all applicable requirements have been met, including NEPA requirements, and to the extent funding is available, the USDA Rural Development State Office will issue a Conditional Commitment. The Conditional Commitment will stipulate the conditions that must be fulfilled before the issuance of a guarantee, in accordance with 7 CFR 3565.303. Issuance of Guarantee: The USDA Rural Development State Office will issue a guarantee to the lender for a project in accordance with 7 CFR 3565.303. No guarantee can be issued without a complete application, review of appropriate certifications, satisfactory assessment of the appropriate level of environmental review, and the completion of any conditional requirements. Tracking of Average Rents: After the loan closes, the lender will track the initial affordable rent at each property funded under this Notice and the average market rent in the area. The difference between these two rents will provide the lender with a measure of the impact the GRRHP has on affordable rents. 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, 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, familial/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 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: Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; Fax: (202) 690-7442; or Email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Dated: December 14, 2017. Richard A. Davis, Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service. [FR Doc. 2017-27527 Filed 12-20-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 244 / Thursday, December 21, 2017 / Notices 60579
objection. The Forest Service will DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE private mailer does not constitute
communicate to all parties to an delivery. Postage due responses and
objection through the lead objector. Rural Housing Service applications will not be accepted.
Verification of the identity of the lead FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Notice of Solicitation of Applications Monica Cole, Financial and Loan
objector must also be provided if
for Loan Guarantees Under the Section Analyst, U.S. Department of Agriculture
requested;
538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Rural Development, Guaranteed Rural
(4) The name of the forest plan Program for Fiscal Year 2018 Rental Housing Program, Multi-Family
amendment being objected to, and the
AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA. Housing Guaranteed Loan Division,
name and title of the Responsible 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room
Official; ACTION: Notice.
1263S–STOP 0781, Washington, DC
(5) A statement of the issues and/or SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service 20250–0781 or email: monica.cole@
parts of the forest plan amendment to (RHS or Agency), an agency within wdc.usda.gov. Telephone: (202) 720–
which the objection applies; Rural Development, announces that it is 1251. This number is not toll-free.
(6) A concise statement explaining the soliciting competitive lender Hearing or speech-impaired persons
objection and suggesting how the submissions (responses) regarding may access that number by calling the
proposed projects for the Section 538 Federal Information Relay Service toll-
proposed plan decision may be
Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing free at (800) 877–8339.
improved. If the objector believes that
Program (GRRHP). The amount of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
the forest plan amendment is
program dollars available for the GRRHP obligation of available funds, via the
inconsistent with law, regulation, or will be determined by the issuance of Conditional Commitments
policy, an explanation should be Appropriations Act for each fiscal year for loan guarantees, will be made in the
included; that this Notice is open. following order: (1) To outstanding
(7) A statement that demonstrates the DATES: Eligible responses to this Notice approved applications from prior years
link between the objector’s prior will be accepted until December 31, for which Conditional Commitments
substantive formal comments and the 2021, 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Funding have not been issued; then (2) to
content of the objection, unless the for selected responses that develop into applications approved under this Notice
objection concerns an issue that arose complete applications and meet all in the order by which the request for
after the opportunities for formal Federal eligibility requirements will be funding obligation is received by the
comment; and based on the Appropriations Act for USDA Rural Development National
each individual fiscal year that this Office (National Office) from the State
(8) All documents referenced in the Offices. When funding is insufficient to
objection (a bibliography is not NOSA is open. Selected responses to
this Notice that are deemed eligible for serve all applications approved under
sufficient), except that the following this Notice, they will be funded
further processing after each fiscal year
need not be provided: according to the priority scoring set
ends, will be funded to the extent an
a. All or any part of a Federal law or Appropriations Act provides sufficient forth in Section V of this Notice.
regulation, funding in the fiscal year the response Expenses incurred in developing
is selected. Approved applications are applications will be at the applicant’s
b. Forest Service Directive System
subject to the fee structure in effect risk. The following paragraphs outline
documents and land management plans the timeframes, eligibility requirements,
or other published Forest Service when the response was selected for
further processing. For example, a lender responsibilities, and the overall
documents, response and application processes.
response that was selected under the
c. Documents referenced by the Forest 2016 NOSA will be subject to all fees Any modifications to this Notice,
Service in the planning documentation stated in the 2016 NOSA. including cancellation, will be
related to the proposal subject to published in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Responses to this Notice Eligible lenders are invited to submit
objection, and may be submitted either electronically responses for new construction and
d. Formal comments previously using the Section 538 electronic acquisition with rehabilitation of
provided to the Forest Service by the response form found at: http:// affordable rural rental housing. The
objector during the plan amendment www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/ Agency will review responses submitted
comment period. multi-family-housing-loan-guarantees by eligible lenders, on the lender’s
under the Forms and Resources tab or letterhead, and signed by both the
Responsible Official in hard copy to the appropriate Rural prospective borrower and lender.
The responsible official for the Santa Development State Office where the Although a complete application is not
Fe’s Forest Plan Amendment for project will be located. USDA Rural required in response to this Notice,
Invasive Plant Control on Santa Fe Development State Offices, their eligible lenders may submit a complete
addresses, and telephone numbers may application concurrently with the
National Forest is James Melonas, Forest
be found at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/ response. Submitting a complete
Supervisor, Santa Fe National Forest, 11
contact-us/state-offices. Note: application will not have any effect on
Forest Lane, Santa Fe, NM 87508. Telephone numbers listed are not toll- the respondent’s response score.
Dated: November 7, 2017. free. Applicants are strongly
Glenn P. Casamassa, encouraged, but not required, to submit Overview
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National the response electronically. Federal Agency: Rural Housing
Forest System. Eligible lenders mailing a response or Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–27490 Filed 12–20–17; 8:45 am]
application must provide sufficient time Solicitation Opportunity Title:
to permit delivery to the appropriate Guaranteed Multi-Family Housing
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
submission address below on or before Loans.
the closing deadline and time. Announcement Type: Initial
Acceptance by a U.S. Post Office or Solicitation Announcement.
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![60582 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 244 / Thursday, December 21, 2017 / Notices
Data element Information that must be included
Project Name ............................................................................................ Insert project name.
Project Type ............................................................................................. Family, senior (all residents 55 years or older), or mixed.
Property Description and Proposed Development Schedule ................... Provide as an attachment.
Total Project Development Cost .............................................................. Enter amount for total project.
# of Units .................................................................................................. Insert the number of units in the project.
Ratio of 3–5 Bedroom Units to Total Units .............................................. Insert percentage of 3–5 bedroom units to total units.
Cost Per Unit ............................................................................................ Total development cost divided by number of units.
Rent .......................................................................................................... Proposed rent structure.
Median Income for Community ................................................................ Provide median income for the community.
Evidence of Site Control ........................................................................... Attach relevant information.
Description of Any Environmental Issues ................................................ Attach relevant information.
Loan Amount ............................................................................................ Insert the loan amount.
Borrower’s Proposed Equity ..................................................................... Insert amount and source.
Low Income Housing Tax Credits ............................................................ Have tax credits been awarded? If tax credits were awarded, submit a
copy of the award/evidence of award with your response. If not,
when do you anticipate an award will be made (announced)? What
is the [estimated] value of the tax credits? Letters of application and
commitment letters should be included, if available.
Other Sources of Funds ........................................................................... List all funding sources other than tax credits and amounts for each
source, type, rates and terms of loans or grant funds.
Loan to Total Development Cost ............................................................. Guaranteed loan divided by the total development costs of project.
Debt Coverage Ratio ................................................................................ Net Operating Income divided by debt service payments.
Percentage of Guarantee ......................................................................... Percentage guarantee requested.
Collateral ................................................................................................... Attach relevant information.
Colonia, Tribal Lands, or State’s Consolidated Plan or State Needs As- Colonia, on an Indian Reservation, or in a place identified in the State’s
sessment. Consolidated Plan or State Needs Assessment as a high need com-
munity for multi-family housing.
Is the Property Located in a Federally Declared Disaster Area? ............ If yes, please provide documentation (i.e., Presidential Declaration doc-
ument).
Population ................................................................................................. Provide the population of the county, city, or town where the project is
or will be located.
What Type of Guarantee is Being Requested, Permanent Only (Option Enter the type of guarantee.
1), Construction and Permanent (Option 2), or Continuous (Option 3).
Loan Term ................................................................................................ Minimum 25-year term. Maximum 40-year term (includes construction
period). May amortize up to 40 years. Balloon mortgages permitted
after the 25th year.
Participation in Energy Efficient Programs ............................................... Initial checklist indicating prerequisites to register for participation in a
particular energy efficient program. All checklists must be accom-
panied by a signed affidavit by the project architect stating that the
goals are achievable. If property management is certified for green
property management, the certification must be provided.
(3) The Proposed Borrower until the lender is approved by the The eight priority scoring criteria for
Information: Agency. projects are listed below.
(a) Lender certification that the (5) Competitive Criteria: Information Priority 1—Projects located in eligible
borrower and principals are not barred that shows how the proposal is rural communities with the lowest
or suspended from participating in State responsive to the priority scoring populations will receive the highest
or Federal loan programs and are not criteria specified in this Notice. points.
delinquent on any Federal debt.
(b) Borrower’s unaudited or audited V. Application Review Information
Population size
financial statements. Scoring of Priority Criteria for Points
(people)
(c) Statement of borrower’s housing Selection: All responses received under
development experience. this Notice will be scored based on the 0–5,000 ......................................... 30
(4) Lender Eligibility and Approval criteria set forth below to establish 5,001–10,000 ................................ 15
Status: Evidence that the lender is either priority in the event there is insufficient 10,001–15,000 .............................. 10
an approved lender for the purposes of funding. Per 7 CFR 3565.5(b), priority 15,001–20,000 .............................. 5
the GRRHP or that the lender is eligible will be given to projects: in smaller rural 20,001–35,000 .............................. 0
to apply for approved lender status. The communities, in the most needy
lender’s application package requesting communities having the highest Priority 2—The neediest communities
approved lender status can be submitted percentage of leveraging, having the as determined by the median income
with the response. If a lender has not yet lowest interest rate, or having the from the most recent census data
been approved by the Agency submits a highest ratio of 3–5 bedroom units to published by the United States
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
response and receives a Notice to total units. In addition, as permitted in Department of Housing and Urban
Proceed from the State Office, the lender 7 CFR 3565.5(b), in order to meet Development, will receive points. The
approval application must be submitted important program goals, priority points Agency will allocate points to projects
to the National Office within 30 will be given for projects that include located in communities having the
calendar days of the lender’s receipt of LIHTC funding and projects that are lowest median income. Points for
the Notice to Proceed letter. The Agency participating in specified energy median income will be awarded as
will not issue a loan note guarantee efficient programs. follows:
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![60584 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 244 / Thursday, December 21, 2017 / Notices
development of an application package. Issuance of Guarantee: The USDA Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
The deadline for the submission of a Rural Development State Office will DC 20250–9410;
complete application is 90 calendar issue a guarantee to the lender for a Fax: (202) 690–7442; or
days from the date of notification of project in accordance with 7 CFR Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
response selection. If the application is 3565.303. No guarantee can be issued USDA is an equal opportunity
not received by the appropriate State without a complete application, review provider, employer, and lender.
Office within 90 calendar days from the of appropriate certifications, satisfactory Dated: December 14, 2017.
date of notification, the selection is assessment of the appropriate level of Richard A. Davis,
subject to cancellation, thereby allowing environmental review, and the Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
another response that is ready to completion of any conditional [FR Doc. 2017–27527 Filed 12–20–17; 8:45 am]
proceed with processing to be selected. requirements.
BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P
The Agency may extend this 90 day Tracking of Average Rents: After the
deadline for receipt of an application at loan closes, the lender will track the
its own discretion. initial affordable rent at each property
funded under this Notice and the ARCHITECTURAL AND
VI. Award Administration Information TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS
average market rent in the area. The
Obligation of Program Funds: The difference between these two rents will COMPLIANCE BOARD
Agency will only obligate funds to provide the lender with a measure of the Meetings
projects that meet the requirements impact the GRRHP has on affordable
under 7 CFR part 3565 and this Notice, rents. AGENCY: Architectural and
including having undergone a Transportation Barriers Compliance
satisfactory environmental review in Non-Discrimination Statement Board.
accordance with the National In accordance with Federal civil ACTION: Notice of meetings.
Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) rights law and U.S. Department of
and completed Form RD 3565–1, Agriculture (USDA) civil rights SUMMARY: The Architectural and
‘‘Application for Loan and Guarantee’’. regulations and policies, the USDA, its Transportation Barriers Compliance
The Agency will select the responses Agencies, offices, employees, and Board (Access Board) plans to hold its
that meet eligibility criteria and invite institutions participating in or regular committee and Board meetings
lenders, via a Notice to Proceed, to administering USDA programs are in Washington, DC, Monday, January 8,
submit complete applications to the prohibited from discriminating based on and Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at the
Agency, as well as a request for GRRHP race, color, national origin, religion, sex, times and location listed below.
approved lender status if necessary. gender identity (including gender DATES: The schedule of events is as
Once a complete application is received expression), sexual orientation, follows:
and approved (and any request for disability, age, marital status, familial/ Monday, January 8, 2018
GRRHP approved lender status is parental status, income derived from a 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Ad Hoc
granted), the Agency’s State Office will public assistance program, political Committee on Design Guidance
submit a request to obligate funds to the beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior 11:00 a.m.–Noon Technical
Agency’s National Office. Obligation civil rights activity, in any program or Programs
requests submitted to the National activity conducted or funded by USDA 1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Ad Hoc
Office will be accumulated and placed (not all bases apply to all programs). Committee on Frontier Issues
in a queue for funding based on the Remedies and complaint filing Wednesday, January 10, 2018
order by which the obligation request deadlines vary by program or incident. 9:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m. Budget
was received by the National Office. In Persons with disabilities who require 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Planning and
the event that multiple obligation alternative means of communication for Evaluation
requests are received at the same time, program information (e.g., Braille, large 11:00 a.m.–Noon Update on Access
first priority will be given to the request print, audiotape, American Sign Board Rulemaking (Closed to
for the project that has the highest Language, etc.) should contact the Public)
percentage of leveraging (lowest Loan to responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET 1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Board Meeting
Cost). If there is still a tie, priority will Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and ADDRESSES: Meetings will be held at the
be given to the project in the smaller TTY) or contact USDA through the Access Board Conference Room, 1331 F
rural community. Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC
In the event there is insufficient Additionally, program information may 20004.
funding for applications approved be made available in languages other FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
under this Notice, the Agency will fund than English. further information regarding the
applications based on priority score To file a program discrimination meetings, please contact David Capozzi,
ranking described in Section V. complaint, complete the USDA Program Executive Director, (202) 272–0010
Conditional Commitment: Once the Discrimination Complaint Form, AD– (voice); (202) 272–0054 (TTY).
required documents for obligation are 3027, found online at http:// SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At the
received and all applicable www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_ Board meeting scheduled on the
requirements have been met, including cust.html and at any USDA office or afternoon of Wednesday, January 10,
NEPA requirements, and to the extent write a letter addressed to USDA and 2018, the Access Board will consider
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
funding is available, the USDA Rural provide in the letter all of the the following agenda items:
Development State Office will issue a information requested in the form. To • Approval of draft meeting minutes
Conditional Commitment. The request a copy of the complaint form, (vote): March 15, 2017; July 12, 2017;
Conditional Commitment will stipulate call (866) 632–9992, submit your September 13, 2017; November 15,
the conditions that must be fulfilled completed form or letter to USDA by: 2017
before the issuance of a guarantee, in Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, • Ad Hoc Committee Reports: Design
accordance with 7 CFR 3565.303. Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Guidance; Frontier Issues
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Document Created: 2018-10-25 11:00:06
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 11:00:06
| 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 | Eligible responses to this Notice will be accepted until December 31, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Funding for selected responses that develop into complete applications and meet all Federal eligibility requirements will be based on the Appropriations Act for each individual fiscal year that this NOSA is open. Selected responses to this Notice that are deemed eligible for further processing after each fiscal year ends, will be funded to the extent an Appropriations Act provides sufficient funding in the fiscal year the response is selected. Approved applications are subject to the fee structure in effect when the response was selected for further processing. For example, a response that was selected under the 2016 NOSA will be subject to all fees stated in the 2016 NOSA. | |
| Contact | Monica Cole, Financial and Loan Analyst, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program, Multi-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Division, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 1263S-STOP 0781, Washington, DC 20250-0781 or email: [email protected] Telephone: (202) 720-1251. This number is not toll-free. Hearing or speech-impaired persons may access that number by calling the Federal Information Relay Service toll-free at (800) 877-8339. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 60579 |
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