Not applicable.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grant purposes: Grant funds are to be used for a housing delivery system and counseling program to include a comprehensive program of technical and supervisory assistance as set forth in the grant agreement and any other special conditions as required by RHS.

Uses of grant funds may include, but are not limited to: (a) The development and implementation of a program of technical and supervisory assistance as defined in RD Instruction 1944-K, 1944.506(h) and (i); (b) payment of reasonable salaries of professional, technical, and clerical staff actively assisting in the delivery of the TSA project; (c) payment of necessary and reasonable office expenses such as office supplies and office rental, office utilities, telephone services, and office equipment rental; (d) payment of necessary and reasonable administrative costs such as workers' compensation, liability insurance, audit reports, travel to and attendance at RD approved training sessions, and the employer's share of Social Security and health benefits.

Payments to private retirement funds are prohibited unless prior written authorization is obtained from the Administrator; (e) payment of reasonable fees for necessary training of grantee personnel.

This may include the cost of travel and per diem to attend regional training sessions when authorized by the State Director; and (f) other reasonable travel and miscellaneous expenses necessary to accomplish the objectives of the specific TSA grant which were anticipated in the individual TSA grant proposal and which were included as eligible expenses at the time of grant approval.

Ineligible activities: Grant funds may not be used for: (1) Acquisition construction, repair, or rehabilitation of structures or acquisition of land, vehicles, or equipment; (2) replacement of or substitution for any financial support which would be available from any other source; (3) duplication of current services in conflict with the requirements of RD Instruction 1944-k, 1944.514(c); (4) hiring personnel to perform construction; (5) buying property of any kind from families receiving technical or supervisory assistance from the grantee under the terms of the TSA grant; (6) paying for or reimbursing the grantee for any expenses or debts incurred before RHS/RD executes the grant agreement; (7) paying any debts, expenses or costs which should be the responsibilities of the individual families receiving technical and supervisory assistance; (8) any type of political activities, and (9) other costs including contributions and donations, entertainment, fines and penalties, interest and other financial costs, legislative expenses and any excess of cost from other grant agreements.

Advice and assistance may be obtained from the national office where ineligible costs are proposed as part of the TSA project or where a proposed cost appears ineligible.

The grantee may not change fees or accept compensation or gratuities from TSA recipients for the grantee's assistance under the program.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Technical and Supervisory Assistance Grants may be made to public or private nonprofit corporations, agencies, institutions, organizations, Indian Tribes, and other associations.

Listed below are a description and definition of eligible applicants: 1.

Sponsored organization - A public purpose group other than a unit of government that is a beneficiary under a plan or program administered by a State, or political subdivision of a State or local government, and which is subject to approval by a Federal agency.

Usually organized to work for a specific purpose.

Examples: Community development agencies, model cities, and community action agencies; 2.

public nonprofit institution/organization - A public owned agency or organization established to perform specialized functions or services for the benefit of all or part of the general public either without charge or at cost, making no profits and having no shareholders or receive dividends, includes institutions of higher education and hospitals.

3.

Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Government - the governing body or a governmental agency of an Indian tribe, nation, pueblo, or other organized group or community (including native village as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act) certified by the Secretary of the Interior as eligible for the special programs and services provided through the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and 4.

private nonprofit institution/organization - privately owned organization or institution which represent community service networks, public information, technical assistance, and public education.

Operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes such that no part of its earnings is for the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, includes private institutions of higher education and hospitals.

Examples: Girl Scouts, American Civil Liberties Union.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Eligible beneficiaries must be low- income, individual/family and rural sponsored organizations.

Credentials/Documentation

Have the financial, legal, administrative, and operational capacity to assume and carry out the responsibilities that meet this requirement of actual capacity, it must either: (a) Have necessary background and experience with proven ability to perform responsibly in the field of low-income rural housing development and counseling, or other business management or administrative experience which indicated an ability to provide responsible technical and supervisory assistance; or (b) be assisted by an organization which has such background experience and ability and which agrees in writing that it will provide, without charge, the assistance the applicant will need to carry out its responsibilities; (c) legally obligate itself to administer TSA funds, provide an adequate accounting of the expenditure of such funds, and comply with the grant agreement and RHS regulations; (d) demonstrate an understanding of the needs of low-income rural families; (e) have the ability and willingness to work within established guidelines; and (f) if the applicant is engaged in or plans to become engaged in any other activities, it must be able to provide sufficient evidence and documentation that it has adequate resources, including financial resources, to carry on any other programs or activities to which it is committed without jeopardizing the success and effectiveness of its TSA project.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Application Submission: (a) Upon notification that the applicant has been tentatively selected for funding, the State office will forward to the applicant a signed Form AD-622 and provide SF 424.1 with instructions to the applicant for preparation of an application; (b) upon receipt of Form AD-622, the applicant will submit an application, an original and two copies on Form SF 424.1, and provide whatever additional information is requested to the Field office within 30 days; and (c) upon receipt of an application on SF 42.1 by the Field office, a docket shall be assembled which will include the following: (1) Form SF 424.1 and the information submitted in accordance with RD Instruction 1944-k, 1944.526(a) (2); (2) Form AD-622; (3) any comments received in accordance with 7 CFR part 3015 subpart V, "Intergovernmental Review of Department of Agriculture Programs and Activities." See RD Instruction 1940-J, available in any RD office; (4) SF 424.1; (5) OGC legal administration made pursuant to RD Instruction 1944-K, 1944.526(c) (3); (6) grant agreement; (7) Form RD 1940-1, "Request for Obligation of Funds;" (8) Form RD 400-1, "Equal Opportunity Agreement;" (9) Form RD 400-4, "Assurance Agreement;" (10) Form RD 1940-20, "Request for Environmental Information;" (11) Form RD 1940- 22, "Environmental Checklist for Categorical Exclusions," Form RD 1940-21, "Environmental Assessment for Class I Actions" or exhibit H, subpart G of Part 1940 entitled, Environmental Assessment for Class II Actions; (12) the historical and archaeological assessment; and (13) the detailed budget for the agreement period based upon the needs outlined in the proposal and the comments and recommendations by RD.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Not applicable.

Award Procedures

Award is made by the Rural Development State Director.

Deadlines

Contact the State office for application deadlines.

Authorization

Housing Act of 1949, Section 525(a), 42 U.S.C. 1490(e)(a).

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 60 to 90 days.

Appeals

Appeal rights are available under Rural Development's Instruction 1900 Subpart B.

Renewals

Not applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Assistance is normally for one to two years. Requesting TSA checks: (a) The initial TSA check may cover the applicant's needs for the first calendar month. If the first calendar month is a partial month, the check will cover the needs for the partial month and the next whole month. (b) the initial advance of TSA grant funds may not be requested simultaneously with the request for obligation of TSA grant funds. The initial advance must be requested on Form RD 440-57 in accordance with the FMI after it has been received from the Finance Office indicating that funds have been obligated; and (c) all advances will be requested only after receipt of Standard Form 279 from the grantee. The amount requested must be in accordance with the detailed budget, including amendments, as approved by RHCDS. Standard Form 270 will not be submitted more frequently than once every 30 days. In no case will additional funds be advanced if the grantee fails to submit required reports or is in violation of the grant agreement.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Grant Evaluation, Closeout, Suspension, and Termination: (a) Grant evaluation will be an ongoing activity performed by both the grantee and RHS.

The grantee will perform self-evaluations by preparing periodic project performance reports in accordance with 1944.541.

RHS will also review all reports prepared and submitted by the grantee in accordance with the grant agreement and this part.

Audits

Within 45 days after the grant ending date, the grantee will complete closeout procedures as specified in the grant agreement.

Records

Grantees are required to maintain financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the grant for a period of at least 3 years after the submission of the final Project Performance report.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-2009-0-1-604.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 $1,000,000; FY 08 $0; and FY 09 est not available.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Not applicable.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

7 CFR 1944 Subpart K.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Contact the appropriate Rural Development State office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog or on the internet at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html.

Headquarters Office

USDA, Rural Development, Housing Programs, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-1474. FTS is not available.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Proposals must provide a program of supervisory assistance as defined in 7 CFR 1944.506(h) and they must serve areas with a concentration of substandard housing and low-income and low-income minority households. In addition, the proposals will be scored on the following criteria: (1) The extent to which the program serves areas with concentrations of Rural Development single family housing loan borrowers who are delinquent in their housing loan payments and/or threatened with foreclosure. (2) The capability and past performance demonstrated by the applicant in administering its programs, the effectiveness of current efforts by the applicant to assist low-income and low-income minority families in obtaining adequate housing, the adequacy of records and practices (including personnel procedures and practices) that will be established and maintained by the applicant during the term of the agreement. (3) The narrative presentation of the applicant's proposed TSA program. (4) The extent to which the program will provide or increase the delivery of housing resources to low-income and low-income minority families who are not currently occupying adequate housing in the areas. (5) The extent to which the program will make use of other financial and contribution-in-kind resources for both technical and supervisory assistance and housing development and supporting facilities. (6) The extent to which the project will be cost effective. (7) The extent to which the program is effective in providing expected benefits to low-income families. (8) The narrative statement is based on need. (9) The services of the applicant will provide are not presently available in the proposed service area to assist low-income families in obtaining or maintaining occupancy of adequate housing and the extent of duplication of technical and supervisory assistance activities currently provided for low-income families. (10) The extent of citizen and local government participation and involvement in the development of the preapplication and project and coordination with other Federal, State or local technical andor supervisory assistance programs.