The Rural Development (RD) Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Demonstration Program (MPR)
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
Also, contact information is available on the internet at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html.
Program Accomplishments
In Fiscal Year 2007, 87 properties received assistance for revitalization and preservation.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds will be used to meet the physical needs of rental and farm labor housing properties financed under Section 515 and Sections 514/516 of the Housing Act of 1949.
Related soft costs are also eligible.
Owners or buyers are required to agree to a Restrictive Use Covenant for 20 years or the remaining term of any loans, or the remaining term of any existing restrictive-use provisions whichever ends later.
This ensures the property will be used for low income housing as defined by the Housing Act of 1949.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Owners or buyers of financially viable Section 515 financed rental or Section 514/516 labor housing properties.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Low-income rural residents needing safe, decent and sanitary rental housing.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicants must provide a Capital Needs Assessment (CNA) to identify the physical needs of the property as well as the estimated cost to make the needed repairs over a 20-year period.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Demonstration Program (MPR) Pre-application.
An electronic version of this form can be found on the internet at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/nofas/index.html or obtained by contacting the RD State Office in the state where the project is located.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.12372.
Application Procedures
For FY 08, the MPR Program will be awarded through a Notice of Funding Availability announced in the Federal Register on March 12, 2008. The NOFA pre-application period is 60 days from the date of the announcement. The NOFA deadline is May 12, 2008.
Award Procedures
Pre-applications will be scored on the following factors: (1) Contribution of third party funds; (2) Owner contribution sufficient to pay transaction costs; (3) Age of Project; (4) Transfer and revitalization of troubled projects; (5) Prior Agency approvals of CNAs; (6) Installation of energy generation systems; (7) Energy conservation; and (8) New tenant services to be provided by a non-profit organization at no cost to the project and that are available to all tenants.
Deadlines
May 12, 2008.
Authorization
Housing Act of 1949, as amended, Sections 514/516 and 515, and The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-161)
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Within 45 days from Pre-application submission, pre-applications will be scored and ranked, eligibility will be confirmed, and applicants will be notified of selection for participation and requested to submit full applications.
Appeals
Applicant may request reconsideration on the basis of pertinent facts concerning the application.
Renewals
Applicants may reapply at the next Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program is now a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). This is a demonstration program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Debt deferral is the lesser of the remaining term of the existing loan or 20 years. A balloon payment of accrued principal and interest will be due at the end of the deferral period. A revitalization grant for non-profit applicants/borrowers only, is limited to the cost of correcting health and safety violations as identified by a CNA. A revitalization zero percent loan will be amortized over 30 years. A soft-second loan with a one percent interest rate will have its interest and principal deferred, to a balloon payment, due at the time the latest maturing Section 514 or 515 loan becomes due. An additional 30-year Section 515 loan at an effective one percent interest rate amortized over a period not to exceed 50 years. An additional 33-year Section 514 loan at an effective one percent interest rate amortized over a period not to exceed 33 years. An additional Section 516 grant not to exceed the lesser of 90 percent of the total development cost, or that portion of the total development cost which exceeds the sum of any amount provided by the applicant from their own resources plus the amount of any Section 514 loans approved for the applicant.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Quarterly or annual financial reports.
Audits
Quarterly or annual financial statements completed using agreed-upon procedures and performance standards described in the RHS Multi-Family Housing Audit Program.
Records
Business records must be retained.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-2081-0-1-371.
Obigations
FY 07 $0; FY 08 $20,000,000; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The underwriting guidelines include, but are not limited to, the following: The maximum soft-second loan will be limited to no more than $5,000 per unit; revitalization grants limited to $5,000 per unit; total assistance provided from a revitalization grant, revitalization zero percent loan, and/or a soft-second loan is limited to $10,000 per unit; and the maximum Section 515 loan or Section 514/516 loan and grant is limited to no more than $20,000 per unit.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Refer to the NOFA which lists contacts at the National Office and consult your local telephone directory for Rural Development District or State Office number. Also, contact information is available on the internet at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html.
Headquarters Office
Office of Rental Housing Preservation, Attention: Sandra L. Mercier, Rural Development, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-1617.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Proposals will be selected based on eligibility and ranking and scoring criteria listed in the NOFA.
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