The Rural Housing Service (RHS) intends to publish a proposed rule that will propose modifications to the Voucher Program, which is expected to address the eligibility of tenants, the inspection of the housing units, and the calculation of the subsidy amount. Since Fiscal Year 2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has received funding for its Voucher Program as authorized under section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1490r). Under section 542, the voucher program offers assistance to very low-income families and persons residing in rental housing in rural areas. This program has been operating since 2006 using a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) published annually in the Federal Register incorporating the supplemental appropriation requirements.

On August 13, 2013, RHS published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to add a subpart Q to 7 CFR part 3560 specifically for the Voucher Program. A 60-day comment period was provided that ended October 15, 2013 (78 FR 49374- 49379). As significant time has passed since that proposed rule, RHS will re-propose permanent regulations that reflect the statutory provisions in section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended. The proposed rule is expected to also provide procedural guidance for the Program.