7 CFR part 3550 sets forth the requirements of the direct SFH programs, authorized by sections 502 and 504 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1472 and 1474). The section 502 direct loan program provides 100 percent loan financing to assist low- and very low-income applicants obtain modest housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance to increase an applicant’s repayment ability. The section 504 loan program provides one percent interest rate loans to very low-income homeowners in eligible rural areas to repair, improve, or modernize their home or to remove health and safety hazards. The section 504 grant program provides grants to elderly very low-income homeowners in eligible rural areas to remove health and safety hazards, or accessibility barriers from their home, often in conjunction with a section 504 loan.

This proposed rulemaking is part of the SFH Program’s effort to improve customer service for its borrowers by: creating a more efficient application process; promote consistency between the direct and guaranteed SFH loan programs where feasible; and review current housing market conditions and mortgage loan practices.  The agency intends to review SFH Program procedures and regulations to potentially identify and revise unnecessary and outdated regulations, as well as simplify other policies and procedures that may impose burdensome requirements on borrowers and applicants.