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Rural Development (RD) Rural Housing Service (RHS) intends to publish a proposed rule to update 7 CFR 1924 with the intention of making the current regulation consistent with other current RD requirements and federal agency criteria. The proposed rule is expected to set forth the requirements that are needed in the planning and performance of construction and other development work. The focus will be to consolidate, streamline, and update the various regulations that contain the policies and procedures for planning and performing building construction using financial assistance from a variety of programs from RHS.

The proposed regulation changes will provide guidance for the construction of buildings that are financed across the RD portfolio. The focus will be on habitable structures that are considered to be buildings within the construction industry.  The affected programs are within RHS Community Facilities, Single Family Housing, and Multi-Family Housing programs. Habitable buildings financed by RUS and RBCS will have access to 7 CFR 1924 by a cross reference with those Agency’s applicable program regulations.

The changes are expected to streamline and update code references and application, better external communications to apprise borrowers of the improved product of current standards for construction including energy efficiency and resilience to natural disasters such as provide greater protection against the effects of natural disasters and hazards by implementing greater energy efficiencies, addressing indoor air quality issues, and result in stronger, safer, healthier housing and other building structures.