Applicability and purpose

(a) This part sets forth requirements, policies, and procedures for multi-family housing (MFH) direct loan and grant programs to serve eligible very-low, low- and moderate income households. The programs covered by this part are authorized by title V of the Housing Act of 1949 and are:

(1) Section 515 Rural Rental Housing, which includes congregate housing, group homes, and Rural Cooperative Housing. Section 515 loans may be made to finance multi-family units in rural areas as defined in § 3560.11.

(2) Sections 514 and 516 Farm Labor Housing loans and grants. Housing under these programs may be built in any area with a need and demand for housing for farm workers.

(3) Section 521 Rental Assistance. A project-based tenant rent subsidy which may be provided to Rural Rental Housing and Farm Labor Housing facilities.

(b) The programs covered by this part provide economically designed and constructed rural rental, cooperative, and farm labor housing and related facilities operated and managed in an affordable, decent, safe, and sanitary manner.

(c) Internal Agency procedures containing details for Agency processing under these regulations can be found in the program handbooks, available in any Rural Development office, or from the Rural Development Web site.