RD MANUAL CHANGES

INSERT RD INS 444.8 (WSAL) RURAL HOUSING SITE LOAN POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND AUTHORIZATIONS.

Exhibit D is revised to updated to remove RD Form 2006-38 “Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Impact Analysis Certification”, along with the requirement of the Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan as part of the application process.

INSERT RD INS 1944-I (WSAL) SELF-HELP TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

This Instruction is being revised to align with Executive Orders and make minor updates as follows:

• Section 1944.403 (k), Added language that all volunteer labor hours will count towards the total hours contributed for rehabilitation projects.
• Section 1944.411(g), Updated and generalized outdated 2 CFR 200 reference.
• Section 1944.411(i), Corrected reference to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury, Do Not Pay (DNP) portal.
• Section 1944.417 (a)(3), Added field instruction to check the organization and their principals in the DNP portal prior to any release of funds.
• Exhibit G, Removed Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan, Civil Rights Impact Analysis, and add language specifying that compliance reviews must be completed by the Agency.
• Exhibit L, Removed rarely used sample condition for closing and added more frequently encountered items.
• Exhibit O, Minor revision made to improve flow.
• Exhibit S, Updated Department of the Interior contact point.

INSERT RD INS 1944-N (WSAL) HOUSING PRESERVATION GRANTS.

This Instruction is being revised to clarify procedures.

• Exhibit C “Administrative Instructions for Rural Development Offices” has been revised to:

  • Update preapplication review to occur within 30 days of preapplication deadline.
  • Update Exhibit G requirements.
  • Add Electronic Customer File (ECF) requirement.
  • Update use of Centralized Environmental Review Tracker.
  • Update obligation timing.
  • Update ultimate recipient files should be complete before being reviewed by States.
  • Update environmental guidelines.
  • Update FEMA form.
  • Update flood insurance requirement to only substantial improvement projects.
  • Add Electronic Customer File definition.
  • Updated indirect de minimis rate to 15%.

• Exhibit H “Ultimate Recipient File Checklist” has been revised to:

  • Update required FEMA form.
  • Remove civil rights section.

• Exhibit I “HPG Preapplication/Application Processing Checklist” has been revised to:

  • Add a confirmation email from States to applicants who email a preapplication.
  • Remove statement asking States to review the preapplication before the preapplication deadline.
  • Add requirement that applicants must submit evidence of good standing from the state in which they are organized and for each state in which the applicant is expending HPG funds.
  • Added overcrowding statement is only for rental and cooperative properties.
  • Added evidence of consultation with local leaders needs to be from all county, parish, and/or township governments of the area in which HPG activities will take place.
  • Update the grant amount requested should be rounded to the nearest $1.00.
  • Add Electronic Customer File (ECF) requirement.
  • Added “RD Instruction 1944-N, Exhibit F-1” to application documents.
  • Update persistent poverty and disaster fund obligation systems and obligation screen names for each system.
  • Update environmental guidelines.

• Exhibit I (Con.)

  • Update Civil Rights pre/post compliance review guidelines.
  • Update Congressional Announcement Management System information which replaced Congressional Announcement Tracking System.
  • Remove RD Instruction 1944-N, Exhibit F-1 as a servicing document.
  • Update required FEMA form.
  • Remove “Justice for All” posters from compliance review packet.
  • Update ultimate recipient files should be complete before being reviewed by States.
  • Update final audit requirement to include updated 2 CFR Part 200 updates.
  • Update persistent poverty and disaster fund de-obligation systems.

• Exhibit K “Quarterly Review Checklist has been revised to:

  • Remove environmental requirements for homes assisted.
  • Remove civil rights section.

• Exhibit L “Preapplication Application Review Letters - Templates” has been revised to:

  • Update Exhibit L-4 template letter to add RD Instruction 1944-N Exhibit F-1 as an enclosure.
  • Update Exhibit L-7 template letter final audit requirement to include updated 2 CFR Part 200 updates.

INSERT RD INS 4280-A (WSAL) RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN AND GRANT PROGRAMS.

The revision in this Instruction supersedes the Instruction posted and issued via SPECIAL PN on January 11, 2024.