Direct Housing-Natural Disaster Loans and Grants (10.444)
Program
10.444 Direct Housing-Natural Disaster Loans and Grants
Federal Agency
Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Rural Development
Authorization
Housing Act of 1949, Title V, Section 504, as amended, Public Laws 89-117, 89-754, and 92-310, 42 U.S.C. 1474; Public Law 104-134.
Program Number
10.444
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To assist qualified recipients to meet emergency assistance needs resulting from natural disaster. Funds are only available to the extent that funds are not provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For the purpose of administering these funds, natural disaster will only include those counties identified by a Presidential declaration.
Types of Assistance
DIRECT LOANS; PROJECT GRANTS
Uses and Use Restrictions
To assist very-low income owner- occupants to repair or replace damaged property as a direct result of a natural disaster. Loans are made in counties named by the Federal Management Agency as being eligible for Federal assistance under an emergency declaration by the President.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must own and occupy the home in a rural area. Loan recipients must have sufficient income to repay the loan. Grant recipients must be 62 years of age or older and be unable to repay a loan for that part of the assistance received as a grant. The applicant's income for a loan may not exceed the very low-income limit which can be obtained in any Rural Development (RD) field office.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Applicants/borrowers are the direct beneficiaries when they meet all eligibility criteria.
Credentials/Documentation
Natural disasters will only include those areas identified by a Presidential declaration. Funds are only available to the extent that funds are not provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Applicants must establish that physical damage was caused by natural disaster. For Section 504 loans/grants, there must be evidence of ownership and verification of income and debts. For grant recipients, evidence of age is required. The applicant must be unable to get credit elsewhere and demonstrate repayment for the loan. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is subject to environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Applicants must file Form RD 410-4 at the Rural Development field office serving the county where the dwelling is located.
Award Procedure
Final approval of the application is given by the local or area office loan approval official.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 30 to 60 days subject to the availability of funds, from the time the application is filed if no backlog of applications exist.
Appeals
Applicants may request reconsideration at the local RD field office and may appeal adverse actions in accordance with 7 CFR Part 11. Appeals may be filed within 30 days after notification of the adverse decision is received by the loan/grant applicants.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
These funds are available only if the Supplemental Emergency Funding for Natural Disaster has been appropriated. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate for additional information.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Audits
No audits are required for this program.
Records
Borrowers are not required to, but should retain copies of loan/grant related documents.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: In fiscal year 2008, the number of existing houses improved through Section 504 Natural Disaster Loans and Grants was 2. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-2081-0-1-371; 12-4215-0-3-371; 12-1953-0-1-999.
Obligations
(Direct Loans) FY 08 $1,300; FY 09 est $2,800; FY 10 est $5,000. (Project Grants) FY 08 $7,500; FY 09 est $12,000; FY 10 est $0 - Grant funds are now exhausted.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
No Data Available.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
7 CFR 3550.
Related Programs
10.410 Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. Consult your local telephone directory under U.S. Department of Agriculture for Rural Development county or district office numbers or visit the website http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app for a State Office listing.
Headquarters Office
Director, Single Family Housing Direct Loan Division, Rural Housing Programs U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20250 Phone: 202-720-1474
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not Applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
