Volume 17, Issue 2

The Importance of Congress Increasing Funding for Rural Housing

By Suzanne Anarde-Devenport, RCAC Chief Executive Officer

As the housing crisis continues to impact families across the country, it’s important to remember that while access to decent affordable housing is a universal need, the challenges are different from community to community. And rural communities are often left out of the discussion.

Shining a Spotlight on Self-Help Housing

Have you had the opportunity to explore our Self-Help Housing Spotlight website? You can find Spotlight at selfhelphousingspotlight.org. It serves as an excellent resource, providing comprehensive insight into the self-help housing program. Through our website, we are committed to delivering a seamless and uplifting online experience for families interested in joining our program and potential grantees seeking information.

SHARES Data Entry

By Anne Baker, RCAC Rural Development Specialist – Housing

Periodically, there is a request for RCAC to furnish data regarding the Self-Help program to USDA RD. In many instances, the data utilized is sourced from the SHARES system. To guarantee the utmost accuracy of the data, it is imperative that if you are using the SHARES system that you update your SHARES data at least once a month. Moreover, please meticulously review the following information. Should you have any inquiries, feel free to reach out to our SHARES Technical Resource Coordinators at shares@rcac.org.

1. Input all extensions and supplemental cost extensions into SHARES following the provided instructions.
2. Confirm that all counties specified in your grant agreement are accurately listed in SHARES under the Grant Module (File). If you operate in multiple counties, adhere to the instructions below:
   • Add multiple counties at the same time.
   • Attempting to add counties individually will result in overwriting the preceding ones.
3. Verify the correctness of dates in the Construction Tab to ensure accurate entry. Incorrect dates could adversely impact Equivalent Unit (EU) calculations and potentially lead to a loss of units calculated.
4. Cross-verify dates in the Dates Tab, as inaccuracies can also affect EU calculations.

Dear Sher,

Do you know where I might be able to find what the USDA/RD maximum allowable slope would be for a driveway? One of the subdivision phases we are currently developing has some lots with a moderate incline and I just want to make sure we know what the USDA/RD regulation is for driveway slope.

Sincerely,
Sloped

News You Can Use!

523 Grant Application Forms

Were you aware that in early 2023, USDA RD, with RCAC support, consolidated all 523 Application and Post Award Forms onto its website to facilitate convenient access? Previously, these forms were dispersed across various government websites, creating challenges to access the latest and most up-to-date versions. Now, you can easily locate all the forms on the USDA RD website under Programs & Services/Single Family Housing Programs/Mutual Self-Help Housing Programs. Simply navigate to the “To Apply” tab or click here.

Section 504 Home Repair Loan & Grant Program – Important updates

With the posting of PN 607 dated March 8, 2024, changes were made to Handbook-1-3550, Chapter 12 to update and improve the Section 504 Home Repair Loan and Grant Program. With the PN, a new program intake form was also released.

Changes include but are not limited to:

• Expanding the eligible purposes to include essential equipment, storm shelters, and the initial escrow deposit.
• Adding a prequalification process that includes Form RD 3550-35, Section 504 Home Repair Loan and Grant Program Intake Form.
• Clarifying further when a TMCR is needed and not needed.
• Stating that home equity should not be included in the applicant’s asset calculation or test for other credit.
• Stating that trusts, partnerships, and other entities are not an eligible applicant, borrower, or owner.
• Providing guidance on requesting an individual exception request for a special needs trust.
• Clarifying further that an appraisal is not required for unsecured loans.
• Stating that a change in ownership resets a dwelling’s grant eligibility provided the transfer was not to another household member.
• Updating Attachment 12-A and Attachment 12-C (see PN for details).