Billing Code: 3410-XV-P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service
[Docket No. RHS-24-SFH-0009]
Notice of Funding Availability for the Section 533 Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) for
Fiscal Year 2024
AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, Department of Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD)
mission area agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the
availability of $12.2 million in funding for the Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program for
fiscal year (FY) 2024, which includes approximately $2.2 million that will be made available for
disaster assistance. The funds are available to eligible sponsoring organizations for the repair or
rehabilitation of housing owned or occupied by low- and very-low-income rural citizens under
the HPG Program. This notice announces the opening and closing dates for receipt of
preapplications for HPG funds, including the availability of calendar year 2022 disaster
assistance, from eligible applicants, as well as submission requirements. Expenses incurred in
developing preapplications will be at the applicant’s cost.
DATES: Completed preapplications for grants must be submitted according to one of the
following methods:
• Paper Submissions: The deadline for receipt of a paper preapplication is 4:30 p.m. local
time, [INSERT DATE 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL
REGISTER]. Applicants intending to mail preapplications must provide sufficient time to
permit delivery on or before the closing deadline date and time. Acceptance by the United States
Postal Service or private mailer does not constitute delivery. Facsimile (FAX), and postage due

applications will not be accepted. The preapplication dates and times are firm. The Agency will
not consider any preapplication received after the deadline.
• Electronic submissions: Electronic preapplications must be received by email or
submitted to Grants.gov. The deadline for receipt of an electronic preapplication is 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Time on [INSERT 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE
FEDERAL REGISTER]. The preapplication dates and times are firm. The Agency will not
consider any preapplication received after the deadline. The Agency will not solicit or consider
scoring or eligibility information that is submitted after the preapplication deadline. The Agency
will not consider any preapplication received after the deadline. The Agency reserves the right to
contact applicants to seek clarification information on materials contained in the submitted
preapplication.
ADDRESSES: Application Submission: Entities wanting to apply for assistance may download
the preapplication documents and requirements as stated in this Notice from the HPG website:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/housingpreservation-grants. Applicants will also find the requirements in the HPG program regulation
found in 7 CFR 1944 (Subpart N). Preapplication information for electronic submissions may be
found at http://www.Grants.gov.
Applicants may also request paper preapplication packages from the RD office in their
state. A list of Rural Development State Office (RDSO) contacts can be found via:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mandy Couture, Finance and Loan Analyst,
Single Family Housing Direct Division, Special Programs and New Initiatives Branch at (515)
418-2188 (voice) (this is not a toll-free number) or e-mail: Mandy.Couture@usda.gov. You may
also contact the RD office for the state in which the applicant is located. A list of RDSO
contacts is provided at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview
Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Housing Service.
Funding Opportunity Title: Housing Preservation Grant (HPG).
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).
Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-RD-HCFP-HPG-2024.
Assistance Listing: 10.433.
Dates: Completed preapplications for grants must be submitted according to one of the
following methods:
• Paper Submissions: The deadline for receipt of a paper preapplication is 4:30 p.m.
local time, [INSERT DATE 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE
FEDERAL REGISTER]. Applicants intending to mail preapplications must provide sufficient
time to permit delivery on or before the closing deadline date and time. Acceptance by the
United States Postal Service or private mailer does not constitute delivery. Facsimile (FAX), and
postage due applications will not be accepted. The preapplication dates and times are firm. The
Agency will not consider any preapplication received after the deadline.
• Electronic submissions: Electronic preapplications must be received by email or
submitted to Grants.gov. The deadline for receipt of an electronic application is 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Time on [INSERT 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE
FEDERAL REGISTER]. The preapplication dates and times are firm. The Agency will not
consider any preapplication received after the deadline. The Agency will not solicit or consider
scoring or eligibility information that is submitted after the preapplication deadline. The
Agency will not consider any preapplication received after the deadline. The Agency reserves
the right to contact applicants to seek clarification information on materials contained in the
submitted preapplication.

Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants to consider
projects that will advance the following key priorities (more details available at
https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points):
• Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate
change through economic support to rural communities.
• Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD programs and benefits
from RD funded projects; and
• Assisting rural communities recover economically through more and better
market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.
For further information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
A. Program Description
1.

Purpose of the Program. The HPG program is a grant program administered by the

Single-Family Housing Programs of RHS. It is limited to eligible rural areas and to qualified
entities (such as public agencies, private non-profit organizations, and federally recognized
Tribes). Grant funds can be used to assist low- and very low-income homeowners in repairing
and rehabilitating their homes in rural areas.
Cooperative housing complexes (co-ops) and rental property owners may receive
assistance under the HPG program if they agree to make such units available to very low- and
low-income persons. Rental property owners can include section 515 and 538 rental properties if
the eligibility requirements are met for the HPG program. In accordance with 7 CFR 1944.663,
rental property owners, or the co-op, must agree to make the units repaired or rehabilitated
available for occupancy to very low- or low-income persons for a period of not less than five
years. The minimum five-year rent restriction for very low- and low-income tenants will only
apply to the units that are repaired with the HPG funding. Any units within the property that
were not repaired with HPG funding will not be subject to the five-year restriction.

2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority. Funding is authorized by section 533 of the
Housing Act of 1949, as amended and pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
(Pub. L. 118—42); 42 U.S.C. 1490m, and 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N.
3. Definitions. The definitions applicable to this notice may be found at 7 CFR 1944.656.
4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and score preapplications
in response to this notice based on the provisions in 7 CFR 1944.679 and as indicated in this
notice.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Grants.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2024 $12.2 million, to remain available until expended.
Available Funds: Approximately $12.2 million is made available to eligible participants.
Approximately $2.2 million of this funding is available for disaster assistance. The disaster
funding is made available from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Division N, Title I.
RHS may, at its discretion, increase the total level of funding available from any available source
provided the awards meet the requirements of the statute which made the funding available to the
Agency.
Award Amounts: As required by 7 CFR 1944.680, no single entity may be awarded more
than 1/2 of a state’s allocation if there are two or more preapplications for a given state that meet
the threshold criteria of 7 CFR 1944.679(a). Award amounts available in FY 2024 State
Allocation have not been finalized and can be obtained from the RDSO. An award made for
disaster assistance may not exceed a maximum award amount of $50,000, with no state
maximum for the number of such disaster assistance awards.
A list of RDSO contacts is provided at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.

Anticipated Award Date: The Agency anticipates making awards approximately 120 days
after the application deadline.
Performance Period: 24 months from the executed grant agreement.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
Approximate Number of Awards: The number of awards will depend on the number of
eligible participants and the total amount of requested funds. Based on the Agency’s prior
experience with this program, it expects to make approximately 80-120 awards.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants. (a) Potential applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of
7 CFR 1944.658. Additionally, potential applicants must meet the requirements of 7 CFR
1944.661, 1944.662, and/or 1944.686 as applicable. Eligible entities for these competitively
awarded grants must meet the definition of “organization” as defined in 7 CFR 1944.656.
Eligible entities include State and local governments, non-profit corporations, which may
include, but not be limited to Faith-Based and community organizations; federally recognized
Indian Tribes; and consortia of eligible entities. HPG applicants who were previously selected
for HPG funds are eligible to submit new preapplications to apply for FY 2024 HPG program
funds. An additional HPG grant may be made when the grantee has achieved or nearly achieved
the goals established for the previous or existing grant. The commitment of program dollars will
be made to selected applicants who have fulfilled the necessary requirements for obligations.
Awards for disaster assistance grants may be made only for disaster declared as a presidentially
declared disaster during calendar year 2022 presidentially declared area(s). A presidentially
declared disaster is defined as a “major disaster or emergency” declared under the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). A
list of 2022 presidentially declared disasters can be viewed at
https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching. Pursuant to 7 CFR 1944.652(a)(1), grantees are expected
to coordinate and leverage funding for repair and rehabilitation activities; as well as replacement
housing, with housing and community development organizations or activities operating in the
same geographic area. While it is encouraged that HPG funds be leveraged with other resources,
cost sharing or matching is not a requirement for the HPG applicant, and the HPG applicant
would not necessarily be denied an award of HPG funds if all other required project selection
criteria described in this notice and at 7 CFR 1944.679(a) have been met.
3. Discretionary Points. None.
4. Other. Awards made under this Notice are subject to the provisions contained in the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118–47, division E title VII, sections 744 and
745, regarding Corporate Felony Convictions and Corporate Federal Tax Delinquencies; and the
Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 division B, title VII sections 744 and 745. To
comply with these provisions, only applicants that are or propose to be, corporations will be
required submit Form AD 3030, “Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants” as part of their preapplication.
There are no limits on proposed direct and indirect costs. Expenses incurred in
developing preapplications will be at the applicant’s cost.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package. Entities wanting to apply for assistance may
download the preapplication documents for this Notice from the HPG website:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/housingpreservation-grants. Application information for electronic submissions may be found at
https://www.grants.gov.
Applicants may also request a paper application package from the RD office in their
state. A list of RDSO contacts can be found via https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission. All requirements for submission of a
preapplication under the Housing Preservation Program are subject to 7 CFR part 1944, subpart
N. If the applicant is ineligible or the preapplication is incomplete, the Agency will inform the
applicant in writing of the decision, reasons therefore, and its appeal rights and no further
evaluation of the application will occur.
As specified by 7 CFR 1944.676, the Agency requires applicants to submit the following
information to make an eligibility determination:
1. An SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance”;
(i) Made available by contacting any RDSO at the web site:
http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices; or
(ii) Grants.gov at the following web site: https://www.grants.gov.
2. A statement of activities proposed by the applicant for its HPG program as appropriate
to the type of assistance the applicant is proposing, including:
(i) A complete discussion of the type of and conditions for financial assistance for
housing preservation, including whether the request for assistance is for a homeowner assistance
program, a rental property assistance program, or a cooperative assistance program.
(ii) The process for selecting recipients for HPG assistance, determining housing
preservation needs of the dwelling, performing the necessary work, and monitoring/inspecting
work performed.
(iii) A description of the process for identifying potential environmental impacts
in accordance with § 1944.672 of this subpart, and the provisions for compliance with
Stipulation I.A-G of the PMOA (RD Instruction 2000–FF available in any Rural Development
office) in accordance with 7 CFR § 1944.673(b) . With the exception of Stipulation I.D of the
PMOA, this may be accomplished by adoption of exhibit F–1 within RD Instruction 1944-N
(available in any Rural Development office), or another process supplying similar information
acceptable to Rural Development

(iv) The development standard(s) the applicant will use for the housing
preservation work; and, if not the RD standards for existing dwellings, the evidence of its
acceptance by the jurisdiction where the grant will be implemented.
(v) The time schedule for completing the program.
(vi) The staffing required to complete the program.
(vii) The estimated number of very low- and low-income minority and nonminority persons the grantee will assist with HPG funds; and, if a rental property or cooperative
assistance program, the number of units and the term of restrictive covenants on their use for
very low- and low-income.
(viii) The geographical area(s) to be served by the HPG program.
(ix) The annual estimated budget for the program period based on the financial
needs to accomplish the objectives outlined in the proposal. The budget should include
proposed direct and indirect administrative costs, such as personnel, fringe benefits, travel,
equipment, supplies, contracts, and other cost categories, detailing those costs for which the
grantee proposes to use the HPG grant separately from non-HPG resources, if any. The
applicant budget should also include a schedule (with amounts) of how the applicant proposes
to draw HPG grant funds, i.e., monthly, quarterly, lump sum for program activities, etc. The
applicant can use SF-424A to provide this information.
(x) A copy of an indirect cost proposal/rate or direct cost policy when the
applicant has another source of federal funding in addition to the RD HPG program.
(xi) A brief description of the accounting system to be used.
(xii) The method of evaluation to be used by the applicant to determine the
effectiveness of its program which encompasses the requirements for quarterly reports to RD in
accordance with 7 CFR 1944.683(b) and the monitoring plan for rental properties and
cooperatives (when applicable) according to 7 CFR 1944.689.

(xiii) The source and estimated amount of other financial resources to be obtained
and used by the applicant for both HPG activities and housing development and/or supporting
activities.
(xiv) The use of program income if any, and the tracking system used for
monitoring same.
(xv) The applicant’s plan for disposition of any security instruments held by them
as a result of its HPG activities in the event of its loss of legal status.
(xvi) Any other information necessary to explain the proposed HPG program.
(xvii) The outreach efforts outlined in 7 CFR 1944.671(b).
3. Experience. Complete information about the applicant’s experience and capacity to
carry out the objectives of the proposed HPG program.
4. Evidence of Legal Existence. Evidence of the applicant’s legal existence, including, in
the case of a private non-profit organization, a copy of, or an accurate reference to, the specific
provisions of State law under which the applicant is organized; a certified copy of the applicant’s
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws or other evidence of corporate existence; certificate of
incorporation for applicants other than public bodies; evidence of good standing from the state
when the corporation has been in existence one year or more; and the names and addresses of the
applicant’s members, directors and officers. If other organizations are members of the applicantorganization, or the applicant is a consortium, preapplications should be accompanied by the
names, addresses, and principal purpose of the other organizations. If the applicant is a
consortium, documentation showing compliance with paragraph (4)(ii) under the definition of
“organization” in 7 CFR 1944.656 must also be included.
5. Audited and Financial Statements. For a private non-profit entity, the most recent audited
statement and a current financial statement dated and signed by an authorized officer of the
entity showing the amounts and specific nature of assets and liabilities together with information
on the repayment schedule and status of any debt(s) owed by the applicant. If the applicant is an

organization being assisted by another private non-profit organization, the same type of financial
statement should also be provided by that organization.
6. Narrative Statement. A brief narrative statement which includes information about
the area to be served and the need for improved housing (including both percentage and the
actual number of both low-income and low-income minority households and substandard
housing), the need for the type of housing preservation assistance being proposed, the anticipated
use of HPG resources for historic properties, and the method of evaluation to be used by the
applicant in determining the effectiveness of its efforts (according to 7 CFR 1944.676(b)(1)(xii)).
7. Alleviating Overcrowding Statement. A statement containing the component for
alleviating any overcrowding as defined by 7 CFR 1944.656.
8. List of Other Activities. A list of other activities the applicant is engaged in and
expects to continue, a statement as to any other funding, and whether it will have sufficient funds
to assure continued operation of the other activities for at least the period of the HPG grant
agreement.
9. Project Selection Criteria. Any other information necessary to address the selection
criteria in 7 CFR 1944.679.
10. Environmental Compliance Agreement. The applicant must comply with the
requirements of 7 CFR part 1970 and submit RD Instruction 1970-A Exhibit H “Multi-tier
Action Environmental Compliance Agreement.”
11. Public Participation and Intergovernmental Review. Intergovernmental Review. In
accordance with 7 CFR 1944.674(c), the HPG program is subject to the provisions of Executive
Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. RD
conducts intergovernmental consultation as implemented with 2 CFR part 415, subpart C. Not
all States have chosen to participate in the intergovernmental review process. A list of
participating States is available at the following Web site:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/.
Preapplications from federally recognized Indian Tribes are not subject to this requirement.
(i) The applicant must submit written statements and related correspondence
reflecting compliance with 7 CFR 1944.674(a) regarding consultation with local leaders from the
county, parish, and/or township governments of the area where the HPG activities will take place
for the purpose of assuring that the proposed HPG program is beneficial and does not duplicate
current activities. American Indian nonprofit organization applicants should obtain the written
concurrence of the tribal governing body in lieu of consulting with the county governments when
the program is operated only on tribal land.
(ii) The applicant is to make its statement of activities available to the public for
comment prior to submission to RD pursuant to 7 CFR 1944.674(b). The applicant(s) must
announce the availability of its statement of activities for review in a print or online newspaper of
general circulation in the project area and allow at least 15 days for public comment. The start of
this 15-day period must occur no later than 16 days prior to the last day for acceptance of
preapplications by the Agency. Federally recognized Indian Tribes, pursuant to 7 CFR 1944.674,
should obtain the written concurrence of the tribal governing body in lieu of consulting with the
county governments when the program is operated only on tribal land. The preapplication must
contain a description of how the comments (if any were received) were addressed.
12. Equal Opportunity Agreement. The applicant must submit an original of Form RD
400-1, “Equal Opportunity Agreement” and Form RD 400-4, “Assurance Agreement” in
accordance with 7 CFR 1944.676.
13. RD Instruction 2000-FF. Provided for informational purposes during the
preapplication period per 7 CFR 1944.673.
Applicants should review 7 CFR part 1944, subpart N for a comprehensive list of all
application requirements. Preapplications will not be considered for funding if they do not
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing required elements.

Applicants must collect and maintain data provided by recipients on race, sex, and
national origin and ensure ultimate recipients collect and maintain this data as described in 7 CFR
1944.671. Race and ethnicity data will be collected in accordance with OMB Federal Register
notice, ‘‘Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity’’
(62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data will be collected in accordance with Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972. These items should not be submitted with the application but
should be available upon request by the Agency.
The applicant and the recipient must comply with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Executive Order
12250, Executive Order 13166 Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart
E.
Debarment and suspension information is required in accordance with 2 CFR 180 and 2
CFR 417 (OMB’s Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension
(Nonprocurement) (Non procurement Debarment and Suspension) supplemented by 2 CFR 180
and 2 CFR 417 (Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension) if it applies. The section heading
is “What information must I provide before entering into a covered transaction with a Federal
agency?” located at 2 CFR 180.335. It is part of OMB’s Guidance for Grants and Agreements
concerning Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension. Applicants are not eligible if they have
been debarred or suspended or otherwise excluded from, or ineligible for, participation in
Federal assistance programs under 2 CFR parts 180 and 417.
3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier.
(a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active registration in the
System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting its application in accordance with 2
CFR 25 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25). To register in SAM,

entities will be required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Instructions for obtaining the
UEI are available at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.
(b) Applicant must maintain an active SAM registration, with current, accurate and
complete information, at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application
under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.
(c) Applicant must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance General Certifications
and Representations in SAM.
(d) Applicants must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless determined exempt
under 2 CFR 25.110 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpartA/section-25.110).
(e) The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has complied with all SAM
requirements including providing the UEI. If an applicant has not fully complied with the
requirements by the time the Agency is ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that
the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for
making a Federal award to another applicant.
4. Submission Dates and Times. The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring or
eligibility information that is submitted after the preapplication deadline. RHS also reserves the
right to ask applicants for clarifying information and additional verification of assertions in the
application.
5. Intergovernmental Review. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, “Intergovernmental Review
of Federal Programs,” applies to this program. This EO requires that Federal agencies provide
opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance with State and local governments. Many
states have established a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. For a list
of States that maintain a SPOC, please see the White House Web site:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/. If your
State has a SPOC, you may submit a copy of the application directly for review. Any comments

obtained through the SPOC must be provided to your State Office for consideration as part of
your application. If your state has not established a SPOC, you may submit your application
directly to the Agency. Applications from Federally recognized Indian Tribes are not subject to
this requirement.
6. Funding Restrictions. Applications must be for eligible purposes as defined above and
must comply with the grant fund limitations found within 7 CFR 1944. There are no limits on
proposed direct and indirect costs. Expenses incurred in developing preapplications will be at
the applicant’s cost.
7. Other Submission Requirements: None.
E. Pre-Application Review Information
1. Criteria.
All eligible and complete preapplications for section 533 HPG funds must be filed with
the appropriate RDSO and all paper or electronic preapplications must meet the requirements of
this Notice and 7 CFR 1944.679. Preapplications determined not eligible and/or not meeting the
selection criteria will be notified by the RDSO.
2. Review and Selection Process.
The Agency reserves the right to offer the applicant less than the grant funding requested.
RDSOs will utilize the following threshold project selection criteria for applicants in accordance
with 7 CFR 1944.679:
(a) Providing a financially feasible program of housing preservation assistance.
“Financially feasible” is defined as proposed assistance which will be affordable to the intended
recipient or result in affordable housing for very low- and low-income persons.
(b) Serving eligible rural areas with a concentration of substandard housing for
households of very low- and low-income.
(c) Being an eligible applicant as defined in 7 CFR 1944.658.

(d) Meeting the requirements of consultation and public comment in accordance with 7
CFR 1944.674.
(e) Submitting a complete preapplication as outlined in 7 CFR 1944.676.
3. Scoring.
For applicants meeting all the requirements listed above, the RDSOs will use weighted
criteria in accordance with 7 CFR 1944.679(b) as selection for the grant recipients. Each
preapplication and its accompanying statement of activities will be evaluated and, based solely
on the information contained in the preapplication, the applicant’s proposal will be numerically
rated on each criterion within the range provided. The highest-ranking applicant(s) will be
selected based on allocation of funds available to the state.
(1) Points are awarded based on the percentage of very low-income persons that the
applicant proposes to assist, using the following scale:
(i)

More than 80%:

20 points

(ii)

61% to 80%:

15 points

(iii)

41% to 60%:

10 points

(iv)

20% to 40%:

5 points

(v)

Less than 20%:

0 points

(2) The applicant’s proposal may be expected to result in the following percentage of
HPG fund use (excluding administrative costs) to total cost of unit preservation. This percentage
reflects maximum repair or rehabilitation with the least possible HPG funds due to leveraging,
innovative financial assistance, owner’s contribution, or other specified approaches. Points are
awarded based on the following percentage of HPG funds (excluding administrative costs) to
total funds:

(i)

50% or less:

20 points

(ii)

51% to 65%:

15 points

(iii)

66% to 80%:

10 points

(iv)

81% to 95%:

5 points

(v)

96% to 100%:

0 points

(3) The applicant has demonstrated its administrative capacity in assisting very low- and
low-income persons to obtain adequate housing based on the following:
(i)

The organization or a member of its staff has at least one or more years of

experience successfully managing and operating a rehabilitation or weatherization type program:
10 points.
(ii)

The organization or a member of its staff has at least one or more years of

experience successfully managing and operating a program assisting very low- and low-income
persons obtain housing assistance: 10 points.
(iii)

If the organization has administered grant programs, there are no

outstanding or unresolved audit or investigative findings which might impair carrying out the
proposal: 10 points.
(4) The proposed program will be undertaken entirely in rural areas outside Metropolitan
Statistical Areas (MSAs) identified by RD as having populations below 10,000 or in remote parts
of other rural areas (i.e., rural areas contained in MSAs with less than 5,000 population) as
defined in 7 CFR 1944.656: 10 points.
(5) The program will use less than 20 percent of HPG funds for administration purposes:
(i)

More than 20%:

Not eligible

(ii)

20%:

0 points

(iii)

19%:

1 point

(iv)

18%:

2 points

(v)

17%:

3 points

(vi)

16%:

4 points

(vii)

15% or less:

5 points

(6) The proposed program contains a component for alleviating overcrowding as defined
in 7 CFR 1944.656: 5 points.
In the event more than one preapplication receives the same number of points, those
preapplications will then be ranked based on the actual percentage figure used for determining
the points in item (1) in the “Scoring” section of this Notice (7 CFR 1944.679 (b)(1)).
Example of 1st tie-break:
Both Applicants score 80 points
Applicant X’s percentage in “Scoring” section item (1) is 65%
Applicant B’s percentage in “Scoring” section item (1) is 75%
Applicant B is ranked higher than Applicant X
Applicant B will be funded before Applicant X
Further, if preapplications are still tied, then those preapplications still tied will be ranked
based on the percentage figures used for determining the points in item (2) in the “Scoring”
section of this Notice..
Example of 2nd tie-break:
Both Applicants score 80 points

Both Applicants percentage in “Scoring” section item (1) is 65%
Applicant X’s percentage in “Scoring” section item (2) is 55%
Applicant B’s percentage in “Scoring” section item (2) is 60%
Applicant X is ranked higher with a lower percentage than Applicant B
Applicant X will be funded before Applicant B
Further for preapplications where HPG assistance to rental properties or co-ops is
proposed, those still tied will be further ranked based on the number of years the units are
available for occupancy under the program (a minimum of five years is required). For this part,
ranking will be based on most to least number of years.
Example of 3rd tie-break:
Both Applicants score 80 points
Both Applicants percentage in “Scoring” section item (1) is 65%
Both Applicants percentage in “Scoring” section item (2) is 55%
Applicant X’s rental unit will be available for occupancy under the program for 10 years
Applicant B’s rental unit will be available for occupancy under the program for 5 years
Applicant X is ranked higher than Applicant B
Applicant X will be funded before Applicant B
If any of the applicants that remain tied after the 1st and 2nd tie-breaks are offering to
assist single family owners, then the 3rd tie-break would not be applicable, and a lottery would
be used to select the applicant to be funded.
If there is still a tie after the first two (or three, when applicable) tie-breaks, then a lottery
system will be used to select the applicant to be funded. The lottery will be conducted at the

National Office. The lottery will consist of the names of each preapplication with equal scores
printed onto a same size piece of paper, which will then be placed into a receptacle that fully
obstructs the view of the names. The Director of the Single-Family Housing Division, in the
presence of two witnesses, will draw a piece of paper from the receptacle. The name on the
piece of paper drawn will be the applicant to be funded.
After the award selections are made by the National Office, all applicants will be notified
of the status of their preapplications in writing. Applicants will be given their review rights or
appeal rights in accordance with 7 CFR 1944.682.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices.
The Agency will notify in writing, applicants whose preapplications have been selected
for funding. At the time of notification, the Agency will advise the applicant what further
information and documentation is required along with a timeline for submitting the additional
information. If the Agency determines it is unable to select the preapplication for funding, the
applicant will be informed in writing. Such notification will include the reasons the applicant
was not selected. The Agency will advise applicants, whose preapplications did not meet
eligibility and/or selection criteria, of their review rights or appeal rights in accordance with 7
CFR 1944.682.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
(a) The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected for this program:
(i) Form SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance”
(ii) Form RD 1940-1, “Request for Obligation of Funds”
(iii) RD Instruction 1944-N Exhibit A, “Housing Preservation Grant Agreement”
(iv) Letter of Conditions (if applicable)
(v) Form RD 1942-46, “Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions” (if applicable)

(vi) RD Instruction 1940-Q Exhibit A-1, “Certification for Contracts, Grants and
Loans” (if applicable)
(vii) Form SF 3881, “ACH Vendor Payment Enrollment Form”
(viii) Form SF 270, “Request for Advance or Reimbursement”
(ix) Form SF 425, “Federal Financial Report”
(x) RD Instruction 1944-N Exhibits E-1 and E-2, “Quarterly (Final) Performance
Report” and “Quarterly (Final) Performance Report Guide”
(xi) RD Instruction 1970-B Exhibit D, “Categorical Exclusion Form”
(xii) RD Instruction 1944-N Exhibit F-1, “Grantee’s Process for Identifying Properties
Requiring Rural Development Environmental Assessments”
(xiii) FEMA Form FF-206-FY-21-116 (formerly 086-0-32), “Standard Flood Hazard
Determination Form (SFHDF)”
(xiv) Execute Form SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” (if applicable)
The grant recipient must include the required nondiscrimination statements in any of their
advertisements and brochures. Grantees will be required to collect and maintain data provided by
recipients on race, sex, and national origin and ensure recipients collect and maintain this data.
Race and ethnicity data will be collected in accordance with OMB Federal Register notice,
‘‘Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity,’’ (62
FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Data on recipients’ sex will be collected in accordance with Title
IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. These items should not be submitted with the
application but should be available upon request by the Agency.
3. Reporting. Performance reporting, including applicable forms, narratives, and other
documentation, are to be completed and submitted in accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR
1944.683 and the Grant Agreement. Further, all grantees must submit an audit or financial
information covering the defined period of performance as outlined in 7 CFR 1944.688 and the
Grant Agreement.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
For general questions about this announcement, please contact Mandy Couture, Finance and
Loan Analyst, Single Family Housing Direct Division, Special Programs and New Initiatives
Branch at (515) 418-2188 (voice) (this is not a toll-free number) or e-mail:
Mandy.Couture@usda.gov. The Program website also provides up to date contact information at
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/housingpreservation-grants#contact.
H. Other Information
1. Paperwork Reduction Act. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the information collection requirements associated with the programs, as
covered in this notice, have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
under OMB Control Number 0575-0157.
2. National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this notice are subject to the
requirements of 7 CFR part 1970.
3. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. All applicants, in accordance
with 2 CFR part 25, must be registered in SAM and have a UEI number as stated in section D.3
of this notice. All recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report information
about first-tier sub-awards and executive total compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
4. Civil Rights Act. All grants made under this notice are subject to Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 CFR part 15, subpart A- Nondiscrimination in
Federally-Assisted Programs of the Department of Agriculture - Effectuation of title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, title VIII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1968, title IX, Executive Order 13166 (Limited English Proficiency),
Executive Order 11246, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.
5. Nondiscrimination Statement. In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and
USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices,

employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited
from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status,
income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for
prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases
apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons
with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information
(e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the responsible
Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and
TTY); or the 711 Relay Service.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at
https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf from any USDA office, by
calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the
complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged
discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
(ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027
form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
(2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Yvonne Hsu,
Acting Administrator,
Rural Housing Service.

[FR Doc. 2024-13131 Filed: 6/13/2024 8:45 am; Publication Date: 6/14/2024]