Definitions and Other Requirements

24 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart C
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

24 C.F.R. § 883.301 Applicability.

The provisions of this subpart are applicable to newly constructed and substantially rehabilitated housing allocated contract authority under subpart B of this part and processed and constructed under the Fast Tract Procedures of subpart D. The definitions contained in § 883.302 and the provisions of § 883.307(b) regarding review and approval of financing documents, however, apply to all of this part.

24 C.F.R. § 883.302 Definitions.

The terms Fair Market Rent (FMR), HUD, and Public Housing Agency (PHA) are defined in 24 CFR part 5. ACC (Annual Contributions Contract). The contract between the State Agency and HUD under which HUD commits to provide the Agency with the funds needed to make housing assistance payments to the Owner and to pay the Agency for administrative fees in cases where it is eligible for them. Agency. See State Agency. Agreement—(Agreement to enter into Housing Assistance Payments Contract). The agreement between the owner and the State Agency on new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects which provides that, upon satisfactory completion of the project in accordance with the HUD-approved proposal or final proposal, the Agency will enter into a Housing Assistance Payments Contract with the owner. Annual Income. As defined in part 5 of this title. Assisted unit. A dwelling unit eligible for assistance under a Contract. Application. A request, submitted by a State Agency, to assign a portion of its set-aside to a specific jurisdiction or project. Contract—(Housing Assistance Payments Contract). The Contract entered into by the owner and the State Agency upon satisfactory completion of a new construction or substantial rehabilitation project which sets forth the rights and duties of the parties with respect to the project and the payments under the Contract. Contract Rent. The total amount of rent specified in the Contract as payable by the Agency and the tenant to the owner for an assisted unit. In the case of the rental of only a manufactured home space, “contract rent” is the total rent specified in the Contract as payable by the Agency and the tenant to the owner for rental of the space, including fees or charges for management and maintenance services with respect to the space, but excluding utility charges for the manufactured home. Covered housing provider. For the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Programs—State Housing Agencies, “covered housing provider,” as such term is used in HUD's regulations in 24 CFR part 5, subpart L (Protection for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking), refers to the HFA or owner, as applicable given the responsibilities of the covered housing provider as set forth in 24 CFR part 5, subpart L. For example, the PHA is the covered housing provider responsible for providing the notice of occupancy rights under VAWA and certification form described at 24 CFR 5.2005(a), though the PHA may provide this notice and form to owners, and charge owners with distributing the notice and form to tenants. In addition, the owner is the covered housing provider that may choose to bifurcate a lease as described at 24 CFR 5.2009(a), while both the PHA and owner are both responsible for ensuring that an emergency transfer plan is in place in accordance with 24 CFR 5.2005(e), and the owner is responsible for implementing the emergency transfer plan when an emergency occurs. Decent, safe, and sanitary. Housing is decent, safe, and sanitary if it meets the physical condition requirements in 24 CFR part 5, subpart G. Existing Housing. Housing assisted under a contract entered into pursuant to 24 CFR part 882. (See subpart E of this part.) Fast Track procedures. The procedures contained in subpart D for processing and construction of new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects. In order to be eligible for these procedures, a State Agency must provide permanent financing without Federal mortgage insurance or a Federal guarantee except coinsurance under Section 244 of the National Housing Act. Financing Cost Contingency (FCC). The maximum amount of contract authority which may be used to amend the Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) and Housing Assistance Payments Contract (HAP Contract) to provide increased contract rents to cover higher than anticipated debt service on the loan for a new construction or substantial rehabilitation project. Gross Rent. As defined in part 813 of this chapter. Household type. The three household types are (1) elderly and handicapped, (2) family, and (3) large family. Housing Assistance Payment. The payment made to the Owner of an assisted unit by the State Agency as provided in the Contract. Where the unit is leased to an eligible Family, the payment is the difference between the Contract Rent and the Tenant Rent. An additional payment is made to the Family when the Utility Allowance is greater than Total Tenant Payment. In the case of a Family renting only a manufactured home space as provided in § 883.303(i), the Housing Assistance Payment is the difference between Gross Rent and the Total Tenant Payment, but such payment may not exceed the Contract Rent for the space, and no additional payment is made to the Family. A Housing Assistance Payment, known as a “vacancy payment”, may be made to the Owner when an assisted unit is vacant, as provided in § 883.712. Housing Assistance Plan (HAP). A housing plan submitted by a unit of general local or State government and approved by HUD as being acceptable under the standards of 24 CFR part 570. Housing type. The three housing types are new construction, substantial rehabilitation, and existing housing/moderate rehabilitation. HFA (Housing Finance Agency). A State Agency which provides permanent financing for newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated housing processed under subpart D and financed without Federal mortgage insurance or a Federal guarantee except coinsurance under Section 244 of the National Housing Act. Independent Public Accountant. Certified Public Accountant or a licensed or registered public accountant, none of which has a business relationship with the owner or State Agency except for the performance of audit, systems work and tax preparation. If not certified, the Independent Public Accountant must have been licensed or registered by a regulatory authority of a State or other political subdivision of the United States on or before December 31, 1970. In States that do not regulate the use of the title “public accountant,” only Certified Public Accountants may be used. Moderate rehabilitation. The improvement of dwelling units in accordance with HUD requirements, under 24 CFR part 882. New construction. Housing for which construction starts after execution of an Agreement, or housing which is already under construction when the Agreement is executed provided that: (a) At the date an application is submitted to HUD, a substantial amount of construction (generally at least 25 percent) remains to be completed; (b) At the date of application to HUD, the project cannot be completed and occupied by eligible families without assistance under this part; and (c) At the time construction was initiated, all of the parties reasonably expected that the project would be completed without assistance under this part. Override. The difference between an HFA's cost of borrowing on obligations issued to finance a new construction or substantial rehabilitation project and the lending rate at which they provide permanent financing for the project. Owner. Any private person or entity (including a cooperative) or a public entity, having the legal right to lease or sublease dwelling units assisted under this part. The term Owner also includes the person or entity submitting a proposal to a State Agency under this part. Partially-assisted Project. A project for non-elderly families under this part which includes more than 50 units, of which the number of assisted units does not exceed the greater of (a) 20 percent of the units in the project, rounded to the next highest whole number of units, or (b) the minimum percentage required by State law as a condition of HFA permanent financing, if the Assistant Secretary approves such minimum percentage for purposes of applicability of this definition. Permanent financing. An Agency is determined to provide permanent financing if HUD determines that (a) the Agency permanently finances a project from its own funds, including the sale of its obligations; or (b) permanent financing for projects developed or administered by the Agency is provided by the State government or by an agency or instrumentality thereof other than the Agency; or (c) the permanent financing (by a public or private entity other than the Agency) is backed by the commitment of the Agency to assume the risks of loss on default or foreclosure of the loan. Project Account. A specifically identified and segregated account for each project which is established in accordance with § 883.604(b) out of the amounts by which the maximum Annual Contributions Contract commitment exceeds the amount actually paid out under the ACC each year. Proposal. A proposal for a project that is submitted by an HFA to HUD for Section 8 assistance under this part. Rent. In the case of an assisted unit in a cooperative project, rent means the carrying charges payable to the cooperative with respect to occupancy of the unit. Replacement cost—(a) New construction. The estimated construction cost of the project when the proposed improvements are completed. The replacement cost may include the land, the physical improvements, utilities within the boundaries of the land, architect's fees, miscellaneous charges incident to construction as approved by the Assistant Secretary. (b) Substantial rehabilitation. The sum of the “as is” value before rehabilitation of the property as determined by the Agency and the estimated cost of rehabilitation, including carrying and finance charges. Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Housing. A unit for occupancy by a single eligible individual capable of independent living, which does not contain food preparation and/or sanitary facilities and is located within a multifamily structure consisting of more than 12 units. Secretary. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (or designee). Small Project. A project for non-elderly families under this part which includes a total of 50 or fewer units (assisted and unassisted). State Agency (Agency). An agency which has been notified by HUD in accordance with § 883.203 that it is authorized to apply for a set-aside and/or to use the Fast Track Procedures of this part. Substantial rehabilitation. (a) The improvement of a property to decent, safe and sanitary condition in accordance with the standards of this part from a condition below these standards. Substantial Rehabilitation may vary in degree from gutting and extensive reconstruction to the cure of substantial accumulation of deferred maintenance. Cosmetic improvements alone do not qualify as Substantial Rehabilitation under this definition. (b) Substantial Rehabilitation may also include renovation, alteration or remodeling for the conversion or adaptation of structurally sound property to the design and condition required for use under this part, or the repair or replacement of major building systems or components in danger of failure. (c) Housing on which rehabilitation work has already started when the Agreement is executed is eligible for assistance as a Substantial Rehabilitation project under this part provided: (1) At the date of application to HUD, a substantial amount of construction (generally at least 25 percent) remains to be completed; (2) At the date of application to HUD, the project cannot be completed and occupied by eligible families without assistance under this part; and (3) At the time construction was initiated, all of the parties reasonably expected that the project would be completed without assistance under this part. Tenant Rent. The monthly amount defined in, and determined in accordance with part 813 of this chapter. Total Tenant Payment. The monthly amount defined in, and determined in accordance with part 813 of this chapter. Utility Allowance. As defined in part 813 of this chapter, made or approved by HUD. Utility reimbursement. As defined in part 813 of this chapter. Vacancy payments. The housing assistance payment made to the owner by the State Agency for a vacant, assisted unit if certain conditions are fulfilled as provided in the Contract. The amount of vacancy payment varies with the length of the vacancy period and is less after the first 60 days of any vacancy. Very Low-Income Family. As defined in part 813 of this chapter.

24 C.F.R. § 883.306 Limitation on distributions.

(a) Non-profit owners are not entitled to distributions of project funds. (b) For the life of the Contract, project funds may only be distributed to profit-motivated owners at the end of each fiscal year of project operation following the effective date of the Contract and after all project expenses have been paid, or funds have been set aside for payment, and all reserve requirements have been met. The first year's distribution may not be made until the HFA certification of project costs, (See § 883.411), where applicable, has been submitted to HUD. The HFA must certify that distributions will not exceed the following maximum returns: (1) For projects for elderly families, the first year's distribution will be limited to 6 percent on equity. The Assistant Secretary may provide for increases in subsequent years' distributions on an annual or other basis so that the permitted return reflects a 6 percent return on the value, in subsequent years, as determined in accordance with HUD guidelines, of the approved initial equity. Any such adjustments will be made in accordance with a Notice in the Federal Register. The HFA may approve a lesser increase or no increase in subsequent years' distributions. (2) For projects for non-elderly families the first year's distribution will be limited to 10 percent on equity. The Assistant Secretary may provide for increases in subsequent years' distributions on an annual or other basis so that the permitted return reflects a 10 percent return on the value, in subsequent years, as determined in accordance with HUD guidelines, of the approved initial equity. Any such adjustments will be made in accordance with a Notice in the Federal Register. The HFA may approve a lesser increase or no increase in subsequent years' distributions. (c) For the purpose of determining the allowable distribution, an owner's equity investment in a project is deemed to be 10 percent of the replacement cost of the part of the project attributable to dwelling use accepted by the HFA at cost certification (See § 883.411), or as specified in the Proposal where cost certification is not required, unless the owner justifies a higher equity contribution through cost certification documentation accepted by the HFA. (d) Any short-fall in return may be made up from surplus project funds in future years. (e) If the HFA determines at any time that surplus project funds are more than the amount needed for project operations, reserve requirements and permitted distributions, the HFA may require the excess to be placed in a separate account to be used to reduce housing assistance payments or for other project purposes. Upon termination of the Contract, any excess project funds must be remitted to HUD. (f) Owners of small projects or partially assisted projects are exempt from the limitation on distributions contained in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section. (g) HUD may permit increased distributions of surplus, in excess of the amounts otherwise permitted, to profit-motivated owners who participate in a HUD-approved initiative or program to preserve below-market housing stock. The increased distributions will be limited to a maximum amount based on market rents and calculated according to HUD instructions. Funds that the owner is authorized to retain under section 236(g)(2) of the National Housing Act are not considered distributions to the owner. (h) Any State or local law or regulation that restricts distributions to an amount lower than permitted by this section or permitted by the Commissioner under this paragraph (h) is preempted as provided by section 524(f) of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997.

24 C.F.R. § 883.307 Financing.

(a) Types of financing. A State Agency that used the Fast Track Procedures formerly in this part must provide permanent financing for any new construction or substantial rehabilitation project without Federal mortgage insurance, except coinsurance under section 244 under the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq). Obligations issued by the HFA for this purpose may be taxable under section 802 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 1440) or tax-exempt under section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 103), 24 CFR part 811 or other Federal Law. (b) HUD approval. (1) A State Agency, prior to receiving HUD approval of its first New Construction or Substantial Rehabilitation Proposal using contract authority under this part, must submit copies of the documents relating to the method of financing Section 8 projects to HUD for review. These documents shall include bond resolutions or indentures, loan agreements, regulatory agreements, notes, mortgages or deeds of trust and other related documents, if any, but does not need to include the “official statement” or copies of the prospectus for individual bond issues. HUD review will be limited to making certain that the documents are not inconsistent with or in violation of these regulations and the administrative procedures used to implement them. After review, HUD must notify the Agency that the documents are acceptable or, if unacceptable, will request clarification or changes. This review and approval will meet the requirements of 24 CFR 811.107(a). (2) When an Agency which has received HUD approval of its financing documents proposes substantive changes in them which affect the Section 8 program, the revised documents must be submitted for review. HUD review will be limited to the areas indicated in paragraph (b)(1) of this section and must be carried out promptly. HUD will notify the Agency that the revised documents are acceptable, or, if unacceptable, will request clarification or changes. (3) The review and approval of financing documents required under 24 CFR part 811 will constitute HUD approval under this section. (4) The Agency must retain in its files, and make available for HUD inspection, the documentation relating to its financing of Section 8 projects, including any relating to the certifications of compliance with applicable Department of Treasury or HUD regulations (24 CFR part 811) regarding tax-exempt financing. (c) Pledge of Contracts. The HFA or owner may pledge, or offer as security for any loan or obligation, an Agreement, Contract, or ACC entered into pursuant this part provided that such security is in connection with a project constructed pursuant to this part. Any pledge of the Agreement, Contract, or ACC, or payments thereunder will be limited to the amounts payable under the Contract or ACC in accordance with its terms. If the pledge or other document provides that all payments will be paid directly to the HFA, other mortgagee or the trustee for bondholders, the HFA, other mortgagee or trustee may make all payments or deposits required under the mortgage or trust indenture and remit any excess to the owner. (d) Foreclosure and other transfers. In the event of assignment, sale, or other disposition of the project or the contracts agreed to by the HFA and approved by HUD (which approval shall not be unreasonably delayed or withheld), foreclosure, or assignment of the mortgage or deed in lieu of foreclosure, (1) The Agreement, the Contract and the ACC will continue in effect, and (2) Housing assistance payments will continue in accordance with the terms of the Contract, unless approval to amend or terminate the Agreement, the Contract or the ACC has been obtained from the Assistant Secretary. (e) In the case of a newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated manufactured home park, the principal amount of any mortgage attributable to the rental spaces in the park may not exceed an amount per space determined in accordance with § 207.33(b) of this title.

24 C.F.R. § 883.308 Adjustments to reflect changes in terms of financing.

(a) Certifications of projected financing terms. When an HFA, under this part, provides permanent financing for a project through the issuance of obligations and these are not sold until after the contract rents for a project have been set, the HFA must submit, with the Proposal, a certification of: (1) Its projected rate of borrowing (net interest cost), based on a reasonable evaluation of market conditions, on obligations issued to provide interim and permanent financing for the project, (2) The projected cost of borrowing to the owner on interim financing for the project, (3) The projected loan amount for the project, (4) The projected cost of borrowing and the term of the permanent financing to be provided to the owner for the project, (5) The projected annual debt service for the permanent financing on which the Contract Rents are based, and (6) The override, if any. (b) Revised certifications. If, at any time prior to the execution of the Agreement, the terms and conditions of financing change, other than the HFA's projected cost of borrowing, the HFA must submit revised certifications based upon the new terms. (c) Certifications of actual financing terms. After a project has been permanently financed, the HFA must submit a certification which specifies the actual financing terms. The items that must be included in this certification include: (1) The HFA's actual cost of borrowing (net interest cost) on obligations from which funds were used to permanently finance the project, (2) The override, if any, added to the actual cost of borrowing on obligations in setting the rate of lending to the owner, (3) The annual debt service to the owner for the permanent financing on which contract rents are based; and, (4) The actual loan amount and the term on which the annual debt service is based. (d) Reduction of Contract Rents. If the actual debt service to the owner under the permanent financing is lower than the anticipated debt service on which the Contract Rents were based, the initial Contract Rents, or the Contract Rents currently in effect, must be reduced commensurately, and the amount of the savings credited to the project account. (e) Increase of Contract Rents. This paragraph (e) applies only if the HFA is using its set-aside for the project and it is processed under subpart D. If the actual debt service to the owner under the permanent financing is higher than the anticipated debt service on which the Contract Rents are based, the initial Contract Rents or the Contract Rents currently in effect may, if sufficient contract and budget authority is available, be increased commensurately based on the certification submitted under paragraph (c) of this section. The amount of this increase may not exceed the amount of the Financing Cost Contingency (FCC) authorized but not reserved for the project at the time the proposal is approved. The adjustment must not exceed the amount necessary to reflect an increase in debt service (based on the difference between the projected and actual terms of the permanent financing) resulting from an increase over the projected interest rate of not more than: (1) One and one-half percent if the projected override was three-fourths of one percent or less, or (2) One percent if such projected override was more than three-fourths of one percent but not more than one percent, or (3) One-half of one percent if such projected override was more than one percent. (f) Recoupment of savings in financing costs. In the event that interim financing is continued after the first year of the term of the Contract and the debt service of the interim financing for any period of three months after such first year is less than the anticipated debt service under the permanent financing on which the Contract Rents were based, an appropriate amount reflecting the savings in financing cost will be credited by HUD to the Project Account and withheld from housing assistance payments payable to the owner. If during the course of the same year there is any period of three months in which the debt service is greater than the anticipated debt service under the projected permanent financing, an adjustment will be made so that only the net amount of savings in debt service for the year is credited by HUD to the Project Account and withheld from housing assistance payments to the owner. No increased payments will be made to the owner on account of any net excess for the year of actual interim debt service over the anticipated debt service under the permanent financing. Nothing in this paragraph will be construed as requiring a permanent reduction in the Contract Rents or precluding adjustments of Contract Rents in accordance with paragraphs (d) or (e) of this section. (g) Compliance with other regulations. The HFA must also submit a certification specifying: (1) That the terms of financing, the amount of the obligations issued with respect to the project and the use of the funds will be in compliance with any regulation governing the issuance of the obligations, e.g., Department of the Treasury regulations regarding arbitrage or HUD regulations regarding Tax Exemption of Obligations of Public Housing Agencies (24 CFR part 811), and (2) That the override, if any, on the permanent financing for the project will not be greater than the projected override nor greater than the override allowed for the borrowing as a whole under applicable regulations, e.g., the Department of Treasury regulations regarding arbitrage. The certifications required under 24 CFR 811.107(a)(2) will be sufficient to meet the certification requirements of this paragraph (g).

24 C.F.R. § 883.310 Property standards.

(a) New Construction. Projects must comply with: (1) [Reserved] (2) In the case of manufactured homes, the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, pursuant to Title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and 24 CFR part 3280; (3) In the case of congregate or single room occupant housing, the appropriate HUD guidelines and standards, (4) HUD requirements pursuant to Section 209 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 for projects for the elderly or the handicapped; (5) HUD requirements pertaining to noise abatement and control; and (6) Applicable state and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations. (b) Substantial Rehabilitation. Projects must comply with: (1) [Reserved] (2) In the case of congregate or single room occupant housing, the appropriate HUD guidelines and standards, (3) HUD requirements pursuant to Section 209 of the HCD Act for projects for the elderly or the handicapped; (4) HUD requirements pertaining to noise abatement and control; (5) The Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. 4821-4846), the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4851-4856), and implementing regulations at part 35, subparts A, B, H, and R of this title. (6) Applicable State and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations. (c) Smoke detectors—(1) Performance requirement. After October 30, 1992, each dwelling unit must include at least one battery-operated or hard-wired smoke detector, in proper working condition, on each level of the unit. If the unit is occupied by hearing-impaired persons, smoke detectors must have an alarm system, designed for hearing-impaired persons, in each bedroom occupied by a hearing-impaired person. (2) Acceptability criteria. The smoke detector must be located, to the extent practicable, in a hallway adjacent to a bedroom, unless the unit is occupied by a hearing-impaired person, in which case each bedroom occupied by a hearing-impaired person must have an alarm system connected to the smoke detector installed in the hallway.

24 C.F.R. § 883.313 Audit.

Where housing assistance under the Section 8 Program is provided for projects developed or owned by non-Federal entities (as defined in 2 CFR 200.69), the audit requirements in 2 CFR part 200, subpart F, shall apply.

24 C.F.R. § 883.314 Broadband infrastructure.

Any new construction or substantial rehabilitation, as substantial rehabilitation is defined by 24 CFR 5.100, of a building with more than 4 rental units and that is subject to a Housing Assistance Payments contract executed or renewed after January 19, 2017 must include installation of broadband infrastructure, as this term is also defined in 24 CFR 5.100, except where the owner determines and documents the determination that: (a) The location of the new construction or substantial rehabilitation makes installation of broadband infrastructure infeasible; (b) The cost of installing broadband infrastructure would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of its program or activity or in an undue financial burden; or (c) The structure of the housing to be substantially rehabilitated makes installation of broadband infrastructure infeasible.

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