94-1307. Fund Availability for Section 8 Assistance Under the Loan Management Set-Aside Program DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-1307]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: January 20, 1994]
    
    
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    Part VI
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of
    
    
    
    
    
    Housing and
    
    
    
    
    
    Urban
    
    
    
    
    
    Development
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    Notice of 
    Fund Availability for Section 8 Assistance Under the Loan 
    Management Set-Aside Program
    DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
    
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing 
    Commissioner
    [Docket No. N-94-3694; FR-3599-N-01]
    
     
    Fund Availability for Section 8 Assistance Under the Loan 
    Management Set-Aside (LMSA) Program.
    
    AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing 
    Commissioner, HUD.
    
    ACTION: Notice of fund availability for Fiscal Year 1994.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This Notice of Fund Availability (NOFA) announces HUD's 
    funding for new units of section 8 Loan Management Set-Aside (LMSA) 
    assistance. In the body of this document is information concerning the 
    following:
        (a) The purpose of the NOFA and information regarding eligibility, 
    available LMSA assistance, and selection criteria;
        (b) Application processing, including how to apply and how 
    selections will be made; and
        (c) A checklist of steps and exhibits involved in the application 
    process.
    
    DATES: Applications for consideration under the General LMSA Funding 
    procedures are due on or before March 7, 1994. If submitted on the 
    application deadline date, the completed application package must be 
    received by 4:00 PM (local time) in the HUD Field Office having 
    jurisdiction over the applicant project. The above-stated application 
    deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the interest of fairness to 
    all competing applicants, the Department will treat as ineligible for 
    consideration any application that is received after the deadline, 
    except for applications made under Emergency procedures described 
    below. Applicants should recognize this practice and submit materials 
    early to avoid loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated 
    delays or other delivery-related problems. It is not sufficient for the 
    application to bear a postage date within the submission time period. 
    Applications must be submitted in an envelope, package, or binding 
    which includes all parts of the application in their entirety as they 
    are described in the Application Checklist Section of this NOFA. 
    Applications submitted by facsimile are not acceptable.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Loan Management Branch in the 
    local HUD Field Office having jurisdiction over the project(s) in 
    question for application materials and project-specific guidance. 
    Policy questions of a general nature may be referred to the Director of 
    the Office of Housing in the HUD Regional Office having jurisdiction 
    over the project in question. These are listed as follows:
    
        Region I, Boston, Ken Salk, (617) 565-5102
        Region II, New York, Edwin Sprenger, (212) 264-4771
        Region III, Philadelphia, Sidney Severe, (215) 597-2654
        Region IV, Atlanta, Kenneth Williams, (404) 331-4127
        Region V, Chicago, Michael Kulick, (312) 353-6950
        Region VI, Ft. Worth, Robert Creech, (817) 885-5531
        Region VII, Kansas City, Gerald F. Hayes, Jr. (913) 551-5504
        Region VIII, Denver, Ronald Bailey, (303) 844-4959
        Region IX, San Francisco, Keith Axtell, (415) 556-0796
        Region X, Seattle, Diana Goodwin Shavey, (206) 220-5200
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Information Collection Requirements
    
        The Office of Management and Budget has approved the Loan 
    Management Set-Aside Program under the provisions of the Paperwork 
    Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520) and has assigned it OMB 
    control number 2502-0407.
    
    I. Purpose and Substantive Description
    
    (a) Authority
    
        The Loan Management Set-Aside (``LMSA'') program provides special 
    allocations of Housing Assistance Payments (``HAP'') under Section 8 of 
    the United States Housing Act of 1937, 42 U.S.C. 1437f. Title 24 of the 
    Code of Federal Regulations, Part 886, Subpart A sets forth rules for 
    administration of the LMSA program. Matters addressed in the LMSA 
    regulation include:
        (1) Application contents (Sec. 886.105);
        (2) Requirements for HUD approval of applications (Sec. 886.107);
        (3) Owner responsibilities under the program (Sec. 886.119); and
        (4) Rules governing Federal preferences in the selection of tenants 
    (Sec. 886.132).
    
    (b) Purpose
    
        The primary purpose of the LMSA program is to reduce claims on the 
    Department's insurance fund by aiding those FHA-insured or Secretary-
    held projects with presently or potentially serious financial 
    difficulties. First priority is given to insured projects with 
    presently or potentially serious financial problems which are likely to 
    result in a claim on the insurance fund in the near future. To the 
    extent that resources remain available, assistance also may be provided 
    to HUD-Held and section 202 projects with present or potentially 
    serious financial problems which, on the basis of financial and/or 
    management analysis, appear to have a high probability of producing 
    within approximately the next five years either a claim on the 
    insurance fund or a loss of direct loan investment in the case of a 
    section 202 loan.
    
    (c) Allocation Amounts
    
        This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announces availability 
    of up to $104 million from Fiscal Year 1994 section 8 LMSA program 
    funds for purposes of avoiding claims on the Department's insurance 
    fund. HUD is distributing funds under this NOFA to its ten Regional 
    Offices on the basis of a formula allocation. The formula takes into 
    consideration recent requests for assistance, assignments, and 
    potentially eligible projects in each Region.
        LMSA funds available under this NOFA are distributed as denoted 
    below. 
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            HUD region                           Allocation 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Region I..................................................    $8,835,060
    Region II.................................................     4,507,491
    Region III................................................    21,603,346
    Region IV.................................................    21,282,394
    Region V..................................................    20,462,492
    Region VI.................................................     9,137,675
    Region VII................................................     3,522,971
    Region VIII...............................................     1,537,367
    Region IX.................................................    12,071,082
    Region X..................................................       971,126
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
        The Regional Offices will make awards under this NOFA in accordance 
    with the selection criteria and procedures described herein.
        Pursuant to this Notice, HUD is accepting applications for 
    assistance under the LMSA program from owners of FHA-insured or 
    Secretary-held multifamily projects with presently or potentially 
    serious financial difficulties. All LMSA assistance awarded from these 
    Fiscal Year 1994 program funds will have a term of five years, with no 
    contractual provision for renewal of the contract at the end of the 
    five-year term. This NOFA does not govern non-competitive assistance 
    awards under the section 8 LMSA program pursuant to specific regulatory 
    authority (e.g., LMSA assistance as a prepayment plan of action 
    incentive under Sec. 248.231(e) or such assistance under 
    Sec. 219.325(b)(4) to alleviate the effect of rent increases resulting 
    from debt service on capital improvement loans).
    
    (d) Eligibility
    
        Projects eligible for LMSA assistance include: (1) Any existing 
    subsidized or unsubsidized multifamily residential project subject to a 
    mortgage insured under any section of the National Housing Act; (2) any 
    such project subject to a mortgage that has been assigned to the 
    Secretary; (3) any such mortgage acquired by the Secretary and 
    thereafter sold under a Secretary-held purchase money mortgage; and (4) 
    a project for the elderly financed under section 202 of the Housing Act 
    of 1959 (except projects receiving assistance under 24 CFR part 885 or 
    part 889). References to HUD-Held or Secretary-Held projects throughout 
    this Notice include any project which meets one of the descriptions in 
    (2)-(4) above.
        Owners meeting these criteria who applied for assistance in a prior 
    year but did not receive the desired number of units are eligible to 
    reapply under this NOFA. The FY 1994 application must contain current 
    information and conform to all requirements outlined in this notice.
    
    (e) Selection Criteria/Ranking Factors
    
        (1) Application Review: Each application for assistance under the 
    LMSA program will be reviewed by the HUD Field Office having 
    jurisdiction over the project in question. Within 10 days of receipt of 
    each application involving more than 12 units, the HUD Field Office 
    will notify the chief executive of the unit of general local government 
    in which the project is located and provide the opportunity for non-
    binding comments on the application (see 24 CFR 886.106 and 24 CFR part 
    791). These comments will be considered by the Field Office in 
    determining whether the application meets regulatory approval 
    requirements in section 886.107 and described in detail in HUD Handbook 
    4350.2 REV-1. The Field Office's review of the application will be 
    based on the following determinations:
        (i) HUD's Fair Housing requirements (24 CFR 886.107(a) and 886.114) 
    are met;
        (ii) The HUD-approved unit rents are approvable within the 
    limitations described in Sec. 886.110, which are based on HUD's Fair 
    Market Rents;
        (iii) The residential units meet the housing quality standards set 
    forth in Sec. 886.113, except for such variations as HUD may approve;
        (iv) A significant number of residents, or potential residents in 
    the case of projects having a vacancy rate over 10 percent, are 
    eligible for and in need of section 8 assistance;
        (v) The proposed section 8 assistance would not affect other HUD-
    related multifamily housing within the same neighborhood in a 
    substantially adverse manner. Examples of such adverse effects are 
    substantial move-outs from nearby HUD-related multifamily housing, or 
    substantial diversion of prospective applicants from such projects to 
    the subject project;
        (vi) The project has serious current financial problems, which are 
    likely to result in a claim on the insurance fund in the near future, 
    or the project has potentially serious financial problems which, on the 
    basis of financial and/or management analysis, appear to have a high 
    probability of producing a claim on the insurance fund within 
    approximately the next five years. Current audited financial statements 
    will be utilized in the determination of project financial position. 
    Project owners who have not submitted audited annual financial 
    statements within 60 days of the end of the project fiscal year or by 
    the deadline of the extension (if one has been granted) are not in 
    compliance with the Regulatory Agreement. Since the assignment to a 
    priority category, as well as scoring and ranking (if required within 
    priority category), cannot be properly performed without current 
    financial data, a project will be rejected on this basis. The only 
    exception to this procedure is one in which the Field Office has 
    granted an indefinite extension due to the inability of the project to 
    cover the expense of the preparation of the audited statements. 
    Required data must be available from Field Office sources prior to 
    scoring and ranking.
        (vii) The proposed section 8 assistance for the project would solve 
    an identifiable problem and provide a reasonable assurance of long-term 
    project viability. A determination of long-term viability must be based 
    on the following findings:
        (A) The project is not subject to any serious problems that are 
    non-economic in nature. Examples of such problems are poor location, 
    structural deficiencies or disinterested ownership;
        (B) The owner is in substantial compliance with the Regulatory 
    Agreement. Owners have not or are not diverting project funds for 
    personal use. No dividends have been paid during any period of 
    financial difficulty;
        (C) The current management agent has been approved by HUD and is in 
    substantial compliance with the management agreement. Financial records 
    are adequately kept. Occupancy requirements are being met. Marketing 
    and maintenance programs are being carried out in an adequate manner, 
    based upon available financial resources;
        (D) The project's problems are primarily the result of factors 
    beyond the control of the present ownership and management;
        (E) The major problems are traceable to an inadequate cash flow;
        (F) The proposed Section 8 assistance would solve the cash flow 
    problem by:
        (1) Making it possible to grant needed rent increases; and
        (2) Reducing turnover, vacancies and collection losses;
        (G) The owner's plan for remedying any deferred maintenance, 
    financial problems, or other problems is realistic and achievable; 
    there is positive evidence that the owner will carry out the plan. 
    Examples of such evidence are the owner's past performance in 
    correcting problems and, in the case of profit-motivated owners, any 
    cash contributions made to correct project problems.
        (viii) For projects with a history of financial default, financial 
    difficulties or deferred maintenance, any plan for remedying defaulted 
    or deferred obligations submitted pursuant to Sec. 886.105(d) must be 
    adequate in HUD's determination.
        In its review of an application, the HUD Field Office will consider 
    recent physical inspections, management reviews, and tenant complaints 
    and comments. If there is no report of a detailed HUD physical 
    inspection conducted by either the mortgagee, HUD, or a third-party 
    contractor of HUD dated within one year of the date an application for 
    LMSA assistance is received in the reviewing office and containing a 
    description and estimated cost of required repairs, the HUD Field 
    Office will schedule a physical inspection and Housing Quality 
    Standards (HQS) inspection in conjunction with its review and approval 
    of the application for LMSA assistance. Execution of a subsidy contract 
    in such case will be contingent upon satisfactory modification of the 
    owner's plan to include solutions for all additional problems 
    discovered in the scheduled review(s).
        After HUD Field Offices have determined which applications meet 
    LMSA program requirements, the projects which are both eligible for, 
    and in need of, new or additional LMSA assistance shall be reported to 
    the appropriate Regional Office for further consideration under the 
    competitive selection procedures outlined in this Notice. Projects 
    awarded subsidy from Fiscal Year 1994 LMSA program funds shall be 
    selected in accordance with ``general'' or ``emergency'' procedures as 
    described below. If an application can be approved only on certain 
    conditions, the HUD Field Office will notify the owner of the 
    conditions and specify a time limit by which those conditions must be 
    met. A project recommended for a conditional approval may be reported 
    to the Regional Office by the HUD Field Office for further processing 
    under procedures set forth below; however, execution of an LMSA 
    contract for any units which may be allocated to the project in the 
    Regional process, will be contingent upon the owner's compliance with 
    the approval conditions. If the HUD Field Office concludes that an 
    application will not meet LMSA program requirements, processing of the 
    application is discontinued, and the applicant will be notified by the 
    Field Office as soon as possible of the reasons for disapproval.
        (2) General LMSA Funding Round:
        (i) Annual needs survey:
        Fiscal Year 1994 general funding awards will be made from projects 
    recommended by HUD Field Offices to their Regional Offices in response 
    to the Fiscal Year 1994 Annual Needs Survey. The Field Offices' needs 
    survey responses will be forwarded to Regional Offices after the due 
    date announced in this Notice for program applications. HUD Field 
    Office staff shall determine and report the minimum number of LMSA 
    units needed to cure each project's vacancy and cash flow problems, 
    subject to limitations as described below.
        (ii) Limitations on Units:
        (A) An allocation may not exceed the difference between total units 
    in the project and the number of units already assisted under project-
    based tenant subsidy contracts (project-based section 8 subprograms, 
    Rent Supplement and Rental Assistance Payments).
        (B) Total project-based section 8 assistance for projects with 
    unsubsidized mortgages is limited to 40 percent of total units in the 
    project. If the respective HUD Field Office determines that a project 
    with an unsubsidized mortgage needs section 8 assistance above the 40 
    percent level, or if the project was developed as a retirement service 
    center, a recommendation by the Field Office will be subject to further 
    review by the Regional Office in a process similar to the review of 
    applications submitted under the emergency procedures described in 
    paragraph (3) below. In all such cases, the Field Office's 
    justification for LMSA units must document that project management has 
    an aggressive and workable plan in place for leasing the market rate 
    units in the project. A project is considered unsubsidized for the 
    purpose of LMSA funding selections if the HUD mortgage is unsubsidized. 
    The definition of subsidized project for purposes of section 203 of the 
    Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978, which includes 
    projects with over 50 percent of total units assisted under certain 
    section 8 subprograms, pertains to management and disposition of 
    projects which have been acquired by HUD and is not applicable to 
    projects eligible for LMSA assistance.
        (iii) Determination of Priority Category:
        HUD Field Offices will include in their needs survey reports, data 
    needed by the Regional Offices to classify approved projects into six 
    priority categories and to establish a funding score for each project.
        Fiscal Year 1994 LMSA funds will be allocated in the following 
    order of priority:
        (A) Insured projects with presently serious financial problems 
    likely to result in a mortgage insurance claim in the near future;
        (B) Insured projects with potentially serious financial problems 
    which appear to have a high probability of producing a mortgage 
    insurance claim within approximately the next five years;
        (C) HUD-held and section 202 projects with presently serious 
    financial problems likely to result in a loss of loan investment within 
    the near future; and
        (D) HUD-held and section 202 projects with potentially serious 
    financial problems which appear to have a high probability of producing 
    a loss of loan investment within approximately the next five years.
        The Department of Housing and Urban Development never intended to 
    provide relief in the form of Loan Management Set Aside assistance for 
    Retirement Service Centers (RESC) or formerly coinsured projects. 
    However, it is recognized that if LMSA assistance could be made 
    available for those types of projects some additional claims on the FHA 
    Fund might be avoided. Accordingly, the following priority categories 
    of eligible projects are included, once again, in FY 1994:
        (E) Insured Retirement Service Centers and insured formerly 
    coinsured projects (i.e., projects whose mortgages have been converted 
    from coinsurance to full insurance), with presently serious financial 
    problems likely to result in a mortgage insurance claim in the near 
    future.
        (F) HUD-held Retirement Service Centers and HUD-held formerly 
    coinsured projects with presently serious financial problems.
        (iv) Determining the ``presently serious'' classification:
        For purposes of determining classification, HUD will consider a 
    project to have ``presently serious financial problems'' if both of the 
    following two financial ratios are less than zero:
        Income/Expense Ratio, defined as follows:
        (Net Income or Loss Before Depreciation LESS Annual Debt Service 
    and Reserve Payments) Times 100 Divided by: Total Annual Cost of 
    Operating the Project
    
    and,
    
        Ratio of Surplus Cash (or Deficiency) to Monthly Mortgage Payment, 
    defined as follows:
        Total Cash LESS Total Current Obligations Divided by: Total Monthly 
    Mortgage Payment
        A negative income/expense ratio occurs when there was a net loss 
    during the period or when net income before depreciation was less than 
    annual debt service plus reserve payments. The project did not generate 
    sufficient cash flow from operations in the previous year to cover its 
    cash requirements, suggesting cash flow difficulties which were 
    possibly severe and, if left unresolved, are likely to result in 
    financial problems in the current year. Comparison to the total cost of 
    operating the project provides an indication of the seriousness of any 
    negative cash flow, since the size of the problem generally varies 
    directly with the absolute value of the ratio.
        The second ratio approximates the project's Mortgage Payment 
    Coverage Ratio and is negative when there is a cash deficiency, i.e., 
    the surplus cash calculation is less than zero. A cash deficiency means 
    that cash available to the project at the end of the period, including 
    any subsidy vouchers due for the period, is less than the amount needed 
    to cover current obligations. A cash deficiency points to a severe 
    liquidity problem since the project cannot even meet its past 
    obligations without some form of relief. Calculation of the ratio of 
    surplus cash (deficiency) to the total mortgage payment provides an 
    indication of the project's ability to make the next mortgage payment 
    after past obligations are met, without depending upon the next month's 
    rent collections.
        The two ratios defined above will be calculated using financial 
    data contained in the project's most recent annual audited financial 
    statement submitted to the Field Office in accordance with the 
    Regulatory Agreement (see par. (e)(1)(vi.), in conjunction with monthly 
    accounting reports. A result of zero or less on the two ratios suggests 
    that the project has a current financial problem. These ratios were 
    selected because they provide a straightforward means of identifying 
    projects with cash flow difficulties. Projects with either ratio in the 
    positive range may be added to Category A for insured projects or 
    Category C for HUD-held projects based on written justifications by HUD 
    Field Offices documenting appropriate circumstances. For example, a 
    substantial increase in vacancies in recent months may warrant 
    elevating the project's priority category. The justifications will be 
    reviewed by the Regional Housing Director, who will resolve any issues 
    with the respective Field Offices and approve, or disapprove, the 
    change in priority.
    
    (v) Determination of Ranking Within Priority Category
    
        The number of projects which can be funded from Fiscal Year 1994 
    resources will depend upon the units and budget authority designated in 
    Field Office recommendations. If LMSA program funds are available to 
    fund some, but not all of the projects in a given priority category 
    (after funding all projects in higher priority categories), any project 
    selections from the given category will follow from a ranking of 
    projects within that category using a funding score. A maximum score of 
    115 points (110 points for HUD-held projects) may be accumulated on the 
    basis of the following project characteristics and maximum point 
    potentials:
        (A) Occupancy--25 points.
        Calculation: No. of occupied units Divided by Total units in the 
    project. Lower values yield higher points.
        (B) Owner advances or contributions since October 1, 1990-- 25 
    points.
        Calculation: Total of owner advances or contributions during the 
    period Divided by Total Units in the project. Larger values yield 
    higher points.
        (C) Tenants paying in excess of 40 percent of their income for 
    rent--15 points.
        Calculation: No. of units occupied by tenants paying over 40 
    percent of their income for rent Divided by Total units in the project. 
    Larger values yield higher points.
        (D) Income/Expense Ratio--15 points.
        Calculation: As defined above. Smaller values yield higher points.
        (E) Ratio of Surplus Cash (Deficiency) to Total Monthly Mortgage 
    Payment--15 points.
        Calculation: As defined above. Smaller values yield higher points.
        (F) For HUD-insured projects only, Mortgage balance per dollar of 
    additional subsidy--5 points.
        Calculation: Mortgage principal balance Divided By Proposed LMSA 
    annual contract authority. Larger values yield higher points.
        (G) Resident Initiatives--15 points.
        Evidence in the form of a contract, or other written commitment, to 
    transfer title to the property to a resident organization, cooperative 
    association, non-profit entity, public body including an 
    instrumentality thereof, public housing agency or Indian Housing 
    Authority, for the purpose of resident ownership or management of the 
    project.
    
    (vi) LMSA/Flexible Subsidy Program Coordination
    
        Pursuant to section 405(f) of the Housing and Community Development 
    Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-550), assistance under this NOFA will be 
    coordinated with assistance made available under the NOFA for the 
    Flexible Subsidy Program. Projects seeking assistance under both 
    programs will be reviewed to evaluate the effect on cash flow and 
    ability to fund repair items from the increased operating income. By 
    taking into account all funding sources, HUD can determine whether the 
    infusion of Flexible Subsidy assistance together with the LMSA 
    represents the appropriate solution for project stabilization.
    
    (vii) Funding for Selected Projects
    
        If the Regional Office confirms that all program requirements have 
    been met and selects the project for funding, notification of a general 
    funding award will be made through the HUD Field Office. If an 
    application can be approved only on certain conditions, HUD will notify 
    the owner of the conditions and specify a time limit by which those 
    conditions must be met. Disapproved applicants will also be notified 
    with a statement of the grounds for disapproval.
    
    (3) Emergency LMSA Funding
    
        Up to five percent of the LMSA funds announced in this Notice may 
    be made available to fund projects recommended by the respective HUD 
    Field Office subsequent to the Annual Needs Survey reporting deadline 
    for the general funding round. After this deadline, only emergency 
    requests will be accepted. In all cases governed by these emergency 
    procedures, consideration will be given to the extent that sufficient 
    resources are available.
        To qualify for emergency LMSA assistance, the project must be 
    Insured with presently serious financial problems (as described in 
    paragraph (2)(iii) above), and must meet one of the conditions listed 
    below:
        (i) The applications (or corrections to the applications) were 
    received too late by the Field Office to be included in the Annual 
    Needs Survey.
        (ii) Projects were recommended by the Field Office during this 
    general funding round, but were not approved by the Regional Office or 
    did not score a sufficient number of points in the ranking process.
        All application and Field Office review procedures pertaining to 
    the LMSA program will be followed for emergency recommendations. In 
    addition, an emergency recommendation must have a full written 
    justification signed by the Field Office Manager. HUD Field Offices are 
    required to demonstrate that provision of the proposed LMSA units is 
    likely to avert a mortgage default or assignment in the near future, 
    and the request to the Regional Office will explain why funds are 
    needed on an emergency basis. The Region will not consider any 
    emergency funding request which does not have written justification 
    signed by the Manager.
        The Region will review Field Office justifications and will 
    determine whether provision of LMSA units is an appropriate response to 
    the circumstances documented by HUD Field staff. If an emergency 
    request is approved, notification of the subsidy award will be made 
    through the HUD Field Office.
    
    II. Application Process
    
        (a) Completed applications must be submitted to the HUD Field 
    Office having jurisdiction over the multifamily property for which 
    assistance is requested. Application kits containing copies of required 
    HUD forms and Notices are available from HUD Field Offices.
        (b) For consideration under the General LMSA Funding procedures set 
    forth previously in this Notice, a completed LMSA application must be 
    received in the Field Office on or before 4 p.m. March 7, 1994. 
    Applications received after this deadline will be considered for LMSA 
    assistance only if the Secretary determines that such assistance is 
    needed immediately in response to emergency circumstances and only to 
    the extent that sufficient Fiscal Year 1994 LMSA budget authority 
    remains to satisfy the subsidy requirement.
    
    III. Checklist of Application Submission Requirements
    
        (a) LMSA applications must meet the requirements set forth in 
    section 886.105 of the LMSA regulations and HUD Handbook 4350.2 REV-1 
    (6/92). All requirements have been incorporated into form HUD-52530, 
    Application for Loan Management Set-Aside, Section 8 Program, and the 
    ancillary forms cited therein. The application form can be reproduced 
    from appendix 1 of Handbook 4350.2. Regulatory requirements are cited 
    below.
        (1) Information on gross income, family size and amount of rent 
    paid to the project by families currently in residence;
        (2) Information on vacancies and turnover;
        (3) Total number of units by unit size (by bedroom count) for which 
    section 8 assistance is requested;
        (4) Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan on Form HUD-935.2.
        (5) Estimate of effect of the availability of the requested section 
    8 LMSA assistance on marketability of units in the project;
        (6) For projects having a history of financial default, financial 
    difficulties or deferred maintenance, a plan and a schedule for 
    remedying such defaulted or deferred obligations. To be credible, the 
    owner must clearly state each problem being addressed and enumerate 
    proposed actions for curing each problem. Proposed actions must be 
    presented in trackable form, with the specific dates that each action 
    would begin and end if the requested LMSA subsidy were awarded.
        (7) A Statement of the Sources and Uses of all financial resources 
    needed to complete the plan, including any cash contributions from the 
    owner. Please note: If Low Income Housing Tax Credits have been or are 
    planned for this project, a special Sources and Uses format is 
    required. See Item 11 below.
        (8) Since HUD's approval must be based in part on evidence that the 
    plan will be carried out, certification by the owner that the plan will 
    be executed as presented and that sources of funds identified in the 
    plan, other than the LMSA assistance applied for, will be available by 
    the scheduled dates (any conditions must be stated, e.g. ``subject to 
    HUD approval of Flexible Subsidy'').
        (9) Certification by the owner that every effort has been made to 
    secure funding from all possible funding sources; supporting 
    documentation of those efforts must be attached.
        (10) Certification by the owner that he/she agrees to modify the 
    plan, prior to execution of an LMSA contract, for the purpose of 
    including any changes which the HUD Field Office determines are 
    necessary to address problems not identified or inadequately addressed 
    in the plan, as indicated by recent HUD physical inspections, 
    management reviews or records of tenant complaints and comments, or by 
    HUD physical inspections and/or management reviews which may be 
    scheduled in conjunction with review of the LMSA application. Changes 
    required by HUD may also include requirements for carrying out Resident 
    Initiatives activities where it is determined that it could be 
    beneficial to the management of the project.
        (11) All documentation needed to conduct a subsidy layering review 
    as required by HUD Notice 90-17, ``Combining Low-Income Housing Tax 
    Credits (LIHTC) with HUD Programs'', and by the Notice of 
    administrative guidelines to be applied to assistance programs of the 
    Office of Housing published on April 9, 1991 (56 FR 14436). The 
    Department is obligated by law to reduce the amount of assistance it 
    will provide if the review discloses a certain level of excess. These 
    may include the Sources and Uses Statement which can be reproduced from 
    appendix F of HUD Handbook 4350.1, REV-1, Insured Project Servicing; 
    evidence of issuance of tax credits from the State Housing Finance 
    Agency; the terms and conditions for all mortgages (interest rates, 
    etc.), and Income and Expense Statement (Statement of Profit/Loss Form 
    HUD-92410).
        (12) Form HUD-2880, Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report, 
    as required under subpart C of 24 CFR part 12, Accountability in the 
    Provision of HUD Assistance.
        (13) Disclosures and verification requirements for Social Security 
    and Employer Identification Numbers, as required by 24 CFR part 750.
        (14) Certification and disclosure according to HUD Notice H-90-27 
    entitled ``OMB's Guidance on New Government-wide Restrictions on 
    Lobbying'' issued April 13, 1990.
        (15) Form HUD-2530, Previous Participation Certificate(s) for all 
    principals (including management agents) requiring clearance under 
    those procedures.
        (16) A certification stating that the owner will comply with the 
    provisions of the Fair Housing Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 
    1964, Executive Orders 11063 and 11246, section 504 of the 
    Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, section 
    3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, as well as with all 
    regulations issued pursuant to these authorities.
        (17) Certification that the applicant will comply with the Uniform 
    Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 
    1970, as amended, (URA), implementing regulations at 49 CFR part 24, 
    and HUD Handbook 1378, Tenant Assistance, Relocation and Real Property 
    Acquisition.
        (18) Anti-lobbying Certification for contracts, grants, loans and 
    cooperative agreements for grants exceeding $100,000; and Disclosure of 
    Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL), if applicable. Standard Form-LLL is 
    required if funds other than federally appropriated funds will be or 
    have been used to lobby the Executive or Legislative branches of the 
    Federal government regarding specific contracts, grants, loans or 
    cooperative agreements.
    
    IV. Corrections to Deficient Applications
    
        (a) After the submission date for applications, no owner-initiated 
    changes to application documents will be accepted, except for 
    correction of curable technical deficiencies which do not alter the 
    substance of the application materials. Curable technical deficiencies 
    are items that are not necessary for HUD review under the selection 
    criteria (e.g., failure to submit a required certification). Applicants 
    may not submit items that would improve the substantive quality of the 
    application after the application deadline.
        (b) HUD will notify an applicant in writing, shortly after the 
    application response deadline, of any curable technical deficiencies in 
    the application. The applicant must submit corrections to the Field 
    Office within 14 calendar days from the date of HUD's letter notifying 
    the applicant of any such deficiency. The applicant must submit the 
    corrected document(s) with a separate written summary of all changes 
    from the original submission.
    
    V. Other Matters
    
        (a) HUD regulations in 24 CFR part 50, implementing section 
    102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, contain 
    categorical exclusions from their requirements for the actions, 
    activities, and programs specified in Sec. 50.20. Since the activities 
    set forth in this Notice are within the exclusion set forth in 
    Sec. 50.20(d), no environmental assessment is required, and no 
    environmental finding has been prepared.
        (b) Executive Order 12612, Federalism. The General Counsel, as the 
    Designated Official under section 6(a) of Executive Order 12612, 
    Federalism, has determined that this NOFA does not have ``federalism 
    implications'' because it does not have substantial direct effects on 
    the States (including their political subdivisions), or on the 
    distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
    government.
        (c) Executive Order 12606, the Family. The General Counsel, as the 
    Designated Official under Executive Order 12606, the Family, has 
    determined that this NOFA does not have potential significant impact on 
    family formation, maintenance, and general well-being.
        (d) Section 13 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
    Act contains two provisions dealing with efforts to influence HUD's 
    decisions with respect to financial assistance. The first imposes 
    disclosure requirements on those who are typically involved in these 
    efforts--those who pay others to influence the award of assistance or 
    the taking of a management action by the Department and those who are 
    paid to provide the influence. The second restricts the payment of fees 
    to those who are paid to influence the award of HUD assistance, if the 
    fees are tied to the number of housing units received or are based on 
    the amount of assistance received, or if they are contingent upon the 
    receipt of assistance.
        Section 13 was implemented by final rule published in the Federal 
    Register on May 17, 1991 (56 FR 22912). If readers are involved in any 
    efforts to influence the Department in these ways, they are urged to 
    read the final rule at 24 CFR part 86, particularly the examples 
    contained in appendix A of the rule.
        Any questions regarding the rule should be directed to the Office 
    of Ethics, room 2158, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 
    Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410. Telephone: (202) 708-3815; 
    TDD: (202) 708-1112. (These are not toll-free numbers.) Forms necessary 
    for compliance with the rule may be obtained from the local HUD office.
        (e) Section 103 of the HUD Reform Act. HUD's regulation 
    implementing Section 103 of the Department of Housing and Urban 
    Development Reform Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 3537a) was published May 13, 
    1991 (56 FR 22088) and became effective on June 12, 1991. That 
    regulation, codified as 24 CFR part 4, applies to the funding 
    competition announced today. The requirements of the rule continue to 
    apply until the announcement of the selection of successful applicants.
        HUD employees involved in the review of applications and in the 
    making of funding decisions are restrained by part 4 from providing 
    advance information to any person (other than an authorized employee of 
    HUD) concerning funding decisions, or from otherwise giving any 
    applicant an unfair competitive advantage. Persons who apply for 
    assistance in this competition should confine their inquiries to the 
    subject areas permitted under 24 CFR part 4.
        Applicants who have questions should contact the HUD Office of 
    Ethics (202) 708-3815. (This is not a toll-free number.) The Office of 
    Ethics can provide information of a general nature to HUD employees, as 
    well. However, a HUD employee who has specific program questions, such 
    as whether particular subject matter can be discussed with persons 
    outside the Department, should contact his or her Regional or Field 
    Office Counsel, or Headquarters counsel for the program to which the 
    question pertains.
        (f) Accountability in the Provision of HUD Assistance--Section 102 
    of the HUD Reform Act. HUD has promulgated a final rule to implement 
    section 102 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform 
    Act of 1989 (HUD Reform Act) The final rule is codified at 24 CFR part 
    12. Section 102 contains a number of provisions that are designed to 
    ensure greater accountability and integrity in the provision of certain 
    types of assistance administered by HUD. On January 14, HUD published 
    at 57 FR 1942, additional information that gave the public including 
    applicants for, and recipients of, HUD assistance) further information 
    on the implementation, public access, and disclosure requirements of 
    section 102. The documentation, public access, and disclosure 
    requirements of section 102 are applicable to assistance awarded under 
    this NOFA as follows:
        (1) Documentation and public access. HUD will ensure that 
    documentation and other information regarding each application 
    submitted pursuant to this NOFA are sufficient to indicate the basis 
    upon which assistance was provided or denied. This material, including 
    any letters of support, will be made available for public inspection 
    for a five-year period beginning not less than 30 days after the award 
    of the assistance. Material will be made available in accordance with 
    the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and HUD's implementing 
    regulations at 24 CFR part 15. In addition, HUD will include the 
    recipients of assistance pursuant to this NOFA in its quarterly Federal 
    Register notice of all recipients of HUD assistance awarded on a 
    competitive basis. (See 24 CFR 12.14(a) and 12.16(b), and the notice 
    published in the Federal Register on January 16, 1992 (57 FR 1942), for 
    further information on these requirements.)
        (2) Disclosures. HUD will make available to the public for five 
    years all applicant disclosure reports (HUD Form 2880) submitted in 
    connection with this NOFA. Update reports (also Form 2880) will be made 
    available along with the applicant disclosure reports, but in no case 
    for a period less than three years. All reports--both applicant 
    disclosures and updates--will be made available in accordance with the 
    Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and HUD's implementing 
    regulations at 24 CFR part 15. (See 24 CFR subpart C, and the notice 
    published in the Federal Register on January 16, 1992 (57 FR 1942), for 
    further information on these disclosure requirements.)
        (3) Subsidy-layering determinations. 24 CFR 12.52 requires HUD to 
    certify that the amount of HUD assistance is not more than is necessary 
    to make the assisted activity feasible after taking account of other 
    government assistance. HUD will make the decision with respect to each 
    certification available to the public free of charge, for a three-year 
    period. (See the notice published in the Federal Register on January 
    16, 1992 (57 FR 1942) for further information on requesting these 
    decisions.) Additional information about applications, HUD 
    certifications, and assistance adjustments, both before assistance is 
    provided or subsequently, are to be made under the Freedom of 
    Information Act (24 CFR part 15).
        (g) The Byrd Amendment. Prohibition Against Lobbying Activities. 
    The use of funds awarded under this NOFA is subject to the disclosure 
    requirements and prohibitions of Section 319 of the Department of 
    Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1990 
    (31 U.S.C. 1352) (the ``Byrd Amendment'') and the implementing 
    regulations at 24 CFR part 87. These authorities prohibit recipients of 
    Federal contracts, grants, or loans from using appropriated funds for 
    lobbying the Executive or Legislative branches of the Federal 
    government in connection with a specific contract, grant, or loan. The 
    prohibition also covers the awarding of contracts, grants, cooperative 
    agreements, or loans unless the recipient has made an acceptable 
    certification regarding lobbying. Under 24 CFR part 87, applicants, 
    recipients, and subrecipients of assistance exceeding $100,000 must 
    certify that no Federal funds have been or will be spent on lobbying 
    activities in connection with the assistance.
    
    Required Reporting
    
        A certification is required at the time application for funds is 
    made that Federally appropriated funds are not being or have not been 
    used in violation of section 319 and that disclosure will be made of 
    payments for lobbying with other than Federally appropriated funds. 
    Also there is a standard disclosure form, SF-LLL, ``Disclosure Form to 
    Report Lobbying'', which must be used to disclose lobbying with other 
    than Federally appropriated funds.
    
        Authority: Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, 
    42 U.S.C. 1437f.
    
        Dated: January 10, 1994.
    Nicolas P. Retsinas,
    Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner.
    [FR Doc. 94-1307 Filed 1-19-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4210-27-P