U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA will host listening sessions on July 19 and July 25. USDA is seeking feedback on a proposal to make changes to programs that will help improve and maintain rural rental housing and keep tenants in their homes.

Currently, once an owner of a USDA-financed property pays off a Multifamily Housing Direct Loan or the mortgage is terminated, the property is no longer eligible to receive Multifamily Housing Rental Assistance.

The proposed changes would ensure tenants of USDA-financed properties continue to receive rental assistance after property owners pay off the loan or the loan is terminated. The changes would also encourage property owners to seek third-party financing to make property improvements.

Stakeholders are invited to provide input on how these changes may impact policies, program requirements and operations under the Multifamily Housing Direct Loans and Multifamily Housing Rental Assistance programs.

All participants must register ahead of the sessions:
• July 19 at 2 p.m. ET
o Register: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_S8IV8KZ2TjKU-v231VIXhA
• July 25 at 2 p.m. ET
o Register: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_A7a3cdjgRy6D6xWguP24Qw

Stakeholders may also submit written comments to [email protected]. Comments are due by July 31, 2023.

For more information, see pages 39219 and 39220 of the June 15 Federal Register.