USDA Rural Rental Housing Loans
The program is adaptable for participation by a wide variety of owners. Loans can be made to individuals, trusts, associations, partnerships, limited partnerships, State or local public agencies, consumer cooperatives, and profit or nonprofit corporations.
Eligibility
For-profit borrowers must agree to operate on a limited-profit basis (currently 8 percent on initial investment). Borrowers must be unable to obtain credit elsewhere that will allow them to charge rents affordable to low- and moderate-income tenants.
Tenancy
Very low-, low-, and moderate-income families; the elderly; and persons with disabilities are eligible for tenancy of Section 515-financed housing. Very low income is defined as below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI); low income is between 50 and 80 percent of AMI; moderate income is capped at $5,500 above the low-income limit. When rental assistance is used top priority is given to very low-income households.
Fund Uses
Rural Rental Housing Loans are direct, competitive mortgage loans made to provide affordable multifamily rental housing for very low-, low-, and moderate-income families; the elderly; and persons with disabilities. This is primarily a direct mortgage program, but its funds may also be used to buy and improve land and to provide necessary facilities such as water and waste disposal systems.
