Rural Housing Program Restored

Last night Congress finally passed legislation to restore funding to the 502 single-family rural housing program. Senator Michael Bennet (CO) and Reps. Kanjorski (PA) and Capito (WV) championed this issue that has been working its way through Congress since March.

The legislation will increase the guarantee fee for borrowers (but still allow it to be financed), which will make the program self-sufficient. The legislation also increases the commitment authority so Rural Housing Service can formally guarantee loans (they had been providing conditional commitments). We anticipate a notice from Rural Housing shortly after the President signs the bill.