Eligibility criteria
In order to qualify for this benefit program, applicants must have very low-, low- or moderate incomes. 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 below 115 percent of AMI. Families must be without adequate housing, but able to afford the housing payments, including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI). Qualifying repayment ratios are 29 percent for PITI to 41 percent for total debt. In addition, applicants must be unable to obtain credit elsewhere, yet have an acceptable credit history. You must also be a US citizen or permanent resident.

Description
Direct and guaranteed loans may be used to buy, build, or improve the applicant's permanent residence. New manufactured homes may be financed when they are on a permanent site, purchased from an approved dealer or contractor, and meet certain other requirements. Under very limited circumstances, homes may be re-financed with direct loans. Dwellings financed must be modest, decent, safe, and sanitary. The value of a home financed with a direct loan may not exceed the area limit. The property must be located in an eligible rural area. Assistance is available in the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana's, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. Direct loans are made at the interest rate specified in RD Instruction 440.1, Exhibit B (available at http://rdinit.usda.gov/regs or in any Rural Development local office).

Guaranteed loans may be made to refinance either existing RHS Guaranteed Housing loans or RHS Section 502 Direct Housing loans. The interest rate is negotiated with the lender.

Managing organization
U.S. Department of Agriculture http://www.usda.gov/

Program contact information & web resources
For more information about the Guaranteed Loan program, visit:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/

For more information about the Direct Loan program, visit:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/

Interested applicants should contact their local USDA Rural Development field office for more information. To obtain contact information for the field office nearest you, visit:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html

All applications for loans and grants are handled at the local level. For help with an application, contact your Rural Development office at:

Phone: 202-720-4323