Eligibility top

• Projects -- Rental assistance may be used in both existing and newly constructed RHS Rural Rental Housing (Section 515) or Farm Labor Housing (Section 514) financed projects. Projects must be established on a nonprofit or limited profit basis.
• Tenants -- Persons with very low and low incomes, the elderly, and persons with disabilities are eligible if they are unable to pay the basic monthly rent within 30 percent of adjusted monthly income. 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 established by adding $5,500 to the low-income limit.

RHS and the project owner execute a five-year contract in which RHS commits payments on behalf of tenants in a designated number or percentage of the units. Both RHS and the project owner agree to be bound by all applicable RHS regulations. The contract becomes effective on the first day of the month in which it is executed (additional units may be covered if funds are available and an additional contract is executed). The agreement may be renewed as many times as funds are made available. State Directors may transfer unused and unneeded contracts or portions of contracts to other projects.

Priority for RA in housing financed by Section 515 is given to a project either if a market study indicates the greatest percentage of prospective tenants need RA or if the area has the greatest housing need within the state and is selected for funding in accordance with the weighted criteria (set forth in FmHA Instruction 1944-E [1944.231]). Comments: The request for RA is generally initiated by the borrower (project owner). However, if the borrower does not request it, people eligible for rental assistance in a project may petition the borrower to obtain rental assistance for them. There is an RHS appeals procedure if rental assistance is denied by the owner. In existing projects, demand far exceeds supply.