What does this program do?
Rural Housing site loans provide two types of loans to purchase and develop housing sites for low- and moderate-income families:
- Section 523 loans are used to acquire and develop sites only for housing to be constructed by the Self-Help method. Refer to RD Instruction 1944-I for more information about the Self-Help program
- Section 524 loans are made to acquire and develop sites for low- or moderate-income families, with no restriction as to the method of construction. Low-income is defined as between 50-80% of the area median income (AMI); the upper limit for moderate income is 115% of the AMI.
Who may apply for this program?
- Section 523 loans: Private or public non-profit organizations that will provide sites solely for self-help housing
- Section 524 loans: Private or public non-profit organizations. The building site may be sold to low- or moderate-income families utilizing USDA’s Single Family Housing (SFH) loan programs, or any other mortgage financing program which serves low- and moderate-income families
- Non-profits that have the legal authority to operate a revolving loan fund
- Non-profits that have the financial, technical and managerial capacity to comply with relevant federal and state laws and regulations
- Federally-recognized Tribes
What is an eligible area?
Check eligible addresses.
How may funds be used?
Site loans are made to provide financing for the purchase and development of housing sites for low- and moderate-income families.
What are the terms of the loans?
- 5-year loans
- Section 523 loans: 3% interest rate
- Section 524 loans: below-market-rate established and published monthly, fixed at closing.
How do we get started?
Applications for this program are accepted year round. Please apply through your State USDA Rural Development office..
Who can answer questions?
Contact your State USDA Rural Development office.
What governs this program?
- Standards: The site development standards and policies in RD Instructions 1924-A and 1924-C apply
- Basic Instruction: RD Instruction 444.8 (7 CFR Part 1822 Subpart G) and RD Instruction 1924-C
NOTE: Because citations and other information may be subject to change please always consult the program instructions listed in the section above titled "What Law Governs this Program?" You may also contact your local office for assistance.
NOTE: Please contact your local State Office and speak to a Housing Program Specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you valuable time in your application.
There are no other additional requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.
IDAHO—Single Family Housing Program Contacts
Field Processing Offices
Northern Idaho (Office Location: Coeur d’Alene)
[Counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, Shoshone, Clearwater, Idaho, Lewis, Latah, Nez Perce]
Area Director: Howard Lunderstadt Phone: (208) 209-4367
SFH Loan Specialist: Michelle Day Phone: (208) 209-4349
Western Idaho (Office Location: Caldwell)
[Counties: Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, Washington]
Area Director: Noe Ramirez Office: (208) 779-3440
Housing Loan Specialist: Debbie Hand (208) 779-3452
Central Idaho (Office Location: Twin Falls)
[Counties: Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Twin Falls]
SFH Specialist: Robert Fisher Phone: (208) 944-3747
SFH Specialist: Jose Sanchez Phone: (208) 944-3746
Eastern Idaho (Office Location: Blackfoot)
[Counties: Bannock, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Power, Teton, Franklin, Caribou, Bear Lake, Oneida]
Area Director: Taylor Pratt Phone: (208) 690-3535
SFH Loan Assistant: Stephanie Keller Phone: (208) 690-3536
Idaho State Office (Office Location: Boise)
Housing Programs Director: Shawn Cafferty Phone: (208) 690-3539
State Housing Specialist: Carol Malmberg-Chadwick Phone: (208) 779-3453
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