1980.301—Introduction.
(a) Policy.
This subpart contains regulations for single family Rural Housing (RH) loan guarantees by the Rural Housing Service (RHS) and applies to lenders, borrowers, and other parties involved in making, guaranteeing, servicing, holding or liquidating such loans. Any processing or servicing activity conducted pursuant to this subpart involving authorized assistance to RHS employees, members of their families, known close relatives, or business or close personal associates is subject to the provisions of subpart D of part 1900. Applicants for this assistance are required to identify any known relationship or association with an RHS employee.
(b) Program objective.
The basic objective of the guaranteed RH loan program is to assist eligible households in obtaining adequate but modest, decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings and related facilities for their own use in rural areas by guaranteeing sound RH loans which otherwise would not be made without a guarantee. Guarantees issued under this subpart are limited to loans to applicants with incomes that do not exceed income limits as provided in exhibit C of FmHA Instruction 1980-D (available in any RHS office).
(d) Nondiscrimination.
Loan guarantees and services provided under this subpart are subject to various civil rights statutes. Assistance shall not be denied to any person or applicant based on race, sex, national origin, color, familial status, religion, age, or physical or mental disability (the applicant must possess the capacity to enter into a legal contract for services). The Consumer Protection Act provides that the applicant may not be denied assistance based on receipt of income from public assistance or because the applicant has, in good faith, exercised any right provided under the Act.