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Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Chapter 130 — National Affordable Housing

§ 12852. Assistance for first-time homebuyers

Statutory text

(a)

In general

The Trust shall provide assistance payments for first-time homebuyers (including homebuyers buying shares in limited equity cooperatives) in the following manners:

(1)

Interest rate buydowns

Assistance payments so that the rate of interest payable on the mortgages by the homebuyers does not exceed 6 percent.

(2)

Downpayment assistance

Assistance payments to provide amounts for downpayments (including closing costs and other costs payable at the time of closing) on mortgages for such homebuyers.

(3)

Assistance in connection with mortgage revenue bonds financing

Interest rate buydowns and downpayment assistance in the manner provided in subsection (e).

(4)

Second mortgage assistance

Assistance payments to provide loans (secured by second mortgages) with deferred payment of interest and principal; and 1

(5)

Capitalization of revolving loan funds

Grants to public organizations or agencies to establish revolving loan funds to provide homeownership assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers consistent with the requirements of this subchapter. Such grants shall be matched by an equal amount of local investment in such revolving loan funds. Any proceeds or repayments from loans made under this paragraph shall be returned to the revolving loan fund established under this paragraph to be used for purposes related to this section.

(b)

Eligibility requirements

Assistance payments under this subchapter may be made only to homebuyers and for mortgages meeting the following requirements:

(1)

First-time homebuyer

The homebuyer is an individual who—

(A)

(and whose spouse) has had no ownership in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of purchase of the property with respect to which assistance payments are made under this subchapter;

(B)

is a displaced homemaker who, except for owning a home with his or her spouse or residing in a home owned by the spouse, meets the requirements of subparagraph (A);

(C)

is a single parent who, except for owning a home with his or her spouse or residing in a home owned by the spouse while married, meets the requirements of subparagraph (A); or

(D)

meets the requirements of subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), except for owning, as a principal residence, a dwelling unit whose structure is—

(i)

not permanently affixed to a permanent foundation in accordance with local or other applicable regulations; or

(ii)

not in compliance with State, local, or model building codes, or other applicable codes, and cannot be brought into compliance with such codes for less than the cost of constructing a permanent structure.

(2)

Maximum income of homebuyer

The aggregate annual income of the homebuyer and the members of the family of the homebuyer residing with the homebuyer, for the 12-month period preceding the date of the application of the homebuyer for assistance under this subchapter, does not exceed—

(A)

95 percent of the median income for a family of 4 persons (adjusted by family size) in the applicable metropolitan statistical area (or such other area that the Board of Directors determines for areas outside of metropolitan statistical areas); or

(B)

115 percent of such median income (adjusted by family size) in the case of an area that is subject to a high cost area mortgage limit under title II of the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.].

The Board of Directors shall provide for certification of such income for purposes of initial eligibility for assistance payments under this subchapter and shall provide for recertification of homebuyers (and families of homebuyers) so assisted not less than every 2 years thereafter.

(3)

Certification

The homebuyer (and spouse, where applicable) shall certify that the homebuyer has made a good faith effort to obtain a market rate mortgage and has been denied because the annual income of the homebuyer and the members of the family of the homebuyer residing with the homebuyer is insufficient.

(4)

Principal residence

The property securing the mortgage is a single-family residence or unit in a cooperative and is the principal residence of the homebuyer.

(5)

Maximum mortgage amount

The principal obligation of the mortgage does not exceed the principal amount that could be insured with respect to the property under the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.].

(6)

Maximum interest rate

The interest payable on the mortgage is established at a fixed rate that does not exceed a maximum rate of interest established by the Trust taking into consideration prevailing interest rates on similar mortgages.

(7)

Responsible mortgagee

The mortgage has been made to, and is held by, a mortgagee that is federally insured or that is otherwise approved by the Trust as responsible and able to service the mortgage properly.

(8)

Minimum downpayment

For a first-time homebuyer to receive downpayment assistance under subsection (a)(2), the homebuyer shall have paid not less than 1 percent of the cost of acquisition of the property (excluding any mortgage insurance premium paid at the time the mortgage is insured), as such cost is estimated by the Board of Directors.

(c)

Terms of assistance

(1)

Security

Assistance payments under this subchapter shall be secured by a lien on the property involved. The lien shall be subordinate to all mortgages existing on the property on the date on which the first assistance payment is made.

(2)

Repayment upon sale

Assistance payments under this subchapter shall be repayable from the net proceeds of the sale, without interest, upon the sale of the property for which the assistance payments are made. If the sale results in no net proceeds or the net proceeds are insufficient to repay the amount of the assistance payments in full, the Board of Directors shall release the lien to the extent that the debt secured by the lien remains unpaid.

(3)

Repayment upon increased income

If the aggregate annual income of the homebuyer (and family of the homebuyer) assisted under this subchapter exceeds the applicable maximum income allowable under subsection (b)(2) for any 2-year period after such assistance is provided, the Board of Directors may provide for the repayment, on a monthly basis, of all or a portion of such assistance payments, based on the amount of assistance provided and the income of the homebuyer (and family of the homebuyer).

(4)

Repayment if property ceases to be principal residence

If the property for which assistance payments are made ceases to be the principal residence of the first-time homebuyer (or the family of the homebuyer), the Board of Directors may provide for the repayment of all or a portion of the assistance payments.

(5)

Available assistance

The Trust may make assistance payments under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) with respect to a single mortgage of an eligible homebuyer.

(d)

Allocation formula

Amounts available in any fiscal year for assistance under this subchapter shall be allocated for homebuyers in each State on the basis of the need of eligible first-time homebuyers in each State for such assistance in comparison with the need of eligible first-time homebuyers for such assistance among all States.

(e)

Assistance in connection with housing financed with mortgage revenue bonds

(1)

Authority

The Trust shall provide assistance for first-time homebuyers in the form of interest rate buydowns and downpayment assistance under this subsection. Such assistance shall be available only with respect to mortgages for the purchase of residences (A) financed with the proceeds of a qualified mortgage bond (as such term is defined in section 143 of title 26), or (B) for which a credit is allowable under section 25 of title 26.

(2)

Eligibility

To be eligible for assistance under this subsection, homebuyers and mortgages shall also meet the requirements under subsection (b) of this section, except that—

(A)

the certification under subsection (b)(3) shall not be required for assistance under this subsection;

(B)

the provisions of subsection (b)(2) shall not apply to assistance under this section; and

(C)

the aggregate income of the homebuyer and the members of the family of the homebuyer residing with the homebuyer, for the 12-month period preceding the date of the application of the homebuyer for assistance under this subsection, shall not exceed 80 percent of the median income for a family of 4 persons (as adjusted for family size) in the applicable metropolitan statistical area.

(3)

Limitation of assistance

Notwithstanding subsection (a), assistance payments for first-time homebuyers under this subsection shall be provided in the following manners:

(A)

Interest rate buydowns

Assistance payments to decrease the rate of interest payable on the mortgages by the homebuyers, in an amount not exceeding—

(i)

in the first year of the mortgage, 2.0 percent of the total principal obligation of the mortgage;

(ii)

in the second year of the mortgage, 1.5 percent of the total principal obligation of the mortgage;

(iii)

in the third year of the mortgage, 1.0 percent of the total principal obligation of the mortgage; and

(iv)

in the fourth year of the mortgage, 0.5 percent of the total principal obligation of the mortgage.

(B)

Downpayment assistance

Assistance payments to provide amounts for downpayments on mortgages by the homebuyers, in an amount not exceeding 2.5 percent of the principal obligation of the mortgage.

(3)

 2 Availability

The Trust may make assistance payments under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3) with respect to a single mortgage of a homebuyer.

Footnotes

  1. 1 So in original. The “; and” probably should be a period.
  2. 2 So in original. Probably should be “(4)”.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

  1. National Homeownership Trust Act

    Pub. L. 101–625 title III § 303 · 104 Stat. 4079

    Enacted · 42 U.S.C. § 12852

    Pub. L. 101–625, title III, § 303, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4130

    Source evidence

    Code source credit
    Pub. L. 101–625, title III, § 303, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4130

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    SEC. 303. ASSISTANCE FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS. (a) In General.— The Trust shall provide assistance payments for first-time homebuyers (including homebuyers buying shares in limited equity cooperatives) in the following manners: (1) Interest rate buydowns.— Assistance payments so that the rate of interest payable on the mortgages by the homebuyers does not exceed 6 percent. (2) Downpayment assistance.— Assistance payments to provide amounts for downpayments (including closing costs and other costs payable at the time of closing) on mortgages for such homebuyers. (b) Eligibility Requirements.— Assistance payments under this subtitle may be made only to homebuyers and for mortgages meeting the following requirements: (1) First-time homebuyer.— The homebuyer is an individual who— (A) (and whose spouse) has had no ownership in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of purchase of the property with respect to which assistance payments are made under this subtitle; (B) is a displaced homemaker who, except for owning a home with his or her spouse or residing in a home owned by the spouse, meets the requirements of subparagraph (A); or (C) is a single parent who, except for owning a home with his or her spouse or residing in a home owned by the spouse while married, meets the requirements of subparagraph (A). (2) Maximum income of homebuyer.— The aggregate annual income of the homebuyer and the members of the family of the homebuyer residing with the homebuyer, for the 12-month period preceding the date of the application of the homebuyer for assistance under this subtitle, does not exceed— (A) 95 percent of the median income for a family of 4 persons (adjusted by family size) in the applicable metropolitan statistical area (or such other area that the Board of Directors determines for areas outside of metropolitan statistical areas); or (B) 115 percent of such median income (adjusted by family size) in the case of an area that is subject to a high cost area mortgage limit under title II of the National Housing Act. The Board of Directors shall provide for certification of such income for purposes of initial eligibility for assistance payments under this subtitle and shall provide for recertification of homebuyers (and families of homebuyers) so assisted not less than every 2 years thereafter. (3) Certification.— The homebuyer (and spouse, where applicable) shall certify that the homebuyer has made a good faith effort to obtain a market rate mortgage and has been denied because the annual income of the homebuyer and the members of the family of the homebuyer residing with the homebuyer is insufficient. (4) Principal residence.— The property securing the mortgage is a single-family residence or unit in a cooperative and is the principal residence of the homebuyer. (5) Maximum mortgage amount.— The principal obligation of the mortgage does not exceed the principal amount that could be insured with respect to the property under the National Housing Act. (6) Maximum interest rate.— The interest payable on the mortgage is established at a fixed rate that does not exceed a maximum rate of interest established by the Trust taking into consideration prevailing interest rates on similar mortgages. (7) Responsible mortgagee.— The mortgage has been made to, and is held by, a mortgagee that is federally insured or that is otherwise approved by the Trust as responsible and able to service the mortgage properly. (8) Minimum downpayment.— For a first-time homebuyer to receive downpayment assistance under subsection (a)(2), the homebuyer shall have paid not less than 1 percent of the cost of acquisition of the property (excluding any mortgage insurance premium paid at the time the mortgage is insured), as such cost is estimated by the Board of Directors. (c) Terms of Assistance.— (1) Security.— Assistance payments under this subtitle shall be secured by a lien on the property involved. The lien shall be subordinate to all mortgages existing on the property on the date on which the first assistance payment is made. (2) Repayment upon sale.— Assistance payments under this subtitle shall be repayable from the net proceeds of the sale, without interest, upon the sale of the property for which the assistance payments are made. If the sale results in no net proceeds or the net proceeds are insufficient to repay the amount of the assistance payments in full, the Board of Directors shall release the lien to the extent that the debt secured by the lien remains unpaid. (3) Repayment upon increased income.— If the aggregate annual income of the homebuyer (and family of the homebuyer) assisted under this subtitle exceeds the applicable maximum income allowable under subsection (b)(2) for any 2-year period after such assistance is provided, the Board of Directors may provide for the repayment, on a monthly basis, of all or a portion of such assistance payments, based on the amount of assistance provided and the income of the homebuyer (and family of the homebuyer). (4) Repayment if property ceases to be principal residence.— If the property for which assistance payments are made ceases to be the principal residence of the first-time homebuyer (or the family of the homebuyer), the Board of Directors may provide for the repayment of all or a portion of the assistance payments. (5) Available assistance.— The Trust may make assistance payments under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) with respect to a single mortgage of an eligible homebuyer. (d) Allocation Formula.— Amounts available in any fiscal year for assistance under this subtitle shall be allocated for homebuyers in each State on the basis of the need of eligible first-time homebuyers in each State for such assistance in comparison with the need of eligible first-time homebuyers for such assistance among all States.

  2. Housing and Community Development Act of 1992

    Pub. L. 102–550 § 182(c)(2) · 106 Stat. 3672

    Added · 42 U.S.C. § 12852(a)(3)

    Pub. L. 102–550, § 182(c)(2), added par. (3)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 102–550, § 182(c)(2), added par. (3).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (2) Conforming amendment.— Section 303(a) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12852(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: “(3) Assistance in connection with mortgage revenue bonds financing.— Interest rate buydowns and downpayment assistance in the manner provided in subsection (e).”.

  3. Housing and Community Development Act of 1992

    Pub. L. 102–550 § 182(e) · 106 Stat. 3672

    Added · 42 U.S.C. § 12852(a)(4); 42 U.S.C. § 12852(a)(5)

    Pub. L. 102–550, § 182(e), added pars. (4) and (5)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (a)(4), (5). Pub. L. 102–550, § 182(e), added pars. (4) and (5).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (e) Second Mortgage Assistance.— Section 303(a) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12852(a)) is amended by adding after paragraph (3) (as added by subsection (c)(3) of this section) the following new paragraphs: “(4) Second mortgage assistance.— Assistance payments to provide loans (secured by second mortgages) with deferred payment of interest and principal; and “(5) Capitalization of revolving loan funds.— Grants to public organizations or agencies to establish revolving loan funds to provide homeownership assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers consistent with the requirements of this sub-title. Such grants shall be matched by an equal amount of local investment in such revolving loan funds. Any proceeds or repayments from loans made under this paragraph shall be returned to the revolving loan fund established under this paragraph to be used for purposes related to this section.”.

  4. Housing and Community Development Act of 1992

    Pub. L. 102–550 § 182(d) · 106 Stat. 3672

    Added · 42 U.S.C. § 12852(b)(1)(D)

    Pub. L. 102–550, § 182(d), added subpar. (D)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (b)(1)(D). Pub. L. 102–550, § 182(d), added subpar. (D).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (d) Eligibility of Manufactured Home Owners.— Section 303(b)(1) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12852(b)(1) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking “or” at the end; (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; or”; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: “(D) meets the requirements of subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), except for owning, as a principal residence, a dwelling unit whose structure is— “(i) not permanently affixed to a permanent foundation in accordance with local or other applicable regulations; or “(ii) not in compliance with State, local, or model building codes, or other applicable codes, and cannot be brought into compliance with such codes for less than the cost of constructing a permanent structure.”.

  5. Housing and Community Development Act of 1992

    Pub. L. 102–550 § 182(c)(1) · 106 Stat. 3672

    Added · 42 U.S.C. § 12852(e)

    Pub. L. 102–550, § 182(c)(1), added subsec. (e)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–550, § 182(c)(1), added subsec. (e).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (1) In general.— Section 303 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12852) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: “(e) Assistance in Connection With Housing Financed With Mortgage Revenue Bonds.— “(1) Authority.— The Trust shall provide assistance for first-time homebuyers in the form of interest rate buydowns and downpayment assistance under this subsection. Such assistance shall be available only with respect to mortgages for the purchase of residences (A) financed with the proceeds of a qualified mortgage bond (as such term is defined in section 143 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), or (B) for which a credit is allowable under section 25 of such Code. “(2) Eligibility.— To be eligible for assistance under this subsection, homebuyers and mortgages shall also meet the requirements under subsection (b) of this section, except that— “(A) the certification under subsection (b)(3) shall not be required for assistance under this subsection; “(B) the provisions of subsection (b)(2) shall not apply to assistance under this section; and “(C) the aggregate income of the homebuyer and the members of the family of the homebuyer residing with the homebuyer, for the 12-month period preceding the date of the application of the homebuyer for assistance under this subsection, shall not exceed 80 percent of the median income for a family of 4 persons (as adjusted for family size) in the applicable metropolitan statistical area. “(3) Limitation of assistance.— Notwithstanding sub-section (a), assistance payments for first-time homebuyers under this subsection shall be provided in the following manners: “(A) Interest rate buydowns.— Assistance payments to decrease the rate of interest payable on the mortgages by the homebuyers, in an amount not exceeding— “(i) in the first year of the mortgage, 2.0 percent of the total principal obligation of the mortgage; “(ii) in the second year of the mortgage, 1.5 percent of the total principal obligation of the mortgage; “(iii) in the third year of the mortgage, 1.0 percent of the total principal obligation of the mortgage; and “(iv) in the fourth year of the mortgage, 0.5 percent of the total principal obligation of the mortgage. “(B) Downpayment assistance.— Assistance payments to provide amounts for downpayments on mortgages by the homebuyers, in an amount not exceeding 2.5 percent of the principal obligation of the mortgage. “(3) Availability.— The Trust may make assistance payments under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3) with respect to a single mortgage of a homebuyer.

5 of 5 references resolved to an enrolled provision

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Housing Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B), (5), is act June 27, 1934, ch. 847, 48 Stat. 1246, which is classified principally to chapter 13 (§ 1701 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. Title II of the Act is classified principally to subchapter II (§ 1707 et seq.) of chapter 13 of Title 12. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1701 of Title 12 and Tables.

Amendments

1992—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 102–550, § 182(c)(2), added par. (3).

Subsec. (a)(4), (5). Pub. L. 102–550, § 182(e), added pars. (4) and (5).

Subsec. (b)(1)(D). Pub. L. 102–550, § 182(d), added subpar. (D).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–550, § 182(c)(1), added subsec. (e).

Credits

1990–1992 · 2 acts
  1. 1990Pub. L. 101–625, title III, § 303, , 104 Stat. 4130
  2. 1992Pub. L. 102–550, title I, § 182(c)–(e), , 106 Stat. 3737, 3738.
Show as published

(Pub. L. 101–625, title III, § 303, , 104 Stat. 4130; Pub. L. 102–550, title I, § 182(c)–(e), , 106 Stat. 3737, 3738.)

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