SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

Section 203(c)(1) of the National Housing Act authorizes the Secretary to set the premium charge for insurance of mortgages under the various programs in Title II of the National Housing Act. The range within which the Secretary may set such charges must be between one-fourth of one percent per annum and one percent per annum of the amount of the principal obligation of the mortgage outstanding at any time. (See 12 U.S.C. 1709(c)(1)).

HUD's multifamily mortgage insurance program regulations have generally set the MIP at a specific percentage amount within the authorized range and have not reflected the authorized range. Thus, for example, 24 CFR 207.252 and 207.252a(a) have set the general MIP rate for most mortgage insurance programs at one-half of one percent of the average outstanding principal balance of the mortgage per year. There are other programs where the MIP has been set at the maximum authorized amount, for example, the first year mortgage insurance premium for section 223(f) specified in section 207.252b.

Each year, Congress appropriates funds to cover HUD's credit subsidy needs, based on an assessment of the probable risk of loss in the insurance programs. The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, 2 U.S.C. 661 et seq. (“FCRA”) requires that the budgetary treatment for all direct loan and loan guarantee programs recognize, in advance, the estimated net cost to the Federal Government resulting from these transactions. In other words, under FCRA, HUD is required to estimate the probable cost to the agency of all multifamily mortgages it insures and must request “credit subsidy” as part of its budget each fiscal year to cover those costs. For example, the most popular of HUD's multifamily construction programs, Section 221(d)(4), currently requires a subsidy of 3.35 cents for each dollar of loan insured.

Due to greater than anticipated requests for loan insurance commitments by HUD, the existing credit subsidy is insufficient for HUD to continue the following programs: section 207 for new construction/substantial rehabilitation and manufactured home parks, section 220 for housing in urban renewal areas, sections 221(d)(3), 221(d)(4), 223(d) operating loss loans, section 231 housing mortgage insurance for the elderly, Section 234(d) for condominiums, section 241(a) supplemental loans for multifamily projects, and HOPE VI projects under the sections 207, 220, 221(d)(4) and 231 programs. Because of this lack of necessary credit subsidy, these programs will not be able to continue to operate throughout the fiscal year. HUD is anticipating some additional credit subsidy to be appropriated in the near future for the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2001, but it will not be sufficient to fund all outstanding requests for commitments. In addition, it is anticipated that only a small amount of credit subsidy will be available in FY 2002. For these reasons, HUD is revising certain multifamily mortgage insurance programs to eliminate or substantially reduce the need for credit subsidy by amending its regulations to allow the Secretary to raise mortgage insurance premiums to the full extent of his statutory authority. The Secretary will proceed to set the actual MIP within the statutory and new regulatory limits by notice as described below.

B. This Interim Rule

This interim rule revises Subpart B “Contract Rights and Obligations” of Part 207 “Multifamily Housing Mortgage Insurance” so that the provisions on mortgage insurance premiums reflect the statutory language, and allow the Secretary to raise or lower mortgage premiums within the statutory limits through notice.

Where “one-half of one percent” appears in §§ 207.252 and 207.252a, this interim rule changes that phrase to “not less than one-fourth of one percent nor more than one percent as the Secretary shall determine.” Where the regulations have specified that a one percent premium will be charged, including during the first year mortgage insurance premium for the Section 223(f) program specified in § 207.252b, and for properties located near military installations insured under Special Risk Insurance Fund, as set forth in § 207.252c, the one percent premium remains and there is no change in the regulations to §§ 207.252b or 207.252c. There is no change to regulations at § 207.252d (late charge) or to § 207.252e (electronic transmission of premiums).

An increase as described below in the mortgage premium for mortgages under the section 221(d)(4), section 207, section 207 for mobile home parks, section 220, section 231, section 234(d) and HOPE VI projects under sections 207, 220, 221(d)(4), and 231 will result in a decrease in the credit subsidy needed for those programs for the remainder of FY 2001, and the elimination of credit subsidy requirements for FY 2002. The section 221(d)(3), section 223(d), and section 241(a) for apartments programs will continue to require some credit subsidy in both FY 2001 and FY 2002, albeit a reduced amount. ( printed page 35071)

C. Changes in MIP

No later than the date this interim rule becomes effective, HUD will issue a separate notice increasing its mortgage insurance premium requirements for certain multifamily programs that currently require credit subsidy to reduce the credit subsidy rates and the need for credit subsidy. Other programs will keep the premiums in effect prior to the notice. Based on HUD's analysis of credit subsidy needs, for the period from the effective date of this rule to September 30, 2001, the notice will change certain mortgage insurance programs, now having a mortgage premium of 0.5% of the outstanding principal balance of the insured loan, to programs with a mortgage premium of 0.8% of the outstanding principal balance. HUD will make future changes by notice as credit subsidy allocations and program needs dictate, although HUD currently plans to keep the 0.8% rate in effect through FY 2002. HUD will provide 30 days for public comment on all such future changes in mortgage insurance premiums. Changes made by this rule in the method for setting mortgage insurance premiums will be applied in accordance with 24 CFR 207.499.

The mortgage insurance premiums, by program, will be:

Absent any change in law, premium rate changes will not apply to mortgages which have received a firm commitment and a sufficient obligation of credit subsidy; such mortgagees may continue to proceed to closing at the committed amount with the premium rate in effect before the change made by this rule and the notice to be issued on or before its effective date. An obligation of credit subsidy occurs when the mortgagee has notified the appropriate HUD office in writing of the acceptance of the firm commitment by the mortgagee and the borrower, and has received notice in writing from HUD that there is sufficient credit subsidy to cover the mortgage amount for which a firm commitment was received.

All firm commitments for these programs to be issued, reissued or amended on or after the effective date of this rule and its implementing notice must be processed at the 0.8% rate. In the case of commitments having a sufficient obligation of credit subsidy, amendments to those commitments that do not affect the mortgage amount need not be reprocessed at the new premium rate. All projects in the Headquarters queue that did not receive an obligation of credit subsidy prior to the effective date of this rule and its implementing notice will, subject to the availability of credit subsidy and any conditions that may be imposed on such availability, not be reprocessed at the new rate but will continue to be processed at the rate on which the commitment was based. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, all projects in the Headquarters queue that did not receive an obligation of credit subsidy prior to the effective date of this rule and implementing notice, upon the request of the mortgagee, will be reprocessed at the new premium rates.

In accordance with 24 CFR 200.40, HUD will refund to the mortgagee any firm commitment application fee, if the mortgagee advises the Field Office in writing that it wishes to withdraw its application or surrender its outstanding firm commitment because of the increase in the mortgage insurance premium.

D. Findings and Clearances

Justification for Interim Rulemaking

HUD generally publishes a rule for public comment before issuing a rule for effect, in accordance with its own regulations on rulemaking in 24 CFR part 10. However, part 10 provides for exceptions to the general rule if the agency finds good cause to omit advanced notice and public participation. The good cause requirement is satisfied when prior public procedure is “impractical, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest” (see 24 CFR 10.1). Because the credit subsidy appropriated for FY 2001 HUD mortgage insurance programs affected by this rule has been almost completely committed, and the additional credit subsidy HUD is anticipating will not suffice to cover upcoming requests currently in the application pipeline, HUD is facing the near-term shutdown of those programs. It is in the public interest for those programs to continue so that the various low and moderate income multifamily projects, for which mortgage insurance is made available by HUD's programs, can continue to receive the HUD-insured mortgage funding that makes such housing possible. The business community, as well, needs continuity if these programs are to remain useful vehicles for housing production. Therefore, HUD finds that good cause exists to have the regulations reflect the statutory requirements so that the Secretary has the flexibility to adjust the MIPs within those requirements as necessary so that the programs can continue uninterrupted throughout the fiscal year. The changes being made by this rule are prospective only and do not affect existing commitments.

HUD will be accepting comments on this interim rule for a 60-day period. HUD will consider these comments in promulgating the final rule.

Regulatory Planning and Review

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reviewed this rule under Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review. OMB determined that this rule is a “significant regulatory action” as defined in section 3(f) of the Order (although not an economically significant regulatory action under the Order). Any changes made to this rule as a result of that review are identified in the docket file, which is available for public inspection in the office of the Department's Rules Docket Clerk, Room 10276, 451 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20410-0500.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Secretary, in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), has reviewed and approved this interim rule, and in so doing certifies that this rule will not have a significant ( printed page 35072) economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. While this rule does raise mortgage insurance premiums in certain programs, the amount of increase, which is constrained by HUD's statutory authorization, is relatively small. Furthermore, without the increase, it is likely that the effect on business entities will be much greater, as a number of HUD's mortgage insurance programs would have to cease operations completely, causing hardship and uncertainty to those who depend upon these programs to secure mortgages. Thus, this rule acts to minimize adverse impacts on the business community.

Notwithstanding HUD's determination that this rule does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, HUD specifically invites comment regarding any less burdensome alternatives to this rule that will meet HUD's objectives as described in the preamble.

Environmental Impact

In accordance with 24 CFR 50.19(c)(6) of HUD's regulations, this rule involves establishment of rate or cost determinations and related external administrative requirements and procedures which do not constitute a development decision that affects the physical condition of specific project areas or building sites. Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(6), this rule is categorically excluded from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321).

Executive Order 13132, Federalism

Executive Order 13132 (entitled “Federalism”) prohibits, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, an agency from promulgating a regulation that has federalism implications and either imposes substantial direct compliance costs on State and local governments and is not required by statute, or preempts State law, unless the relevant requirements of section 6 of the Executive Order are met. This rule does not have federalism implications and does not impose substantial direct compliance costs on State and local governments or preempt State law within the meaning of the Executive Order.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4; approved March 22, 1995) (UMRA) establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal governments, and on the private sector. This interim rule does not impose any Federal mandates on any State, local, or tribal governments, or on the private sector, within the meaning of the UMRA.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number applicable to the program affected by this rule is 14.134.

For the reasons stated in the preamble, HUD amends 24 CFR part 207 as follows:

1. The authority citation for 24 CFR part 207 is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1701z-11(e), 1709(c)(1), 1713 and 1715b; 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).

2. Revise § 207.252 to read as follows:

3. Revise § 207.252a to read as follows:

4. Add a new 24 CFR 207.254 to read as follows: