Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans and Loan Guarantees

(Section 502 Rural Housing Loans)
CFDA 10.410 Active Direct Loan Loan Guarantee
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$26B FY2026
$7.22B
FY24
$9.1B
FY25
$26B
FY26*
* estimated

Program Objective

To assist very low, low-income, and moderate-income households to obtain modest, decent, safe, and sanitary housing for use as a permanent residence in rural areas.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Homeowner

Applicants must have very low-, low- or moderate incomes. Families must be able to afford housing payments, including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance and have an acceptable credit history. Please visit Agency eligibility website at: https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do.

How to Apply

Application Procedure

For direct loans, application is made at the Rural Development field office serving the county where the dwelling is or will be located. For guaranteed loans, application is made to a participating private lender found online here-https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/lenders

Award Procedure

Rural Development field offices have authority to approve direct loan requests. Please visit the website for direct loan State Contact at- https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices for a State Office listing. An approved guaranteed lenders can be found at -https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/lenders

For direct loans, processing times vary by State. For guarantees, a decision is required within 3 days of loan package submission by the approved lender.

Program details & compliance

Description

To assist very low, low-income, and moderate-income households to obtain modest, decent, safe, and sanitary housing for use as a permanent residence in rural areas.

Mission Categories

Primary: Rural Housing

Other categories:
Homebuying, HomeownershipHome ImprovementConstruction Rehabilitation

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Direct and Guaranteed loans may be used to buy, build, or improve the applicant's permanent residence. New manufactured homes may be financed when they are on a permanent site and meet certain other requirements. Under very limited circumstances, homes may be re-financed.

Restrictions

Eligible applicants must fall under income limits. Dwellings financed must be modest, decent, safe, and sanitary. The value of a home financed with a direct loan may not exceed the area loan limit. The property must be located in an eligible rural area. Assistance is available in the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana's, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands.

Required Documentation

Applicants, or lenders in the Guaranteed program, will need to submit evidence of income, debts, and other information on the application and property (e.g. plans, specifications, and cost estimates).

Matching Requirements

This program has no matching requirements. A basic formula is used to allocate program funds to various States.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
30 years

Contacts

Andria Hively — Finance and Loan Analyst
2533846907
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-04. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-29 05:33:50.