67 FR 199 pgs. 63671-63672 - Reduction in Certain FHA Multifamily Mortgage Insurance Premiums
Type: NOTICEVolume: 67Number: 199Pages: 63671 - 63672
Docket number: [Docket No. FR-4679-N-05]
FR document: [FR Doc. 02-26197 Filed 10-9-02; 3:52 pm]
Agency: Housing and Urban Development Department
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR-4679-N-05]
Reduction in Certain FHA Multifamily Mortgage Insurance Premiums
AGENCY:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner, HUD.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
This notice reissues the notice published on August 30, 2002, effective October 1, 2002, lowering the mortgage insurance premiums (MIPs) for certain Federal Housing Administration (FHA) multifamily mortgage insurance programs whose commitments will be issued in Fiscal Year 2003, and republishing others at the rate that was in effect in Fiscal Year 2002 (hereafter, "the August notice"). This notice includes responses to comments from the public that HUD received on the August notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael McCullough, Director, Office of Multifamily Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410, (202) 708-1142. Hearing- or speech-impaired individuals may access these numbers via TTY by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 (this is a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
A. The Interim Rule and August Notice
The interim rule on "Mortgage Insurance Premiums in Multifamily Programs," published on July 2, 2001, at 66 Federal Register 35070, revised previous regulations that set mortgage insurance premiums (MIPs) at a specific figure. The Secretary may now change MIPs within the full range of HUD's statutory authority of one fourth of one percent to one percent. That rule stated that HUD would provide a 30-day period for public comment on future notices changing mortgage insurance premiums in multifamily insured housing programs (66 FR 35071).
On August 30, 2002, HUD published a notice pursuant to the interim rule setting new mortgage insurance premiums for FY 2003, which became effective on October 1, 2002 (67 FR 55859). HUD accepted public comments on the August notice. HUD is now publishing its response to the public comments and republishing the FY 2003 mortgage insurance premiums and transition provisions.
B. Public Comments
HUD received two public comments on the August notice, both from trade associations. Both comments were generally favorable to the new premiums, but they did raise some issues for HUD's consideration. HUD is making no change to the rates or other aspects of the notice, however, as a result of those comments for reasons explained in the responses to the comments.
Comment: Two commenters supported the reduction in the mortgage insurance premiums. One commenter specifically praised the premium reduction in the Section 221(d)(4) program. The other commenter stated that "the reductions proposed in the notice are a step in the right direction."
HUD Response: No response is necessary.
Comment: The commenters expressed views on the data and assumptions underlying the rates. Both commenters praised HUD's willingness to share the formula and data, or what one commenter referred to as the "model," underlying the mortgage insurance premium calculation. One commenter was satisfied with the revisions to the model, while the other commenter stated that HUD should continue to update its data to assure that the mortgage insurance premium for each program reflects the actual risk to the government. Both commenters stated that they wanted to be included in discussions of any future revisions to the formula and data, or model.
HUD Response: The MIP reductions were a result of a comprehensive review of the credit subsidy calculations instituted by the Secretary in response to industry concerns. HUD staff had several meetings with the industry and considered industry input in the re-analysis of the credit subsidy rates and assumptions. HUD is required to update the data and assumptions each year and we expect to have similar discussions with the industry in the future.
Comment: Regarding the transition provisions of the notice, one commenter praised HUD's decision to reprocess applications with outstanding firm commitments but which have not yet been initially endorsed at the new, lower rates, and did not object to the fact that certain applications will have to be reviewed to ensure that the underwriting conclusions remain valid. However, this commenter suggested that HUD begin reprocessing these cases "prior to October 1" at the request of the mortgagee to assure that the loans can close as soon as possible.
HUD Response: HUD has directed the field staff to begin reprocessing of outstanding commitments at the lower MIP.
Comment: Both commenters urged HUD to publish the final notice as quickly as possible.
HUD Response: No response is needed.
II. This Notice
This notice restates and republishes the August notice at the same premium rates as stated in that notice. The rates effective as of October 1, 2002 continue to be as follows for the remainder of FY 2003:
| Multifamily loan program | FY 2003 basis points |
|---|---|
| Section 207-Multifamily Housing-New Construction/Substantial Rehabilitation | 61 |
| Section 207-Manufactured Home Parks | 61 |
| Section 220-Housing In Urban Renewal Areas | 61 |
| Section 221(d)(3)-Moderate Income Housing | 80 |
| Section 221(d)(4)-Moderate Income Housing | 57 |
| Section 223(a)(7)-Refinancing of Insured Multifamily Project | 50 |
| Section 223(d)-Operating Loss Loans | 80 |
| Section 207/223(f)-Purchase or Refinance Housing | 50 |
| Section 231-Housing for the Elderly | 61 |
| Section 232-Health Care Facilities | 50 |
| Section 232 pursuant to Section 223(f)-Purchase or Refinance Health Care Facilities | 50 |
| Section 234(d)-Condominium Housing | 50 |
| Section 241(a)-Additions Improvements for Apartments | 80 |
| Section 241(a)-Additions Improvements for Health Care Facilities | 50 |
| Section 242-Hospitals | 50 |
| Title XI-Group Practice | 50 |
| HOPE VI Projects with or without LIHTC-[221(d)(4)] | 57 |
| HOPE VI Projects with or without LIHTC-[207, 220 and 231] | 61 |
| Low Income Housing Tax Credit Projects-221(d)(4), 207, 220, and 231 without HOPE VI | 50 |
III. Applicable Mortgage Insurance Premium Regulations
The MIP regulations are contained in 24 CFR 207.252, 207.252a, and 207.254, published at 66 FR 35072 (July 2, 2001). This notice is published in accordance with the procedures stated in those regulations.
IV. Transition Guidelines
A. General
If a firm commitment has been issued at a higher mortgage insurance premium (MIP) and FHA has not initially endorsed the note, the lender may request the field office to reprocess the commitment at the lower MIP and issue an amended commitment on or after October 1, 2002. If the initial endorsement has occurred, the MIP cannot be changed.
B. Extension of Outstanding 80 basis point Firm Commitments
FHA may extend outstanding firm commitments when the HUB/Program Center determines that the underwriting conclusions (rents, expenses, construction costs, mortgage amount and cash required to close) are still valid.
C. Reprocessing of Outstanding 80 basis point Firm Commitments
FHA will consider requests from mortgagees to reprocess outstanding firm commitments at the lower mortgage insurance premium once the new premiums become effective in Fiscal Year 2003:
1. Outstanding commitments with initial 60 day expiration dates on or after the effective date of the MIP notice. FHA Multifamily HUB/Program Center staff will simply reprocess these cases to reflect the impact of the lower MIP and issue amended commitments;
2. Outstanding commitments with initial expiration dates prior to the effective date of the MIP notice which have pending extension requests or have had extensions granted by FHA beyond the initial 60 day period. These cases will require more extensive reprocessing by FHA staff. Reprocessing will include an updated FHA field staff analysis and review of rents, expenses, construction costs, particularly considering any changes in Davis-Bacon wage rates and cash required to close. (An updated appraisal may be required from the mortgagee depending on the age of the appraisal.) If reprocessing results in favorable underwriting conclusions, HUB/Program Center staff will issue amended commitments at the new MIP.
D. Reopening of Expired 80 Basis Point Firm Commitments
FHA will consider requests from mortgagees, which requests may be either updated Traditional Application Processing (TAP) firm commitment applications or updated Multifamily Accelerated Processing (MAP) applications with updated exhibits, to reopen expired 80 basis point commitments on or after the effective date of the MIP notice, provided that the reopening requests are received within 90 days of the expiration of the commitments and include the $.50 per thousand of requested mortgage reopening fee. Reopening requests will be reprocessed by FHA field staff under the instructions in paragraph C.2 above.
After expiration of the 90 day reopening period, mortgagees are required to submit new applications with the $3 per thousand application fee. (MAP applications must start at the preapplication stage.)
Credit Subsidy
Mortgagee Letters will be issued from time to time to advise mortgagees of any requirements for credit subsidy, and the availability of credit subsidy. In Fiscal Year 2003, it is anticipated that only three programs will require credit subsidy: Section 221(d)(3) for nonprofit sponsors and cooperatives for new construction or substantial rehabilitation, Section 223(d) for operating loss loans for both apartments and health care facilities, and Section 241(a) for supplemental loans for additions or improvements to existing apartments only. FHA will not issue amended commitments for increased mortgage amounts nor obligate additional credit subsidy for projects requiring credit subsidy in Fiscal Year 2003.
Dated: October 9, 2002.
John C. Weicher,
Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner, HUD.
[FR Doc. 02-26197 Filed 10-9-02; 3:52 pm]
BILLING CODE 4210-27-P