USDA Loans Now Finance Rural Homes with Rental Add-Ons

2026-05387 — Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program

The USDA’s Rural Housing Service is updating its Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program to let approved lenders use automated systems for making loans and getting guarantees after closing. This change helps speed up the loan process for folks buying homes in rural areas. The new rules kick in June 17, 2026, with full use starting September 28, 2028, making it easier and faster for lenders and homebuyers alike.

2026-05595 — Single Family Housing Section 502 Home Loan Program-Self-Help and Affordable Housing

Starting March 23, 2026, the USDA’s Rural Housing Service is testing a new pilot program that lets self-help home builders and affordable housing projects exceed current loan limits. This means folks building modest homes in rural areas could get more financial help than before. The pilot runs for two years, giving the agency a chance to see how these changes impact rural homeownership and affordability.

2026-05394 — Single Family Housing Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program Lender Interactive Test Environment (LITE) Delegated Authority Pilot Program

Starting September 1, 2026, eligible lenders can approve certain rural home loans themselves without waiting for USDA’s pre-approval, thanks to a new two-year pilot program. This change speeds up the loan process for low- and moderate-income families buying homes in rural areas, while USDA keeps an eye on how lenders handle this new power. The pilot aims to make home buying easier and faster, with no extra cost to borrowers.

2026-04581 — OneRD Annual Notice of Guarantee Fee Rates, Periodic Retention Fee Rates, Loan Guarantee Percentage and Fee for Issuance of the Loan Note Guarantee Prior to Construction Completion for Fiscal Year 2026

Starting October 1, 2025, the USDA’s Rural Development agencies are updating the fees and loan guarantee percentages for their loan programs that help rural businesses, housing, utilities, and energy projects. If you’re applying for these loans in fiscal year 2026, expect new rates for guarantee fees, retention fees, and issuance fees before construction finishes. These changes keep the programs running smoothly and support rural communities with fair costs.

2025-22567 — OneRD Guaranteed Loan Regulation

The USDA fixed some mistakes in the OneRD Guaranteed Loan rules that affect businesses and communities using loans for things like water, energy, and rural projects. These corrections clear up confusing definitions and bring back important parts accidentally removed. The updated rules take effect December 11, 2025, helping keep loan programs running smoothly without changing the money involved.

2025-14808 — Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Section 533 Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) for Fiscal Year 2025

The USDA is offering $13.1 million in grants and low-interest loans to help fix and improve homes in rural areas for fiscal year 2025. This includes special disaster funds for Puerto Rico and Tennessee after recent hurricanes. Eligible groups like nonprofits and tribes can apply soon, but they can’t own the homes they’re fixing, and they must cover their own application costs.

Previous: 2026-06114 — Authority To Require Supervision and Regulation of Certain Nonbank Financial Companies

The Financial Stability Oversight Council is updating how it watches over big nonbank financial companies to keep the U.S. economy safe. They’re focusing more on the activities these companies do, making their process clearer and smarter. If you’re involved with these companies, get ready to share your thoughts by May 14, 2026, as this could affect how they’re supervised and regulated.

Next: 2026-06177 — Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts

The Department of Energy looked into making fluorescent lamp ballasts more energy-efficient but found that tougher rules wouldn’t save enough money to be worth it. So, for now, no new energy-saving standards will be added. If you use or make these ballasts, you can share your thoughts by June 1, 2026, and join a webinar on April 22 to learn more.