§1490l Processing of Applications

Summary

The Secretary must give priority when making housing help available under this subchapter to people and families with the biggest needs because of very low income and bad housing, to projects that will serve those people, and to applicants in the most rural areas. For projects that use insured or guaranteed loans, interest credits, or rental assistance (under sections 1483 and 1490a(a)), the Secretary must process requests so a preliminary set-aside of assistance is made when the project is first approved. Help under section 1485 must be given using a clear, objective method. The Secretary will pick counties and communities with the greatest need using measures like poverty rates, lack of affordable or decent housing, lack of mortgage credit, rural character, and other factors. The Secretary must use the most recent decennial census, the comprehensive affordable housing strategies under section 12705, and other reliable sources. A designation lasts no more than 3 years, can be renewed, and the Secretary must reasonably notify the public about it.