§ 1701z-11. Management and disposition of multifamily housing projects

(a) Goals

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall manage or dispose of multifamily housing projects that are owned by the Secretary or that are subject to a mortgage held by the Secretary in a manner that—

(1) is consistent with the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.] and this section;

(2) will protect the financial interests of the Federal Government; and

(3) will, in the least costly fashion among reasonable available alternatives, address the goals of—

(A) preserving certain housing so that it can remain available to and affordable by low-income persons;

(B) preserving and revitalizing residential neighborhoods;

(D) minimizing the involuntary displacement of tenants;

(E) maintaining housing for the purpose of providing rental housing, cooperative housing, and homeownership opportunities for low-income persons;

(F) minimizing the need to demolish multifamily housing projects;

(G) supporting fair housing strategies; and

(H) disposing of such projects in a manner consistent with local housing market conditions.

In determining the manner in which a project is to be managed or disposed of, the Secretary may balance competing goals relating to individual projects in a manner that will further the purposes of this section.

(b) Definitions

For purposes of this section:

(1) Multifamily housing project

The term “multifamily housing project” means any multifamily rental housing project which is, or prior to acquisition by the Secretary was, assisted or insured under the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.], or was subject to a loan under section 1701q of this title.

(2) Subsidized project

The term “subsidized project” means a multifamily housing project that, immediately prior to the assignment of the mortgage on such project to, or the acquisition of such mortgage by, the Secretary, was receiving any of the following types of assistance:

(A) Below market interest rate mortgage insurance under the proviso of section 221(d)(5) of the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1715l (d)(5)].

(B) Interest reduction payments made in connection with mortgages insured under section 236 of the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1715z–1].

(D) Assistance in the form of—

(i) rent supplement payments under section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 [12 U.S.C. 1701s],

(ii) additional assistance payments under section 236(f)(2) of the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1715z–1 (f)(2)],

(iii) housing assistance payments made under section 23 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1421b] (as in effect before January 1, 1975), or

(iv) housing assistance payments made under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f] (excluding payments made for tenant-based assistance under section 8),

if (except for purposes of section 183(c) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987) such assistance payments are made to more than 50 percent of the units in the project.

(3) Formerly subsidized project

The term “formerly subsidized project” means a multifamily housing project owned by the Secretary that was a subsidized project immediately prior to its acquisition by the Secretary.

(4) Unsubsidized project

The term “unsubsidized project” means a multifamily housing project owned by the Secretary that is not a subsidized project or a formerly subsidized project.

(5) Affordable

A unit shall be considered affordable if—

(A) for units occupied—

(i) by very low-income families, the rent does not exceed 30 percent of 50 percent of the area median income, as determined by the Secretary, with adjustments for smaller and larger families; and

(ii) by low-income families other than very low-income families, the rent does not exceed 30 percent of 80 percent of the area median income, as determined by the Secretary, with adjustments for smaller and larger families; or

(B) the unit, or the family residing in the unit, is receiving assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f].

(6) Low-income families and very low-income families

The terms “low-income families” and “very low-income families” shall have the meanings given the terms in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437a (b)].

(7) Preexisting tenant

The term “preexisting tenant” means, with respect to a multifamily housing project acquired pursuant to this section by a purchaser other than the Secretary at foreclosure or after sale by the Secretary, a family that resides in a unit in the project immediately before the acquisition of the project by the purchaser.

(8) Market area

The term “market area” means a market area determined by the Secretary.

(9) Secretary

The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

(1) Disposition to purchasers

In carrying out this section, the Secretary may dispose of a multifamily housing project owned by the Secretary on a negotiated, competitive bid, or other basis, on such terms as the Secretary deems appropriate considering the low-income character of the project and consistent with the goals in subsection (a) of this section, only to a purchaser determined by the Secretary to be capable of—

(A) satisfying the conditions of the disposition plan developed under paragraph (2) for the project;

(B) implementing a sound financial and physical management program that is designed to enable the project to meet anticipated operating and repair expenses to ensure that the project will remain in decent, safe, and sanitary condition and in compliance with any standards under applicable State or local laws, rules, ordinances, or regulations relating to the physical condition of the housing and any such standards established by the Secretary;

(D) providing adequate organizational, staff, and financial resources to the project; and

(E) meeting such other requirements as the Secretary may determine.

(2) Disposition plan

(A) In general

Prior to the sale of a multifamily housing project that is owned by the Secretary, the Secretary shall develop an initial disposition plan for the project that specifies the minimum terms and conditions of the Secretary for disposition of the project, the initial sales price that is acceptable to the Secretary, and the assistance that the Secretary plans to make available to a prospective purchaser in accordance with this section.

(B) Market-wide plans

In developing the initial disposition plan under this subsection for a multifamily housing project located in a market area in which at least 1 other multifamily housing project owned by the Secretary is located, the Secretary may coordinate the disposition of all such multifamily housing projects located within the same market area to the extent and in such manner as the Secretary determines appropriate to carry out the goals under subsection (a) of this section.

The initial sales price shall be reasonably related to the intended use of the project after sale, any rehabilitation requirements for the project, the rents for units in the project that can be supported by the market, the amount of rental assistance available for the project under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f], the occupancy profile of the project (including family size and income levels for tenant families), and any other factors that the Secretary considers appropriate.

(D) Community and tenant input

In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall develop procedures—

(i) to obtain appropriate and timely input into disposition plans from officials of the unit of general local government affected, the community in which the project is situated, and the tenants of the project; and

(ii) to facilitate, where feasible and appropriate, the sale of multifamily housing projects to existing tenant organizations with demonstrated capacity, to public or nonprofit entities that represent or are affiliated with existing tenant organizations, or to other public or nonprofit entities.

(E) Technical assistance

To carry out the procedures developed under subparagraph (D), the Secretary may provide technical assistance, directly or indirectly, and may use amounts available for technical assistance under the Emergency Low Income Housing Preservation Act of 1987, subtitle C of the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990 [12 U.S.C. 4141 et seq.], subtitle B of title IV of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act [42 U.S.C. 12871 et seq.], or this section, for the provision of technical assistance under this paragraph. Recipients of technical assistance funding under the provisions referred to in this subparagraph shall be permitted to provide technical assistance to the extent of such funding under any of such provisions or under this subparagraph, notwithstanding the source of the funding.

(3) Foreclosure sale

In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall—

(A) prior to foreclosing on any mortgage held by the Secretary on any multifamily housing project, notify both the unit of general local government in which the property is located and the tenants of the property of the proposed foreclosure sale; and

(B) dispose of a multifamily housing project through a foreclosure sale only to a purchaser that the Secretary determines is capable of implementing a sound financial and physical management program that is designed to enable the project to meet anticipated operating and repair expenses to ensure that the project will remain in decent, safe, and sanitary condition and in compliance with any standards under applicable State or local laws, rules, ordinances, or regulations relating to the physical condition of the housing and any such standards established by the Secretary.

(d) Management and maintenance of properties

(1) Contracting for management services

In carrying out this section, the Secretary may—

(A) contract for management services for a multifamily housing project that is owned by the Secretary (or for which the Secretary is mortgagee in possession) with for-profit and nonprofit entities and public agencies (including public housing authorities) on a negotiated, competitive bid, or other basis at a price determined by the Secretary to be reasonable, with a manager the Secretary has determined is capable of—

(i) implementing a sound financial and physical management program that is designed to enable the project to meet anticipated operating and maintenance expenses to ensure that the project will remain in decent, safe, and sanitary condition and in compliance with any standards under applicable State or local laws, rules, ordinances, or regulations relating to the physical condition of the project and any such standards established by the Secretary;

(ii) responding to the needs of the tenants and working cooperatively with tenant organizations;

(iii) providing adequate organizational, staff, and financial resources to the project; and

(iv) meeting such other requirements as the Secretary may determine; and

(B) require the owner of a multifamily housing project that is subject to a mortgage held by the Secretary to contract for management services for the project in the manner described in subparagraph (A).

(2) Maintenance of projects owned by Secretary

In the case of multifamily housing projects that are owned by the Secretary (or for which the Secretary is mortgagee in possession), the Secretary shall—

(A) to the greatest extent possible, maintain all such occupied projects in a decent, safe, and sanitary condition and in compliance with any standards under applicable State or local laws, rules, ordinances, or regulations relating to the physical condition of the housing and any such standards established by the Secretary;

(B) to the greatest extent possible, maintain full occupancy in all such projects; and

(3) Projects subject to a mortgage held by Secretary

In the case of any multifamily housing project that is subject to a mortgage held by the Secretary, the Secretary shall require the owner of the project to carry out the requirements of paragraph (2).

(e) Required assistance

In disposing of multifamily housing property under this section, consistent with the goal of subsection (a)(3)(A) of this section, the Secretary shall take, separately or in combination with other actions under this subsection or subsection (f) of this section, one or more of the following actions:

(1) Contract with owner for project-based assistance

In the case of multifamily housing projects that are acquired by a purchaser other than the Secretary at foreclosure or after sale by the Secretary, the Secretary may enter into contracts under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f] (to the extent budget authority is available) with owners of the projects, subject to the following requirements:

(A) Subsidized or formerly subsidized projects receiving mortgage-related assistance

In the case of a subsidized or formerly subsidized project referred to in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of subsection (b)(2) of this section—

(i) the contract shall be sufficient to assist at least all units covered by an assistance contract under any of the authorities referred to in subsection (b)(2)(D) of this section before acquisition or foreclosure, unless the Secretary acts pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (C);

(ii) the contract shall provide that, when a vacancy occurs in any unit in the project requiring project-based rental assistance pursuant to this subparagraph that is occupied by a family who is not eligible for assistance under such section 8 [42 U.S.C. 1437f], the owner shall lease the available unit to a family eligible for assistance under such section 8; and

(iii) the Secretary shall take actions to ensure that any unit in any such project that does not otherwise receive project-based assistance under this subparagraph remains available and affordable for the remaining useful life of the project, as defined by the Secretary; to carry out this clause, the Secretary may require purchasers to establish use or rent restrictions maintaining the affordability of such units.

(B) Subsidized or formerly subsidized projects receiving rental assistance

In the case of a subsidized or formerly subsidized project referred to in subsection (b)(2)(D) of this section that is not subject to subparagraph (A)—

(i) the contract shall be sufficient to assist at least all units in the project that are covered, or were covered immediately before foreclosure on or acquisition of the project by the Secretary, by an assistance contract under any of the provisions referred to in such subsection, unless the Secretary acts pursuant to provisions of subparagraph (C); and

(i) Authority In lieu of providing project-based assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f] in accordance with subparagraph (A)(i) or (B)(i) for a project, the Secretary may, for certain units in unsubsidized projects located within the same market area as the project otherwise required to be assisted with such project-based assistance—

(I) require use and rent restrictions providing that such units shall be available to and affordable by very low-income families for the remaining useful life of the project (as defined by the Secretary), or

(II) provide project-based assistance under section 8 for such units to be occupied by only very low-income persons,

but only if the requirements under clause (ii) are met.

(ii) Requirements The requirements under this clause are that—

(I) upon the disposition of the project otherwise required to be assisted with project-based assistance under subparagraph (A)(i) or (B)(i), the Secretary shall make available tenant-based assistance under section 8 [42 U.S.C. 1437f] to low-income families residing in units otherwise required to be assisted with such project-based assistance; and

(II) the number of units subject to use restrictions or provided assistance under clause (i) shall be at least equivalent to the number of units otherwise required to be assisted with project-based assistance under section 8 in accordance with subparagraph (A)(i) or (B)(i).

(D) Unsubsidized projects

Notwithstanding actions taken pursuant to subparagraph (C), in the case of unsubsidized projects, the contract shall be sufficient to provide—

(i) project-based rental assistance for all units that are covered, or were covered immediately before foreclosure or acquisition, by an assistance contract under—

(I) the new construction and substantial rehabilitation program under section 8(b)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f (b)(2)] (as in effect before October 1, 1983);

(II) the property disposition program under section 8(b) of such Act;

(III) the project-based certificate program under section 8 of such Act;

(IV) the moderate rehabilitation program under section 8(e)(2) of such Act;

(V) section 23 of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1421b] (as in effect before January 1, 1975);

(VI) the rent supplement program under section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 [12 U.S.C. 1701s]; or

(VII) section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, following conversion from assistance under section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965; and

(ii) tenant-based assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 for families that are preexisting tenants of the project in units that, immediately before foreclosure or acquisition of the project by the Secretary, were covered by an assistance contract under the loan management set-aside program under section 8(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937.

(2) Annual contribution contracts for tenant-based assistance

In the case of multifamily housing projects that are acquired by a purchaser other than the Secretary at foreclosure or after sale by the Secretary, the Secretary may enter into annual contribution contracts with public housing agencies to provide tenant-based assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f] on behalf of all low-income families who are otherwise eligible for assistance in accordance with subparagraph (A), (B), or (D) of paragraph (1) on the date that the project is acquired by the purchaser, subject to the following requirements:

(A) Requirement of sufficient affordable housing in area

The Secretary may not take action under this paragraph unless the Secretary determines that there is available in the area an adequate supply of habitable, affordable housing for very low-income families and other low-income families using tenant-based assistance.

(B) Limitation for subsidized and formerly subsidized projects

The Secretary may not take actions under this paragraph in connection with units in subsidized or formerly subsidized projects for more than 10 percent of the aggregate number of units in such projects disposed of by the Secretary in any fiscal year.

(3) Other assistance

(A) In general

In accordance with the authority provided under the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.], the Secretary may provide other assistance pursuant to subsection (f) of this section to the owners of multifamily housing projects that are acquired by a purchaser other than the Secretary at foreclosure, or after sale by the Secretary, on terms that ensure that—

(i) at least the units in the project otherwise required to receive project-based assistance pursuant to subparagraphs (A), (B), or (D) of paragraph (1) are available to and affordable by low-income persons; and

(ii) for the remaining useful life of the project, as defined by the Secretary, there shall be in force such use or rent restrictions as the Secretary may prescribe.

(B) Very low-income tenants

If, as a result of actions taken pursuant to this paragraph, the rents charged to any very low-income families residing in the project who are otherwise required (pursuant to subparagraph (A), (B), or (D) of paragraph (1)) to receive project-based assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f] exceed the amount payable as rent under section 3(a) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437a (a)], the Secretary shall provide tenant-based assistance under section 8 of such Act to such families.

(f) Discretionary assistance

In addition to the actions required under subsection (e) of this section for a subsidized, formerly subsidized, or unsubsidized multifamily housing project, the Secretary may, pursuant to the disposition plan and the goals in subsection (a) of this section, take one or more of the following actions:

(1) Discounted sales price

In accordance with the authority provided under the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.], the Secretary may reduce the selling price of the project. Such reduced sales price shall be reasonably related to the intended use of the property after sale, any rehabilitation requirements for the project, the rents for units in the project that can be supported by the market, the amount of rental assistance available for the project under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f], the occupancy profile of the project (including family size and income levels for tenant families), and any other factors that the Secretary considers appropriate.

(2) Use and rent restrictions

The Secretary may require certain units in a project to be subject to use or rent restrictions providing that such units will be available to and affordable by low- and very low-income persons for the remaining useful life of the property, as defined by the Secretary.

(3) Short-term loans

The Secretary may provide short-term loans to facilitate the sale of a multifamily housing project if—

(A) authority for such loans is provided in advance in an appropriation Act;

(B) such loan has a term of not more than 5 years;

(C) the Secretary determines, based upon documentation provided to the Secretary, that the borrower has obtained a commitment of permanent financing to replace the short-term loan from a lender who meets standards established by the Secretary; and

(D) the terms of such loan are consistent with prevailing practices in the marketplace or the provision of such loan results in no cost to the Government, as defined in section 661a of title 2.

(4) Up-front grants

If the Secretary determines that action under this paragraph is more cost-effective than establishing rents pursuant to subsection (h)(2) of this section, the Secretary may utilize the budget authority provided for contracts issued under this section for project-based assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f] to (in addition to providing project-based section 8 rental assistance) provide up-front grants for the necessary cost of rehabilitation and other related development costs. This paragraph shall be effective during fiscal years 2006 through 2010 only to the extent that such budget authority is made available for use under this paragraph in advance in appropriation Acts.

(5) Tenant-based assistance

The Secretary may make available tenant-based assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 to families residing in a multifamily housing project that do not otherwise qualify for project-based assistance.

(6) Alternative uses

(A) In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, after providing notice to and an opportunity for comment by preexisting tenants, the Secretary may allow not more than—

(i) 10 percent of the total number of units in multifamily housing projects that are disposed of by the Secretary during any fiscal year to be made available for uses other than rental or cooperative uses, including low-income homeownership opportunities, or in any particular project, community space, office space for tenant or housing-related service providers or security programs, or small business uses, if such uses benefit the tenants of the project; and

(ii) 5 percent of the total number of units in multifamily housing projects that are disposed of by the Secretary during any fiscal year to be used in any manner, if the Secretary and the unit of general local government or area-wide governing body determine that such use will further fair housing, community development, or neighborhood revitalization goals.

(B) Displacement protection

The Secretary may take actions under subparagraph (A) only if—

(i) tenant-based rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f] is made available to each eligible family residing in the project that is displaced as a result of such actions; and

(ii) the Secretary determines that sufficient habitable, affordable rental housing is available in the market area in which the project is located to ensure use of such assistance.

(7) Transfer for use under other programs of Secretary

(A) In general

Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (e) of this section, the Secretary may, pursuant to an agreement under subparagraph (B), transfer a multifamily housing project—

(i) to a public housing agency for use of the project as public housing; or

(ii) to an entity eligible to own or operate housing assisted under section 1701q of this title or under section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act [42 U.S.C. 8013] for use as supportive housing under either of such sections.

(B) Requirements for agreement

An agreement providing for the transfer of a project described in subparagraph (A) shall—

(i) contain such terms, conditions, and limitations as the Secretary determines appropriate, including requirements to ensure use of the project as public housing, supportive housing under section 1701q of this title, or supportive housing under section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act [42 U.S.C. 8013], as applicable; and

(ii) ensure that no tenant of the project will be displaced as a result of actions taken under this paragraph.

(8) Rebuilding

Notwithstanding any provision of section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f], the Secretary may provide project-based assistance in accordance with subsection (e) of this section to support the rebuilding of a multifamily housing project rebuilt or to be rebuilt (in whole or in part and on-site, off-site, or in a combination of both) in connection with disposition under this section, if the Secretary determines that—

(A) the project is not being maintained in a decent, safe, and sanitary condition;

(B) rebuilding the project would be less expensive than substantial rehabilitation;

(C) the unit of general local government in which the project is located approves the rebuilding and makes a financial contribution or other commitment to the project; and

(D) the rebuilding is a part of a local neighborhood revitalization plan approved by the unit of general local government.

The provisions of subsection (j)(2) of this section shall apply to any tenants of the project who are displaced.

(9) Emergency assistance funds

The Secretary may make arrangements with State agencies and units of general local government of States receiving emergency assistance under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] for the provision of assistance under such Act [42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.] on behalf of eligible families who would reside in any multifamily housing projects.

(g) Protection for unassisted very low-income tenants

For each multifamily housing project disposed of under this section, the Secretary shall require that, for any very low-income family who is a preexisting tenant of the project who (upon disposition) would be required to pay rent in an amount in excess of 30 percent of the adjusted income (as such term is defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437a (b)]) of the family—

(1) for a period of 2 years beginning upon the date of the acquisition of the project by the purchaser under such disposition, the rent for the unit occupied by the family may not be increased above the rent charged immediately before acquisition;

(2) such family shall be considered displaced for purposes of any system of preferences established pursuant to section 6(c)(4)(A),^[1] 8(d)(1)(A), or 8(o)(6)(A) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437d (c)(4)(A), 1437f (d)(1)(A), and 1437f (o)(6)(A)]; and

(3) notice shall be provided to such family, not later than the date of the acquisition of the project by the purchaser—

(A) of the requirements under paragraphs (1) and (2); and

(B) that, after the expiration of the period under paragraph (1), the rent for the unit occupied by the family may be increased.

(h) Contract requirements

Contracts for project-based rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f] provided pursuant to this section shall be subject to the following requirements:

(1) Contract term

The contract shall have a term of 15 years, except that the term may be less than 15 years—

(A) to the extent that the Secretary finds that, based on the rental charges and financing for the multifamily housing project to which the contract relates, the financial viability of the project can be maintained under a contract having such a term; except that the Secretary shall require that the amount of rent payable by tenants of the project for units assisted under such contract shall not exceed the amount payable for rent under section 3(a) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437a (a)] for a period of at least 15 years; or

(B) if such assistance is provided—

(i) under a contract authorized under section 6 of the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993; and

(ii) pursuant to a disposition plan under this section for a project that is determined by the Secretary to be otherwise in compliance with this section.

(2) Contract rent

The Secretary shall establish the contract rents under such contracts at levels that, together with other resources available to the purchasers, provide sufficient amounts for the necessary costs of rehabilitating and operating the multifamily housing project and do not exceed the percentage of the existing housing fair market rentals for the market area in which the project assisted under the contract is located as determined by the Secretary under section 8(c) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f (c)].

(i) Right of first refusal for local and State government agencies

(1) Notification

Not later than 30 days after the Secretary acquires title to a multifamily housing project, the Secretary shall notify the appropriate unit of general local government (including public housing agencies) and State agency or agencies designated by the chief executive officer of the State in which the project is located of such acquisition of title and that, for a period beginning upon such notification that does not exceed 90 days, such unit of general local government and agency or agencies shall have the exclusive right under this subsection to make bona fide offers to purchase the project.

(2) Right of first refusal

During the 90-day period, the Secretary may not sell or offer to sell the multifamily housing project other than to a party notified under paragraph (1), unless the unit of general local government and the designated State agency or agencies notify the Secretary that they will not make an offer to purchase the project. The Secretary shall accept a bona fide offer to purchase the project made during such period if it complies with the terms and conditions of the disposition plan for the project or is otherwise acceptable to the Secretary.

(3) Procedure

The Secretary shall establish any procedures necessary to carry out this subsection.

(j) Displacement of tenants and relocation assistance

(1) In general

Whenever tenants will be displaced as a result of the demolition of, repairs to, or conversion in the use of, a multifamily housing project that is owned by the Secretary (or for which the Secretary is mortgagee in possession), the Secretary shall identify tenants who will be displaced, and shall notify all such tenants of their pending displacement and of any relocation assistance that may be available. In the case of a multifamily housing project that is subject to a mortgage held by the Secretary, the Secretary shall require the owner of the project to carry out the requirements of this paragraph, if the Secretary has authorized the demolition of, repairs to, or conversion in the use of such multifamily housing project.

(2) Rights of displaced tenants

The Secretary shall ensure for any such tenant (who continues to meet applicable qualification standards) the right—

(A) to return, whenever possible, to a repaired or rebuilt unit;

(B) to occupy a unit in another multifamily housing project owned by the Secretary;

(D) to receive any other available similar relocation assistance as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(k) Mortgage and project sales

(1) In general

The Secretary may not approve the sale of any loan or mortgage held by the Secretary (including any loan or mortgage owned by the Government National Mortgage Association) on any subsidized project or formerly subsidized project, unless such sale is made as part of a transaction that will ensure that such project will continue to operate at least until the maturity date of such loan or mortgage, in a manner that will provide rental housing on terms at least as advantageous to existing and future tenants as the terms required by the program under which the loan or mortgage was made or insured prior to the assignment of the loan or mortgage on such project to the Secretary.

(2) Sale of certain projects

The Secretary may not approve the sale of any subsidized project—

(A) that is subject to a mortgage held by the Secretary, or

(B) if the sale transaction involves the provision of any additional subsidy funds by the Secretary or a recasting of the mortgage,

unless such sale is made as part of a transaction that will ensure that the project will continue to operate, at least until the maturity date of the loan or mortgage, in a manner that will provide rental housing on terms at least as advantageous to existing and future tenants as the terms req

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U.S. Code

§ 1701z-11. Management and disposition of multifamily housing projects