§ 3535. Administrative provisions

(a) Transfer of personnel, assets, etc.

The personnel employed in connection with, and the assets, liabilities, contracts, property, records, and unexpended balances of appropriations, authorizations, allocations, or other funds held, used, arising from, or available or to be made available in connection with, the functions, powers, and duties transferred by section 3534 of this title are hereby transferred with such functions, powers, and duties, respectively.

(b) Repealed. Pub. L. 90–448, title VIII, § 807(d), Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 544

The Secretary is authorized, subject to the civil service and classification laws, to select, appoint, employ, and fix the compensation of such officers and employees, including attorneys, as shall be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and to prescribe their authority and duties: Provided, That any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the Secretary may fix the compensation for not more than six positions in the Department at the annual rate applicable to positions in level V of the Executive Schedule provided by subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 5.

(d) Delegation of authority; rules and regulations

The Secretary may delegate any of his functions, powers, and duties to such officers and employees of the Department as he may designate, may authorize such successive redelegations of such functions, powers, and duties as he may deem desirable, and may make such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out his functions, powers, and duties.

(e) Temporary employment of experts or consultants; compensation

The Secretary may obtain services as authorized by section 3109 of title 5, at rates for individuals not to exceed the per diem equivalent to the highest rate for grade GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5. The Secretary is authorized to enter into contracts with private companies for the provision of such managerial support to the Federal Housing Administration as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, including but not limited to the management of insurance risk and the improvement of the delivery of mortgage insurance.

(f) Working capital fund; establishment; uses; appropriations; capitalization; reimbursement

The Secretary is authorized to establish a working capital fund, to be available without fiscal year limitation, for expenses necessary for the maintenance and operation of such common administrative services as he shall find to be desirable in the interest of economy and efficiency in the Department, including such services as a central supply service for stationery and other supplies and equipment for which adequate stocks may be maintained to meet in whole or in part the requirements of the Department and its agencies; central messenger, mail, telephone, and other communications services; office space; central services for document reproduction and for graphics and visual aids; and a central library service. In addition to amounts appropriated to provide capital for said fund, which appropriations are hereby authorized, the fund shall be capitalized by transfer to it of such stock of supplies and equipment on hand or on order as the Secretary shall direct. Such fund shall be reimbursed from available funds of agencies and offices in the Department for which services are performed at rates which will return in full all expenses of operation, including reserves for accrued annual leave and for depreciation of equipment.

(g) Seal

The Secretary shall cause a seal of office to be made for the Department of such device as he shall approve, and judicial notice shall be taken of such seal.

(h) Financial transactions, finality; checking accounts for funds in Treasury; availability of funds for administrative expenses; consolidation of cash for banking and checking purposes

Except as such authority is otherwise expressly provided in any other Act administered by the Secretary, such financial transactions of the Secretary as the making of loans or grants (and vouchers approved by the Secretary in connection with such financial transactions) shall be final and conclusive upon all officers of the Government. Funds made available to the Secretary pursuant to any provision of law for such financial transactions shall be deposited in a checking account or accounts with the Treasury of the United States. Such funds and any receipts and assets obtained or held by the Secretary in connection with such financial transactions shall be available, in such amounts as may from year to year be authorized by the Congress, for the administrative expenses of the Secretary in connection with such financial transactions. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the Secretary may, with the approval of the Comptroller General, consolidate into one or more accounts for banking and checking purposes all cash obtained or held in connection with such financial transactions, including amounts appropriated, from whatever source derived.

(i) Foreclosure of property; actions for protection and enforcement of rights; purchase of property; dealing with property after such acquisition; deprivation of State court civil and criminal jurisdiction; impairment of civil rights under State laws; application of section 5 of title 41; annual payments in lieu of local property taxes; sale and exchanges of property; insurance; modification of interest, time for installment payment, and other terms; other covenants, conditions, and provisions

Except as such authority is otherwise expressly provided in any other Act administered by the Secretary, the Secretary is authorized to—

(1) foreclose on any property or commence any action to protect or enforce any right conferred upon him by any law, contract, or other agreement, and bid for and purchase at any foreclosure or any other sale any property in connection with which he has made a loan or grant. In the event of any such acquisition, the Secretary may, notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the acquisition, handling, or disposal of real property by the United States, complete, administer, remodel and convert, dispose of, lease, and otherwise deal with, such property: Provided, That any such acquisition of real property shall not deprive any State or political subdivision thereof of its civil or criminal jurisdiction in and over such property or impair the civil rights under the State or local laws of the inhabitants on such property: Provided further, That section 5 of title 41 shall not apply to any contract for services or supplies on account of any property so acquired or owned if the amount of such contract does not exceed $2,500;

(2) enter into agreements to pay annual sums in lieu of taxes to any State or local taxing authority with respect to any real property so acquired or owned;

(3) sell or exchange at public or private sale, or lease, real or personal property, and sell or exchange any securities or obligations, upon such terms as he may fix;

(4) obtain insurance against loss in connection with property and other assets held;

(5) consent to the modification, with respect to the rate of interest, time of payment of any installment of principal or interest, security, or any other term of any contract or agreement to which he is a party or which has been transferred to him; and

(6) include in any contract or instrument such other covenants, conditions, or provisions as he may deem necessary, including any provisions relating to the authority or requirements under paragraph (5).

(j) Fees and charges

Notwithstanding any other provision of law the Secretary is authorized to establish fees and charges, chargeable against program beneficiaries and project participants, which shall be adequate to cover over the long run, costs of inspection, project review and financing service, audit by Federal or federally authorized auditors, and other beneficial rights, privileges, licenses, and services. Such fees and charges heretofore or hereafter collected shall be considered nonadministrative and shall remain available for operating expenses of the Department in providing similar services on a consolidated basis.

(k) Gifts and services, acceptance; taxable status of property; investments; disbursements

(1) The Secretary is authorized to accept and utilize voluntary and uncompensated services and accept, hold, administer, and utilize gifts and bequests of property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Department. Gifts and bequests of money and the proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts or bequests shall be deposited in the Treasury in a separate fund and shall be disbursed upon order of the Secretary. Property accepted pursuant to this paragraph, and the proceeds thereof, shall be used as nearly as possible in accordance with the terms of the gift or bequest.

(2) For the purpose of Federal income, estate, and gift taxes, property accepted under paragraph (1) shall be considered as a gift or bequest to or for use of the United States.

(3) Upon the request of the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury may invest and reinvest in securities of the United States or in securities guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States any moneys contained in the fund provided for in paragraph (1). Income accruing from such securities and from any other property held by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be deposited to the credit of the fund and shall be disbursed upon order of the Secretary.

(l) Consultants; appointment of advisory committees; compensation and travel expenses

The Secretary is authorized to appoint, without regard to the civil service laws, such advisory committees as shall be appropriate for the purpose of consultation with and advice to the Department in performance of its functions. Members of such committees, other than those regularly employed by the Federal Government, while attending meetings of such committees or otherwise serving at the request of the Secretary, may be paid compensation at rates not exceeding those authorized for individuals under subsection (e) of this section, and while so serving away from their homes or regular places of business, may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5 for persons in the Government service employed intermittently.

(m) Occupancy preference in rental housing for military personnel

Whenever he shall determine that, because of location, or other considerations, any rental housing project assisted under title II of the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.] or title I of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 could ordinarily be expected substantially to serve the family housing needs of lower income military personnel serving on active duty, the Secretary is authorized to provide for or approve such preference or priority of occupancy of such project by such military personnel as he shall determine is appropriate to assure that the project will serve their needs on a continuing basis notwithstanding the frequency with which individual members of such personnel may be transferred or reassigned to new duty stations.

(n) Day care center for children of employees of Department; establishment; fees and charges

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary is authorized by contract or otherwise to establish, equip, and operate a day care center facility or facilities, or to assist in establishing, equipping, and operating interagency day care facilities for the purpose of serving children who are members of households of employees of the Department. The Secretary is authorized to establish or provide for the establishment of appropriate fees and charges to be chargeable against the Department of Housing and Urban Development employees or others who are beneficiaries of services provided by any such day care center. In addition, limited start-up costs may be provided by the Secretary in an amount limited to 3 per centum of the first year’s operating budget, but not to exceed $3,500.

(o) Agenda of rules or regulations under development or review; transmittal to Congress

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs of the House of Representatives an agenda of all rules or regulations which are under development or review by the Department. Such an agenda shall be transmitted to such Committees within 30 days of October 31, 1978, and at least semi-annually thereafter.

(2)

(A) Any rule or regulation which is on any agenda submitted under paragraph (1) may not be published for comment prior to or during the 15-calendar day period beginning on the day after the date on which such agenda was transmitted. If within such period, either Committee notifies the Secretary in writing that it intends to review any rule or regulation or portion thereof which appears on the agenda, the Secretary shall submit to both Committees a copy of any such rule or regulation, in the form it is intended to be proposed, at least 15 calendar days prior to its being published for comment in the Federal Register.

(B) Any rule or regulation which has not been published for comment before October 31, 1978, and which does not appear on an agenda submitted under paragraph (1) shall be submitted to both such Committees at least 15 calendar days prior to its being published for comment.

(3) No rule or regulation may become effective until after the expiration of the 30-calendar day period beginning on the day after the day on which such rule or regulation is published as final. Any regulation implementing any provision of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 that authorizes the imposition of a civil money penalty may not become effective until after the expiration of a public comment period of not less than 60 days.

(4) The provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) may be waived upon the written request of the Secretary, if agreed to by the Chairmen and Ranking Minority Members of both Committees.

(5) , (6) Repealed. Pub. L. 101–235, title I, § 123(4), Dec. 15, 1989, 103 Stat. 2021.

(7) The Secretary shall include with each rule or regulation required to be transmitted to the Committees under this subsection a detailed summary of all changes required by the Office of Management and Budget that prohibit, modify, postpone, or disapprove such rule or regulation in whole or part.

(p) Cost-benefit analysis of field reorganizations; requirements, contents, etc.

A plan for the reorganization of any regional, area, insuring, or other field office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development may take effect only upon the expiration of 90 days after publication in the Federal Register of a cost-benefit analysis of the effect of the plan on each office involved. Such cost-benefit analysis shall include, but not be limited to—

(1) an estimate of cost savings supported by background information detailing the source and substantiating the amount of the savings;

(2) an estimate of the additional cost which will result from the reorganization;

(3) a study of the impact on the local economy; and

(4) an estimate of the effect of the reorganization on the availability, accessibility, and quality of services provided for recipients of those services,

where any of the above factors cannot be quantified, the Secretary shall provide a statement on the nature and extent of those factors in the cost-benefit analysis.

(q) Waiver of regulations

(1) Any waiver of regulations of the Department shall be in writing and shall specify the grounds for approving the waiver.

(2) The Secretary may delegate authority to approve a waiver of a regulation only to an individual of Assistant Secretary rank or equivalent rank, who is authorized to issue the regulation to be waived.

(3) The Secretary shall notify the public of all waivers of regulations approved by the Department. The notification shall be included in a notice in the Federal Register published not less than quarterly. Each notification shall cover the period beginning on the day after the last date covered by the prior notification, and shall—

(A) identify the project, activity, or undertaking involved;

(B) describe the nature of the requirement that has been waived and specify the provision involved;

(D) include a brief description of the grounds for approval of the waiver; and

(E) state how more information about the waiver and a copy of the request and the approval may be obtained.

(4) Any waiver of a provision of a handbook of the Department shall—

(A) be in writing;

(B) specify the grounds for approving the waiver; and

(C) be maintained in indexed form and made available for public inspection for not less than the 3-year period beginning on the date of the waiver.

(r) Program evaluation and monitoring

(1) For the programs listed in paragraph (2), amounts appropriated under this subsection shall be available to the Secretary for evaluating and monitoring of all such programs (including all aspects of the public housing and section 202 programs) and collecting and maintaining data for such purposes. The Secretary shall expend amounts made available under this subsection in accordance with the need and complexity of evaluating and monitoring each such program and collecting and maintaining data for such purposes.

(2) The programs subject to this subsection shall be the programs authorized under—

(A) titles I [42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.] and II ^[1] of the United States Housing Act of 1937;

(B) section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 [12 U.S.C. 1701q];

(D) the Fair Housing Act [42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.];

(E) title I [42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.] and section 810 ^[1] of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974;

(F) section 201 of the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978 [12 U.S.C. 1715z–1a];

(G) the Congregate Housing Services Act of 1978 [42 U.S.C. 8001 et seq.];

(H) section 222 of the Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983;

(I) section 3616a of this title;

(J) title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act [42 U.S.C. 11361 et seq.]; and

(K) titles II [42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.], III, and IV and section 811 [42 U.S.C. 8013] of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act.

(3) In conducting evaluations and monitoring pursuant to the authority under this subsection, and collecting and maintaining data pursuant to the authority under this subsection, the Secretary shall determine any need for additional staff and funding relating to evaluating and monitoring the programs under paragraph (2) and collecting and maintaining data for such purposes.

(4)

(A) The Secretary may provide for evaluation and monitoring under this subsection and collecting and maintaining data for such purposes directly or by grants, contracts, or interagency agreements. Not more than 50 percent of the amounts made available under paragraph (1) may be used for grants, contracts, or interagency agreements.

(B) Any amounts not used for grants, contracts, or interagency agreements under subparagraph (A) shall be used in a manner that increases and strengthens the ability of the Department to monitor and evaluate the programs under paragraph (2) and to collect and maintain data for such purposes through officers and employees of the Department.

(5) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1993 and fiscal year 1994. Such amounts shall remain available until expended.

(s) Authorization of appropriations; allocations for staff and training

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there is authorized to be appropriated for salaries and expenses to carry out the purposes of this section $988,000,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $1,029,496,000 for fiscal year 1994.

(2) Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated by this section, $96,000,000 shall be available for each of the fiscal years 1993 and 1994, which amounts shall be used to provide staff in regional, field, or zone offices of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to review, process, approve, and service applications for mortgage insurance under title II of the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.] for housing consisting of 5 or more dwelling units.

(3) Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, not less than $5,000,000 of such amount shall be available for each fiscal year exclusively for the purposes of providing ongoing training and capacity building for Department personnel.

(t) Training regarding issues relating to grandparent-headed and relative-headed families

The Secretary shall ensure that all personnel employed in field offices of the Department who have responsibilities for administering the housing assistance program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) or the supportive housing program under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q), and an appropriate number of personnel in the headquarters office of the Department who have responsibilities for those programs, have received adequate training regarding how covered families (as that term is defined in section 202 of the LEGACY Act of 2003) can be served by existing affordable housing programs.

[1] See References in Text note below.

U.S. Code

§ 3535. Administrative provisions