26 C.F.R. § 6a.103A-2
(b)
Definitions and special rules. For purposes of this section and
§ 6a.103A-1, the following definitions apply:
(1)
Qualified mortgage bond. The term “qualified mortgage bond” means one or more obligations issued by a State or any political subdivision thereof (hereinafter referred to as “governmental unit”) as part of an issue—
(i)
All of the original proceeds of which, net of the costs of issuing the obligations and proceeds invested in a reasonably required reserve fund (such net amount hereinafter in this section referred to as “lendable proceeds”), are to be used to finance owner-occupied residences, and
(2)
Constitutional home rule city. The term “constitutional home rule city” means, with respect to any calendar year, any political subdivision of a State which, under a State constitution which was adopted in 1970 and effective on July 1, 1971, had home rule powers on the 1st day of the calendar year.
(3)
Targeted area residence. The term “targeted area residence” means a residence in an area which is either—
(i)
A qualified census tract, or
(ii)
An area of chronic economic distress.
(4)
Qualified census tract.
(i)
The term “qualified census tract” means a census tract in which 70 percent or more of the families have an income which is 80 percent or less of the State-wide median family income.
(ii)
The determination under subdivision (i) shall be made on the basis of the most recent decennial census for which data are available. With respect to any particular bond issue, such determination may be based upon the decennial census data available 3 months prior to the date of issuance and shall not be affected by official changes to such data during or after such 3-month period.
(iii)
The term “census tract” means a census tract as defined by the Secretary of Commerce.
(5)
Areas of chronic economic distress.
(i)
The term “area of chronic economic distress” means an area designated by a State as meeting the standards established by that State for purposes of this subparagraph and approved by the Secretary and by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in accordance with the criteria set forth in (iii) of this subparagraph. A State may withdraw such designation at any time, with reasonable cause. Such withdrawal shall be effective upon notification by the State to the Assistant Secretary for Housing/Federal Housing Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Such withdrawal shall not affect the tax-exempt status of any outstanding issue of obligations.
(ii)
For purposes of making a designation under this subparagraph, withdrawing a designation, or making any other submission, “State” means the governor of a State, or a State official commissioned by the governor or by State statute for such purposes.
(iii)
The following criteria will be used in evaluating a proposed designation of an area of chronic economic distress:
(A)
The condition of the housing stock, including the age of the housing and the number of abandoned and substandard residential units. Data pertinent to this criterion include the number and percentage of housing units that were constructed prior to 1940, the average age of the housing stock, the number and percentage of abandoned housing units, and the number and percentage of substandard residential units.
(B)
The need of area residents for owner financing under a qualified mortgage bond issue as indicated by low per capita income, a high percentage of families in poverty, a high number of welfare recipients, and high unemployment rates. Data pertinent to this criterion include the per capita income of the population in the area, the number and percentage of families eligible to receive food stamps from a program pursuant to
7 U.S.C. 2011, the number and percentage of families eligible to receive payments under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program, and the unemployment rate.
(C)
The potential for use of owner financing under a qualified mortgage bond issue to improve housing conditions in the area. Data pertinent to this criterion include the number and percentage of owner-occupied homes that are substandard, the number and percentage of families that are low- or moderate-income renters, and the number and percentage of substandard units in the area that will be improved through the use of owner financing provided by the proceeds of a qualified mortgage bond issue.
(D)
The existence of a housing assistance plan which provides a displacement program and a public improvements and services program (similar to the Housing Assistance Plan (HAP) required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Community Development Block Grant program (
42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.)).
(iv)
A proposal by the State that an area be approved as an area of chronic economic distress shall contain the following information:
(A)
A description of the proposed area by its geographical limits.
(B)
Maps of the State and of areas within the State that are qualified census tracts and existing or proposed areas of chronic economic distress.
(C)
Where applicable, a certification of the local Area Manager of the Department of Housing and Urban Development in which the proposed area is located that the proposed area is a Neighborhood Strategy Area (NSA) under
24 CFR 570.301(c) promulgated pursuant to the Community Development Block Grant program or an area comparable to a NSA which has been reviewed and approved by the Area Manager as meeting the standards for an NSA.
(D)
Where applicable, a certification from the HUD Area Manager with jurisdiction over the proposed area that the proposed area is within a geographic area which has been declared eligible for grants under the Urban Development Action Grant Program, Pursuant to
24 CFR 570.452, by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(E)
Statistical and descriptive information pertinent to the criteria enumerated in subdivision (iii) of this subparagraph, and a succinct statement of how the information furnished satisfies those criteria. Such statistical information shall be based upon the most recent data available.
(F)
If the State so desires, a written request for a conference prior to any adverse decision on the proposed designation.
(G)
A certification by the Governor or designated official that the proposed designation conforms to these regulations.
(v)
The proposed designation and the information furnished with it as required by subdivision (iv) of this subparagraph shall be submitted in triplicate to the Assistant Secretary for Housing/Federal Housing Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (Attention: Office of State Agency and Bond Financed Programs, Rm. 6138, 451 7th Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20410).
(vi)
Only those areas of chronic economic distress that have been previously designated by the State and approved in accordance with this subparagraph at least 3 months prior to the date of issuance need to be taken into account for any particular bond issue. Residences located in areas designated as areas of chronic economic distress approved in accordance with this subparagraph within such 3-month period or after the date of issue, however, may be treated as targeted area residences. However, for purposes of
paragraph (h)(2), relating to the specified portion of proceeds to be placed in targeted areas, and paragraph (i)(3)(ii)(A), relating to the 1 1/2 year temporary period, only areas approved as areas of chronic economic distress in accordance with this subparagraph at the time of issue may be taken into consideration.
(6)
Standard metropolitan statistical area. A standard metropolitan statistical area (“SMSA”) is an area in and around a city of 50,000 inhabitants or more (or equivalent area) and defined by the Secretary of Commerce as an SMSA.
(7)
Statistical area. The term “statistical area” means—
(ii)
Any county (or portion thereof) which is not within an SMSA, or
(iii)
If there is insufficient recent statistical information with respect to a county (or portion thereof) described in subdivision (ii) of this subparagraph, such other area as may be designated by the Commissioner, upon proper application, as a substitute for such county (or portion thereof).
(8)
Acquisition cost.
(i)
The term “acquisition cost” means the cost of acquiring a residence from the seller as a completed residential unit. Acquisition cost includes the following:
(A)
All amounts paid, either in cash or in kind, by the purchaser (or a related party or for the benefit of the purchaser) to the seller (or a related party or for the benefit of the seller) as consideration for the residence.
(B)
If a residence is incomplete, the reasonable cost of completing the residence whether or not the cost of completing construction is to be financed with bond proceeds. For example, where a mortgagor purchases a building which is so incomplete that occupancy of the building is not permitted under local law, the acquisition cost includes the cost of completing the building so that occupancy of the building is permitted.
(C)
Where a residence is purchased subject to a ground rent, the capitalized value of the ground rent. Such value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the yield on the issue (as defined in
§ 6a.103A-2(i)(2)(vi)).
(ii)
The term “acquisition cost” does not include the following—
(A)
The usual and reasonable settlement or financing costs. Settlement costs include titling and transfer costs, title insurance, survey fees, or other similar costs. Financing costs include credit reference fees, legal fees, appraisal expenses, “points” which are paid by the buyer (but not the seller, even though borne by the mortgagor through a higher purchase price) or other costs of financing the residence. However, such amounts will be excluded in determining acquisition cost only to the extent that the amounts do not exceed the usual and reasonable costs which would be paid by the buyer where financing is not provided through a qualified mortgage bond issue. For example, if the purchaser agrees to pay to the seller more than a pro rata share of property taxes, such excess shall be treated as part of the acquisition cost of a residence.
(B)
The value of services performed by the mortgagor or members of the mortgagor's family in completing the residence. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the family of an individual shall include only the individual's brothers and sisters (whether by the whole or half blood), spouse, ancestors, and lineal descendants. For example, where the mortgagor builds a home alone or with the help of family members, the acquisition cost includes the cost of materials provided and work performed by subcontractors (whether or not related to the mortgagor) but does not include the imputed cost of any labor actually performed by the mortgagor or a member of the mortgagor's family in constructing the residence. Similarly, where the mortgagor purchases an incomplete residence the acquisition cost includes the cost of material and labor paid by the mortgagor to complete the residence but does not include the imputed value of the mortgagor's labor or the labor of the mortgagor's family in completing the residence.
(C)
The cost of land which has been owned by the mortgagor for at least 2 years prior to the date on which construction of the residence begins.
(iii)
The following examples illustrate the provisions of subparagraph (8)—
(9)
Qualified home improvement loan.
(i)
The term “qualified home improvement loan” means the financing (whether or not secured by a mortgage), in an amount which does not exceed $15,000 with respect to any residence, of alterations, repairs, and improvements on, or in connection with, an existing single-family, owner-occupied residence by the owner thereof, but only if such items substantially protect or improve the basic livability or energy efficiency of the residence.
(ii)
Alterations, repairs, or improvements that satisfy the requirement of subdivision (i) of this subparagraph include the renovation of plumbing or electric systems, the installation of improved heating or air conditioning systems, the addition of living space, or the renovation of a kitchen area. Items that will not be considered to substantially protect or improve the basic livability of the residence include swimming pools, tennis courts, saunas, or other recreational or entertainment facilities.
(iii)
If—
(A)
Two or more qualified home improvement loans are provided for the same residence, whether or not by the same lender, and
(B)
Any person who had a present ownership interest in such residence at the time the previous qualified home improvement loan or loans were made has a present ownership interest in the residence at the time the subsequent qualified home improvement loan is made,
(iv)
The following example illustrates the provisions of subparagraph (9)—
(10)
Qualified rehabilitation loans.
(i)
The term “qualified rehabilitation loan” means any owner financing provided in connection with—
(A)
A qualified rehabilitation, or
(B)
The acquisition of a residence with respect to which there has been a qualified rehabilitation,
(ii)
The term “qualified rehabilitation” means any rehabilitation of a residence if—
(A)
There is a period of at least 20 years between the date on which the building was first used and the date on which physical work on such rehabilitation begins,
(B)
75 percent or more of the existing external walls of such building are retained in place as external walls in the rehabilitation process, and
(C)
The expenditures for such rehabilitation are 25 percent or more of the mortgagor's adjusted basis in the residence (including the land on which the residence is located).
(iii)
For purposes of (A) and (B), the rules applicable to the investment tax credit for qualified rehabilitated buildings under
section 48(g)(1) (A)(iii) and (B) shall apply. However, unlike
section 48(g)(1)(B), once a building meets the 20-year test, more than one rehabilitation of that building within a 20-year period may qualify as a qualified rehabilitation.
(iv)
The adjusted basis to the mortgagor is the mortgagor's adjusted basis for purposes of determining gain or loss on the sale or exchange of a capital asset (as defined in
section 1221). The mortgagor's adjusted basis shall be determined as of the date of completion of the rehabilitation, or, if later, the date the mortgagor acquires the residence, i.e., the date on which the mortgagor includes in basis any amounts expended for rehabilitation that are expended for capital assets.
(v)
The amounts expended by the mortgagor for rehabilitation include all amounts expended for rehabilitation regardless of whether the amounts expended were financed from the proceeds of the loan or from other sources, and regardless of whether the expenditure is a capital expenditure, so long as the expenditure is made during the rehabilitation of the residence and is reasonably related to the rehabilitation of the residence. The value of services performed by the mortgagor or members of the mortgagor's family (as used in
§ 6a.103A-2(b)(8)(ii)(B)) in rehabilitating the residence will not be included in determining the rehabilitation expenditures for purposes of the 25-percent test.
(vi)
Where a mortgagor purchases a residence that has been substantially rehabilitated, the 25-percent test is determined by comparing the total expenditures made by the seller for the rehabilitation of the residence with the acquisition cost of the residence to the mortgagor. The total expenditures made by the seller for rehabilitation do not include the cost of acquiring the building or land but do include all amounts directly expended by the seller in rehabilitating the building (excluding overhead and other indirect charges).
Notes, amendments, and revision history
Amendments
[T.D. 7780, 46 FR 34314, July 1, 1981, as amended by T.D. 7794, 46 FR 55514, Nov. 10, 1981; T.D. 7817, 47 FR 22361, May 24, 1982; T.D. 7819, 47 FR 24701, June 8, 1982; T.D. 7821, 47 FR 28094, June 29, 1982; T.D. 7995, 49 FR 48293, Dec. 12, 1984; T.D. 8023, 50 FR 19355, May 8, 1985; T.D. 8049, 50 FR 35547, Sept. 3, 1985; T.D. 8476, 58 FR 33553, June 18, 1993]
Authority
Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805. Sections 6a.103A-2(k), (l), and (m) also issued under 26 U.S.C. 103A(j) (3), (4), and (5).
Amendments
[T.D. 7780, 46 FR 34314, July 1, 1981, as amended by T.D. 7794, 46 FR 55514, Nov. 10, 1981; T.D. 7817, 47 FR 22361, May 24, 1982; T.D. 7819, 47 FR 24701, June 8, 1982; T.D. 7821, 47 FR 28094, June 29, 1982; T.D. 7995, 49 FR 48293, Dec. 12, 1984; T.D. 8023, 50 FR 19355, May 8, 1985; T.D. 8049, 50 FR 35547, Sept. 3, 1985; T.D. 8476, 58 FR 33553, June 18, 1993]