WASHINGTON DC — As part of President Trump’s March 13th Executive Order “Removing Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Home Construction” the U.S. Department of Agriculture on March 20 announced the Rural Housing Modernization Initiative, an effort to upgrade how USDA delivers affordable single-family housing through its Rural Development Mission Area.

The initiative strengthens USDA’s two major rural housing programs, the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program and the Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program, by improving service delivery, reducing unnecessary delays, and aligning processes with current market expectations. The upgrades do not change eligibility standards, funding levels or program safeguards.

“These upgrades answer President Trump’s call to have government provide a higher level of customer service and ultimately make home ownership more affordable for rural Americans,” said Rural Development Acting Under Secretary Todd Lindsey. “By improving efficiency and reducing friction, we are helping rural families access affordable credit in today’s housing market while maintaining strong oversight and accountability.”

As part of the initiative, USDA is taking deregulatory action by providing delegated underwriting authority in the Guaranteed Loan Program, allowing qualified lenders to approve and close loans. The change allows lenders to close loans more efficiently and aligns USDA’s requirements with other federal home lending programs at the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs. USDA has launched the My RD Loan Portal for direct loan borrowers, providing secure 24/7 access to loan information, payments and account management tools.

“These are practical, program-focused upgrades,” said Rural Housing Service Administrator George Kelly. “Delegated Authority helps guaranteed lenders deliver affordable mortgage options faster and with less bureaucracy to borrowers of the single-family guaranteed loan program, while the My RD Loan Portal provides borrowers of the single family direct loan program with easier account access.”

Together, these upgrades improve how USDA delivers rural housing assistance by helping borrowers, lenders and taxpayers while preserving program integrity.  In the coming months, USDA will further deliver on the President’s Executive Order Removing Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Home Construction through reducing the regulatory burden on new construction and expanding access to housing options.

For more information on the My RD Loan Portal, visit myrdloan.usda.gov.