LOAN GUARANTEE FOR MULTIFAMILY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

SEC. 601. LOAN GUARANTEE FOR MULTIFAMILY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR HOMELESS VETERANS. (a) In General.— Chapter 37 is amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter: “SUBCHAPTER VI— LOAN GUARANTEE FOR MULTIFAMILY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR HOMELESS VETERANS “§3771. Definitions “For purposes of this subchapter: “(1) The term ‘veteran’ has the meaning given such term by paragraph (2) of section 101. “(2) The term ‘homeless veteran’ means a veteran who is a homeless individual. “(3) The term ‘homeless individual’ has the meaning given such term by section 103 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302). “§3772. General authority “(a) The Secretary may guarantee the full or partial repayment of a loan that meets the requirements of this subchapter. “(b) (1) Not more than 15 loans may be guaranteed under subsection (a), of which not more than five such loans may be guaranteed during the 3-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subchapter. 112 STAT. 3343 “(2) A guarantee of a loan under subsection (a) shall be in an amount that is not less than the amount necessary to sell the loan in a commercial market. “(3) Not more than an aggregate amount of $100,000,000 in loans may be guaranteed under subsection (a). “(c) A loan may not be guaranteed under this subchapter unless, before closing such loan, the Secretary has approved the loan. “(d) (1) The Secretary shall enter into contracts with a qualified nonprofit organization, or other qualified organization, that has experience in underwriting transitional housing projects to obtain advice in carrying out this subchapter, including advice on the terms and conditions necessary for a loan that meets the requirements of section 3773 of this title. “(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), a nonprofit organization is an organization that is described in paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (c) of section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from tax under subsection (a) of such section. “(e) The Secretary may carry out this subchapter in advance of the issuance of regulations for such purpose. “(f) The Secretary may guarantee loans under this subchapter notwithstanding any requirement for prior appropriations for such purpose under any provision of law. “§3773. Requirements “(a) A loan referred to in section 3772 of this title meets the requirements of this subchapter if each of the following requirements is met: “(1) The loan— “(A) is for— “(i) construction of, rehabilitation of, or acquisition of land for a multifamily transitional housing project described in subsection (b), or more than one of such purposes; or “(ii) refinancing of an existing loan for such a project; and “(B) may also include additional reasonable amounts for— “(i) financing acquisition of furniture, equipment, supplies, or materials for the project; or “(ii) in the case of a loan made for purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), supplying the organization carrying out the project with working capital relative to the project. “(2) The loan is made in connection with funding or the provision of substantial property or services for such project by either a State or local government or a nongovernmental entity, or both. “(3) The maximum loan amount does not exceed the lesser of— “(A) that amount generally approved (utilizing prudent underwriting principles) in the consideration and approval of projects of similar nature and risk so as to assure repayment of the loan obligation; and “(B) 90 percent of the total cost of the project. “(4) The loan is of sound value, taking into account the creditworthiness of the entity (and the individual members of the entity) applying for such loan. 112 STAT. 3344 “(5) The loan is secured. “(6) The loan is subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines are reasonable, taking into account other housing projects with similarities in size, location, population, and services provided. “(b) For purposes of this subchapter, a multifamily transitional housing project referred to in subsection (a)(1) is a project that— “(1) provides transitional housing to homeless veterans, which housing may be single room occupancy (as defined in section 8(n) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(n))); “(2) provides supportive services and counselling services (including job counselling) at the project site with the goal of making such veterans self-sufficient; “(3) requires that each such veteran seek to obtain and maintain employment; “(4) charges a reasonable fee for occupying a unit in such housing; and “(5) maintains strict guidelines regarding sobriety as a condition of occupying such unit. “(c) Such a project— “(1) may include space for neighborhood retail services or job training programs; and “(2) may provide transitional housing to veterans who are not homeless and to homeless individuals who are not veterans if— “(A) at the time of taking occupancy by any such veteran or homeless individual, the transitional housing needs of homeless veterans in the project area have been met; “(B) the housing needs of any such veteran or homeless individual can be met in a manner that is compatible with the manner in which the needs of homeless veterans are met under paragraph (1); and “(C) the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (b) are met. “(d) In determining whether to guarantee a loan under this subchapter, the Secretary shall consider— “(1) the availability of Department of Veterans Affairs medical services to residents of the multifamily transitional housing project; and “(2) the extent to which needs of homeless veterans are met in a community, as assessed under section 107 of Public Law 102–405. “§3774. Default “(a) The Secretary shall take such steps as may be necessary to obtain repayment on any loan that is in default and that is guaranteed under this subchapter. “(b) Upon default of a loan guaranteed under this subchapter and terminated pursuant to State law, a lender may file a claim under the guarantee for an amount not to exceed the lesser of— “(1) the maximum guarantee; or “(2) the difference between— “(A) the total outstanding obligation on the loan, including principal, interest, and expenses authorized by112 STAT. 3345the loan documents, through the date of the public sale (as authorized under such documents and State law); and “(B) the amount realized at such sale. “§ 3775. Audit “During each of the first 3 years of operation of a multifamily transitional housing project with respect to which a loan is guaranteed under this subchapter, there shall be an annual, independent audit of such operation. Such audit shall include a detailed statement of the operations, activities, and accomplishments of such project during the year covered by such audit. The party responsible for obtaining such audit (and paying the costs therefor) shall be determined before the Secretary issues a guarantee under this subchapter.”. (b) Clerical Amendment.— The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 37 is amended by adding at the end the following new items: “SUBCHAPTER VI— LOAN GUARANTEE FOR MULTIFAMILY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR HOMELESS VETERANS “3771. Definitions. “3772. General authority. “3773. Requirements. “3774. Default. “3775. Audit.”.