FHA Insurance Programs
FHA multifamily insurance programs generally are designed to assist private and public mortgagors
in obtaining financing for the construction, purchase or rehabilitation of multifamily housing pursuant
to the National Housing Act of 1934 (the Housing Act). Mortgage Loans are provided by FHA-
approved institutions, which include mortgage banks, commercial banks, savings and loan associations,
trust companies, insurance companies, pension funds, state and local housing finance agencies and
certain other approved entities. Mortgage Loans insured under the programs described below will have
such maturities and amortization features as FHA may approve, provided that generally the minimum
mortgage loan term will be at least ten years and the maximum mortgage loan term will not exceed the
lesser of 40 years and 75 percent of the estimated remaining economic life of the improvements on the
mortgaged property. Tenant eligibility for FHA-insured projects generally is not restricted by income,
except for projects as to which rental subsidies are made available with respect to some or all the units
therein or to specified tenants.
The following is a summary of the various FHA insurance programs under which the Mortgage
Loans are insured.
Section 207 (Mortgage Insurance for Multifamily Housing).
Section 207 of the Housing Act
provides for federal insurance of mortgage loans originated by FHA-approved lenders in connection
with the construction or substantial rehabilitation of multifamily housing projects, which includes
manufactured home parks.
Section 220 (Urban Renewal Mortgage Insurance).
Section 220 of the Housing Act provides for
federal insurance of mortgage loans on multifamily rental projects located in federally aided urban
renewal areas or in areas having a local redevelopment or urban renewal plan certified by the FHA. The
mortgage loans may finance the rehabilitation of existing salvable housing (including the refinancing of
existing loans) or new construction in targeted areas. The purpose of Section 220 is to encourage quality
rental housing in urban areas targeted for overall revitalization.
Section 221(d) (Housing for Moderate Income and Displaced Families).
Section 221(d)(4) of the
Housing Act provides for mortgage insurance to assist private industry in the construction or substantial
rehabilitation of rental and cooperative housing for low- and moderate income families and families that
have been displaced as a result of urban renewal, governmental actions or disaster.
Section 223(a)(7) (Refinancing of FHA-Insured Mortgages).
Section 223(a)(7) of the Housing Act
permits FHA to refinance existing insured mortgage loans under any section or title of the Housing Act.
Such refinancing results in prepayment of the existing insured mortgage. The new, refinanced mortgage
loan is limited to the original principal amount of the existing mortgage loan and the unexpired term of
the existing mortgage loan plus 12 years.
Section 223(f) (Purchase or Refinancing of Existing Projects).
Section 223(f) of the Housing Act
provides for federal insurance of mortgage loans originated by FHA-approved lenders in connection
with the purchase or refinancing of existing multifamily housing complexes, hospitals and nursing
homes that do not require substantial rehabilitation. The principal objective of the Section 223(f)
program is to permit the refinancing of mortgage loans to provide for a lower debt service or the
purchase of existing properties in order to preserve an adequate supply of affordable rental housing.
Such projects may have been financed originally with conventional or FHA-insured mortgage loans.
Section 232 (Mortgage Insurance for Nursing Homes, Immediate Care Facilities and Board and
Care Homes).
Section 232 of the Housing Act provides for FHA insurance of private construction
mortgage loans to finance new or rehabilitated nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, board and
care homes, assisted living for the frail or elderly or allowable combinations thereof, including
equipment to be used in their operation. Section 232 also provides for supplemental loans to finance
the purchase and installation of fire safety equipment in these facilities.
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