Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1979

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

2 May 1979

Last action

21 December 1979 · President

Status

Public Law 96-153.

Summary

Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1979 - Title I: Community and Neighborhood Development and Conservation - Amends the Housing Act of 1964 to extend and authorize appropriations for the rehabilitation loan program through fiscal year 1980. Extends the intergovernmental program of comprehensive planning for the acquisition of sites for and construction of public buildings under the Housing Act of 1954 through fiscal year 1980. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to increase the authorization of appropriations for grant and supplemental grant assistance to State and local community development programs. Provides for a pro rata distribution of funds among programs to meet all basic grant and hold-harmless entitlement needs in the event of a funding deficiency in fiscal year 1980. Removes statutory restrictions based on census statistics defining the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to waive procedural requirements in awarding grants. Stipulates that in addition to the National Environmental Protection Act of 1969 environmental protection measures must be carried out in order for the Secretary to release funds to applicants for projects. Title II: Housing Assistance Programs - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize appropriations for annual contributions to low-income housing projects and operating services through fiscal year 1980. Amends the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978 to authorize appropriations for operating assistance for troubled multifamily housing projects through fiscal year 1980. Requires the utilization of amounts in the reserve fund created from excess rental charges by owners of housing projects receiving interest reduction payments under the National Housing Act. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to set forth: (1) new limits on the percentage of a family's income which may be required as rent for low-income housing; (2) criteria for tenant selection; (3) requirements for the maintenance of the low-income character of certain assisted housing projects; and (4) provisions for the distribution of unexpended operating subsidies. Directs the Secretary in making rent supplement assistance available under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 to give priority to individuals or families who are occupying substandard housing or are involuntarily displaced at the time they are seeking housing assistance. Amends the National Housing Act to direct the Secretary in making homeownership assistance payments to lower income mortgagees, to give preference to assisting low-income families in acquiring a condominium unit or membership in a cooperative association. Provides for displaced tenants in HUD-owned projects. Title III: Program Amendments and Extensions - Amends the National Housing Act to extend the following mortgage insurance programs of the Federal Housing Administration: (1) housing renovation and modernization; (2) general insurance authorization; (3) housing for moderate income and displaced families; (4) membership in cooperative associations for lower income families; (5) rental housing for low-income families; (6) coinsurance mortgages; (7) experimental housing; (8) armed services housing; (9) group practice facilities and medical practice facilities; (10) new communities; and (11) crime and riot reinsurance. Permits the Secretary to insure, on a permanent basis, mortgages and loans with provisions for varying rates of amortization through fiscal year 1980. Extends the Emergency Home Purchase Assistance program through fiscal year 1980. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary, as an alternative to the acquisition of an insured mortgage to avoid foreclosure, to make all or part of the monthly payments due on an insured mortgage of a one-to four-family residence necessary to avoid default caused by circumstances beyond the mortgagor's control. Stipulates that all payments shall be secured by a lien on the property and by such other obligation as the Secretary may require. Stipulates that such payments may be provided for a period of up to 18 months. Allows payments to be discontinued at any time because the mortgagor's financial circumstances have changed, the payments are no longer necessary, or the prospect of payments and repayments is no longer reasonable. Terminates the authority to make such payments on September 30, 1981. Authorizes appropriations for research and demonstration housing projects through fiscal year 1980. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize appropriations, without limitation, to cover losses sustained by the General Insurance Fund. Extends the authority of the Secretary to issue obligations to finance housing programs for the elderly and handicapped under the Housing Act of 1959. Extends the authority of the Secretary to insure mortgages under the National Housing Act by including dwellings covered by a consumer protection or warranty plan. Authorizes the appropriation of a specified amount to carry out the activities of the National Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation for fiscal year 1980. Directs the Secretary to study the relative risks of loss connected with the classes of mortgages insured under the National Housing Act. States that such study is for the purpose of determining the advisability of reducing related mortgage insurance premiums. Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) exempt insured loans, mortgages, or advances from State usury laws; and (2) increase Federal Housing Administration mortgage limits for insurance eligibility. Increases to 75 percent in any geographical area the amount of: (1) rental housing insurance; (2) cooperative housing insurance; (3) rehabilitation and neighborhood conservation housing insurance; (4) moderate income and displaced family housing insurance; (5) housing for the elderly mortgage insurance; and (6) multifamily condominium mortgage insurance. Increases the limit on loans for mobile homes and lots with respect to credit insurance of financial institutions. Allows the Government National Mortgage Association to purchase a mortgage with an original principal obligation that exceeds the otherwise applicable maximum amount per dwelling unit if the mortgage is a moderate income and displaced family housing insured mortgage and at least 20 percent of the units covered by such mortgage are assisted under contracts authorized by the United States Housing Act. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. Allows up to ten percent of the assistance available under the Neighborhood Self-Help Development Act of 1978 to be used for uncertified projects demonstrating innovative means of assisting in neighborhood conservation and revitalization. Amends the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to permit securities sold, issued, or guaranteed by the Corporation to be lawful investments and accepted as security for all fiduciary trusts and public funds. Title IV: Interstate Land Sales - Amends the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act to outline specified exemptions from the provisions of such Act including provisions requiring registration and disclosure of the sale or lease of lots in subdivisions of specified size. Sets forth requirements relating to the sale or lease of lots if a mobile home is to be erected as a primary residence. Makes it unlawful for any developer or agent to deceive or in any way defraud a purchaser or lessee of a lot. Provides for civil relief by a purchaser or lessee for any such unlawful act. Permits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to certify as equivalent to the Federal law any State land sale disclosure law which is substantially equivalent to the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure law. Authorizes the Secretary to issue a cease and desist order to any agent or developer believed to be engaging in any unlawful act or practice. Sets forth criminal penalties for any willful violation of this Act. Allows any State attorney general to bring a civil action as parens patriae on behalf of individuals residing in such State, in any appropriate United State district court. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress biennially a report on the administration of this Act and its impact upon the land development industry and purchasers and lessees of undeveloped land. Title V: Rural Housing - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 1980 for farm and rural housing programs as follows: (1) loans to provide occupant owned, rental, and cooperative housing for low-and moderate-income families; (2) insured loans for housing for domestic farm labor; (3) notes and other obligations for loan funds; (4) loans and grants for repairs or improvements of rural dwellings; (5) financial assistance to provide low-rent housing for domestic farm labor; (6) technical services and research for new buildings and repairs; (7) escrow accounts for taxes, insurance, and other expenses; (8) grants and loans for the development of technical and supervisory assistance programs in rural areas with Federal, State, and local housing program for low-income families; and (9) mutual self-help housing programs in rural areas and small towns. Authorizes such sums as may be required to provide safe, sanitary housing for low-income families, to conduct economic surveys for a sound mortgage market, and to reimburse the Rural Housing Insurance Fund. Extends the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to insure loans which provide rental and cooperative housing for the elderly or others of low-and moderate-incomes and to insure and make loans for housing and buildings on farms owned by low or moderate income families. Stipulates that the Secretary shall determine the rate of interest on occupant owned, rental, and cooperative housing loans. Defines the terms "persons and families of low income" for purposes of this Act. Provides for the repayment and refinancing of loans for housing for the elderly and families of low income and for domestic farm labor. Permits the Secretary to make or insure loans for 40 percent of the units in multifamily cooperative or rental housing projects. Authorizes the Secretary to assist in providing technical assistance and counseling to recipients who are delinquent with the repayment of any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under the Housing Act of 1949 and to those who need assistance in financial management, home maintenance, and related matters. Includes among the administrative powers of the Secretary the authority to repair and rehabilitate property pledged or mortgaged under the Housing Act of 1949 and purchased by the Secretary at any foreclosure. Makes provisions for the payment by the Secretary out of the Rural Housing Insurance Fund for the correction of, or compensation to homeowners for significant construction defects in certain newly constructed, assisted homes. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to allow the Secretary to make loans for the acquisition and development of land for use as sites on which residential structures will be built without regard to whether such structures will be eligible for assistance under any Federal, State, or local law. Stipulates that such loans shall bear interest at a rate equal to the market rate for comparable loans, as determined by the Secretary.

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Timeline

2 May 1979
Introduced
Referred to House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs.
Source: IntroReferral
2 May 1979
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
2 May 1979
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
15 May 1979
Reported
Reported to House from the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs, H. Rept. 96-154.
Source: Committee
15 May 1979
Reported
Reported to House from the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs, H. Rept. 96-154.
Source: Committee
4 June 1979
Floor
Measure called up by special rule in House.
Source: Floor
5 June 1979
Floor
Measure considered in House.
Source: Floor
6 June 1979
Floor
Measure considered in House.
Source: Floor
7 June 1979
Vote
Measure passed House, amended, roll call #191 (355-36).
Source: Floor
7 June 1979
Vote
Passed/agreed to in House: Measure passed House, amended, roll call #191 (355-36).
Source: Floor
7 June 1979
Floor
Measure considered in House.
Source: Floor
12 June 1979
Calendars
Placed on calendar in Senate.
Source: Calendars
13 July 1979
Floor
Measure called up by unanimous consent in Senate.
Source: Floor
13 July 1979
Vote
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Measure passed Senate, amended, roll call #169 (82-0), in lieu of S. 903, S. 1064, and S. 1149.
Source: Floor
17 July 1979
ResolvingDifferences
Conference scheduled in House.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
20 July 1979
ResolvingDifferences
Conference scheduled in Senate.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
13 December 1979
ResolvingDifferences
Conference report filed: Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 96-706.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
13 December 1979
ResolvingDifferences
Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 96-706.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
13 December 1979
ResolvingDifferences
Conference report filed in Senate, S. Rept. 96-496.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
18 December 1979
Passed
Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
18 December 1979
Passed
Senate agreed to conference report.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
19 December 1979
President
Measure enrolled in Senate.
Source: President
19 December 1979
President
Measure enrolled in House.
Source: President
19 December 1979
Vote
House agreed to conference report, roll call #748 (361-29).
Source: ResolvingDifferences
19 December 1979
Vote
Conference report agreed to in House: House agreed to conference report, roll call #748 (361-29).
Source: ResolvingDifferences
20 December 1979
Floor
Measure presented to President.
Source: Floor
20 December 1979
President
Measure presented to President.
Source: President
21 December 1979
President
Public Law 96-153.
Source: President
21 December 1979
Became law
Signed by President.
Source: BecameLaw
21 December 1979
President
Signed by President.
Source: President

Votes

· Official source

Yes 0 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 0

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

6 official files

Public Law (PDF)

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Public Law (PDF)
Public Law · EN · 22 December 1979
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Conference report filed in House
summary · EN · 13 December 1979
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Passed Senate amended
summary · EN · 13 July 1979
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Passed House amended
summary · EN · 7 June 1979
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Reported to House with amendment(s)
summary · EN · 15 May 1979
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Introduced in House
summary · EN · 2 May 1979
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Related records

Sources

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Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/96th-congress/house-bill/3875
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/96/hr/3875
us · 96-hr-3875 · source updated 2 September 2025