Multifamily Direct Loan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Guidance affecting the Multifamily Direct Loan program can be found in the Uniform Multifamily Rules in Sections 10.307 and 10.403.

As specified in 10.307, if the first lien mortgage is a federally insured HUD or FHA mortgage, the Department may approve a loan structure with annual payments payable from surplus cash provided that the debt coverage ratio, inclusive of the loan, continues to meet Department requirements as outlined in Chapter 10 Subchapter D. Any other transaction requesting this type of structure must request the cash flow loan structure before the Board, which will determine whether the financial risk is outweighed by the need for the proposed multifamily housing.

As specified in 10.307, TDHCA multifamily loans will have a deed of trust with a permanent lien position consistent with the principal amount of the loan in relation to the principal amounts of other sources of financing. The TDHCA loan will be superior to any other sources for financing that have soft repayment structures, non-amortizing balloon notes, are deferred forgivable loans, or in which the lender has an identity of interest with any member of the Development Team.

No. Unless specifically noted in the published Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), TDHCA does not award multifamily loan funds as a grant source or deferred, forgivable debt.

Unless specifically noted in the published Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), the interest rate may be as low as 0%.

All due diligence must be complete within 30 days of the planned closing date. Once the due diligence file is complete, the file will be forwarded to Legal for document processing. Depending on current workload, files may have a shorter processing time; check with the Loan Closing Specialist if you have requirements that will necessitate a quick turnaround time.

For HOME, if enough eligible acquisition and soft costs (architectural, engineering, etc.) can be documented, up to 50% of the HOME loan amount can be drawn at closing. If you plan on drawing this amount at the closing table (title company), development staff should contact Multifamily Loan Program staff well in advance of closing to receive instructions regarding the budget approval and draw process. Table funding draws should be submitted no later than 10 business days prior to loan closing.

As specified in Section 10.403, TDHCA multifamily loans must be closed concurrently with any superior lien holder debt determined to be necessary for the long-term financial feasibility of the Development. If the Department is in a first lien position and you can provide documentation showing that closing on other sources is reasonably expected to occur within 3 months, the Executive Director may approve the TDHCA closing ahead of closing on other sources; however, a personal guarantee from the Principal of the Development Owner for the interim period may be requested.

If the final budget submitted (as requested in Section 10.403) shows significant increases or decreases in cost, or changes in lenders, terms, or other items affecting the financial feasibility of the development have occurred, the final budget will require a re-review by underwriting. Closing may not occur until a revised underwriting report or memo to file is posted (or an alternate communication evidencing that no such communication is necessary is provided to the Loan Closing Specialist).

Yes. If a fully executed LPA will not be available until the day of closing, the Department will accept a final draft for the due diligence file. A final draft must be submitted for the file to be transferred to Legal for review.

If your anticipated closing date has changed, you must contact program staff as soon as possible but no later than 2 weeks prior to your Loan Commitment expiration date. A request for amendment to the closing date may be emailed to program staff and should specify: 1) the reason for the extension requested and 2) the new, expected closing date. The request should either be sent directly from the Contract Executor or by a designated representative (with a cc: to the Contract Executor). Amendments are processed the same day they are received and routed for approval. Final Department signatures will not be collected until the Contract Executor signs and returns the executed amendment page.

No. A hard copy version of the document is not necessary; as specified in the text of the Amendment, under Agreements, signed copies returned by fax or electronic submission will be treated as the signing party's original signature.

For the HOME program, the construction loan agreement (CLA) provides for a construction/development period of eighteen (18) months from the date of loan closing and loan repayment begins at the end of that 18 month period. Extensions to the CLA can only be approved by the Executive Director or designee. Extensions needed for more than 6 months will require Board approval.

Once the loan closes, HOME funds may be drawn throughout the development period. Per 10 TAC §10.403, up to 50% of the HOME award may be drawn prior to receipt of a progress inspection showing that construction is at least 25% complete. Thereafter, up to 90% of hard costs may be drawn before receiving a Closed Final Inspection Letter from the Department. For developer fee, if the other lenders and/or syndicator confirm in writing that they do not have an existing agreement to govern the disbursement of developer fee, 75% shall be disbursed in accordance with the percentage of construction complete.

Developer fee can only be drawn from HOME funds on developments that also receive tax credits if letters from every lender and the syndicator are submitted demonstrating that there are no alternate plans for the disbursement of developer fee. If letters are provided, developer fee must still be drawn in accordance with rules in Section 10.403 – 75% will be disbursed in accordance with the percent of construction completed.

Drafts of some loan documents are available on the Asset Management page; however, drafts particular to each individual transaction will not be submitted until the full due diligence file has been transferred to Legal.

The Department generally prefers to wait on receipt of Environmental Clearance prior to transferring a file to Legal; however, if the Owner has already published and Clearance is likely to occur within a set timeframe, the Closing Specialist can request special approval to transfer the file to Legal ahead of Clearance receipt.

The Department requires that the loan term be no less than 15 years and no greater than 40 years; the amortization schedule shall be no less than 30 years and no greater than 40 years.

The Department uses the Secretary of State (SOS) website to view formation documents and review signature authority. If the SOS site does not match the signature block presented, additional documents may be requested before the Department can consent to use the signature block submitted.

HOME Multifamily Development NOFAs are typically published once a year depending on the release of HUD's grant agreement to TDHCA. Any other NOFAs will be published based on the availability of funds.

All developments, even those that will be exempt from Davis Bacon, will need to contact the Senior Labor Standards Specialist prior to loan closing and provide any requested documentation. Owners and developers building developments that will be subject to Davis Bacon must attend a Pre-Construction Conference prior to loan closing in order to ensure that a NTP can be prepared and issued after loan closing. Developments that are not subject to Davis Bacon regulations must still receive a NTP-Davis Bacon Exempt notice at the time of closing.

The HOME program currently offers annual trainings at the time awards are made. Copies of the training power point are also divided by section and posted on the Multifamily Direct Loan program page.

Draw submissions happen in two parts for the direct loan programs. A final budget must be approved and set up in the Housing Contract System (using the last approved development cost schedule submitted at the time of underwriting) and the Multifamily draw workbook must be used to submit the funding request (the draw workbook also includes a checklist of additional materials that must be submitted for review and approval). All items must be submitted and available for review at the time the draw request is submitted. Table funding will require additional components as referenced in the draw checklist and require 10 business days to process. All draw documents can be found on the Multifamily Finance HOME page.

TDHCA defaults to the federal rule (24 CFR Part 92) regarding HOME unit requirements. To determine the the total number of HOME units required, please use the HOME Unit Calculation Tool (XLS). Once you've entered the total number of units, the applicable 221(d)3 limits (PDF), the total number of HOME units, and the Total Development Cost less ineligible costs, you will be able to see if the amount of HOME units meets 221(d)3 subsidy layering requirements as well as proportionality of HOME funds to Total Eligible Cost requirements.

Yes, per 24 CFR 92.216, at least 90 percent of the HOME units must be occupied by families whose incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) at initial occupancy. Once the initial occupants move out, up to 80 percent of the HOME units may be occupied by families whose incomes do not exceed 80 percent AMI. Furthermore, 24 CFR 92.252 states that at least 20 percent of the HOME units – throughout initial and long term occupancy – must be occupied by families whose income does not exceed 50 percent of the Area Median Income.

No, unless the Participating Jurisdiction is a county and you have written documentation that the part of the county where your development site is located is not served by the Participating Jurisdiction.

Participating Jurisdictions in Texas (PDF)