In general. Only fixed rate, fixed term loans with even monthly payments are eligible under the Section 184 program.

Eligible borrowers. A loan guarantee under section 184 may be made to:

An Indian family who will occupy the home as a principal residence and who is otherwise qualified under section 184;

An Indian Housing Authority or Tribally Designated Housing Entity; or

An Indian tribe.

Appraisal of labor value. The value of any improvements to the property made through the skilled or unskilled labor of the borrower, which may be used to make a payment on account of the balance of the purchase price, must be appraised in accordance with generally acceptable practices and procedures.

Construction advances. The Department may guarantee loans from which advances will be made during construction. The Department will provide guarantees for advances made by the mortgagee during construction if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

The mortgagor and the mortgagee execute a building loan agreement, approved by HUD, setting forth the terms and conditions under which advances will be made;

The advances may be made only as provided in the building loan agreement;

The principal amount of the mortgage is held by the mortgagee in an interest bearing account, trust, or escrow for the benefit of the mortgagor, pending advancement to the mortgagor or the mortgagor's creditors as provided in the loan agreement; and

The mortgage shall bear interest on the amount advanced to the mortgagor or the mortgagor's creditors and on the amount held in an account or trust for the benefit of the mortgagor.

Environmental compliance. (1) Section 1000.20 of this chapter applies to an environmental review in connection with a loan guarantee under this part. That section permits an Indian tribe to choose to assume environmental review responsibility.

Before HUD issues a commitment to guarantee any loan, or before HUD guarantees a loan if there is no commitment, HUD must:

Comply with environmental review procedures to the extent applicable under part 50 of this title, in accordance with § 1000.20(a) and (c); or

Approve a Request for Release of Funds and certification from an Indian tribe, in accordance with part 58 of this title, if the Indian tribe has assumed environmental review responsibility.

If the loan involves proposed or new construction, HUD will require compliance with procedures comparable to those required by § 203.12(b)(2) of this title for FHA mortgage insurance.

Lack of access to private financial markets. In order to be eligible for a loan guarantee if the property is not on trust or restricted land, the borrower must certify that the borrower lacks access to private financial markets. Borrower certification is the only certification required by HUD.