Threshold criteria. Applications for loan guarantee submitted by lenders must include a loan request for a project that meets all of the following threshold criteria:

The project must involve an owner and a development team with qualifications and experience sufficient to carry out development, management, and ownership responsibilities, and the owner and development team must not be under investigation or suspension from any government programs;

The project must involve the financing of a property located in an eligible rural area;

Demonstrate a readiness, for the project to proceed, including submission of a complete application for a loan guarantee and evidence of financing;

Demonstrate market and financial feasibility; and

Include evidence that the credit risk is reasonable, taking into account conventional lending practices, and factors related to concentration of risk in a given market and with a given borrower.

Priority projects. Priority will be given to projects: in smaller rural communities, in the most needy communities having the highest percentage of leveraging, having the lowest interest rate, having the highest ratio of 3-5 bedroom units to total units, or located in Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities or on tribal lands. In addition, the Agency may, at its sole discretion, set aside assistance for or rank projects that meet important program goals. Assistance will include both loan guarantees and interest credits. Priority projects must compete for set-aside funds. The Agency will announce any assistance set aside and selection criteria in the NOFA.