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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service (RHS) is delivering on the Trump Administration’s priority to streamline and modernize government services. The agency is issuing a final rule updating insurance requirements for properties in its Multifamily Housing Section 515 Rural Rental Housing and Sections 514 and 516 Farm Labor Housing portfolio. The final rule modernizes outdated insurance standards, addresses rising insurance costs, and improving borrower flexibility and clarity.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service (RHS) is delivering on the Trump Administration's mandates to reduce regulatory burden by publishing a final rule rescinding the regulatory requirement of the minimum 30-day notice for nonpayment of rent before initiating eviction proceedings. The final rule removes burdensome and duplicative requirements for RHS Multifamily Housing Program borrowers.

WASHINGTON, DC, Dec. 17, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development’s Office of Multifamily Housing (MFH) is notifying borrowers, management agents, and lenders of upcoming modernization changes to the reserve request withdrawal process.

Revised Compliance Date: Implementation of Sections 102 and 104 of the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA)

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On April 18, 2025, RD issues PN 638, which updates HB-1-3565 (Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program Origination and Servicing Handbook) and Form RD 3560-8 (Tenant Certification).

HUD has delayed the effective date of the HOME Final Rule from February 5 to April 20, 2025, with additional delays on certain provisions—such as green building standards and tenant protections—until October 30, 2025. The Notice also withdraws a previously planned regulatory change related to maximum per-unit subsidy amounts, underwriting, and subsidy layering.

On April 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced several key presidential appointments to senior staff positions, reinforcing its leadership team under Secretary Brooke Rollins.

On April 10, 2025, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs held a Nomination Hearing for HUD nominees Andrew Hughes (Deputy Secretary) and David Woll (General Counsel).

On April 8, the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 (AHCIA) was reintroduced in the House with 114 original co-sponsors, aiming to expand and strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. Key provisions include a 50% increase in Housing Credit allocations, a reduced bond financing threshold, and targeted support for rural and underserved communities, projected to create nearly 1.6 million affordable homes over the next decade.