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| FEDERAL-AID POLICY GUIDE December 22, 1999, Transmittal 28 |
49 CFR 24 Appendix A |
| OPI: HEPR |
SUBTITLE A - OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
PART 24 - UNIFORM RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AND REAL PROPERTY
ACQUISITION FOR FEDERAL AND FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS
Appendix A to Part 24 -
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.; 49 CFR 1.48(cc).
[57 FR 33264, July 27, 1992]
Source: 54 FR 8928, Mar. 2, 1989 and 64 FR 7127, Feb. 12, 1999, unless otherwise noted.
This appendix provides additional information to explain the intent of certain provisions of this part.
Subpart A - General
Definition of comparable replacement dwelling. The requirement in Sec. 24.2 that a comparable replacement dwelling be "functionally equivalent" to the displacement dwelling means that it must perform the same function, provide the same utility, and be capable of contributing to a comparable style of living as the displacement dwelling. While it need not possess every feature of the displacement dwelling, the principal features must be present.
For example, if the displacement dwelling contains a pantry and a similar dwelling is not available, a replacement dwelling with ample kitchen cupboards may be acceptable. Insulated and heated space in a garage might prove an adequate substitute for basement workshop space. A dining area may substitute for a separate dining room. Under some circumstances, attic space could substitute for basement space for storage purposes, and vice versa.
Only in unusual circumstances may a comparable replacement dwelling contain fewer rooms or, consequentially, less living space than the displacement dwelling. Such may be the case when a decent, safe, and sanitary replacement dwelling (which by definition is "adequate to accommodate" the displaced person) may be found to be "functionally equivalent" to a larger but very run-down substandard displacement dwelling.
Paragraph (7) in the definition of comparable replacement dwelling requires that a comparable replacement dwelling for a person who is not receiving assistance under any government housing program before displacement must be currently available on the private market without any subsidy under a government housing program.
A public housing unit may qualify as a comparable replacement dwelling only for a person displaced from a public housing unit; a privately-owned dwelling with a housing program subsidy tied to the unit may qualify as a comparable replacement dwelling only for a person displaced from a similarly subsidized unit or public housing; a housing program subsidy to a person (not tied to the building), such as a HUD Section 8 Existing Housing Program Certificate or a Housing Voucher, may be reflected in an offer of a comparable replacement dwelling to a person receiving a similar subsidy or occupying a privately-owned subsidized unit or public housing unit before displacement.
However, nothing in this part prohibits an Agency from offering, or precludes a person from accepting, assistance under a government housing program, even if the person did not receive similar assistance before displacement. However, the Agency is obligated to inform the person of his or her options under this part. (If a person accepts assistance under a government housing program, the rental assistance payment under Sec. 24.402 would be computed on the basis of the person's actual out-of-pocket cost for the replacement housing.)
Persons not displaced. Paragraph (2)(iv) under this definition recognizes that there are circumstances where the acquisition of real property takes place without the intent or necessity that an occupant of the property be permanently displaced. Because such occupants are not considered "displaced persons" under this part, great care must be exercised to ensure that they are treated fairly and equitably. For example, if the tenant-occupant of a dwelling will not be displaced, but is required to relocate temporarily in connection with the project, the temporarily-occupied housing must be decent, safe, and sanitary and the tenant must be reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the temporary relocation, including moving expenses and increased housing costs during the temporary relocation.
It is also noted that any person who disagrees with the Agency's determination that he or she is not a displaced person under this part may file an appeal in accordance with Sec. 24.10.
Initiation of negotiations. This section of the part; provides a special definition for acquisitions and displacements under Pub. L. 96-510 or Superfund. These activities differ under Superfund in that relocation may precede acquisition, the reverse of the normal sequence. Superfund is a program designed to clean up hazardous waste sites. When such a site is discovered, it may be necessary, in certain limited circumstances, to alert the public to the danger and to the advisability of moving immediately. If a decision is made later to permanently relocate such persons, those who had moved earlier would no longer be on site when a formal, written offer to acquire the property was made and thus would lose their eligibility for a replacement housing payment. In order to prevent this unfair outcome, we have provided a definition which is based on the public health advisory or announcement of permanent relocation.
This section prohibits an Agency from making a payment to a person under these regulations that would duplicate another payment the person receives under Federal, State, or local law. The Agency is not required to conduct an exhaustive search for such other payments; it is only required to avoid creating a duplication based on the Agency's knowledge at the time a payment under these regulations is computed.
Section 24.9(c) Reports. This paragraph allows Federal agencies to require the submission of a report on activities under the Uniform Act no more frequently than once every three years. The report, if required, will cover activities during the Federal fiscal year immediately prior to the submission date. In order to minimize the administrative burden on Agencies implementing this part, a basic report form (see Appendix B of this part) has been developed which, with only minor modifica-tions, would be used in all Federal and federally-assisted programs or projects.
Section 24.101(b) Less-than-full-fee interest in real property. This provision provides a benchmark beyond which the requirements of the subpart clearly apply to leases. However, the Agency may apply the regulations to any less-than-full-fee acquisition which is short of 50 years but which in its judgment should be covered.
Section 24.102(d) Establishment of offer of just compensation. The initial offer to the property owner may not be less than the amount of the Agency's approved appraisal, but may exceed that amount if the Agency determines that a greater amount reflects just compensation for the property.
Section 24.102(f) Basic negotiation procedures. It is intended that an offer to an owner be adequately presented, and that the owner be properly informed. Personal, face-to-face contact should take place, if feasible, but this section is not intended to require such contact in all cases.
Section 24.102(i) Administrative settlement. This section provides guidance on administrative settlement as an alternative to judicial resolution of a difference of opinion on the value of a property, in order to avoid unnecessary litigation and congestion in the courts.
All relevant facts and circumstances should be considered by an Agency official delegated this authority. Appraisers, including reviewing appraisers, must not be pressured to adjust their estimate of value for the purpose of justifying such settlements. Such action would invalidate the appraisal process.
Section 24.102(j) Payment before taking possession. It is intended that a right-of-entry for construction purposes be obtained only in the exceptional case, such as an emergency project, when there is no time to make an appraisal and purchase offer and the property owner is agreeable to the process.
Section 24.102(m) Fair rental. Section 301(6) of the Uniform Act limits what an Agency may charge when a former owner or previous occupant of a property is permitted to rent the property for a short term or when occupancy is subject to termination by the Agency on short notice. Such rent may not exceed "the fair rental value * * * to a short-term occupier." Generally, the Agency's right to terminate occupancy on short notice (whether or not the renter also has that right) supports the establishment of a lesser rental than might be found in a longer, fixed-term situation.
Section 24.103(a) Standards of appraisal. In paragraph (a)(3) of this section, it is intended that all relevant and reliable approaches to value be utilized. However, where an Agency determines that the market approach will be adequate by itself because of the type of property being appraised and the availability of sales data, it may limit the appraisal assignment to the market approach.
Section 24.103(b) Influence of the project on just compensation. As used in this section, the term "project" is intended to mean an undertaking which is planned, designed, and intended to operate as a unit.
Because of the public knowledge of the proposed project, property values may be affected. A property owner should not be penalized because of a decrease in value caused by the proposed project nor reap a windfall at public expense because of increased value created by the proposed project.
Section 24.103(e) Conflict of interest. The overall objective is to minimize the risk of fraud and mismanagement and to promote public confidence in Federal and federally-assisted land acquisition practices. Recognizing that the costs may outweigh the benefits in some circumstances, Sec. 24.103(e) provides that the same person may both appraise and negotiate an acquisition, if the value is $2,500 or less. However, it should be noted that all appraisals must be reviewed in accordance with Sec. 24.104. This includes appraisals of real property valued at $2,500, or less.
This section recognizes that Agencies differ in the authority delegated to the review appraiser. In some cases the reviewer establishes the amount of the offer to the owner and in other cases the reviewer makes a recommendation which is acted on at a higher level. It is also within Agency discretion to decide whether a second review is needed if the first review appraiser establishes a value different from that in the appraisal report or reports on a property.
Before acceptance of an appraisal, the review appraiser must determine that the appraiser's documentation, including valuation data and the analyses of that data, demonstrates the soundness of the appraiser's opinion of value. The qualifications of the review appraiser and the level of explanation of the basis for the reviewer's recommended or approved value depend on the complexity of the appraisal problem. For a low value property requiring an uncomplicated valuation process, the reviewer's approval, endorsing the appraiser's report, may satisfy the requirement for the reviewer's statement.
Generally, the Agency is able to pay such incidental costs directly and, where feasible, is required to do so. In order to prevent the property owner from making unnecessary out-of-pocket expenditures and to avoid duplication of expenses, the property owner should be informed early in the acquisition process of the Agency's intent to make such arrangements. In addition, it is emphasized that such expenses must be reasonable and necessary.
Subpart C - General Relocation Requirements
Section 24.204 (a) General. This provision requires that no one may be required to move from a dwelling without one comparable replacement dwelling having been made available. In addition, Sec. 24.204(a) requires that, "Where possible, three or more comparable replacement dwellings shall be made available." Thus the basic standard for the number of referrals required under this section is three. Only in situations where three comparable replacement dwellings are not available (e.g., when the local housing market does not contain three comparable dwellings) may the Agency make fewer than three referrals.
Section 24.205(c)(2)(ii)(C) is intended to emphasize that if the comparable replacement dwellings are located in areas of minority concentration, minority persons should, if possible, also be given opportunities to relocate to replacement dwellings not located in such areas.
Section 24.207(a) allows an Agency to make a payment for low cost or uncomplicated moves without additional documentation, as long as the payment is limited to the amount of the lowest acceptable bid or estimate, as provided for in Sec. 24.303(c).
Subpart D - Payment for Moving and Related Expenses
Section 24.306(d) Nonprofit organizations. Gross revenues may include membership fees, class fees, cash donations, tithes, receipts from sales or other forms of fund collection that enables the non-profit organization to operate. Administrative expenses are those for administrative support such as rent, utilities, salaries, advertising and other like items as well as fundraising expenses. Operating expenses for carrying out the purposes of the non-profit organization are not included in administrative expenses. The monetary receipts and expense amounts may be verified with certified financial statements or financial documents required by public agencies.
Section 24.307(c) describes the issues which must be agreed to between the displacing agency and the utility facility owner in determining the amount of the relocation payment. To facilitate and aid in reaching such agreement, the practices in the Federal Highway Administration regulation, 23 CFR 645, Subpart A, Utility Relocations, Adjustments and Reimbursement, should be followed.
Subpart E - Replacement Housing Payments
Section 24.401(a)(2). The provision for extending eligibility for a replacement housing payment beyond the one year period for good cause means that an extension may be granted if some event beyond the control of the displaced person such as acute or life threatening illness, bad weather preventing the completion of construction of a replacement dwelling or other like circumstances should cause delays in occupying a decent, safe, and sanitary replacement dwelling.
Section 24.401(c) Price differential. The provision in Sec. 24.401(c)(4)(iii) to use the current fair market value for residential use does not mean the Agency must have the property appraised. Any reasonable method for arriving at the fair market va1ue may be used.
Section 24.401(d) Increased mortgage interest costs. The provision in Sec. 24.401(d) set forth the factors to be used in computing the payment that will be required to reduce a person's replacement mortgage (added to the downpayment) to an amount which can be amortized at the same monthly payment for principal and interest over the same period of time as the remaining term on the displacement mortgages. This payment is commonly known as the "buydown."
The remaining principal balance, the interest rate, and monthly principal and interest payments for the old mortgage aa well as the interest rate, points and term for the new mortgage must be known to compute the increased mortgage interest costs. If the combination of interest and points for the new mortgage exceeds the current prevailing fixed interest rate and points for conventional mortgages and there is no justification for the excessive rate, then the current prevailing fixed interest rate and points shall be used in the computations. Justification may be the unavailability of the current prevailing rate due to the amount of the new mortgage, credit difficulties, or other similar reasons.
Old Mortgage:
Remaining Principal
Balance...................... $50,000
Monthly Payment
(principal and interest)..... 458.22
Interest rate (percent)...... 7
New Mortgage:
Interest rate (percent)........ 10
Points......................... 3
Term (years)................... 15
Remaining term of the old mortgage is determined to be 174 months. (Determining, or computing, the actual remaining term is more reliable than using the data supplied by the mortgagee). However, if it is shorter, use the term of the new mortgage and compute the needed monthly payment.
Amount to be financed to maintain monthly payments of $458.22 at 10% -
$42,010.18
$50,000.00
-42,010.18
-----------
Increased mortgage
interest costs............ 7,989.82
3 points on $42,010.18.... 1,260.31
If the new mortgage actually obtained is less than the computed amount for a new mortgage ($42,010.18), the buydown shall be prorated accordingly. If the actual mortgage obtained in our example were $35,000, the buydown payment would be $7,706.57 ($35,000 by $42,010.18 = .8331; $9,250.13 X .83 = $7,706.57).
The Agency is obligated to inform the person of the approximate amount of this payment and that he or she must obtain a mortgage of at least the same amount as the old mortgage and for at least the same term in order to receive the full amount of this payment. The displacee is also to be advised of the interest rate and points used to calculate the payment.
The downpayment assistance provisions in Sec. 24.402(c) are intended to limit such assistance to the amount of the computed rental assistance payment for a tenant or an eligible homeowner. It does, however, provide the latitude for Agency discretion in offering downpayment assistance which exceeds the computed rental assistance payment, up to the $5,250 statutory maximum. This does not mean, however, that such Agency discretion may be exercised in a selective or discriminatory fashion. The displacing agency should develop a policy which affords equal treatment for persons in like circumstances and this policy should be applied uniformly throughout the Agency's programs or projects. It is recommended that displacing agencies coordinate with each other to reach a consensus on a uniform procedure for the State and/or the local jurisdiction.
For purposes of this section, the term downpayment means the downpayment ordinarily required to obtain conventional loan financing for the decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling actually purchased and occupied. However, if the downpayment actually required of a displaced person for the purchase of the replacement dwelling exceeds the amount ordinarily required, the amount of the downpayment may be the amount which the Agency determines is necessary.
Section 24.403(a)(1). The procedure for adjusting the asking price of comparable replacement dwellings requires that the agency provide advisory assistance to the displaced person concerning negotiations so that he or she may enter the market as a knowledgeable buyer. If a displaced person elects to buy one of the selected comparables, but cannot acquire the property for the adjusted price, it is appropriate to increase the replacement housing payment to the actual purchase amount.
Section 24.404(b) Basic rights of persons to be displaced. This paragraph affirms the right of a 180-day homeowner-occupant, who is eligible for a replacement housing payment under Sec. 24. 401, to a reasonable opportunity to purchase a comparable replacement dwelling. However, it should be read in conjunction with the definition of "owner of a dwelling" at Sec. 24.2. The Agency is not required to provide persons owning only a fractional interest in the displacement dwelling a greater level of assistance to purchase a replacement dwelling than the Agency would be required to provide such persons if they owned fee simple title to the displacement dwelling. If such assistance is not sufficient to buy a replacement dwelling, the Agency may provide additional purchase assistance or rental assistance.
Section 24.404(c) Methods of providing comparable replacement housing. The use of cost effective means of providing comparable replacement housing is implied throughout the subpart. The term "reasonable cost" is used here to underline the fact that while innovative means to provide housing are encouraged, they should be cost-effective.
Section 24.404(c)(2) permits the use of last resort housing, in special cases, which may involve variations from the usual methods of obtaining comparability. However, it should be specially noted that such variation should never result in a lowering of housing standards nor should it ever result in a lower quality of living style for the displaced person. The physical characteristics of the comparable replacement dwelling may be dissimilar to those of the displacement dwelling but they may never be inferior.
One example might be the use of a new mobile home to replace a very substandard conventional dwelling in an area where comparable conventional dwellings are not available.
Another example could be the use of a superior, but smaller decent, safe and sanitary dwelling to replace a large, old substandard dwelling, only a portion of which is being used as living quarters by the occupants and no other large comparable dwellings are available in the area.
Subpart F - Mobile Homes
A 180-day owner-occupant who is displaced from a mobile home on a rented site may be eligible for a replacement housing payment for a dwelling computed under Sec. 24.401 and a replacement housing payment for a site computed under Sec. 24. 402. A 180-day owner-occupant of both the mobile home and the site, who relocates the mobile home, may be eligible for a replacement housing payment under Sec. 24.401 to assist in the purchase of a replacement site or, under Sec. 24.402, to assist in renting a replacement site.
[54 FR 8928, Mar. 2, 1989; 54 FR 24712, June 9, 1989]
