# USDA Revises Rural Housing Guarantee Fees

USDA Rural Development revised the initial and annual guarantee fees for its Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program, setting more competitive fees for projects in Qualified Opportunity Zones that are also in Rural Housing Service-eligible rural areas. The changes take effect upon publication in the Federal Register. The announcement identifies no solicitation or contract award; its procurement relevance is to the financing economics of affordable rural rental housing projects and the lenders and developers participating in the program.

- Developers and participating lenders can assess how the revised initial and annual fees affect project financing and economics for eligible Qualified Opportunity Zone projects.
- Eligibility is limited to Qualified Opportunity Zones in Rural Housing Service-eligible rural areas; the announcement does not specify revised fee amounts.
- The changes are tied to Federal Register publication, so stakeholders should use the published notice to confirm the effective fee schedule before applying it to project financing.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** September 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- USDA Rural Development (RD)
- Rural Housing Service (RHS)

### Key Quotes
> These changes will help drive investment and improve access to quality rental housing for rural communities.
> — George Kelly, Rural Housing Service Administrator

### Sources
- [USDA Rural Development Rural Housing Service Revises Fee Structure for Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program to Boost Affordable Rural Housing Production | Rural Development](https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/news-release/usda-rural-development-rural-housing-service-revises-fee-structure-section-538-guaranteed-rural) - USDA