In order to enable homeowners seeking clean energy technologies in their homes to leverage a range of financing options, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on Tuesday announced guidance that makes clear the circumstances under which it will insure mortgages on properties that include Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) assessments.

FHA will now approve purchase and refinance mortgage applications in states that treat PACE obligations as special assessments similar to property taxes. Read more about FHA’s new guidance.

FHA’s action is part of a larger Administration effort to expand access to clean energy technologies to every American family with the option to transition to solar energy and make improvements to their homes to cut their energy bills.
 
PACE is showing promise as an effective way to finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and other resilience upgrades to homes, including new heating and cooling systems, lighting improvements, solar panels, water pumps, and insulation.

PACE pays the costs for such enhancements and is repaid through an assessment added to the property’s tax bill.

State and local governments sponsor PACE financing to encourage energy efficiency, solar energy deployment, advance resilience, create jobs, promote economic development, and protect the environment.

A list of programs by state can be found here: http://www.pacenation.us/resources/all-programs/ .
 
“Today, we’re seizing the opportunity to shape a cleaner and more sustainable nation,” said Ed Golding, HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Housing. “Using PACE, families will be able to make their homes more energy efficient and sustainable in the long run, while still keeping their costs affordable today. As PACE programs continue to develop across the nation, the positive impact on families, jobs, and the environment will only grow.”
 
FHA’s new guidance addresses PACE programs where the PACE obligation is treated like a property tax and does not allow the full obligation to have priority or ‘prime’ status over the FHA mortgage lien. By law, FHA cannot accept a first lien PACE structure (except for past due amounts as is the case for all tax assessments).  In accordance with existing guidance, lenders will be responsible for escrowing PACE payments as they would property taxes. In addition, purchasers of homes with existing PACE obligations will be responsible for any unpaid balance of the obligation.
 
The guidance protects FHA from risk in a variety of ways. Lenders must escrow payments for PACE assessment so FHA should never be at risk of losing collateral in a tax sale. FHA is also protected as its appraisal policy requires that appraisals take into account the PACE assessment and the value of the improvements.
 
The Department of Energy is updating its Best Practices Guidelines for Residential PACE Financing, which may be used by states and counties to align with their consumer protection goals.
 
To qualify for FHA insurance on mortgages for properties that include PACE assessments, lenders must determine that the following requirements have been met under the laws in the state where the property is located:

– The PACE obligation must be collected (escrowed) and secured by the creditor in the same manner as a special assessment against the property.

– The PACE obligation cannot accelerate – namely, the entire amount of the obligation cannot become due in the event of delinquency after endorsement of the FHA-insured mortgage. The property may be subject to an enforceable claim or lien that is superior to the FHA-insured mortgage but only for the delinquent portion of the PACE obligation.

– There are no terms or conditions that limit the transfer of the property to a new homeowner.

– The existence of a PACE obligation on a property is readily apparent to mortgagees, appraisers, borrowers and other parties to an FHA-insured mortgage transaction, and information on PACE obligations must be readily available for review in the public records where the property is located.

– In the event of the sale, including a foreclosure sale, of the property with outstanding PACE financing, the PACE assessment remains with the property. In cases of foreclosure, priority collection of delinquent payments for the PACE assessment may be waived or relinquished. Unless a payoff is negotiated, the buyer will assume the obligation and will be responsible for the payments on the outstanding PACE amount.