USDA Rural Development (RD) Housing programs are among the best affordable housing programs in the country. The 502 Direct Program and 502 Guaranteed Program have provided decent, safe and sanitary housing in rural America to more than 400,000 families and individuals. In helping USDA achieve this mission and objective, partnerships with real estate professionals and lenders are important. Expanding and enhancing our partnerships with real estate licensees especially helps RD reach those borrowers in rural areas who are in extreme poverty and don’t have access to modern-day technologies. This course will provide an in-depth overview of our programs and focus on lending practices that meld well in RD programs.