0959 Debt Limit Allocation Committee
Program Descriptions

10 - CALIFORNIA DEBT LIMIT ALLOCATION COMMITTEE

Qualified Residential Rental Project Program:
State and local governmental agencies and joint powers authorities can issue tax-exempt housing revenue bonds. These bonds assist developers of multifamily rental housing units to acquire land and construct new units or purchase and rehabilitate existing units. The tax-exempt bonds lower the interest rate on a mortgage to be paid by the developers. The developers in turn produce affordable and market rate rental housing for low and very low-income households by reducing rental rates to these individuals and families. Projects that receive an award of bond authority have the right to apply for non-competitive four-percent tax credits.

Single-Family Housing Program:
State and local governmental agencies and joint powers authorities can issue tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds (MRBs) or mortgage credit certificates (MCCs) to assist first-time homebuyers with purchasing homes. These agencies and authorities may issue MRBs, the proceeds of which back below-market interest rate mortgages. As an alternative to issuing MRBs, state and local governmental agencies and joint powers authorities may issue MCCs. Homebuyers use the MCCs to reduce their federal tax liability by applying the credit to their net tax due. Homebuyers may purchase single-family homes, either freestanding detached, condominiums or townhouses. Program participants must meet program income limits and must purchase a home that falls within the program's purchase price limitations.

Extra Credit Home Purchase Program:
State and local governmental agencies and joint powers authorities can issue MRBs or MCCs to assist teachers, principals and other eligible school staff with purchasing homes. These agencies and authorities may issue MRBs, the proceeds of which back below-market interest rate mortgages. As an alternative to issuing MRBs, state and local governmental agencies and joint powers authorities may issue MCCs. Homebuyers use the MCC to reduce their federal tax liability by applying the credit to their net tax due.

Industrial Development Bond Project Program:
Small-Issue Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs) are tax-exempt private activity bonds that are issued through state and local governmental agencies to assist manufacturing facilities finance capital expenditures. IDBs offer interest rate savings to small and midsize manufacturers in contrast to conventional loans. When used by manufacturers, IDBs serve to retain and create new jobs within their communities.

Exempt Facility Program:
Exempt Facility Bonds are tax-exempt private activity bonds that are issued by state and local governmental agencies to finance solid waste disposal and waste recycling facilities. The tax-exempt bonds provide facility owners with low-cost financing in the form of below-market interest rate loans. The interest rate savings enable the project owners to maintain lower customer rates or minimize customer rate increases, while at the same time assisting the communities they serve meet their mandated requirements to protect and enhance the environment.

Student Loan Program:
Student Loan Bonds are tax-exempt private activity bonds issued by authorized agencies for the purpose of either financing direct loans to college students and their parents or purchasing bundles of already-originated loans on the secondary market. When used for direct lending programs, tax-exempt bond allocation allows lenders to pass on interest rate savings to financially needy students via below-market interest rate loans. Financially needy students are borrowers for whom the cost to attend college exceeds their ability to pay, as determined by their school's financial aid office.

Recovery Zone Facility Bond Program:
Recovery Zone Facility Bonds (RZFBs) are tax-exempt private activity bonds issued by authorized agencies for the purpose of providing interest savings to trades or businesses in areas suffering from economic distress. RZFBs provide expanded eligibility beyond the limits of traditional exempt facility or small issue private activity bonds, as defined in the federal Internal Revenue Code. However, 95% of the RZFB bond proceeds must be used for the property. To qualify as a RZFB project, the property must be constructed, reconstructed, renovated or acquired after the area in which the project is located is designated a Recovery Zone by a locality. Currently, RZFBs must be issued no later than December 31, 2010.

Recovery Zone Economic Development Bond Program:
Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds (RZEDBs) are taxable bonds that provide issuers a direct federal subsidy equal to 45% of the interest payable on the bonds. Eligible expenditures include: 1) capital expenditures paid or incurred with respect to property located in a Recovery Zone; 2) expenditures for public infrastructure and construction of other public facilities that promote the development of other economic activity in a Recovery Zone; and 3) expenditures for job training and educational programs. Currently, RZEDBs must be issued no later than December 31, 2010.

Qualified Energy Conservation Bond Program:
Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) may be issued as either tax-exempt private activity bonds or governmental purpose taxable bonds. When issued as a governmental purpose taxable bond, QECBs provide the issuer with either a direct or tax credit interest subsidy. QECBs may be issued to finance a broad array of qualified conservation purposes such as capital expenditures, research facilities and research grant programs, mass commuting facilities, public education campaigns, and demonstration projects. There is no sunset date for this program.