Do HUD endorsements for single-family home mortgage insurance require compliance with the Endangered Species Act?
HUD endorsements for single-family home mortgage insurance are listed in environmental procedures at 24 CFR 50.19(b)(17) as categorical exclusions that are not subject to the related Federal environmental laws and authorities. Therefore, the requirements of the Endangered Species Act are not triggered by HUD’s insurance of one-to-four family mortgages under the Direct Endorsement program, the insurance of one-to-four family mortgages under the Lender Insurance program, and HUD’s guarantee of loans for one-to-four family dwellings under the Direct Guarantee procedure for the Indian Housing Loan guarantee program, without any HUD review or approval before the completion of construction or rehabilitation and loan closing.
