USDA Rural Development Expands Delegated Authority Pilot Program for Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program

(Washington, D.C., October 22, 2026) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development today announced the expansion of the Delegated Authority Lender Interactive Test Environment (LITE) Pilot Program for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. USDA Rural Development selected six additional lenders to participate in the pilot program: Bangor Savings Bank; Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation; New American Funding, LLC; PennyMac Loan Services, LLC; Pulte Mortgage; and Union Home Mortgage Corporation. These lenders will begin participating in the pilot program on December 1, 2026.

The Delegated Authority LITE Pilot Program streamlines the mortgage lending process for homebuyers by allowing approved pilot lenders to assume full responsibility for closing USDA home loans within regulatory guidelines. Under the pilot process, USDA Rural Development delegates the pre-closing approval requirement to the approved pilot lender with minimal agency involvement. This new process enables lenders to close mortgage loans more quickly and reduces the government's time and resource needs.

"Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, expanding the Delegated Authority LITE Pilot Program will accelerate USDA lending while maintaining strong underwriting standards," said Rural Housing Service Administrator George Kelly. "Approved lenders will take greater responsibility for loan origination and approval, reducing delays and helping more rural borrowers achieve homeownership."

Through the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program Rural Development provides approved lenders with the ability to offer 100% financed, no money-down loans to eligible low- and moderate-income households in rural areas. Rural Development backs the 90% loan guarantee. With a Single Family Housing loan guarantee, homebuyers can buy existing, build new, or cover the cost of rehabilitating, improving, or relocating a home.

For more information about USDA Rural Development programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov .

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