24 C.F.R. § 200.3
§ 200.3 Definitions. (24 CFR Part 200)
Operative Text
(a) The definitions “department”, “elderly person”, “family”, “HUD”, and “Secretary”, as used in this subpart A, shall have the meanings given these terms in 24 CFR part 5. (b) The terms “first mortgage”, “hospital”, “maturity date”, “mortgage”, “mortgagee”, and “state”, as used in this subpart A shall have the meaning given in the section of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1701), as amended, under which the project mortgage is insured. (c) As used in this subpart A: Act means the National Housing Act, (12 U.S.C. 1701) as amended. Commissioner means the Federal Housing Commissioner. FHA means the Federal Housing Administration. Insured mortgage means a mortgage which has been insured by the endorsement of the credit instrument by the Commissioner, or the Commissioner's duly authorized representative. Project means a property consisting of site, improvements and, where permitted, equipment meeting the provisions of the applicable section of the Act, other applicable statutes and regulations, and terms, conditions and standards established by the Commissioner.
Section 200.3 establishes the vocabulary used throughout 24 CFR Part 200, Subpart A, by pointing to definitions already set out in other federal sources—such as 24 CFR Part 5 and the National Housing Act—and by supplying a handful of its own definitions for terms like 'insured mortgage' and 'project.' The provision ensures that key actors (the Commissioner, FHA) and key concepts (what qualifies as a mortgage, what counts as a project) carry consistent, legally anchored meanings across HUD's mortgage-insurance programs.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers participating in HUD-insured mortgage programs should be aware that the terminology used in program documents and compliance requirements is governed by § 200.3, which ties definitions to the National Housing Act and 24 CFR Part 5. Operators generally confirm that their project meets the definition of 'project' under § 200.3(c)—encompassing site, improvements, and permitted equipment—when applying for or maintaining FHA mortgage insurance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants living in properties subject to HUD-insured mortgages, § 200.3 provides the foundational definitions that shape how the broader regulatory framework applies to their housing. Understanding that terms like 'insured mortgage' and 'project' carry specific federal meanings under § 200.3 can be relevant when reviewing program eligibility or raising concerns with a local tenant-rights organization or HUD's regional office.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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