The USDA agency responsible for administering the housing programmes including direct loans, loan guarantees, rental assistance payments, and grants for low income families residing in rural areas. The agency also administers the community facility loan and grant programs. USDA's Rural Housing Service administers various housing programmes intended to aid in the development of rural America. Rural housing programmes are divided into three categories: community facilities, single family housing, and multi-family housing. These programmes were formerly operated by the Rural Development Administration and the Farmers Home Administration.