Legal Authority to Approve Changes in Use of Property Under Section 414 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1969 ( 1996 )

Legal Authority to Approve Changes in Use of Property Under
Section 414 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1969
T he proposed sale o f property at its fair m arket value in o rder to raise funds to build low and m oderate
incom e housing on d ifferent property constitutes a change in the use o f property under section
414 o f the H ousing and U rban D evelopm ent Act o f 1969 and the term s o f the deed o f the 1974
sale o f the property.
T he D epartm ent o f H ousing and U rban D evelopm ent and the G eneral Services A dm inistration could
approve the proposed sale o f property to a public body w ithout violating section 414.
M a rch 5, 1996
M e m o r a n d u m O p in io n f o r t h e G e n e r a l C o u n s e l
G e n e r a l S e r v ic e s A d m in is t r a t io n
This memorandum responds to your request for our legal opinion on the proper
interpretation of section 414 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1969,
40 U.S.C. §484b as applied to a proposed transaction relating to certain property
in the San Patricio area of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The transaction at issue involves
property that was sold pursuant to section 414 on September 27, 1974, to the
Puerto Rico Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation (known by its Spanish acro­
nym “ CRUV” ), a public corporation in San Juan, Puerto Rico. During the suc­
ceeding twenty years, CRUV and its successor attempted without success to facili­
tate the development of low and moderate income housing on the property.
CRUV’s successor recently asked the United States for permission to sell the prop­
erty at its fair market value without restriction concerning its use and to use the
sale proceeds, in part, to build low and moderate income housing in other areas
of Puerto Rico.
We have been asked to address whether the proposed transaction would con­
stitute a change in the use of the property and if so, whether the United States
could approve such change under the strictures of section 414. As discussed
below, we conclude that the proposed sale would constitute a change in the use
of the property, which under the terms of the deed must be approved by the appro­
priate agencies of the United States government. We believe that the Department
of Housing and Urban Development (“ HUD” ) and the General Services Adminis­
tration (“ GSA” ) could provide the required approval without violating section
414. We have not addressed, however, the policy implications of or merits in
approving the proposed transaction.
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I. Background
A. Section 4 1 4
At the time of the sale of the property to CRUV in 1974, section 414 of the
Housing and Urban Development Act of 1969, 40 U.S.C. §484b, stated in relevant
part:
(a) . . . any surplus real property . . . may in the discretion of
the Administrator of General Services be transferred to the Sec­
retary of Housing and Urban Development at his request for sale
or lease by him at its fair value for use in the provision of housing
to be occupied by families or individuals of low or moderate in­
come, [and for related public facilities and for related commercial
and industrial facilities approved by the Secretary.] Any such sale
or lease of surplus land shall be made only to (1) a public body
which will use the land in connection with the development of a
low-rent housing project assisted under the United States Housing
Act of 1937, or under a State or local program found by the Sec­
retary of Housing and Urban Development to have the same general
purposes as the Federal program under such Act, or (2) a purchaser
or lessee who will use the land in connection with the development
of housing (A) with respect to which annual payments will be made
to the housing owner pursuant to section 1701s of Title 12, (B)
financed with a mortgage which receives the benefit of the interest
rate provided for in the proviso in section 1751(d)(5) of Title 12,
or (C) with respect to which interest reduction payments will be
made under section 1715z or 1715z-1 of Title 12 . . . .
(b) As a condition to any sale or lease of surplus land under
this section to a purchaser or lessee other than a public body, the
Secretary shall obtain such undertakings as he may consider appro­
priate to assure that the property will be used in the provision of
housing and related facilities to be occupied by families or individ­
uals of low or moderate income for a period of not less than forty
years. If during such period the property is used for any purpose
other than the purpose for which it was sold or leased it shall revert
to the United States (or, in the case of leased property, the lease
shall terminate) unless the Secretary and the Administrator of Gen­
eral Services, after the expiration of the first twenty years of such
period, have approved the use of the property for such other pur­
pose. The Secretary shall notify the Committees on Banking and
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Legal Authority to Approve Changes in Use o f Property Under Section414 o f the Housing and Urban
Development Act o f 1969
Currency and the Committees on Government Operations of the
Senate and House of Representatives whenever any surplus land
is sold or leased by him, or he and the Administrator of General
Services approve a change in the use of any surplus land therefore
sold or leased by him, pursuant to the authority of this section.1
Section 414 was originally adopted by Congress on December 24, 1969, as
part of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1969, Pub. L. No. 91-152,
tit. IV, §414, 83 Stat. 379, 400. The purpose of the 1969 Act was to extend
existing housing and urban development programs, provide funding for these pro­
grams and to improve programs to make them more helpful to low- and moderate-
income families. See House Comm, on Banking and Currency, 91st Cong., Hous­
ing and Urban D evelopm ent Act o f 1969 (Comm. Print 1969); H.R. Conf. Rep.
No. 91-740 (1969); H.R. Rep. No. 91-539 (1969); S. Rep. No. 91-392 (1969).
The statute was amended in 1978 and 1980 and repealed in 1983. The most
notable changes in the 1978 amendment included the addition of language to sub­
section (a) allowing for the property to “ be occupied predominantly by families
or individuals of low and moderate income” and an expansion of the eligible
housing programs that could provide assistance. Subsection (b) was modified by
changing forty years to thirty years and requiring that the property be used “ to
the maximum practicable extent” for the required housing. The reporting require­
ments to Congress were also deleted. See Housing and Community Development
Amendments of 1978, Pub. L. No. 95-557, § 317(a), (b), 92 Stat. 2080, 2100.
The 1980 amendment added the Secretary of Agriculture as an eligible recipient
of surplus property. See Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, Pub.
L. No. 96-399, 94 Stat. 1614, 1669.
With the 1980 amendments, the statute stated in relevant part:
( a ) . . . any Federal surplus real property . . . may, in the discre­
tion of the Administrator of General Services, be transferred to the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development or the Secretary of
Agriculture at the request of either such Secretary for sale or lease
by either Secretary at its fair value for use in the provision of hous­
ing to be occupied predominantly by families or individuals of low-
or moderate-income, assisted under a Federal housing assistance
program administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban De­
velopment or the Secretary of Agriculture or under a State or local
program found by the appropriate Secretary to have the same gen­
1 The statute had been amended once since its original adoption, making minor changes not relevant to the issues
here. See Housing and Urban Development Act o f 1970, Pub. L. No. 9 1-609, 84 Stat. 1770, 1816.
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eral purpose, and for related public commercial or industrial facili­
ties approved by the appropriate Secretary. . . .
(b) As a condition of any disposition by the Secretary of Federal
surplus real property under this section to an entity other than a
public body, the Secretary shall obtain such undertakings as the
Secretary may consider appropriate to assure that the property will
be used, to the maximum practicable extent, in the provision of
housing and related facilities to be occupied by families or individ­
uals of low and moderate income for a period of not less than thirty
years. If during such period the property is used for any purpose
other than the purpose for which it was disposed of it shall revert
to the United States (or, in the case of leased property, the lease
shall terminate) unless the Secretary and the Administrator, after
the expiration of the first twenty years of such period, have ap­
proved the use of the property for such other purposes.
Although section 414 was repealed in 1983, Congress provided that the terms
of section 414 continue with regard to requests for transfer of surplus property
that were made prior to enactment of the repealing statute. Supplemental Appro­
priations Act of 1984, Pub. L. No. 98-181, 97 Stat. 1153, 1175 (1983). Congress
also provided that “ section 414(b) . . . shall continue to apply, where applicable,
to all property transferred by either Secretary pursuant to section 414.” Id.
B. San P atricio P roperty
Between 1940 and 1943, the United States acquired through condemnation pro­
ceedings 52.86 acres of land located in the San Patricio area of San Juan, Puerto
Rico. The property was used by the Department of Navy for defense housing
purposes. In 1970, a report was filed by the Department of Navy with the GSA
declaring the 52.86 acres of land, with improvements, to be surplus property. The
improvements on the property consisted of 206 buildings, including 194. duplex
housing units, miscellaneous structures, paved streets, gutters, sidewalks and utili­
ties. Most of the buildings had been erected in 1941 and were in poor condition
by 1970.
In a letter to the GSA Administrator, dated June 29, 1972, HUD formally re­
quested the transfer of the 52.86 acres of San Patricio property for sale to the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico pursuant to section 414 of the Housing and Urban
Development Act of 1969, 40 U.S.C. §484b. Letter for Arthur F. Sampson, Ad­
ministrator, GSA, from Samuel C. Jackson, Assistant Secretary for Community
Planning and Management, HUD (June 29, 1972) (“ Jackson June 29, 1972 Let­
ter’’). The letter listed certain information regarding the proposed sale as required
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Development Act o f 1969
by GSA’s regulations. As stated in those regulations, certain information was
needed for use by “ GSA in preparing and submitting a statement relative to the
proposed transaction to the Senate and House Committees on Government Oper­
ations prior to the transfer of the property to HUD.” 41 C.F.R. §101-47-308-
6(f)(7) (1974).
The information submitted in HUD’s Jackson June 29, 1972 Letter included,
in relevant part, “ what reversionary provisions [would] be included in the deed.”
41 C.F.R. § 101-47-308-6(f)(7) (1974). The letter stated:
Section 414(b) does not require that reversionary provisions be in­
cluded in the deed when the sale is to a public body; however,
language will be included which will make clear the purposes for
which the land is to be used.
Jackson June 29, 1972 Letter at 2. Also included in the letter was a summary
of the proposed development plan for the property.
The proposed development is medium to high density residential
consisting of approximately 1,920 housing units, with supporting
community and commercial facilities. Total Project cost is esti­
mated to be $75 million. Housing is to be developed with Federal
assistance under HUD’s Public Housing, Section 235 and Section
236 Programs. . . .
It is estimated that construction can begin within two years of the
date of sale of the property. Planning and development of a project
of this size will require several years, therefore a completion date
for all construction is not estimated.
Id.
The letter also stated that HUD had determined the property’s fair value for
use in providing the required housing to be $1,655,000 and that HUD proposed
to sell the property at that price. Id. at 1. The estimated fair market value of
the San Patricio property as of July 20, 1972, was $2,964,500. Disposal Plan,
Real Property and Related Personal Property (July 20, 1972).
GSA concluded that the proposed transfer to HUD was consistent with the re­
quirements of surplus property sales. GSA notified HUD of the approval and that
the congressional committees would have to review HUD’s disposal plan. Letter
for Office of Real Property, HUD, from Richard W. Austin, Assistant Commis­
sioner, Office of Real Property, GSA (Aug. 7, 1972).
In a letter to the Chairpersons of the United States House and Senate Commit­
tees on Government Operations, the GSA Administrator advised Congress of the
proposed transfer to HUD and subsequent sale to the Commonwealth of Puerto
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Rico of 51.887 acres of San Patricio property.2 Letters for Honorable Chet
Holifield and Sam J. Ervin, Jr., Chairmen, House and Senate Committees on Gov­
ernment Operations, from Arthur F. Sampson, Acting Administrator, GSA (Aug.
25, 1972) (“ Holifield & Ervin Aug. 25, 1972 Letters” ). The letters, which were
identical, disclosed virtually the same information that the Jackson June 29, 1972
Letter had provided to GSA. As for the reversionary provision, however, GSA
simply stated that “ [c]onveyances under Section 414 of the Housing and Urban
Development Act of 1969, as amended, do not require reversionary provisions
in the deed when disposal is to a public body.” Id. at 2. GSA did not notify
Congress that HUD nevertheless planned to convey the land conditionally.
In a letter dated October 17, 1972, GSA assigned to HUD 51.887 acres of the
land with improvements (“ the San Patricio property” ) for sale to the Common­
wealth of Puerto Rico as HUD had previously requested. Letter for Samuel Jack­
son, Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Management, HUD, from
Albert Wilson, Director, Real Property Division, GSA (Oct. 17, 1972). Although
GSA demanded in the letter that the sale to Puerto Rico be made subject to certain
conditions, no mention was made of a need for a reversionary provision in the
deed or that the land be conveyed conditionally as to its use. GSA did request
that it be furnished with copies of the deed of conveyance.
In a deed dated September 27, 1974, HUD sold the San Patricio property to
CRUV for $1,655,000, to be paid over an eight year period with the unpaid bal­
ance bearing an interest per annum of eight and one fourth percent. See Deed
at 8-9. As set forth in the deed, the conveyance of the San Patricio property
was premised upon certain conditions that were binding on CRUV and its succes­
sors. Some of the conditions relevant to the issues addressed here are set forth
as part of the deed’s paragraph entitled “ Seventh” under the category “ TERMS
AND CONDITIONS.” Five types of “ Terms and Conditions” are listed in para­
graphs lettered from “ A ” to “ E .” Some of the terms and conditions in category
“ E ” are pertinent and read as follows:
E. [CRUV] proposes to provide housing under the terms of the
United States Housing Act of Nineteen Thirty Seven as amended,
. . . so as to enable families of low and moderate income and the
elderly or handicapped, to live in decent homes now beyond their
means.
2 The letter states that the property to be transferred consist o f 51.887 acres of land with improvements. Almost
an acre (i.e. .973 ) o f the 52.86 acres initially requested by HUD was transferred to the Federal Aviation Administra­
tion ( “ FAA**) instead o f HUD. Accordingly, H U D received 51.887 acres o f the San Patricio property for sale to
CRU V . See Letter for Samuel Jackson, Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Management, HUD, from
A lbert W ilson, Chief, Real Property Division, GSA (July 21, 1972); Segregation, Sale, Conveyance and Mortgage
Deed at 6 -7 (Sept. 27, 1974) (“ D eed” ) (attached as Exhibit A).
A fter the sale to CRUV, a discrepancy betw een the deed and Registry o f Property in Puerto Rico was discovered
as to the acreage o f the property conveyed. In a qualifying deed, dated February 25, 1975, the parties agreed to
adopt the acreage figures appearing in the R egistry (54.06 total acreage, 2.193 acreage given to the FAA, leaving
a total acreage o f 51.867 conveyed to CRUV). See Aclaratory D eed (Feb. 25, 1975).
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TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the [San Patricio] property provided,
however, that this Deed is made and accepted upon the following
conditions subsequent, which shall be binding upon and enforceable
against [CRUV], its successors or assigns, as follows:
One.— That for a period of forty (40) years from date of this deed,
the [San Patricio] property herein conveyed shall be utilized for
the development and rental of low-rent housing to be occupied by
families or individuals of low or moderate income and for such
other purposes as may be defined from time to time by the United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Two.— That during the aforementioned period of forty (40) years
[CRUV] will resell, lease, mortgage or encumber, or otherwise dis­
pose of the [San Patricio] property or any part thereof or interest
therein only as the United State [sic] Department of Housing and
Urban Development or its successors, in accordance with the then-
existing regulations, may authorize in writing.
Five.— In the event of a breach of any of the conditions set forth
above, whether caused by the legal or other inability of [CRUV],
its successors or assigns, to perform any of the obligations herein
set forth, all right, title, and interest in and to the [San Patricio]
property shall, at the option of the United States of America, revert
to and become the property of the United States of America; unless
the [Secretary] and the Administrator of General Services, after the
expiration of the first twenty (20) years of such period, approve
the use of the property for such other purpose[s]; and the United
States of America shall have an immediate right of entry thereon,
and [CRUV], its successors or assigns, shall forfeit all right, title,
and interest in and to the [San Patricio] property and in any and
all of the tenements, hereditaments, and appurtenances thereunto
belonging . . . .
Deed at 10-12.
Thereafter, in the deed’s paragraph entitled “ Ninth,” CRUV made an additional
representation concerning the construction of the low and moderate income hous­
ing on the San Patricio property:
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[CRUV] agrees that it will start construction of the proposed facility
within three years following the execution of this Deed and will
keep such developer activity within a reasonable period of time
thereafter, now estimated to be ten years. Construction of initial
and subsequent phases of the development of the property will pro­
ceed only upon prior approval of the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development.
Id. at 14.
After purchasing the San Patricio property, CRUV never developed the land
as originally planned. Documents supplied to us by HUD and GSA contain ref­
erences to a variety of problems faced by CRUV in its efforts to develop the
property. For example, in a HUD memorandum dated February 10, 1987, the first
10 years of problems are summarized.
No real acceptable solution has been reached in 10 years. Over this
time, the circumstances have changed as the Section 8 New Con­
struction Program was terminated. Alternate sources of funds for
construction needed to be developed.
After 10 years, nothing had been built because of a variety of rea­
sons: lack of development money, utilities problems, neighborhood
opposition, bureaucratic inertia, and changes in administration.
Memorandum for Thomas T. Demery, Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal
Housing Commissioner, HUD, from R. Hunter Cushing, Deputy Assistant Sec­
retary for Multifamily Housing Programs, HUD (Feb. 1987)3 (“ Cushing Memo­
randum” ).
The documents reveal that a number of alternative development proposals were
submitted by CRUV to HUD. Some proposals were accepted and some were re­
jected by HU D .4 The documents also show that some proposals were prompted
by threats of instituting a reversionary proceeding. The Cushing Memorandum
states:
3 The handw ritten date o f “ Feb. 5, 1986” o n the memorandum appears to not reference the date o f the memo­
randum. The receipt stam p on the bottom o f the memorandum appears to indicate a date of “ February 10, 1987.”
In addition, the m emorandum references events occurring subsequent to February 5, 1986.
4 Apparently, efforts to develop the property were unsuccessful in part because o f the amount o f HUD subsidy
that would have been required to support the low and moderate income housing proposals. See Letter for Karen
Popp, A ttom ey-A dvisor, O ffice o f Legal Counsel, from Nelson A. Diaz, General Counsel, HUD at 3 (July 27, 1995)
( “ Diaz July 27, 1995 Letter” ).
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Development Act o f 1969
The sale documents and deed required development activities to
begin in 3 years and be completed in 10 years, or the property
was subject to a right of reversion in the United States. As the
10-year period approached without any development, Common­
wealth and HUD officials met on numerous occasions to try to de­
velop a plan for the site in order to avoid reversion.
When Puerto Rican officials understood we were serious about
starting the reversion process [after 10 years], they negotiated a new
plan to develop half of the site with [Low and Moderate Income
Housing] and the other half with Coast Guard family housing for
some of its enlisted personnel. Half of the proceeds of the Coast
Guard sale were earmarked to assist the [Low and Moderate Income
Housing] part of the site. Puerto Rico developed a plan for the [Low
and Moderate Income Housing] half and selected developers for
the development. The Coast Guard secured funding for its half,
signed a contract to buy it, and put down a $50,000 deposit.
However, the plan never went forward. There was a change in ad­
ministrations in Puerto Rico, and the new officials decided to re­
zone the site to park and recreational use to block development
of any type.
In December 1985, Puerto Rico, at our request, submitted another
proposed plan for the site but it was unacceptable to HUD.
Id. at 1, 4.
The Cushing memorandum also made reference to a GSA letter dated March
7, 1986, which requested that HUD either facilitate the development of the prop­
erty or exercise its reversionary rights under the deed. Letter for Angelo Sciosia,
Director, Office of Surplus Land, HUD, from James J. Buckley, Acting Assistant
Commissioner, Office of Real Property, GSA (Mar. 7, 1986). As set forth in that
letter, GSA inspected a portion of the property in January 1985 and found that
the property had not been developed.5
In addressing a then-current CRUV development proposal, the Cushing Memo­
randum discussed the alternative of pursuing the reversionary proceeding and the
possible consequences.
5 HUD advised CRUV in a letter dated June 26, 1986, that a request had been made of the H U D General Counsel
to commence the reversion process. Letter for Jose Ariel Nazario, Secretary, Housing Department, Commonwealth
o f Puerto Rico, from R. Hunter Cushing, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Multifamily Housing Programs, HUD (June
26, 1986).
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This proposal will develop 450 new units at San Patricio, and 300
new units in Rio Bayamon — a noteworthy achievement.
Our alternative is to refuse to modify our last position and continue
with reversion which will entail protracted litigation during which
no new units will be built. Furthermore, because of numerous legal
interpretaters, our success in litigation is not assured. However, the
Commonwealth seems to be willing to expend a lot of political
currency to keep us at the negotiating table.
Since we have never before done a section 414 reversion, we expect
it will take several years.
Id. at 2.
In the end, HUD chose to pursue negotiating alternative proposals for the devel­
opment of the property instead o f seeking a reversion of the property. In a letter
dated March 17, 1987, HUD approved the 1986 plan to develop 450 units on
the San Patricio property and to sell other property to the United States Coast
Guard. HUD advised CRUV that “ [w]e will suspend the reversionary process
begun earlier.” Letter for Jose Ariel Nazario Alvarez, Secretary, Housing Depart­
ment, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, from Thomas T. Demery, Assistant Sec­
retary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner, HUD at 2 (Mar. 17, 1987).
The 1986 plan approved by HUD involved the sale of the San Patricio property
to a developer in Puerto Rico, the RECA Development Corporation (“ RECA” ).
Problems arose in completing the plan as it related to the Coast Guard property
and because of the substantial increase in fair market value enjoyed by the San
Patricio property.6 The delay from these problems extended into the early 1990’s.
In 1991, CRUV was dissolved and the Office for the Liquidation of Assets
(“ OLA” ) in Puerto Rico acquired CRUV’s debts and assets, including the San
Patricio property.7 See Proposal at 6. OLA’s Special Trustee was tasked with
the duty of liquidating CRUV’s obligations in an effort to meet its debts. The
Puerto Rico Department of Housing (“ Vivienda” ) assumed CRUV’s govern­
6 In 1987, the San Patricio property was valued at $6.2 million for use in providing the required housing. A
1994 appraisal found the value for use at $10 million and without the restrictions at $20 million. See Puerto Rico
Dept, o f Housing, Proposal for the Disposition o f Finca San Patricio for the Creation of a “ Jibaro Housing Thist
F und” at 18—19 (A ug. 17, 1994) ( “ Proposal” ). The increase in value has been attributed to the location of the
property and inflation. The San Patricio property is on a bluff within walking distance o f many existing urban
facilities, services and employment opportunities and the most expensive housing development in Puerto Rico (single
fam ily hom es in the $2 million plus range). Id. at 18.
7 C RU V had m ade full payment of the purchase price plus interest for the San Patricio property by March,
1983. In the end, CRUV paid a total sum o f $1,954,253.45 fo r the property. See Memorandum for Angelo M.
Sciosia, Director, O ffice o f Surplus Land & H ousing, HUD, from Rafael Pieras-Lombardero, Area Counsel, HUD,
Re: Status Report San Patricio N aval Reservation Project No. N -PR 451B (Apr. 20, 1983).
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Development A ct o f 1969
mental responsibility in the area of developing affordable housing in Puerto Rico.
Id. at 6-10.
OLA and Vivienda assumed the responsibility of facilitating the development
of the San Patricio property. Negotiations with RECA continued. In 1992, an
“ Agreement to Sell and Purchase San Patricio Property” (the “ Agreement” ) was
drafted and allegedly agreed to by representatives of RECA, Vivienda, and HUD.
The 1992 transaction contemplated a sale of the San Patricio property free of
the restrictive use in providing low and moderate income housing with the pro­
ceeds being used by Vivienda to build the housing elsewhere.
The proposed transaction was never completed. HUD and Puerto Rico have
taken the position that the Agreement is not valid. HUD’s position is premised
upon the assertion that GSA’s approval for the sale is required under the deed.
Puerto Rico has asserted that OLA’s approval is also required. See Letter for
Marcia Hale, Co-Chair, Interagency Working Group on Puerto Rico, Department
of Commerce, from Nelson Diaz, General Counsel, HUD at 2 (Feb. 9, 1995)
(“ Diaz Feb. 9, 1995 Letter” ). RECA filed an action on September 26, 1994 in
the Superior Court of Puerto Rico seeking injunctive and declaratory relief. Id.
The litigation is pending.8
As the dispute with RECA continued in Puerto Rico, Vivienda submitted a pro­
posal to HUD for the sale of the San Patricio property. The proposal envisions
a two step sale. In the first step, Vivienda and OLA would enter into a binding
agreement for Vivienda to acquire the San Patricio property with its current deed
restriction and to pay OLA for the current value of such use. Vivienda and OLA
would forward a copy of the agreement to HUD. After obtaining GSA approval,
HUD would authorize the removal of the deed restrictions on the use of the prop­
erty. Upon removal of the deed restrictions, Vivienda would issue a Request for
Proposals for the development of the site and sell the property at its fair market
value.9 The proceeds of this sale would be used by Vivienda, in part, to provide
low and moderate income housing in other parts of Puerto Rico. Part of the money
would be used to pay the expenses of Vivienda and OLA. The two-step approach
in this transaction is required because OLA’s authority is limited to liquidating
CRUV’s assets. See Diaz July 27, 1995 Letter at 1 n.l; Letter for Teresa Wynn
Roseborough and Karen Popp, Office of Legal Counsel, Department of Justice,
from Emily C. Hewitt, General Counsel, GSA at 2 n.3 (June 20, 1995) (“ Hewitt
June 20, 1995 Letter” ); Vivienda Proposal at 35-52.
After consideration of Vivienda’s proposed transaction, HUD and GSA arrived
at differing views as to whether the United States could legally approve the trans­
action. As set forth below, we outline those differing views and address the legal
issues under section 414 raised by the proposed transaction.
6 This Opinion does not address the questions presented in the 1992 litigation.
’ Earlier this year, HUD learned from Puerto Rico that RECA has indicated a willingness to purchase the San
Patricio property. See Diaz Feb. 9, 1995 Letter. This result could resolve the pending litigation Id.
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C . The P osition s o f H U D and G SA
HUD takes the position that the proposed transaction is lawful under section
414 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1969, 40 U.S.C. §484b. GSA
claims that the proposed transaction is not authorized by section 414.
Conceding that section 414 requires that the San Patricio property be “ used”
to provide low and moderate income housing, HUD first argues that the proposed
transaction satisfies the “ use” requirement. Specifically, HUD claims that selling
the property at its fair market value and using the proceeds to build housing else­
where is a proper “ use” of the property in providing the required housing. Rely­
ing on this expansive view of the statutory term “ use,” HUD concludes that the
proposal would not change the “ use” of the property, only the method by which
the property is used. See San Patricio, Summary of HUD Legal Position, Attach­
ment to Letter for Honorable Walter Dellinger, Assistant Attorney General, Office
of Legal Counsel, from Emily C. Hewitt, General Counsel, GSA (Apr. 11, 1995).
GSA rejects the notion that the proposed sale is not a change in use of the
property. GSA views the statutory term of “ use” as requiring that the property
be physically used by developing the required housing on the actual premises.
HUD next asserts that even if the proposed transaction constitutes a change
in the property’s use, HUD and GSA are authorized to approve such change under
the terms of the deed, which are not inconsistent with section 414. As outlined
above, the deed specifies in Condition Five of paragraph Seven that, after twenty
years, HUD and GSA could approve a change in the use of the property. The
same provision of the deed allows for reversion of the property at the United
States’ option in the event housing is not provided for the first forty years after
conveyance to CRUV. Section 414, however, does not explicitly state that in a
conveyance to a public body the United States can authorize a change in the use
of the property. Subsection (b) o f the statute does specify that in a sale to a non­
public body the property shall revert back to the United States if the property
is not used in providing the required housing, unless after twenty years a change
in use has been approved by GSA and HUD.
HUD construes the statute as leaving the government with the option to insert
a reversionary requirement and a provision allowing for a change in use when
the sale is to a public body. HUD contends that the existence of section 414(b)
simply makes the reversionary requirement mandatory for all sales to non-public
bodies.
GSA views the explicitness of section 414(b) somewhat differently and finds
“ some” merit in the claim that “ Congress’s omission from subsection (b) of pub­
lic bodies signifies a specific and purposeful limitation of the authority to approve
changes in use.” Letter for Teresa Wynn Roseborough and Karen Popp, Office
of Legal Counsel, from Emily C. Hewitt, General Counsel, GSA at 1 n.l (Aug.
9, 1995) (“ Hewitt Aug. 9, 1995 letter” ). GSA concedes, however, that the statute
is ambiguous and that the legislative history does not lend support to this interpre­
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Development Act o f 1969
tation. Citing Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council Inc., 467
U.S. 837, 843 n.9 (1984), GSA joins HUD in concluding that considerable weight
should be accorded to GSA’s interpretation of the statute through its regulations.
GSA asserts that the current regulation, 41 C.F.R. §101-47.308-6(1) (1994),
which was adopted in 1982, is controlling because approval of the proposed trans­
action must comply with Condition Two of paragraph Seven of the deed. As set
forth above, that condition requires HUD’s approval “ in accordance with the then-
existing regulations,” for a resell of the property. The current regulation at issue
addresses the authority to change the use of the property in sales to non-public
bodies. The regulations do not specify that the authority exists in sales to public
bodies. GSA argues that the regulation establishes that GSA has interpreted section
414(b) as limiting the authority to approve changes in use to properties transferred
to non-public bodies.
HUD disagrees. The previous version of the regulation at issue, which was
adopted in 1971, did not limit the power to change the use to properties transferred
to non-public bodies. On its face, the regulation appeared to recognize the author­
ity to change the use of the property in any type of sale under section 414 and
to require a reversionary right in all deeds of conveyance. HUD contends that
this earlier regulation is evidence that GSA interpreted section 414 as HUD now
does— the statute leaves the government with the option to insert a reversionary
requirement and a provision allowing for a change in use when the sale is only
to a public body. HUD also cites to the letters GSA wrote to Congress and HUD
in approving the San Patricio transfer as further support of this interpretation.
See letters supra . 10
Finally, the parties addressed GSA’s claim that even if the deed’s provision
for change of use authority is lawful under section 414, such approval authority
is conditioned upon compliance by CRUV with the use requirements during the
twenty year period. Stated differently, GSA argues that GSA and HUD may ap­
prove a change in the use of the property only if CRUV has been in compliance
with the deed’s conditions. GSA relies on the language in section 414, analogous
real property disposal regulations and policy considerations in support of its argu­
ment.
In rejecting GSA’s argument, HUD relies on the plain language of the statute,
regulations and deed. HUD also argues that, in any event, CRUV’s noncompliance
was caused by exceptional circumstances and should not be a basis for denying
a change in use. According to HUD, CRUV and its successor were unable to
develop the property as required by the deed of conveyance despite its best efforts.
These failures were caused in part by the lack of HUD funding required for the
development.
10 As for the 1982 change lo the regulations, HUD rejects G SA ’s assertion that the change demonstrates a different
GSA interpretation o f section 414. HUD claims that the amended regulation sim ply adopted a rule more consistent
with the statute: in a conveyance to a non-public body, the reversionary requirement is mandatory.
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II. Legal Analysis
A. Whether the Proposed Transaction Constitutes A Change In Use of the San
Patricio Property
The initial question presented is whether the proposed transaction constitutes
a change in use of the property under section 414 and the deed. Section 414
authorized GSA to transfer surplus property to HUD “ for sale or lease by him
at its fair value for use in the provision of housing to be occupied by families
or individuals of low or moderate incomes. . . . Any such sale or lease of surplus
land shall be made only to (1) a public body which will use the land in connection
with the development of a low-rent housing project.” 11 In the sale of the property
to CRUV, the deed required that the property be “ utilized for the development
and rental of low-rent housing to be occupied by families or individuals of low
or moderate income.” Deed at 10-11. HUD claims that the proposed transaction
is not a change in the use of the property because the property will be “ used”
as an asset to sell at fair market value in order to raise money to build the housing
on different property in Puerto Rico. We do not believe that HUD is correct.
The plain meaning of the phrase “ for use in the provision of hous­
ing” convinces us that Congress was referring to the physical use
of the property — that is, that Congress intended as an initial matter
that the property be used as the premises upon which the required
housing must be built. Indeed, the legislation authorized HUD to
sell the property below fair market value because of the use to
which the property would be put. The discounted value was deter­
mined by the “ use” of the property as the premises upon which
the low and moderate housing would be built. Adopting HUD’s
construction that use in the provision of housing includes use as
an asset to finance the construction of housing would belie the ra­
tionale of the statute’s provision.
The primary guide to statutory interpretation is the plain meaning of the text.
As stated by the Supreme Court in United States v. Ron Pair Enters., Inc., 489
U.S. 235, 242 (1989):
The plain meaning of legislation should be conclusive, except in
the “ rare cases [in which] the literal application of a statute will
produce a result demonstrably at odds with the intention of its draft­
ers.” Griffin v. Oceanic Contractors, Inc., 458 U.S. 564, 571
11 Section 414(a) was am ended by deleting the latter part o f this phrase and currently reads in relevant part:
“ for sale o r lease by either Secretary at its fair value for use in the provision o f housing to be occupied predominantly
by fam ilies o r individuals o f low- o r moderate-income.”
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Legal Authority to Approve Changes in Use o f Property Under Section 414 o f the Housing and Urban
Development A ct o f 1969
(1982). In such cases, the intention of the drafters, rather than the
strict language, controls.
This is not the “ rare case[]” where the result that follows from the statute’s
text is “ demonstrably at odds” with its underlying congressional purpose. See
Griffin, 458 U.S. at 571. To the contrary, adopting the plain meaning of the lan­
guage furthers the congressional intent of selling property at a discount because
of its restricted usage. The legislative history supports the conclusion we have
reached from a plain reading of the statute.
The House Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs explained that
the rationale for selling the property at a discounted value was to attract developers
who could build housing on the property.
The advantage to a developer in obtaining land through section 414
lies in the statute’s authorization for the price of the land to be
set by the Secretary at “ fair value for use” rather than “ fair market
value.”
H.R. Rep. No. 95-871, at 47 (1978).
In justifying the sale at a discount, the Senate Committee on Banking and Cur­
rency exhibited an expectation that the property itself would be developed:
Existing law governing the disposal of surplus Federal land permits
the Administrator of General Services to assign surplus real prop­
erty to the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Health, Edu­
cation, and Welfare for subsequent sale or lease at less than market
value to nonprofit organizations, the States or their subdivisions.
Such property must be used for recreational, public health, or edu­
cational purposes. This section would allow a similar sale or lease
of surplus land at reduced prices where the land is to be used for
the development of low- and moderate-income housing. The price
to be paid for all property (or the lease thereof) being so utilized
shall be equal to the fair value (or fair rental value if it is to be
leased) of such plot as determined by standard appraisal techniques,
considering the use to which the property is to be put by the party
acquiring the same. . . .
Authority to provide sites as [sic] a reduced price for low- and mod­
erate-income housing would not necessarily have an adverse budg­
etary impact since the amount of subsequent Federal subsidy re­
quired for this housing would be lessened due to lower initial land
costs to the developer.
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S. Rep. No. 91-392, at 35-36.
Subsequent materials also refer to the physical use of the property in explaining
section 414. For example, in addressing the 1970 amendment to section 414, the
House Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs explained that section
414 authorized GSA to dispose of surplus “ land” to HUD “ for the construction
of low- and moderate-income” housing. House Comm, on Banking, Finance, and
Urban Affairs, 95th Cong., Basic Laws an d Authorities on Housing and Commu­
nity D evelopm ent 23 n.l (Comm. Print 1978).
In a joint explanatory statement of the House and Senate managers of the Com­
mittee of Conference, section 414 was described as providing property “ at its
fair value for use as housing . . . . [T]he disposition of federal surplus property
is for the purpose of making land available for low and moderate income hous­
ing.” House Subcomm. on Housing and Community Development, 95th Cong.,
Com pilation o f the Housing and Community D evelopm ent Amendments o f 1978,
Joint E xplanatory Statement o f the M anagers o f the Committee o f Conference
110 (Comm. Print 1978) (“ Explanatory Statement of Managers” ); see also H.R.
Conf. Rep. No. 95-1792, at 81 (1978).
The legislative history plainly shows that in adopting section 414 Congress in­
tended for the surplus property to be developed with the required low and mod­
erate income housing. This history and the plain meaning of the statute belie any
claim that the phrase “ use in the provision of housing” includes a developer’s
sale of the property at a fair market value.
In addition, if “ use in the provision of housing” included a sale at fair market
value by the developer, the program established by section 414 would accomplish
nothing more than what GSA could have done alone. If authorized, GSA would
certainly have the ability to negotiate the sale of federal property at fair market
value and to earmark the proceeds for housing without HUD and the developer
as intermediaries to the sale. Such intermediaries would create inefficiencies and
unnecessary expense. Indeed, in the end, the statute was repealed and the program
abolished due, in part, to the recognition that GSA could sell surplus property
directly to a developer for the construction of housing.
Since its inception, this program has been infrequently used. Four­
teen properties have been transferred since 1970. Nine additional
properties are in the pipeline. This limited activity over such a long
period does not justify the costs involved— staff, travel, etc. — in
maintaining the program. Moreover, the program is administratively
inefficient, since it interjects HUD and FmHA between GSA and
the ultimate purchaser/lessee of the property involved.
S. Rep. No. 98-142, at 23 (1983)
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Development Act o f 1969
Our conclusion is also supported by the plain meaning of section 414(b). As
quoted above, section 414(b) requires that HUD assure that the property be
“ used” in providing housing to be occupied for a period of forty years (thirty
as amended) by families of low and moderate income and that a reversion occur
if the property is not so used. Certainly the property would have to be physically
used during this period; disposing of the property could not satisfy the forty/thirty
year requirement. Nor could the property be reverted back to the United States
if it had been “ used” in a sale at fair market value.
Even if the statute were ambiguous on this issue, GSA, the agency charged
with administering the statute, has interpreted “ use in the provision of housing”
to require that the land be developed with the necessary housing. Regulations
adopted by GSA mandate that when HUD submits a request to GSA for the trans­
fer of surplus property for sale to another entity, HUD must specify:
(5) [h]ow the property is to be used (i.e., single or multifamily
housing units, the number of housing units proposed, types of facili­
ties, and the estimated cost of construction); (6) [a]n estimate as
to the dates construction will be started and completed; and (7)
[w]hat reversionary provision will be included in the deed . . . .
41 C.F.R. § 101-47.308-6(f) (1994). HUD complied with these regulations in the
conveyance at issue here. Likewise, the deed’s requirement that the property be
“ utilized for the development and rental of low-rent housing,” appears to con­
template the physical use of the property.12 Because the proposed transaction in­
volves the sale of the property to raise cash with which housing would be built
elsewhere, we believe such use constitutes a change under the terms of section
414 and the deed.
12 Indeed, in a different context, HUD has taken the same position we have reached: permitting a developer to
sell the property at fair market value and using the proceeds to provide the required housing elsewhere is a change
in use o f the property under the deed. In 1992, an Agreement to sell the San Patricio property was allegedly agreed
to by representatives o f RECA, Vivienda, and HUD. The proposed sale, like the one at issue here, involved selling
the property at fair market value with the proceeds going toward the building o f low and moderate housing elsewhere
in Puerto Rico. HUD took the position that the Agreement was not valid.
HUD’s assertion was premised upon Condition Five o f paragraph Seven o f the deed, which requires the approval
o f GSA and HUD where, after twenty years, CRUV or its successor seeks to use the property for a purpose other
than the provision o f low or moderate income housing. See Deed at 10, <|7(E)(One) and p. 11-12, 17(E)(Five).
In relying on this condition of the deed, the crux o f H UD's position is that the proposed transaction is a change
in use o f the property — that is, the property is not being used to provide the required housing. Otherwise, only
Condition Two, Seventh paragraph, would apply to the transaction. Condition Two requires only HUD’s approval
if the property is resold for the purpose o f providing the required housing. Id. at 10-11, ^7(E)(Tw o); see also
Letter for Karen Popp, Attomey-Advisor, Office o f Legal Counsel, from Nelson A. Diaz, General Counsel, HUD
at 4 n .l (June 19, 1995) ( “ Diaz June 19, 1995 Letter” ) (“ Paragraph No. 2 in the deed . . . only requires HUD
approval of a sale o f San Patricio by CRUV because a sale o f the property, by itself, does not constitute a change
in use as long as housing continues to be planned for the property.*’)
Indeed, HUD also concedes in the June 19, 1995, letter that the proposed transaction at issue here constitutes
a change in the use o f the property, requiring GSA and HUD approval. Diaz June 19, 1995 Letter at 4 ( “ All
HUD proposes to do at this time is to implement [Condition Five] o f the deed so that a sale and change in use
of the San Patricio property can be approved by GSA and HUD.” ).
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Opinions o f the Office o f Legal Counsel in Volume 20
B. W heth er th e U nited States M ay A pprove A Change In Use o f the San Patricio
P roperty
Having concluded that the proposed transaction constitutes a change in use of
the property, we now turn to the remaining issue in dispute: whether section 414
permits a change in use of the property where the conveyance was to a public
body.
HUD and GSA agree that the conveyance to CRUV was a sale to a public
body and, consequently, that section 414(b) does not apply to the San Patricio
conveyance. We also agree with these conclusions.13 By its plain meaning, section
414(b) is limited to a conveyance made to a private entity.14 Indeed, the repealing
statute recognizes that section 414(b) applies only to qualifying conveyances. Pub.
L. No. 98-181, 97 Stat. 1153, 1175 (1983); see discussion supra p. 4.
The explicitness of section 414(b)’s limitations as to private entity conveyances
and the corresponding silence in the statute as to dispositions to public bodies
create an issue of interpretation. Is a subsequent change of use statutorily prohib­
ited when a public body purchased the property at fair market value for use in
the provision of low and moderate income housing?
Here, the principle of expressio unius est exclusio alterius is not helpful in deter­
mining legislative intent. Under this maxim, the expression of one thing is the
exclusion of another. See, e.g., U nited States v. Wells Fargo Bank, 485 U.S. 351,
357 (1988). Applying this principle, one must conclude that reversion is required
as to the private entity and optional as to the public body, and that the right
to change the use of the property is permitted for a private entity and excluded
as to the public body. These two conclusions, however, are mutually exclusive.
If a change of use is not permissible as to public body conveyances, the conditions
would run in perpetuity and a right of reverter would be required in the deed
to enforce the perpetuity provision. Stated differently, a reversionary provision
would be mandated in every deed of conveyance to a public entity, a concept
that would be inconsistent with the application of the expressio unius maxim.
GSA concedes that the legislative history does not “ lend specific support to
[the] interpretation of the statute” reached by application of the expressio unius
principle. We agree that the legislative history of section 414 is scant and certainly
not illuminating as to this question. What little legislative history does exist is
13 By its plain m eaning, the last sentence o f the original and first amended versions o f section 414(b), which
required notice to the congressional committees, applied to all surplus property sales. O ur discussion o f section
414(b) here is limited to the first two sentences o f these earlier versions, which after the 1978 amendment, constituted
the whole section.
14 The legislative history does not detract in any way from the plain meaning o f section 414(b). See S. Rep.
No. 98-1 4 2 , at 23 ( “ Section 414 presently provides that land conveyed to a private entity will revert to the United
States if it is used for other purposes within thirty years (twenty years w ith Federal approval) after its transfer
for use as low-and m oderate-incom e housing.’*); H.R. Rep. No. 95-871, at 95 (414(b) applies “ in the case o f disposi­
tion o f surplus property to an entity other than a public body’*); Explanatory Statement o f Managers at 225 (§ 4 1 4Id. at 53 (emphasis added); 115 Cong. Rec. 26,707 (1969).
The Senate Committee report also contained a section on the views of Senator
John Tower, which stated in relevant part:
Section [414] presents yet another problem. Pursuant to that section,
governmental lands may be sold to individuals at a cost below fair
market value for use in low-cost housing. This conveyance is in
fee and there is no reversion if the land is not used for low-cost
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Opinions o f the Office o f Legal Counsel in Volume 20
housing after the initial 20 years. In reality, the purchaser is getting
a windfall; the price which he pays the Federal Government could
in many instances be much below the actual value of the land and
after 20 years he can use it for any purpose he so desires. The
Federal Government must pay fair market value when it acquires
land, and it should receive the same when it sells lands.
Id. at 55 (emphasis added).
Thereafter, the proposed legislation was amended to require a forty year usage
of the property with a mandatory reversion for noncompliance, but to permit a
change in use after twenty years. This version of section 414(b) was eventually
approved by Congress. H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 91-740, at 23. The report explained:
The conference substitute retains the Senate provisions with amend­
ments . . . (2) authorizing the Secretary of HUD to assure that the
property will be used for low- and moderate-income housing for
not less than 40 years, but permitting a changed use after the initial
20 years upon approval of the Secretary.
Id. at 35.
In a section by section summary of the adopted legislation, the House Com­
mittee on Banking and Currency described section 414(a) and then stated: ‘‘Sub­
section (b) requires that, as a condition to any such sale or lease of surplus real
property, the Secretary must obtain’’ certain undertakings. House Comm, on Bank­
ing and Currency, 91st Cong., Housing and Urban Developm ent Act o f 1969, Pub­
lic L aw No. 91—152 and Section-By-Section Summary 39 (Comm. Print 1969) (em­
phasis added). It is unclear what is meant by “ any such sale.” The phrase could
reference the whole discussion relating to a section 414(a) conveyance or the pre­
ceding sentence, which addresses only sales to private entities. The previous sen­
tence states:
Prior to any sale or lease to a purchaser other than a public body
the Secretary must notify the governing body of the locality where
the property is located and no sale or lease may be made if, within
90 days, the local governing body formally notifies the Secretary
that it objects to the proposed sale or lease.
Id.
It is clear that the congressional statements highlighted above “ were obviously
not made with [our] narrow issue in mind and they cannot be said to demonstrate
a Congressional desire.” Jewell R idge C oal Corp. v. Local No. 6167, United Mine
W orkers, 325 U.S. 161, 168-69 (1945). At times, some of the statements appear
to suggest that section 414(b) applies to all sales under section 414. These state­
110
Legal Authority to Approve Changes in Use o f Property Under Section 414 o f the Housing and Urban
Development Act o f 1969
ments, however, are difficult to reconcile with the plain meaning of section 414(b)
and the other legislative history. In addition, one of the concerns addressed by
section 414(b)’s reversionary requirement and corresponding change in use provi­
sion, as explained by Senator Tower, was that “ individuals” not receive an unnec­
essary windfall. One could construe this as an indication that Congress was not
concerned with a windfall bestowed upon a public body.
Without clearer direction from Congress, we agree with HUD and GSA that
the statute and its legislative history are sufficiently ambiguous to make it appro­
priate to consider what, if any, interpretation has been provided by the agency
charged with administering the statute.
The power of an administrative agency to administer a congression-
ally created . . . program necessarily requires the formulation of
policy and the making of rules to fill any gap left, implicitly or
explicitly, by Congress.
Chevron U.S.A. Inc., 467 U.S. at 842-43 (footnotes omitted) (quoting M orton v.
Ruiz, 415 U.S. 199, 231 (1974)). The permissibility of an agency’s interpretation
depends upon whether the interpretation is “ reasonable.” Id. at 845.
On April 29, 1971, the Administrator of GSA issued regulations implementing
the program established under section 414. In relevant part, the regulations stated:
If the property conveyed under section 414(a) of the 1969 Housing
Act, as amended, is used for any purpose other than the purpose
for which it was sold or leased within a period of not less than
40 years of the conveyance, it shall revert to the United States (or,
in the case of leased property, the lease shall terminate) unless the
Secretary and the Administrator of General Services, after the expi­
ration of the first 20 years of such period, approve the use of the
property for such other purpose.
41 C.F.R. §101-47.308-6(1) (1974). The regulations also required that in any
HUD request to GSA for the transfer of surplus property, HUD had to specify
“ what reversionary provisions [would] be included in the deed.” Id. § 101—
47.308-6(f)(7).
We believe it is clear from the language of these regulations that GSA construed
section 414 to permit the government the option of inserting a reversionary re­
quirement and a provision allowing for a change in use in a deed conveying prop­
erty to a public body. Indeed, the Administrator confirmed this interpretation in
letters to Congress regarding the conveyance at issue here. He advised the House
and Senate Committees that “ [conveyances under Section 414 of the Housing
and Urban Development Act of 1969, as amended, do not require reversionary
provisions in the deed when disposal is to a public body.” Holifield & Ervin
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Opinions o f the Office o f Legal Counsel in Volume 20
Aug. 25, 1972 Letters at 5. It does not appear that GSA informed Congress that
HUD intended, nevertheless, to convey the land conditionally.
In addition, copies of the San Patricio property deed, which contained the rever­
sionary requirement and corresponding change in use provision after a twenty year
lapse, were given to GSA within a week of its execution. GSA never objected
to the terms of the deed or claimed they were contrary to section 414 requirements.
We believe that GSA’s interpretation of section 414 was correct. As previously
discussed, the legislative history supports the view that section 414(b) was adopted
to mandate a reversionary provision in conveyances to private entities as a means
to preclude windfalls to individuals. Accordingly, it is reasonable to conclude that
the silence as to public bodies creates an option as opposed to a requirement.
“ Windfalls” to governmental entities are of less concern than windfalls to private
parties. It is also reasonable to conclude that the duration and nature of use restric­
tions in conveyances to public entities were options to be negotiated on a case
by case basis with the affected public entity. The contrary construction, that con­
veyances to public entities were required to be burdened in perpetuity while pri­
vate conveyances were not, seems an unlikely congressional intent.15
The modifications made to the regulations in 1982 do not change our conclu­
sion. The regulations were amended, in relevant part, to provide:
(1) If any property conveyed under section 414(a) of the 1969 HUD
Act, as amended, to an entity other than a public body is used
for any purpose other than the purpose for which it was sold or
leased within a period of 30 years of the conveyance, it shall revert
to the United States (or, in the case of leased property, the lease
shall terminate) unless the appropriate Secretary and the Adminis­
trator of General Services, after the expiration of the first 20 years
of such period, approve the use of the property for such other pur­
pose.
41 C.F.R. § 101-47.308-6(1) (1993) (emphasis added). The other reference in the
regulation as to reversionary provisions remained the same; it continued to require
HUD to specify “ [w]hat reversionary provisions [would] be included in the
deed.” Id. § 101—47.308—6(f)(7).
GSA contends that the addition of the language, “ ‘to an entity other than a
public body,’ ” to paragraph (1) of the regulation represents a purposeful effort
15 A nother indication o f the reasonableness o f G SA ’s interpretation is the silence by Congress after being advised
by the A dm inistrator o f G S A ’s interpretation. The regulations also informed Congress of G S A 's interpretation. Al­
though C ongress am ended the statute after being aware o f the interpretation, the language relevant here was never
modified. “ W here an agency’s statutory construction has been fully brought to the attention o f the public and the
Congress,‘and the latter has not sought to alter that interpretation although it has amended the statute in other respects,
then presum ably the legislative intent has been correctly discerned.’ ” North Haven Bd. o f Educ. v. Bell, 456 U.S.
512, 535 (1982) (quoting United States v. Rutherford, 442 U.S. 544, 554 n.10 (1979)); see also FEA v. Algonquin
SNG, Inc., 426 U.S. 548, 56 7 -6 8 , 570-71 (1976).
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Legal Authority to Approve Changes in Use o f Property Under Section 414 o f the Housing and Urban
Development Act o f 1969
to clarify the “ 1971 regulation by unambiguously limiting the authority to approve
changes in use to properties transferred to non-public bodies.” Hewitt Aug. 9,
1995 Letter at 3. The language of the regulation, however, fails to achieve this
“ clarification.” 16 Like section 414 itself, the 1982 regulation fails unambiguously
to assert any limitations on conveyances to public bodies or any limitations on
GSA and HUD’s ability to permit changes in the use of such property. Given
the clarity of the 1971 regulation, which was the regulation in force at the time
of the original conveyance, and the ambiguity of the 1982 regulation, we do not
believe that GSA is precluded by statute or regulation from approving a change
in the use of the San Patricio property because it was conveyed to a public enti­
ty. 17 In the absence of a statutory or regulatory bar, we believe the terms of
the deed are controlling. Under the deed, GSA and HUD may approve a change
in use after September 27, 1994. Deed at 11, discussion supra (Condition Two applies to a resell when the property is not to be used for a different
purpose.). Condition Five requires that both GSA and HUD approve the change o f use. Condition Five does not
have language limiting the authority to “ then-existing regulations.” Nevertheless, even if Condition Tw o o f the
deed were invoked by the proposed transaction at issue here, the current regulations are not a bar to the transfer.
19 GSA also argues that, as a matter o f policy, the changes o f use should not be approved. W e decline to comment
on the policy implications raised by the proposed transaction at issue here.
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Opinions o f the Office o f Legal Counsel in Volume 20
regulations, and deed at issue here do not contain such an explicit condition. Nor
is there language in these authorities or legislative history to support a prior com­
pliance requirement. Indeed, the explicitness of the analogous regulations and the
silence in the authorities at issue here support the absence of such a requirement
in section 414 conveyances. The analogous authorities confirm that when prior
compliance is intended, GSA uses explicit language to that effect. Cf. Custis v.
U nited States, 511 U.S. 485, 491-92 (1994) (where Congress includes explicit
language in certain statutes and omits similar language in a related statute, it is
presumed that Congress acted intentionally in the disparate inclusion or exclusion).
Even if prior compliance were required, GSA concedes that compliance would
not be a condition to a change in use where the noncompliance was caused by
extenuating circumstances. HUD argues that the noncompliance in this matter was
caused by extenuating circumstances. HUD refers to the 20 years of effort by
CRUV and its successor to develop the property, the lack of HUD funding and
the location of the property to support its claim that the noncompliance was not
the result of any deliberate negligence by CRUV. We do not disagree that the
failure to develop the property was caused by extraordinary circumstances. As
outlined above, CRUV and its successor appear to have tried continuously to de­
velop the property and often failed from faults other than their own. The proposed
construction project was massive and was estimated in 1972 to cost $72 million.
Indeed, GSA and HUD were aware from the beginning that the proposal to de­
velop the property would require years of construction to complete. GSA even
advised Congress that a completion date for all construction could not be estimated
because of the size of the project.
The record also reveals CRUV’s ongoing communication and cooperation with
HUD in attempts to comply with the deed and section 414 as problems occurred.
HUD and GSA were aware of the noncompliance and HUD continued to work
with CRUV to provide the required housing. GSA requested that HUD either insti­
tute a reversionary action or facilitate compliance. HUD threatened to commence
reversionary proceedings against CRUV. These threats apparently resulted in pro­
posals that were acceptable to the United States. In the end, a conscious decision
was made to drop the reversion action. Again, however, CRUV and HUD encoun­
tered problems in implementing the proposal. Thereafter, CRUV’s successor made
the proposal that is at issue here.
m . Conclusion
In sum, the proposed transaction would constitute a change in use of the San
Patricio property under section 414. Because a change in use is not barred by
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Legal Authority to Approve Changes in Use o f Property Under Section 414 o f the Housing and Urban
Development Act o f 1969
statute or regulation, the deed of conveyance is controlling. Under the deed, GSA
and HUD may approve the proposed change at issue here.
H. JEFFERSON POWELL
D eputy Assistant Attorney General
Office o f Legal Counsel
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