(a) Except in the case of a Contract described in paragraph (b) of this section, the Contract shall be for an initial term of 20 years: Provided, That at the end of such Contract term and at the request of RHCDS, HUD may, subject to the availability of contract and budget authority, authorize the execution of a new Contract providing for a total Contract term of an additional 20 years.

(b) In the case of a Contract under which housing assistance payments are made with respect to a project owned by a State or local agency, the total Contract term may be equal to the term of such financing but may not exceed 40 years for any dwelling unit.

(c) If the project is completed in stages, the dates for the initial and the renewal terms shall be separately related to the units in each stage: Provided, however, That the total Contract term for the units in all the stages, beginning with the effective date of the Contract with respect to the first stage, may not exceed the overall maximum term allowable for any one unit, plus two years.