[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 103 (Friday, May 26, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34141-34142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13237]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service (RHS), USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection: comments request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intention to request an 
extension for a currently approved information collection in support of 
the program for Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant Policies, Procedures 
and Authorizations for Multi-Family Housing.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 25, 2000 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Fox, Senior Loan Specialist, 
Multi-Family Housing Processing Division, RHS, United States Department 
of Agriculture, Stop 0781, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 
20250-0781, Telephone (202) 720-1624.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant Policies, Procedures and 
Authorizations.
    OMB Number: 0575-0045.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is authorized under 
Section 514, 516, and 521 of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as 
amended, to make initial and subsequent loans and grants to provide 
housing and related facilities for domestic farm labor. A loan only can 
be made to a farmowner, family farm partnership, family farm 
corporation, or an association of farmers whose farming operations 
demonstrate a need for farm labor housing and that is engaged in 
agricultural or aquacultural farming operations and which will own the 
housing and operate it on a nonprofit basis. A loan can also be made to 
any limited partnership in which the general partner is a nonprofit 
entity. A loan and/or grant can be made to public, private nonprofit 
organizations for domestic farm labor in areas where need exists. In 
some cases, rental assistance may be provided to eligible tenants.
    RHS has the responsibility of assuring the public that funds for 
Farm Labor Housing projects are financed to build, buy, improve or 
repair farm labor housing and related facilities. The facilities 
financed are to have decent, safe and sanitary living conditions and 
are managed and operated as mandated by Congress. 7 CFR part 1944, 
subpart D was issued to set forth the policies and procedures and 
delegation of authority for making initial and subsequent insured loans 
under Section 514 and grants under Section 516 to provide housing and 
related facilities for domestic farm labor and to assure that 
applicable laws and authorities are carried out as intended.
    With the provisions of this regulation, RHS will be able to provide 
the financial assistance and necessary guidance to applicants in the 
development of their project proposals. It provides the Agency the 
capacity to meaningfully evaluate the feasibility of the proposed 
projects. RHS will be able to assure Congress and the general public 
that all LH projects will be operated for purposes that are intended, 
and for the benefit of those they are mandated to serve.
    The required information is collected on a project-by-project basis 
and is done so in accordance with the amended Housing Act of 1949, so 
that RHS can provide guidance and be assured of compliance with terms 
and conditions of loan, grant, and or subsidy agreements.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 10.93 hours per response.
    Respondents: Farms, Not-for-profit Institutions, and State, Local 
or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 95.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 8.21.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,524 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Brenda 
Frost, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services 
Division, at (202) 692-0037.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
RHS, including

[[Page 34142]]

whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of RHS's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to Brenda Frost, Regulations and 
Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Development, STOP 0743, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 
20250-0743. All responses to this notice will be summarized and 
included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become 
a matter of public record.

    Dated: May 10, 2000.
Obediah G. Baker, Jr.,
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 00-13237 Filed 5-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P