`[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 30276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14021]



[[Page 30275]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part II





Department of Housing and Urban Development





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Request or Comments on Obstacles to the Participation of Faith-Based 
and Other Community Organizations; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 5, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 30276]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-4685-N-01]


Notice of Request for Comments on Obstacles to the Participation 
of Faith-Based and Other Community Organizations

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary; Center for Faith-Based and Community 
Initiatives, HUD.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice invites interested parties to comment on 
regulatory, contracting and other programmatic obstacles to the 
participation of faith-based and other community organizations in HUD's 
grant funding programs.

DATES: Comment Due Date: July 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this Notice to the Rules Docket Clerk, Office of General Counsel, Room 
10278, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20410. Communications should refer to the above 
docket number and title. A copy of each communication submitted will be 
available for public inspection and copying between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 
p.m. weekdays at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Loyd LaMois, Center for Faith-Based 
and Community Initiatives, Room 10286, 451 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20410-2000. Telephone number (202) 708-2404. A 
telecommunications device (TDD) for hearing and speech impaired persons 
is available at (202) 708-0455. (These are not toll-free numbers.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 13198, entitled ``Agency 
Responsibilities With Respect to Faith-Based and Community 
Initiatives'' and issued on January 29, 2001, requires, among other 
actions, certain Executive Departments, including HUD, to inventory 
current programs in order to identify any existing or perceived 
impediments ``to the participation of faith-based and other community 
organizations in the delivery of social services by the department, 
including but not limited to regulations, rules, orders, procurement, 
and other internal policies and practices, and outreach activities that 
either facially discriminate against or otherwise discourage or 
disadvantage the participation of faith-based and other community 
organizations in Federal programs.'' To assist in carrying out this 
action, HUD is requesting comments that identify specific issues with 
HUD programs that in any way discourage or inhibit participation of 
faith-based and community-based groups. Examples might include 
burdensome application, documentation or reporting requirements, or 
requirements for a mandatory organizational structure (e.g., 501(c)(3) 
status). HUD will consider the comments received in conducting its 
review to determine whether any regulations or procedures may 
discriminate against religious or local groups' participation in HUD 
programs.
    Under this notice, HUD is requesting that commenters specifically 
focus on the following programs:

Community Development Block Grant
HOME
Housing Vouchers, including HOPE VI
HOPE VI Revitalization Grants
Sec. 202 (elderly housing)
Sec. 811 (housing for people with disabilities)
Continuum of Care, 3 programs
Supportive Housing
Shelter Plus Care
Sec. 8 Mod. Rehab (SRO)
Housing for Persons Living with AIDS (HOPWA)
Family Self-Sufficiency
Single-family programs entailing HUD approval of nonprofits
Housing counseling
HUD homes (REO disposition)
203 mortgage insurance program
YouthBuild

    For each of these funding programs, HUD especially wants comments 
to address the following questions:
    1. Are there restrictive conditions that constrict the 
participation of faith-based and community-based organizations?
    2. How are restrictions manifested or applied (specifically 
identify the provision which you believe creates the restrictive 
condition and explain how it prevents participation by Faith-Based and 
community-based organizations. Also if possible give a specific 
example):
    a. In Departmental regulations;
    b. In the eligibility criteria in Notices of Funding Availability 
(NOFAs);
    c. In Requests for Proposals (RFPs);
    d. In grant monitoring;
    e. In guidance the Department gives its State and local government 
partners;
    f. In contract or grant manuals; and
    g. In guidance to grant managers?
    3. Are any information collection, submission or monitoring 
requirements duplicative or unduly burdensome?
    In addition, HUD requests that commenters identify any positive 
program practices or procedures that presently facilitate, or that 
would increase, the participation of faith-based and other community 
organizations.
    Comments not covered by the above specific interest areas are 
welcome.
    HUD seeks specific information, e.g., the name of the program, the 
form, etc., where the impediment or the positive practice is found. It 
will also be helpful if respondents indicate whether they have ever 
applied (successfully or unsuccessfully) for the program, or otherwise 
been involved with the program(s).
    For comments on the CDBG or HOME programs and the Continuum of Care 
process, it will help if the comment identifies the jurisdiction that 
administered the program, i.e., the relevant State, county or municipal 
government.
    HUD also requests that the comments provide the name, size, and 
location of the nonprofit, faith-based, or other organization 
submitting the comments, and identify a contact person to permit HUD to 
follow-up on the concerns and issues raised.

    Dated: May 29, 2001.
Robin McDonald,
Director, Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
[FR Doc. 01-14021 Filed 6-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-32-P`