30246 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 18, 2022 / Notices 

Tuesday, June 7, 2022, and from 10:30 

a.m. to 7:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, 

June 8, 2022. Please note that the 

meeting may end early if the NAC has 

completed its business. 

ADDRESSES: Anyone who wishes to 

participate must register with FEMA in 

advance by providing their name, 

official title, organization, telephone 

number, and email address to the 

person listed in the FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION CONTACT section below by 

5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, June 3, 2022. 

Members of the public are urged to 

provide written comments on the issues 

to be considered by the NAC. The topic 

areas are indicated in the 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section 

below. Any written comments must be 

submitted and received by 5:00 p.m. ET 

on June 3, 2022, identified by Docket ID 

FEMA–2007–0008, and submitted via 

the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 

http://www.regulations.gov, following 

the instructions for submitting 

comments below. 

Instructions for Submitting 

Comments: All submissions must 

include the words ‘‘Federal Emergency 

Management Agency’’ and the docket 

number (Docket ID FEMA–2007–0008) 

for this action. Comments received, 

including any personal information 

provided, will be posted without 

alteration at http://www.regulations.gov. 

For access to the docket or to read 

comments received by the NAC, go to 

http://www.regulations.gov, and search 

for Docket ID FEMA–2007–0008. 

Public comment periods will be held 

on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, from 11:45 

a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET; and Wednesday, 

June 8, 2022, from 10:45 a.m. to 11:00 

a.m. ET. All speakers must register in 

advance of the meeting to make remarks 

during the public comment period and 

must limit their comments to three 

minutes. Comments should be 

addressed to the NAC. Any comments 

unrelated to the agenda topics will not 

be considered. To register to make 

remarks during the public comment 

period, contact the person listed in the 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

section below by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 

3, 2022. Please note that the public 

comment period may end before the 

time indicated, following the last call 

for comments. 

The NAC is committed to ensuring all 

participants have equal access 

regardless of disability status. If you 

require a reasonable accommodation 

due to a disability to fully participate, 

please contact the individual listed in 

the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

section as soon as possible. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob 

Long, Designated Federal Officer, Office 

of the National Advisory Council, 

Federal Emergency Management 

Agency, 500 C Street SW, Washington, 

DC 20472–3184, 202–716–4612, FEMANAC@fema.dhs.gov. The NAC website 

is https://www.fema.gov/about/offices/ 

national-advisory-council. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of 

this meeting is given under the Federal 

Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. 

appendix. 

The NAC advises the FEMA 

Administrator on all aspects of 

emergency management. The NAC 

incorporates input from state, local, 

tribal, and territorial governments, and 

the private sector in the development 

and revision of FEMA plans and 

strategies. The NAC includes a crosssection of officials, emergency 

managers, and emergency response 

providers from state, local, tribal, and 

territorial governments, the private 

sector, and nongovernmental 

organizations. 

Agenda: On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, 

NAC subcommittees will present to the 

full NAC on their ongoing work towards 

annual recommendations regarding the 

2022–2026 FEMA Strategic Plan and 

related goals and objectives, viewable at 

https://www.fema.gov/about/strategicplan. On Wednesday, June 8, 2022, the 

NAC will discuss past recommendations 

and current work with FEMA 

leadership, and then host several panels 

focused on issues related to wildland 

fire, including state, local, tribal, 

territorial, regional, and federal 

interagency perspectives. 

The full agenda and any related 

documents for this meeting will be 

available by Friday, June 3, 2022, by 

contacting the person listed in the FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section 

above. 

Deanne Criswell, 

Administrator, federal Emergency 

Management Agency. 

[FR Doc. 2022–10662 Filed 5–17–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–48–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

Federal Emergency Management 

Agency 

[Docket ID: FEMA–2022–0006; OMB No. 

1660–NW133] 

Agency Information Collection 

Activities: Submission for OMB 

Review; Comment Request; Generic 

Clearance for Civil Rights and Equity 

AGENCY: Federal Emergency 

Management Agency, Department of 

Homeland Security. 

ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency 

Management Agency (FEMA) will 

submit the information collection 

abstracted below to the Office of 

Management and Budget for review and 

clearance in accordance with the 

requirements of the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995. The notice seeks 

comments concerning FEMA’s 

collection of demographic 

characteristics of those who apply for 

the Agency’s programs or disaster 

assistance. 

DATES: Comments must be submitted on 

or before June 17, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: Written comments and 

recommendations for the proposed 

information collection should be sent 

within 30 days of publication of this 

notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ 

PRAMain. Find this particular 

information collection by selecting 

‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open 

for Public Comments’’ or by using the 

search function. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Requests for additional information or 

copies of the information collection 

should be made to Director, Information 

Management Division, 500 C Street SW, 

Washington, DC 20472, email address 

FEMA-Information-CollectionsManagement@fema.dhs.gov or Brian 

Thompson, Supervisory Emergency 

Management Specialist, Recovery 

Directorate, Federal Emergency 

Management Agency, 540–686–3602, 

Brian.Thompson6@fema.dhs.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FEMA 

proposes to collect demographic 

information from those who apply for 

benefits to improve its approach to 

ensuring compliance with its civil 

rights, nondiscrimination and equity 

requirements, and obligations as 

outlined in federal civil rights laws such 

as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 

1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d, Section 504 of 

the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
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1Comment 1 (FEMA–2022–0006–0002), 

Comment 2 (FEMA–2022–0006–0003, Comment 3 

(FEMA–2022–0006–0004), Comment 7 (FEMA– 

2022–0006–0008), Comment 8 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0009), Comment 14 (FEMA–2022–0006–0015), 

Comment 15 (FEMA–2022–0006–0016). 

794, and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 

Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 

(the Stafford Act). Such demographic 

data concerning individuals who 

participate in or benefit from the 

Agency’s programs and activities will 

increase FEMA’s ability to evaluate the 

accessibility and distributional equity of 

their programs and then make 

alterations or pivot based upon 

identified areas of concern, thereby 

demonstrating compliance with civil 

rights laws. 

This proposed information collection 

previously published in the Federal 

Register on January 25, 2022, at 87 FR 

3836 with a 60-day public comment 

period. FEMA received 32 comments 

from the public. 

Certain comments question the utility 

and relevance of collecting demographic 

information from disaster survivors in 

the context of the equitable and efficient 

delivery of FEMA’s disaster response.1

Further, the comments ask questions 

about FEMA’s current use of data 

collected from disasters survivors and 

how this additional demographic 

information impacts data being 

collected by the agency. 

FEMA Response: The Robert T. 

Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 

Assistance Act (Stafford Act), Public 

Law 93–288, as amended, is the legal 

basis for the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency (FEMA) to provide 

financial assistance and services to 

individuals applying for disaster 

assistance benefits in the event of a 

Federally-declared disaster. Regulations 

in 44 CFR 206.110—Federal Assistance 

to Individuals and Households 

implements the policy and procedures 

set forth in Section 408 of the Stafford 

Act, 42 U.S.C. 5174, as amended. This 

program provides financial assistance 

and, if necessary, direct assistance to 

eligible individuals and households 

who, as a direct result of a major 

disaster or emergency, have uninsured 

or under-insured, necessary expenses 

and serious needs, and are unable to 

meet such expenses or needs through 

other means. 

This collection is to ensure that 

FEMA is equitably reaching all 

communities and people who require 

assistance. Affirmatively, upon the 

approval of this generic clearance, 

FEMA will obtain information about the 

demographic characteristics of those 

who apply for disaster assistance grants; 

but FEMA will continue to provide 

financial assistance and services only to 

those eligible individuals and 

households who, as a direct result of a 

major disaster or emergency, have 

uninsured or under-insured, necessary 

expenses and serious needs, and are 

unable to meet such expenses or needs 

through other means, in accordance 

with the law. In addition to informing 

survivors of their privacy rights, this 

collection also notifies applicants that 

their response or lack of response to 

demographic questions will neither 

positively nor negatively influence their 

eligibility for grant assistance. Each 

question has a ‘prefer not to answer’ 

response as well in case an applicant 

wishes to not respond to one or more of 

the demographic questions. 

Among other things, the collection 

will support FEMA’s obligation to 

assess its policies and programs and 

ensure that access to and participation 

in the Individuals and Households 

Program (IHP) are accomplished in an 

equitable and impartial manner in 

accordance with Section 308(a) of the 

Stafford Act that requires FEMA disaster 

assistance, including ‘‘the distribution 

of supplies, the processing of 

applications, and other relief and 

assistance activities’’ by FEMA and 

recipients of FEMA financial assistance, 

and ‘‘be accomplished in an equitable 

and impartial manner, without 

discrimination on the grounds of race, 

color, religion, nationality, sex, age, 

disability, English proficiency, or 

economic status.’’ This will ultimately 

guide more informed and effective 

disaster policies that do not exclude or 

minimize any demographic or section of 

a community. 

As correctly pointed out by the public 

in these comments, FEMA has 

historically held the responsibility of 

meeting civil rights obligations. Its 

nondiscrimination and equity 

requirements and obligations are 

outlined in federal civil rights laws, 

such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the 

Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act, 

as well as relevant Executive Orders. 

The collection of this information is 

crucial to FEMA’s aim of fulfilling our 

obligations and will permit its program 

grant offices to identify and remove 

barriers to application, qualification, 

and award, and permitting activities 

directly affecting disaster survivors to 

identify and remove barriers to equity 

and enhance programmatic 

accessibility. As correctly pointed out 

by the public in these comments, FEMA 

has historically held the responsibility 

of meeting civil rights obligations. Its 

nondiscrimination and equity 

requirements and obligations are 

outlined in federal civil rights laws, 

such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the 

Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act, 

as well as relevant Executive Orders. 

The collection of this information is 

crucial to FEMA’s aim of fulfilling our 

obligations and will permit its program 

grant offices to identify and remove 

barriers to application, qualification, 

and award, and permitting activities 

directly affecting disaster survivors to 

identify and remove barriers to equity 

and enhance programmatic 

accessibility. 

Comment 4 (FEMA–2022–0006–0005): 

The commenter suggested the ‘‘data 

collection on race or disability status 

that it creates more challenges for 

people in those sectors of life; we 

should ask for an administrative 

procedure act to be done so congress 

can review this. I would like to know 

how data collected will be used as this 

needs to be outlined before any 

disclosure. 

FEMA Response: FEMA will obtain 

information about the demographic 

characteristics of those who apply for 

disaster assistance grants in accordance 

with the law. FEMA uses and shares 

information with entities such as states, 

tribes, local governments, and other 

organizations. FEMA intends to add 

demographic questions to existing data 

collections for grant programs. 

Questions will be included towards the 

end of a grant collection form and 

Privacy Act language will clearly notify 

applicants that their response or lack of 

response to demographic questions will 

not influence their eligibility for grant 

assistance. Each question has a ‘prefer 

not to answer’ response as well in case 

an applicant wishes to not respond to 

one or more of the demographic 

questions. Such information is 

necessary to assess and enforce FEMA’s 

civil rights obligations; its 

nondiscrimination and equity 

requirements and obligations as 

outlined in federal civil rights laws, 

such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the 

Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act, 

as well as relevant Executive Orders. 

Collection of this information will also 

allow grant offices to identify and 

remove barriers to application, 

qualification and award, and permitting 

activities directly affecting disaster 

survivors to identify and remove 

barriers to equity and enhance 

programmatic accessibility. 

Comment 5 (FEMA–2022–0006–0006): 

The fifth comment was not applicable to 

this collection. 

Comment 6 (FEMA–2022–0006–0007): 

The sixth comment was not applicable 

to this collection. 

Comment 9 (FEMA–2022–0006–0010): 

The commenter suggested that in 


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addition to asking about race/ethnicity, 

gender, education, and marital status, 

would strongly encourage the collection 

of data regarding, Age, Number of 

People in the Household (and indicating 

whether any of the people in the 

household are children), 

Homeownership/Renter Status, and 

Disability Status. All of these factors 

strongly influence pre and post disaster 

outcomes, and hence are incredibly 

important for the agency to collect. 

Finally, for the gender question, 

‘‘Woman’’ or ‘‘Man’’ would be more 

appropriate than ‘‘Female’’ or ‘‘Male’’.’’ 

FEMA Response: In accordance with 

the law, to include the Privacy Act, 

FEMA collects all the other data fields 

suggested except for gender. 

Comment 10 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0011): The commenter suggested 

separating the Cognitive/Developmental 

Disabilities/Mental Health categories 

into Cognitive/Developmental 

Disabilities and Mental Health/ 

Behavioral Health; clarifying on all 

forms that an individual may select all 

disabilities or conditions that may 

apply; that FEMA include broad ranges 

of income among the demographic 

variables collected; FEMA may wish to 

ask about health insurance status. 

FEMA Response: FEMA does not 

intend to separate Cognitive 

Developmental Disability from Mental 

Health/Behavioral Health. FEMA 

currently collects data information on 

whether or not someone has medical 

insurance. While FEMA asks about 

medical insurance, the instructions 

inform applicants to select all that 

apply. 

Comment 11 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0012): The eleventh comment was not 

applicable to this collection. 

Comment 12 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0013): The commenter suggested we 

believe that this data collection is (A) 

necessary for the proper performance of 

the agency, including that the collection 

and use of this data will have practical 

utility; (B) useful and that a few 

additional data collection points may be 

identified and added to this proposal at 

minimum expense if incorporated with 

this proposed change; (C) this data will 

enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 

of the information to be collected; and 

(D) the collection techniques identified 

will minimize the burden of collection. 

FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly 

working to improve our delivery of 

assistance and streamline our processes 

for disaster applicants and appreciates 

your evaluation of our data collection. 

Comment 13 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0014): The commenter suggested that to 

fully meet the nondiscrimination 

requirements of the Stafford Act, FEMA 

should also ask for applicants’ age in 

addition to race, ethnicity, and gender. 

FEMA should publicly commit to 

making demographic data, absent 

personal identifying information (PII), 

available via the OpenFEMA data portal 

on an ongoing basis. FEMA should also 

implement a transparent process for 

sharing applicant data, including PII 

data, with qualified research institutions 

to ensure the data are utilized to their 

full potential and to also ensure the 

Agency’s accountability to the Civil 

Rights Act and the Stafford Act. FEMA 

should work with other federal 

agencies, like HUD and the Small 

Business Administration (SBA), to 

further enhance the utilization of these 

demographic data. 

FEMA Response: FEMA is 

strengthening interagency data-sharing 

to support improved modeling and 

information sharing. FEMA collects the 

applicant’s age during registration 

intake. FEMA does not release this data 

via OpenFEMA and does not intend to 

do so. 

Comment 16 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0017): The commenter appreciates the 

value of the data collected for the 

purpose of determining whether 

minority populations are adversely 

impacted relative to relief provided by 

FEMA. Determining the magnitude of 

the problem and identifying its source is 

necessary before change can occur. 

FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly 

working to improve our delivery of 

assistance and streamline our processes 

for disaster applicants and appreciates 

your evaluation of our data collection. 

Comment 17 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0018): The commenter suggested 

providing the specific information that 

FEMA proposes to collect; clarifying 

how this information will be used to 

prevent discrimination and how it will 

benefit survivors. Clarify whether the 

additional questions will be optional or 

required for eligibility of FEMA 

benefits. Survivors have a wide range of 

experience and reading/writing/and 

language comprehension. Explain how 

FEMA will ensure that the additional 

questions will not be intimidating to/ 

uncomfortable for survivors. If FEMA 

chooses to ask about citizenship, 

explain how it plans to ensure that this 

does not deter applicants from applying. 

Ensure the data collection process will 

be trauma informed. FEMA’s forms 

should be reviewed by a panel of 

advocates from non-profit agencies who 

work with these unserved/underserved 

populations to include considerations 

for cultural competence, language, age, 

disability, literacy level, housing status, 

etc. 

FEMA Response: FEMA does not 

currently collect data about citizenship 

of an applicant or household members 

and is not adding a citizenship question 

via this collection. FEMA will obtain 

information about the demographic 

characteristics of those who apply for 

disaster assistance grants in accordance 

with the law, to include Section 504 of 

the Rehabilitation Act. FEMA uses and 

shares information with entities such as 

states, tribes, local governments, and 

other organizations. FEMA intends to 

add demographic questions to existing 

data collections for grant programs. 

Questions will be included towards the 

end of a grant collection form and 

Privacy Act language will clearly notify 

applicants that their response or lack of 

response to demographic questions will 

not influence their eligibility for grant 

assistance. Each question has a ‘prefer 

not to answer’ response as well in case 

an applicant wishes to not respond to 

one or more of the demographic 

questions. Such information is 

necessary to assess and enforce FEMA’s 

civil rights obligations; its 

nondiscrimination and equity 

requirements and obligations as 

outlined in federal civil rights laws, 

such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the 

Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act, 

as well as relevant Executive Orders. 

Collection of this information will also 

allow grant offices to identify and 

remove barriers to application, 

qualification and award, and permitting 

activities directly affecting disaster 

survivors to identify and remove 

barriers to equity and enhance 

programmatic accessibility. FEMA 

forms are reviewed by appropriate 

entities within the Agency, DHS, and 

OMB, to include the Office of Equal 

Rights and External Affairs. 

Comment 18 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0019): The commenter strongly supports 

the collection of additional data, 

including information on race, 

ethnicity, Tribal membership, gender, 

age, income, disability status, status as 

a female headed household or not, and 

status as a renter or not. 

FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly 

working to improve our delivery of 

assistance and streamline our processes 

for disaster applicants and appreciates 

your evaluation of our data collection. 

Comment 19 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0020): The commenter strongly supports 

FEMA collecting demographic 

information from those who apply for 

benefits. Unless FEMA understands 

applicants’ demographics, it will not be 

possible to ensure that FEMA benefits 

are equitably distributed and helping 

those who need it most. 


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FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly 

working to improve our delivery of 

assistance and streamline our processes 

for disaster applicants and appreciates 

your evaluation of our data collection. 

Comment 20 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0021): The commenter implores FEMA 

to include a category for individuals of 

‘‘Middle Eastern or North African’’ 

(MENA) descent to identify among the 

list of racial and ethnic group categories 

into which they disaggregate 

demographic data collected under this 

information collection activity. 

FEMA Response: FEMA’s Individual 

Assistance program has added 

demographic application questions 

related to the race, ethnicity, and tribal 

membership. In the future, FEMA will 

aim to identify and address potential 

access barriers and disparate outcomes 

based on the information collected, 

instead of only collecting data that 

directly supported the implementation 

of the program. FEMA will be adding 

the ethnic group question to the data 

collection for submission to the Office 

of Management & Budget (OMB). 

Comment 21 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0022): The commenter suggested that to 

ensure FEMA is fulfilling 

nondiscriminatory obligations, an 

opportunity must be afforded to 

applicants to disclose specific 

demographic information. Publicly 

available information from FEMA could 

assist in ensuring access to justice in a 

disaster. FEMA has an opportunity to 

improve the operational outcomes for 

vulnerable communities by 

implementing inclusive processes. 

Inclusive demographics, as a metric, is 

a quantitative measure that can provide 

certainty of FEMA’s legal obligations to 

ensure that disaster assistance is 

distributed in an equitable manner 

without discrimination. 

FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly 

working to improve our delivery of 

assistance and streamline our processes 

for disaster applicants and appreciates 

your evaluation of our data collection. 

Comment 22 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0023): The commenter strongly supports 

the additional collection of data by 

FEMA, particularly as applied to race, 

ethnicity, tribal status, and gender 

identity. The collection of the proposed 

data, its application to FEMA 

emergency response practices, and its 

matching with HUD data in support of 

long-term recovery and mitigation is one 

more step toward more equitable and 

effective program design and resources 

application. As this data is integrated 

into the recently implemented FEMA 

and HUD data matching, both should 

establish procedures to make this data 

(with personal identifying information 

(PII) redacted) available to the public. 

We applaud FEMA’s additional data 

collection, and we hope that this new 

data collection will help spur continued 

improvements in data transparency. 

FEMA Response: FEMA is 

undertaking an assessment of equity 

outcomes of several mitigation, federal 

insurance, preparedness, and grant 

programs. Based on the National 

Advisory Council (NAC) 

recommendations and other inputs, 

efforts to improve equity outcomes will 

include: Engaging with State, Local, 

Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) partners 

by discussing key elements of the new 

Building Resilient Infrastructure and 

Communities (BRIC) program, providing 

a grant program and funding priority 

overview, preparing underserved 

applicants to apply for disaster 

assistance, and publishing the 

Mitigation Action Portfolio, a new 

resource to introduce stakeholders to 

the BRIC grant program and the array of 

eligible hazard mitigation activities. 

Furthermore, the FEMA 

Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) Tribal 

Partner Team is developing a training 

plan for internal staff to better 

understand tribal nations’ government 

structures, heritage, and culture. 

Comment 23 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0024): The commenter is pleased to 

respond to the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency (FEMA) request for 

comments on FEMA’s proposed 

collection of demographic 

characteristics of those who apply for 

the Agency’s programs or disaster 

assistance; to fulfill its Congressional 

mandate and ensure that federal disaster 

relief truly serves the most vulnerable, 

FEMA must collect the information 

necessary to assess its activities; 

applaud FEMA’s efforts in moving 

forward to ensure this obligation is met. 

FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly 

working to improve our delivery of 

assistance and streamline our processes 

for disaster applicants and appreciates 

your evaluation of our data collection. 

Comment 24 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0025): The commenter suggested that 

FEMA should explicitly seek to assist 

those who were most vulnerable before 

a disaster. We recommend consideration 

of an approach like Housing and Urban 

Development’s Community 

Development Block Grant Disaster 

Recovery program, which ensures a 

majority of its funding goes to primarily 

benefit low- and moderate-income 

households. FEMA must also consider 

collecting demographic information in 

its hazard mitigation programs, such as 

the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program 

and Building Resilient Infrastructure 

and Communities programs. 

FEMA Response: FEMA and 

stakeholders are reviewing changes to 

the Threat Hazard Identification and 

Risk Assessment (THIRA) and the 

Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) 

to capture vulnerabilities, capability 

gaps, and target levels of capability for 

at-risk communities and ensure 

equitable funding distribution related to 

planning, preparedness, mitigation, and 

recovery outcomes. 

Comment 25 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0026): The twenty-fifth comment 

received is a duplicate of the twentyfourth comment. 

Comment 26 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0027): The commenter suggested that 

FEMA’s proposal to add the additional 

demographic questions to the Individual 

and Households Program registration 

will help promote transparency and 

analysis towards improving equity in its 

programs. FEMA is meeting this equity 

requirement. Demographic questions 

should be added to every form of the 

application, whether the applicant 

applies online through 

disasterassistance.gov, via phone 

through the FEMA helpline, or in 

person at a Disaster Recovery Center. 

Because application barriers are most 

likely to affect underserved populations, 

equity would be furthered by 

broadening demographic information 

collection to include everyone who 

begins the application for FEMA 

benefits, including those who do not 

ultimately receive a registration number. 

Applicants see ‘‘Identification 

Verification Error’’ on their screen with 

a vague explanation that FEMA is 

unable to verify important information 

needed to complete the online 

registration. FEMA could make 

demographic information regarding 

applicants’ race, income, gender, age, 

and disability-status available via 

OpenFEMA data sets. 

FEMA Response: FEMA is considering 

policy recommendations that better 

align funding distribution to support atrisk communities. These 

recommendations include providing for 

the security and needs of underserved 

and historically marginalized 

communities more effectively; the 

assessment will investigate barriers to 

program participation including 

program awareness, ease of application, 

eligibility, and qualification 

requirements, as well as identifying 

where funding has not been previously 

awarded. FEMA is strengthening 

interagency data-sharing to support 

improved modeling and information 

sharing. FEMA collects the applicant’s 

age during registration intake. Currently, 

FEMA does not release this data via 

OpenFEMA or research institutions. 


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Comment 27 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0028): The commenter understands the 

need of a FEMA effort to collect 

demographic information to ensure 

compliance with Federal civil rights 

requirements and the equitable 

implementation of emergency 

management policies and programs; 

however, there does need to be further 

discussion in how such data will be 

used post collection and incorporated in 

grant timelines. 

FEMA Response: FEMA is currently 

developing a comprehensive approach 

to advancing equity using the 

requirements of Executive Order (E.O.) 

13985: Advancing Racial Equity and 

Support for Underserved Communities 

Through the Federal Government, 

issued on January 20, 2021. Determining 

if new or updated policies, regulations, 

or guidance documents are necessary to 

advance equity in agency actions and 

programs; reviewing strategies of 

resource allocation to increase 

investment that advance equity in 

underserved communities; consulting 

with members of historically 

underrepresented and underserved 

communities to evaluate opportunities 

and develop approaches to advancing 

equity by increasing coordination, 

communication, and engagement with 

community-based and civil rights 

organizations; studying FEMA data 

collection programs, policies, and 

infrastructure, identifying any 

deficiencies, and working to implement 

actions that expand and refine data used 

to measure equity. 

Comment 28 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0029): The commenter suggested 

regarding the Data Collection that FEMA 

has not yet said who will have access 

to the demographic data, what the data 

will be used for, and what training there 

will be for those handling the data. 

Private demographic data may create 

impenetrable insulation for FEMA 

decision making, meaning any time 

claims of inequity or discrimination are 

levied against FEMA or one of FEMA’s 

programs, FEMA could use this data as 

a shield justifying its actions. 

FEMA Response: FEMA will obtain 

information about the demographic 

characteristics of those who apply for 

disaster assistance grants in accordance 

with the law, to include the Privacy Act. 

FEMA uses and shares information with 

entities such as states, tribes, local 

governments, and other organizations. 

FEMA intends to add demographic 

questions to existing data collections for 

grant programs. Questions will be 

included towards the end of a grant 

collection form and Privacy Act 

language will clearly notify applicants 

that their response or lack of response 

to demographic questions will not 

influence their eligibility for grant 

assistance. Each question has a ‘prefer 

not to answer’ response as well in case 

an applicant wishes to not respond to 

one or more of the demographic 

questions. Such information is 

necessary to assess and enforce FEMA’s 

civil rights obligations; its 

nondiscrimination and equity 

requirements and obligations as 

outlined in federal civil rights laws, 

such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the 

Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act, 

as well as relevant Executive Orders. 

Collection of this information will also 

allow grant offices to identify and 

remove barriers to application, 

qualification and award, and permitting 

activities directly affecting disaster 

survivors to identify and remove 

barriers to equity and enhance 

programmatic accessibility. 

Comment 29 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0030): The commenter strongly supports 

the proposal to collect demographic 

data, including data on race, ethnicity, 

and gender, from applicants for FEMA’s 

Individuals and Households Program 

(IHP). Collecting this data is critical to 

the agency’s ability to comply with its 

civil rights obligations under federal 

law, as well as compliance with 

Executive Orders 13985, 13990, and 

14008. FEMA is unable to accurately 

assess its compliance with civil rights, 

nondiscrimination, and equity 

requirements and obligations without 

collecting this data. FEMA should 

collect additional demographic data in 

order to fully meet the 

nondiscrimination requirements of the 

Stafford Act and other civil rights and 

equity requirements and obligations, 

and make data publicly available. FEMA 

has a legal and ethical obligation to 

ensure that its programs are equitable 

and nondiscriminatory. FEMA’s 

proposed data collection is necessary 

and appropriate. 

FEMA Response: From FEMA 

Directive #262–1: Data Sharing to the 

maximum extent possible, FEMA will 

make non-sensitive data available, in 

multiple formats, to the public, in order 

to promote transparency, and to 

enhance the whole community’s ability 

to make informed decisions on 

prevention, preparedness, mitigation, 

response, and recovery efforts. FEMA 

Program Offices will publish nonsensitive, non-PII information online in 

a manner that promotes analysis and 

reuse for the widest possible range of 

purposes, meaning that the information 

is publicly accessible, machinereadable, appropriately described, 

complete, and timely. 

Comment 30 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0031): The commenter applauds 

FEMA’s efforts to address longstanding 

equity concerns with the agency’s 

provision of services and funding. The 

first step, however, to addressing these 

concerns is understanding the nature 

and extent of the problem. To that end, 

we support the agency’s decision to 

begin collecting demographic data of aid 

recipients. FEMA has a legal obligation 

to administer its programs in an 

equitable manner. FEMA must collect 

data that allows it to accurately track 

who receives its funding. In order to 

meet its obligations under Title VI and 

other nondiscrimination statutes, FEMA 

must collect demographic information. 

FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly 

working to improve our delivery of 

assistance and streamline our processes 

for disaster applicants and appreciates 

your evaluation of our data collection. 

Comment 31 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0032): The commenter suggested FEMA 

should regularly collect data and 

partner with researchers to investigate 

and track whether policies, programs, 

and regulations are achieving equitable 

outcomes; recommends that FEMA 

develop a robust evaluation plan that 

includes data collection, identification 

of equity benchmarks, and metrics and 

measures to assist with reporting. 

FEMA Response: FEMA’s Office of 

Equal Rights coordinated and hosted 

three civil rights summits for external 

stakeholders. Motivated by FEMA’s core 

values of compassion, fairness, integrity 

and respect, the civil rights summits 

sought to engage FEMA and its 

stakeholders in collaborative dialogue 

aimed at identifying actual and 

perceived biases impacting equal access 

to FEMA’s programs and services. The 

goal of the summits was to start a 

conversation about equity, equal access, 

and implementation with members of 

the public with first-hand knowledge 

about how FEMA can better meet the 

needs of underserved and historically 

marginalized communities before, 

during, and after disasters. The summits 

focused on three areas: Multi-cultural 

communities, disability communities, 

and environmental justice issues 

throughout disasters. The sessions 

included presentations from the main 

FEMA program offices that serve 

survivors and senior level panel 

discussions stemming from questions 

presented by attendees. 

Comment 32 (FEMA–2022–0006– 

0033): The thirty-second comment was 

not applicable to this collection. 

The purpose of this notice is to notify 

the public that FEMA will submit the 

information collection abstracted below 


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 18, 2022 / Notices 30251 

to the Office of Management and Budget 

for review and clearance. 

Collection of Information 

Title: Generic Clearance for Civil 

Rights and Equity. 

Type of Information Collection: New 

information collection. 

OMB Number: 1660–NW133. 

FEMA Forms: Under the Generic 

Clearance, each FEMA component will 

submit their specific forms for the 

collection of demographics. FEMA 

Form: FF–256–FY–21–100, Generic 

Clearance Civil Rights and Equity. The 

Agency is prepared to add these 

questions to the Individuals and 

Households program registration, FF– 

104–FY–21–123 (formerly FEMA Form 

009–0–1T (English)), Tele-Registration, 

Disaster Assistance Registration, FF– 

104–FY–21–125 (formerly FEMA Form 

009–0–1Int (English)), internet, Disaster 

Assistance Registration, FF–104–FY– 

21–122 (formerly FEMA Form 009–0–1 

(English)), Paper Application/Disaster 

Assistance Registration. The 

demographic data will help the 

Individuals and Households program 

improve operational outcomes for 

vulnerable communities by using 

analysis of demographic data against 

program outcomes to evaluate whether 

any disparities in eligibility 

determinations appear to impact 

vulnerable communities. FEMA would 

then use this data to determine how to 

improve service delivery for all 

survivors. FEMA expects a burden of no 

more than 5 minutes per registration to 

answer the additional questions, with 

the entire estimated annual burden 

outlined below. 

Abstract: The Federal Emergency 

Management Agency will use the 

demographic characteristics collected 

from applicants and beneficiaries to 

assess its civil rights, nondiscrimination 

and equity requirements, and 

obligations as outlined in federal civil 

rights laws such as the Civil Rights Act, 

Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act. 

Affected Public: Individuals or 

Households. 

Estimated Number of Respondents: 

938,800. 

Estimated Number of Responses: 

938,800. 

Estimated Total Annual Burden 

Hours: 78,202. 

Estimated Total Annual Respondent 

Cost: $3,176,565. 

Estimated Respondents’ Operation 

and Maintenance Costs: $0. 

Estimated Respondents’ Capital and 

Start-Up Costs: $0. 

Estimated Total Annual Cost to the 

Federal Government: $3,814,696. 

Comments 

Comments may be submitted as 

indicated in the ADDRESSES caption 

above. Comments are solicited to (a) 

evaluate whether the proposed data 

collection is necessary for the proper 

performance of the agency, including 

whether the information shall have 

practical utility; (b) evaluate the 

accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the 

burden of the proposed collection of 

information, including the validity of 

the methodology and assumptions used; 

(c) enhance the quality, utility, and 

clarity of the information to be 

collected; and (d) 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, 

e.g., permitting electronic submission of 

responses. 

Millicent Brown Wilson, 

Records Management Branch Chief, Office 

of the Chief Administrative Officer, Mission 

Support, Federal Emergency Management 

Agency, Department of Homeland Security. 

[FR Doc. 2022–10620 Filed 5–17–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–24–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND 

URBAN DEVELOPMENT 

[Docket No. FR–7050–C–15; OMB Control 

No.: 2529–0011] 

30-Day Notice of Proposed Information 

Collection: Comment Request ‘‘Report 

Housing Discrimination’’ Form HUD– 

903.1, HUD–903.1A, HUD–903.1B, 

HUD–903.1C, HUD–903.1F, HUD– 

903.1CAM, HUD–903.1KOR, HUD– 

903.1RUS, HUD–903–1_Somali 

AGENCY: Office of Policy Development 

and Research, Chief Data Officer, HUD. 

ACTION: Correction notice. 

SUMMARY: HUD is seeking approval from 

the Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) for the information collection 

described below. In accordance with the 

Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is 

requesting comment from all interested 

parties on the proposed collection of 

information. The purpose of this notice 

is to allow for an additional 30 days of 

public comment. The proposed 

reinstatement, with revised title and 

minor text revisions, of an expired, 

previously approved information 

collection for HUD Form Series HUD– 

903.1, HUD–903.1A, HUD–903.1B, 

HUD–903.1C, HUD–903.1F, HUD– 

903.1CAM, HUD–903.1KOR, HUD– 

903.1RUS, and HUD–903–1_Somali will 

be submitted to the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) for 

review, in accordance with the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. HUD 

is soliciting comments from all 

interested parties on the proposed 

reinstatement of this information 

collection. This notice replaces the 

notice HUD publish on May 6, 2022 at 

87 FR 27178. 

DATES: Comment Due Date: June 17, 

2022. 

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are 

invited to submit comments regarding 

this proposal. Written comments and 

recommendations for the proposed 

information collection should be sent 

within 30 days of publication of this 

notice to OIRA_submission@

omb.eop.gov or www.reginfo.gov/public/ 

do/PRAMain. Find this particular 

information collection by selecting 

‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open 

for Public Comments’’ or by using the 

search function. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Colette Pollard, Reports Management 

Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing 

and Urban Development, 451 7th Street 

SW, Washington, DC 20410; email 

Colette Pollard at Colette.Pollard@

hud.gov or telephone 202–402–3400. 

This is not a toll-free number. Copies of 

available documents submitted to OMB 

may be obtained from Ms. Pollard. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 

notice informs the public that HUD is 

seeking approval from OMB for the 

information collection described in 

Section A. The Federal Register notice 

that solicited public comment on the 

information collection for a period of 60 

days was published on June 25, 2021 at 

86 FR 33721. 

HUD is submitting this proposed 

reinstatement, with revised title and 

minor text revisions, of an expired, 

previously approved information 

collection to the OMB for review, as 

required by the Paperwork Reduction 

Act of 1995 [44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as 

amended]. 

HUD has revised the previous title of 

the HUD Form Series HUD–903.1 

information collection from ‘‘Housing 

Discrimination Information Form’’ to 

‘‘Report Housing Discrimination 

(‘‘Form’’).’’ This revised title 

emphasizes that submitting a ‘‘Report 

Housing Discrimination’’ Form to HUD 

is not equivalent to filing a 

jurisdictional housing discrimination 

complaint with HUD. The proposed 

minor text revisions comply with the 

procedures described in HUD’s Fair 

Housing Act regulation at 24 CFR part 

103, subpart B, Subsections 103.10, 

103.15, 103.20, 103.25, 103.30, 103.35, 


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