[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 66 (Thursday, April 6, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17549-17568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8438]



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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal Housing 
Commissioner
[Docket No. N-95-3902; FR-3888-N-02]


Notice of Submission of Proposed Information Collection to OMB

AGENCY: Office of Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described 
below has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department 
is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal. Comments must be received by ten (10) days following the 
publication of this notice. Comments should refer to the proposal by 
name and should be sent to: Joseph F. Lackey, Jr., OMB Desk, Office of 
Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 
20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kay Weaver, Reports Management Officer, Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, 451 7th Street Southwest, Washington, DC 20410, telephone 
(202) 708-0050. This is not a toll-free number. Copies of the proposed 
forms and other available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained 
from Ms. Weaver.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Notice informs the public that the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development has submitted to OMB, for 
expedited processing, an information collection package with respect to 
a guide format which specifies the components of an application for 
approval by the Department of a national, regional, or multi-state 
housing agency in connection with the operation of a housing counseling 
program for renters, first-time homebuyers, and homeowners experiencing 
financial difficulty. Guide formats for applications for local housing 
counseling agencies, associated with HUD Handbook 7610.1, had 
[[Page 17550]] previous OMB approval under approval number 2502-0261. 
However, new formats adapted to the character of national, regional and 
multi-state organizations are needed to allow them to obtain HUD 
approval as counseling agencies.
    The Department has submitted the proposal for the collection of 
information, as described below, to OMB for review, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35);
    (1) The title of the information collection proposal;
    (2) The office of the agency to collect the information;
    (3) The description of the need for the information and its 
proposed use;
    (4) The agency form number, if applicable;
    (5) What members of the public will be affected by the proposal;
    (6) How frequently information submission will be required;
    (7) An estimate of the total number of hours needed to prepare the 
information submission including number of respondents, frequency of 
response, and hours of response;
    (8) Whether the proposal is new or an extension, reinstatement, or 
revision of an information collection requirement; and
    (9) The names and telephone numbers of an agency official familiar 
with the proposal and of the OMB Desk Officer for the Department.

Notice of Submission of Proposed Information Collection to OMB

    Title of Proposal: Housing Counseling Program and Recordkeeping 
Requirements.
    Office: Office of Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner.

Description of the Need for the Information and its Proposed Use

    Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act, authorizes 
HUD to approve organizations with knowledge and experience in housing 
counseling for the purpose of providing housing counseling services to 
renters, first-time homebuyers and homeowners experiencing financial 
difficulty. HUD recruits, trains, and approves mostly community-based 
nonprofit organizations for the delivery of housing counseling 
services. In FY 1995, national, regional and multi-state organizations 
will be eligible to participate for the first time.
    The tabulation sheet lists the collections of information required. 
All are required to administer the program in accordance with statutory 
and regulatory requirements. The collection of information is necessary 
for:
    <bullet> Meeting the requirements of the housing counseling grant 
agreement.
    <bullet> Obtaining data needed to prepare and support the housing 
counseling invoices.
    <bullet> Obtaining recommendations from grantees for improving the 
program and reducing the burden.
    <bullet> Monitoring the agencies to determine whether they should 
be decertified, and their housing counseling grant agreement 
terminated.

Form Numbers

    A. Preliminary Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling 
Agency: (HUD-9900-A)--Used to collect data for a preliminary 
application for approval as a Housing Counseling Agency for local non-
profits or public agencies.
    B. Final Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling Agency: 
(HUD-9900-B)--Used to collect data for final approval as a Housing 
Counseling Agency for local non-profits or public agencies.
    C. Preliminary Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling 
Agency: (HUD-9900-C)--Used to collect data for a preliminary 
application for approval as a Housing Counseling Agency for multi-
state, regional and national organizations.
    D. Final Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling Agency: 
(HUD-9900-D)--Used to collect data for final approval as a Housing 
Counseling Agency for multi-state, regional and national organizations.
    E. Housing Counseling Agency Fiscal Year Activity Report: (HUD-
9902)--Used to collect data from Housing Counseling Agencies on their 
yearly counseling activity.
    F. Housing Counseling Client Survey (HUD-9908)--Used to collect 
data from clients regarding the quality of service provided by the 
Housing Counseling Agency.
    G. Housing Counseling Activity and Unit Log (HUD-9921)--Used by the 
Housing Counseling Agencies to record information on their clients. 
(With HUD approval the agencies may substitute their own version of 
this form.)
    Respondents: Local housing counseling agencies and national, 
regional, and multi-state housing counseling organizations.
    Frequency of Submission: Annual.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                                               No. of             Frequency of          Hours per                       
                                                                            respondents     x       response      =      response     =    Burden hours 
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A.......................................................................              75                     1             2                     150    
B.......................................................................              75                     1             8                     600    
C.......................................................................              10                     1             2                      20    
D.......................................................................              10                     1             8                      80    
E.......................................................................             650                     1             1.17                  761    
F.......................................................................             300                     1              .25                   75    
G.......................................................................             431                   200              .25               21,550    
                                                                                                                                         ---------------
      Total estimated burden hours:.....................................  ...............  ...  ...............  ...  .............  ...      23,236    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     [[Page 17551]] Status: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Contact: Joseph F. Lackey, Jr. OMB (202) 395-6880; Bonnie Adkins 
HUD (202) 708-0614, ext. 2034.

    Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 
U.S.C. 3507; section 7(d) of the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development Act, 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).

    Dated: March 16, 1995.
Nicolas P. Retsinas,
Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner.

Supporting Statement--Housing Counseling Program and Recordkeeping 
Requirements

A. Justification for the Collection of Information

1. Why the Collection of Information is Necessary
    Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act, authorizes 
HUD to approve organizations with knowledge and experience in housing 
counseling for the purpose of providing housing counseling services to 
renters, first-time homebuyers and homeowners experiencing financial 
difficulty. HUD recruits, trains, and approves mostly community-based 
nonprofit organizations for the delivery of housing counseling 
services. In FY 1995, national, regional and multi-state organizations 
will be eligible to participate for the first time.
    The collection of information is necessary for:
    <bullet> Meeting the requirements of the housing counseling grant 
agreement.
    <bullet> Obtaining data needed to prepare and support the housing 
counseling invoices.
    <bullet> Obtaining data needed to prepare and support the housing 
counseling invoices.
    <bullet> Monitoring the agencies to determine whether they should 
be decertified, and their housing counseling grant agreement 
terminated.

a. Description of Current Funding

    Funding for the Housing Counseling Program has been provided by the 
Congress for the fiscal year 95 in the amount of $50,000,000.
2. Use and Need of Information Collected
    The tabulation sheet lists the collections of information required. 
All are required to administer the program in accordance with statutory 
and regulatory requirements.

Actual Use of the Forms

    A. Preliminary Application as a Housing Counseling Agency (HUD-
9900-A)--Used to collect data for a preliminary application for 
approval as a Housing Counseling Agency for local non-profits or public 
agencies.
    B. Final Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling Agency 
(HUD-9900-B)--Used to collect data for final approval as a Housing 
Counseling Agency for local non-profits or public agencies.
    C. Preliminary Application as a Housing Counseling Agency (HUD-
9900-C)--Used to collect data for a preliminary application for 
approval as a Housing Counseling Agency for multi-state, regional and 
national organizations.
    D. Final Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling Agency 
(HUD-9900-D)--Used to collect data for final approval as a Housing 
Counseling Agency for Multi-state, regional and national organizations.
    E. Housing Counseling Agency Fiscal Year Activity Report (HUD-
9902)--Used to collect data from Housing Counseling Agencies on their 
yearly counseling activity.
    F. Housing Counseling Client Survey (HUD-9908)--Used to collect 
data from clients regarding the quality of service provided by the 
Housing Counseling Agency.
    G. Housing Counseling Activity and Unit Log (HUD-9921)--Used by the 
Housing Counseling Agencies to record information on their clients. 
(With HUD approval the agencies may substitute their own version of 
this form.)
3. Use of Modern Technology
    There is no available technology to reduce the information 
collection burden.
4. Efforts to Identify Duplication
    We have carefully reviewed the forms and their uses, and find no 
duplication of information.
5. Impact on Small Business
    Not applicable.
6. Consequence to Federal Programs
    The burden involved is considered to be the minimum amount 
consistent with statutory and regulatory requirements.
7. Special Circumstances for Collection of Information Inconsistent 
with the Guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6
    Not applicable.
8. Consulting With Persons Outside of HUD Concerning Collection of 
Information
    We consulted with the following HUD-approved housing counseling 
agencies who have received counseling grants:

TULC Non-Profit Housing Corp., 3901 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI 
48208, Mrs. Marguerite Evans, Executive Director, Tel. (313) 964-4207
Housing Opportunities, Inc., 133 Seventh Street, McKeesport, PA 15219, 
Mr. James P. Butler, President, Tel. (412) 664-1590.

    There were no major problems that could not be resolved.
    Other public contact was made with the following: Mortgage Bankers 
Association of America, 1125 15th Street NW., Washington, DC 20005, 
Tel. (202) 861-6500.
9. Assurance of Confidentiality for Respondents
    To assure that the information provided to respondents by 
individuals and families is kept confidential, we require that the 
counseling records of each client be kept in a locked file or secured 
room with access limited to staff housing counselors using the files.
10. Additional Justification for Questions of a Sensitive Nature
    We do not have any questions of a sensitive nature such as sexual 
preference or religious belief. However, in order to collect data on 
the type of clients being counseled, and to ensure that all clients are 
served equitably, the HUD-approved housing counseling agencies 
(respondents) must obtain information from their clients on the family 
composition, race, ethnicity, sex, ages, income, expenses, debts 
incurred and other related data.
Annualized Cost to the Federal Government
    The estimate of annualized cost per respondent will vary depending 
on their respective capabilities. However, we estimate the annual cost 
to be $15.00 per hour  x  21.67 burden hours, or $325.
    The annualized cost to the federal government for all collections 
will be 69 Field Office staff at $18.00 per staff hour  x  2 hours and 
15 minutes processing time, or $2,691.
12. Burden of Collection of Information
    See attached tabulation sheet.
13. Changes in Burden
    The increase in burden hours is due to an increase in the number of 
agencies [[Page 17552]] in the program and also reflects a policy 
change to include national or regional entities. This change in policy 
is the direct result of the Department being approached by several 
national organizations wishing to play a more active role in the 
program. In addition, the Department wants to take advantage of a more 
efficient approach to administering the program. For example, nearly 
40% of local counseling agencies currently participating could be 
managed through one national membership group, which would vastly 
reduce the number of individual grantees that HUD now must serve 
directly. This approach will also save HUD staff time.
14. Publishing and Collecting of Information for Statistical Use
    Not applicable.

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[FR Doc. 95-8438 Filed 4-5-95; 8:45am]
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