2014-20031. 60 Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: 2015 American Housing Survey

AGENCY:

Office of Policy Development and Research, HUD.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (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 60 days of public comment.

DATES:

Comments Due Date: October 21, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB Control Number and should be sent to: Colette Pollard, Reports Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 4176, Washington, DC 20410-5000; telephone [phone] (this is not a toll-free number) or email at [e-mail] for a copy of the proposed forms or other available information. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at [phone].

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 [e-mail] or telephone [phone]. This is not a toll-free number. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at [phone].

Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Ms. Pollard.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

HUD will submit the proposed information collection package to OMB for review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended).

A. Overview of Information Collection

Title of Information Collection: 2015 American Housing Survey.

OMB Control Number: 2528-0017.

Type of Review: Regular Submission.

Description of the need for the information and proposed use: The purpose of the American Housing Survey (AHS) is to supply the public with detailed and timely information about housing quality, housing costs, and neighborhood assets, in support of effective housing policy, programs, and markets. Title 12, United States Code, Sections 1701Z-1, 1701Z-2(g), and 1710Z-10a mandates the collection of this information.

Like the previous surveys, the 2015 AHS will collect “core” data on subjects such as the amount and types of changes in the housing inventory, the physical condition of the housing inventory, the characteristics of the occupants, housing costs for owners and renters, the persons eligible for and beneficiaries of assisted housing, remodeling and repair frequency, reasons for moving, the number and characteristics of vacancies, and characteristics of resident's neighborhood.

In additional to the “core” data, HUD plans to collect “topical” data using a series of topical modules. The topics include: Potential health and safety hazards in the home, modifications made to assist occupants living with disabilities, food insecurity, the use of housing counseling services, and the presence of arts and cultural opportunities in the community.

For the first time since 1985, HUD will draw new national and metropolitan area longitudinal samples for the AHS. The national longitudinal sample will consist of approximately 82,950 housing units, and will include oversample from the largest 15 metropolitan areas and approximately 5,250 HUD-assisted housing units. In additional to the national longitudinal sample, HUD plans to conduct 25 metropolitan area samples, each with approximately 3,000 housing units (for a total 75,000 housing units). Lastly, HUD plans to conduct a “bridge” sample of 9,000 households from the 2013 AHS. The bridge sample will allow for estimation of longitudinal changes between 2013 and 2015, and facilitates analyses of the impact of survey design changes on 2015 AHS estimates.

Policy analysts, program managers, budget analysts, and Congressional staff use AHS data to advise executive and legislative branches about housing conditions and the suitability of public policy initiatives. Academic researchers and private organizations also use AHS data in efforts of specific interest and concern to their respective communities.

HUD needs the AHS data for two important uses.

1. With the data, policy analysts can monitor the interaction among housing needs, demand and supply, as well as changes in housing conditions and costs, to aid in the development of housing policies and the design of housing programs appropriate for different target groups, such as first-time home buyers and the elderly.

2. With the data, HUD can evaluate, monitor, and design HUD programs to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Members of affected public: Households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 166,950.

Estimated Time per Response: 40 minutes.

Frequency of Response: One time every two years.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 111,300.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to respondents is that of their time. The total estimated cost is $64,500,000.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Section 9(a), and Title 12, U.S.C., Section 1701z-1 et seq.

B. Solicitation of Public Comment

This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affected parties concerning the collection of information described in Section A on the following:

(1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information;

(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to these questions. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection. Submitted comments will become a matter of public record.

Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

Dated: August 15, 2014.

Katherine O'Regan,

Assistant Secretary for Office of Policy Development and Research.