2016-06596. 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Program Reporting

AGENCY:

Office of the Chief Information Officer, HUD.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

HUD has submitted the proposed information collection requirement described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The purpose of this notice is to allow for an additional 30 days of public comment.

DATES:

Comments Due Date: April 22, 2016.

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: HUD Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503; fax: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Colette Pollard, Reports Management Officer, QMAC, 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:

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 January 06. 2016.

A. Overview of Information Collection

Title of Information Collection: Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Program Reporting.

OMB Approval Number: 2577-0218.

Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection.

Form Number: HUD-52737, HUD-4117, HUD-4119; HUD-52736-A and HUD-52736-B.

Description of the need for the information and proposed use: The information collected will allow HUD to accurately audit the program. The purpose of this notice is to solicit public comment on a Word version of HUD-52737, Indian Housing Plan/Annual Performance Report (IHP/APR), and two additional, automated versions of form: An Excel version and a version on HUD's Energy and Performance Information Center (EPIC) Web site. All three versions of the form request exactly the same information, but have different burdens due to the automated capabilities of the Excel and EPIC versions. These automated enhancements make the Excel and EPIC versions easier and faster to complete than the Word version. Respondents may elect to complete and submit to HUD either the Word, Excel, or EPIC versions; however, the Excel and EPIC versions are preferred because of their automated capabilities and reduced burden. The Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) requires recipients (tribes and tribally designated housing entities) to submit specific information that is necessary for the implementation and evaluation of low income housing programs using Indian Housing Block Grant funds (IHBG). Recipients of IHBG funds are required to submit the IHP/APR annually. In addition to the IHP/APR, each year recipients may submit a Formula Response Form (HUD-4117), Formula Challenge Form (HUD-4119), and Depository Agreements (HUD-52736-A and B). Indian tribes, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, or tribally designated housing entities that receive IHBG funds are required annually to submit HUD-52737 that consists of two component: The Indian Housing Plan (IHP) component and the Annual Performance Report (APR) component. The IHP is required by Section 102 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) and describes the eligible IHBG-funded, affordable housing activities the recipient plans to conduct for the benefit of low and moderate income tribal members and identifies the intended outcomes and outputs for the upcoming 12-month year. The recipient submits the IHP at least 75 days prior to the beginning of its 12-month program year. HUD conducts a limited review of the IHP to determine that the planned activities are in compliance with NAHASDA requirements, as defined at 24 CFR part 1000. At the end of the 12-month period, the recipient submits the APR that is required by Section 404 of NAHASDA and describes (1) the use of grant funds during the prior 12-month period; (2) the actual outcomes and outputs achieved; (3) program accomplishments; and (4) jobs supported by IHBG-funded activities. HUD uses the information in the APR to review the recipient's progress in implementing the IHP, verify whether the activities are eligible and to determine if the recipient has the capacity to continue implementing the activities described in the IHP in a timely manner. The information in the APR also will be used to provide Congress, stakeholders, and other interested parties with information on how the IHBG funds are being used to meet affordable housing needs within Native American communities. The IHP/APR is currently available in a Word version, an Excel version, and a version on HUD's Energy and Performance Information Center (EPIC) Web site. All three versions of the IHP/APR request the same information and a recipient may elect to submit to HUD either the Word, Excel, or EPIC versions; however, the Excel and EPIC versions are preferred because of their automated capabilities and reduced burden. Participants in the IHBG program are responsible for notifying HUD of changes to the Formula Current Assisted Stock (FCAS) component of the IHBG formula. HUD is notified of changes in the FCAS through a Formula Response Form (HUD-4117), as defined at 24 CFR 1000.302. A tribe, Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHE), or HUD may challenge the data from the U.S. Decennial Census or provide an alternative source of data by submitting the Guidelines for Challenging U.S. Decennial Census Data Document Form (HUD-4119). Census challenges are due March 30th of each fiscal year, as defined at 24 CFR 1000.336. This information collection is required of participants in the IHBG program to demonstrate compliance with eligibility and other requirements of NAHASDA; provision of correction or challenge documentation of the formula calculation; and provision of data for HUD's annual report to Congress. The information gathered will be used to allocate funds under the IHBG program. The quality assurance of data reported is a very important issue in maintaining HUD's databases used to monitor participant's proposed plans, accomplishments, determine program compliance, and to ensure fair and equitable allocations. In some cases, the FCAS information addressing the conveyances and conversions of units has resulted in the recouping of funds. IHBG recipients have the option to invest IHBG funds in eligible instruments for up to five years with private bankers and/or brokers. At any time, a recipient may enter into a Depository Agreement with a banker (HUD-52736-A) and/or with the broker (HUD-52736-B).

Respondents (i.e. affected public): Native American Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities, Alaska Natives and Corporations, and Native Hawaiians.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 366.

Estimated Number of Responses: 1,779.

Frequency of Response: The IHP/APR is submitted twice a year and the Formula Correction and Formula Challenge forms are submitted once per year.

Average Hours per Response: 60.

Total Estimated Burdens: 48,211 hours.

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.

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

Dated: March 17, 2016.

Colette Pollard,

Department Reports Management Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer.