E6-861. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

January 20, 2006.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 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 should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Housing Service

Title: 7 CFR Part 1822-G, Rural Housing Loans, Policies, Procedures and Authorizations.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0071.

Summary of Collection: Section 523 and 524 of the Housing Act of 1949 authorizes loans for acquiring and developing housing sites for low and moderate-income housing. Information is necessary to protect the public from projects being built in areas of low need by applicants that are unable to administer the program properly.

Need and Use of the Information: Rural Housing Service (RHS) uses the information collected to verify and ensure program eligibility requirements, appropriate use of loans, and continuing with legislative requirements. If the information is not collected, RHS would be unable to determine if the organization qualifies for loan assistance.

Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; State, local or tribal government.

Number of Respondents: 6.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 36.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.