2023-21764. 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Section 515 Multi-Family Housing Preservation and Revitalization Restructuring (MPR) Demonstration Program; OMB Control No.: 0575-0190

AGENCY:

Rural Housing Service (RHS), USDA.

ACTION:

Notice; request for comment.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) announces its' intention to request a revision of a currently approved information collection and invites comments on this information collection.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by December 4, 2023, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be submitted by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and, in the “Search Field” box, labeled “Search for dockets and documents on agency actions,” enter the following docket number: (RHS–23–MFH–0021), and click “Search.” To submit public comments, select the “Comment” button. Before inputting your comments, you may also review the “Commenter's Checklist” (optional). Insert your comments under the “Comment” title, click “Browse” to attach files (if applicable). Input your email address and select an identity category then click “Submit Comment.” Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's “FAQ” link.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

MaryPat Daskal, Chief, Branch 1, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, South Building, Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: [phone]. Email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulation (5 CFR 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RHS is submitting to OMB for revision.

Title: Section 515 Multifamily Preservation and Revitalization (MPR) Demonstration Program.

OMB Control Number: 0575–0190.

Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2024.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information collection.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.57 hour per response.

Respondents: Individuals, partnerships, public and private non-profit corporations, agencies, institutions, organizations, and Indian tribes.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 150.

Estimated Number of Responses: 10,031

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 66.87.

Estimated Annual Reporting Burden on Respondents: 15,447 hours.

Estimated Annual Recordkeeping Burden on Respondents: 350 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15,797 hours.

Abstract: The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 2006 (Pub. L. 109–97) provides funding for, and authorizes Rural Development (RD) to conduct a demonstration program for the preservation and revitalization of the Section 515 Multi-Family Housing portfolio. Section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485) provides Rural Development the authority to make loans for low-income Multi-Family Housing and related facilities.

The information contained in this collection will be used to determine applicant eligibility for this demonstration program. If an applicant proposal is selected, that applicant will be notified of the selection and will be provided conditions in which the agency will provide funding.

This MPR demonstration program continues to adjust the various opportunities available to demonstrate effective methods of providing the needed financial resources not otherwise available to current owners and transferees. Using alternative forms of financing, these owners will preserve existing Agency-financed Rural Rental Housing and Farm Labor Housing and extend the property's useful life for tenants meeting RD eligibility requirements. Since the inception of the MPR demonstration program in 2006, revisions and adjustments in the nature of the program have necessitated certain revisions in the context, formatting, and use of the original forms in this package to permit RD's ability to provide these needed financial opportunities.

Comments are invited on: (a) 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; (b) 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) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (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. Comments may be sent by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimble Brown, Rural Development Innovation Center, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, South Building, Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: [phone]. Email [e-mail].

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Joaquin Altoro,

Administrator, Rural Housing Service.