2014-25965. 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Indian Community Development Block Grant

AGENCY:

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, PIH, HUD.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

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: December 30, 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:

Arlette Mussington, Office of Policy, Programs and Legislative Initiatives, PIH, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., (L'Enfant Plaza, Room 2206), Washington, DC 20410; telephone [phone], (this is not a toll-free number). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number via TTY by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at [phone]. Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Ms. Mussington.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice informs the public that HUD is seeking approval from OMB for the information collection described in Section A.

A. Overview of Information Collection

Title of Information Collection: Indian Community Development Block Grant Information Collection.

OMB Approval Number: 2577-0191.

Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection.

Form Number: HUD-4123, HUD-4125.

Description of the need for the information and proposed use: Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 authorizes Indian Community Development Block Grants (ICDBG) and requires that grants be awarded annually on a competitive basis. The purpose of the ICDBG program is to develop viable Indian and Alaska Native communities by creating decent housing, suitable living environments, and economic opportunities primarily for low- and moderate-income persons. Consistent with this objective, not less than 70 percent of the expenditures are to benefit low and moderate-income persons. Eligible applicants include Federally-recognized tribes, which includes Alaska Native communities, and tribally authorized tribal organizations. Eligible categories of funding include housing rehabilitation, land acquisition to support new housing, homeownership assistance, public facilities and improvements, economic development, and microenterprise programs. For a complete description of eligible activities, please refer to 24 CFR part 1003, subpart C.

The ICDBG program regulations are at 24 CFR part 1003. The ICDBG program requires eligible applicants to submit information to enable HUD to select the best projects for funding during annual competitions. Additionally, the information submitted is essential for HUD in monitoring grants to ensure that grantees are complying with applicable statutes and regulations and implementing activities as approved.

ICDBG applicants must submit a complete application package which includes an Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424), Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report (HUD-2880), Cost Summary (HUD-4123), and Implementation Schedule (HUD-4125). If the applicant has a waiver of the electronic submission requirement and is submitting a paper application, an Acknowledgement of Application Receipt (HUD-2993) must also be submitted. If the applicant is a tribal organization, a resolution from the tribe stating that the tribal organization is submitting an application on behalf of the tribe must also be included in the application package.

ICDBG recipients are required to submit a quarterly Federal Financial Report (SF-425) that describes the use of grant funds drawn from the recipient's line of credit. The reports are used to monitor cash transfers to the recipients and obtain expenditure data from the recipients. (24 CFR 1003.501(16)).

The regulations at 24 CFR part 85 require that grantees and sub-grantees “take all necessary affirmative steps to assure that minority firms, women's business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms are used when possible” (24 CFR 85.36(e)). Consistent with these regulations, 24 CFR 1003.506(b) requires that ICDBG grantees report on these activities on an annual basis, with Contract and Subcontract Activity Report being due to HUD on October 10 of each year (HUD-2516).

The regulations at 24 CFR 1003.506 instruct recipients to submit to HUD an Annual Status and Evaluation Report (ASER) that describes the progress made in completing approved activities with a listing of work to be completed; a breakdown of funds expended; and when the project is completed, a program evaluation expressing the effectiveness of the project in meeting community development needs. The ASER is due by November 15 each year and at grant closeout.

The information collected will allow HUD to accurately audit the program.

Respondents: Federally recognized Native American Tribes, Alaska Native communities and corporations, and tribal organizations.

Information collection	Number of respondents	Frequency of response	Responses per annum	Burden hour per response	Annual burden hours	Hourly cost per response	Annual cost
Grant Application (Includes SF-424, HUD-2880, HUD-2993, HUD-4123, HUD-4125)	240	1	240	30	7,200	$19.23	$138,461.54
Federal Financial Report (SF-425)	100	4	400	.5	200	19.23	3,846.15
Contract and Subcontract Activity Report (HUD-2516)	100	1	100	1	100	19.23	1,923.08
Annual Status and Evaluation Report (ASER)	100	1	100	4	400	19.23	7,692.31
Total			840		7,900		151,923.08

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: October 24, 2014.

Merrie Nichols-Dixon,

Deputy Director, Office of Policy, Programs and Legislative Initiatives.