[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56940-56941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28384]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
Survey of Housing Starts, Sales and Completions
ACTION: Proposed agency information collection activity; comment
request.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 6, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Linda P. Hoyle, Bureau of the Census,
Manufacturing and Construction Division, Room 2105, FOB 4, Washington,
DC 20233-6900, (301) 457-1321.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Bureau of the Census conducts the Survey of Housing Starts,
Sales and Completions, also known as the Survey of Construction (SOC),
to collect monthly data on new residential construction from a sample
of owners or builders. The data collected includes starts and
completions dates of construction, physical characteristics of the
structure (floor area, number of bathrooms, type of heating system,
etc.), and if applicable, date of sale, sales price, and type of
financing. The SOC program provides widely used measures of
construction activity, including the economic indicators Housing
Starts, Housing Completions, and New Housing Sales.
Currently, Census Bureau Field Representatives (FRs) mail forms
SOC-900.1 and SOC-900A.1, which are facsimiles of the data collection
forms, to respondents. The FR then uses paper forms SOC-900 and SOC-
900A to record respondents' answers during a later telephone or
personal interview.
After July 1997, FRs will collect the data using Computer Assisted
Personal Interviewing (CAPI). We have been experimenting with CAPI and
have been using this technology on a test basis since November 1995.
For CAPI, we will replace the SOC-900.1 and SOC-900A.1 forms with the
SOC-QI/SF.1 and SOC-QI/MF.1 forms. We will also replace the SOC-900 and
SOC-900A data collection forms with electronic versions. The new data
collection forms and the facsimiles mailed to respondents' are
virtually the same as the old forms.
The use of CAPI will not affect respondent burden. We are, however,
requesting a reduction in burden of 42 hours. This reduction is
attributable to our completion of a test of CAPI procedures using 200
test cases which we obtained approval for under this clearance in 1994.
II. Method of Collection
The Bureau of the Census uses its FRs to collect the data. The FRs
mail a letter with a facsimile of the survey form to owners or
builders. The letter tells the owners or builders to retain the form
for use when the FR telephones or visits them within a few days. If the
FR is unable to conduct an interview, she/he will try to get some
information by visiting the construction site. After July 1997, the FRs
will collect the data using CAPI.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0607-0110.
Form Number: SOC-900, 900.1, 900A, 900A.1, SOC-QI/SR.1, SOC-QI/
MF.1.
Type of Review: Regular Submission.
Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit institutions.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,800.
Estimated Responses Per Respondent: 3.38.
Estimated Time Per Response: .209 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,807.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: The total cost in fiscal year 1996 is
$3,686,200 of which $1,765,000 is borne by the Department of Housing
and Urban Development, and $1,921,200 is borne by the Bureau of the
Census.
[[Page 56941]]
Based on information available from our 1992 Census of Construction
Industries and the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1996-1997 Edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, ``Construction
managers,'' we estimate the average hourly pay for respondents to be
$24.25. Therefore the total cost to the respondents is $116,570.
Respondent's obligation: Voluntary.
Legal authority: Title 13 USC, Section 182.
IV. Request for Comments
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 shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(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 respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this
information collection; they also will become a matter of public
record.
Dated: October 25, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-28384 Filed 11-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
