05-22286. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 3, 2005.

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, OCID, 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 3550—Direct Single Family Housing Loan and Grant Program, HB-1-3550, HB-2-3550.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0172.

Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is a credit agency for rural housing and community development within the Rural Development mission area of the Department of Agriculture. Section 501 of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to administer such programs and to prescribe regulations to ensure that these loans and grants provided with Federal Funds are made to eligible applicants for authorized purposes, and that subsequent servicing and benefits provided to borrowers are consistent with the authorizing statute. RHS offers a supervised credit program to extend financial assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, replace or rehabilitate dwellings, which will provide modest, decent, safe, and sanitary housing to eligible individuals living in rural areas. To assist individuals in obtaining affordable housing, a borrower's house payment may be subsidized to an interest rate as low as 1%. The information requested by RHS is vital to be able to process applications for RHS assistance and make prudent credit and program decisions. RHS will collect information using several forms.

Need and Use of the Information: RHS will collect information to verify program eligibility requirements; continued eligibility requirements for borrower assistance; servicing of loans; eligibility for special servicing assistance such as: payment subsidies, moratorium (stop) on payments, delinquency workout agreements; liquidation of loans; and, debt settlement. The information is used to ensure that the direct Single Family Housing Programs are administered in a manner consistent with legislative and administrative requirements. Without the information RHS would be unable to determine if a borrower would qualify for services or if assistance has been granted to which the customer would not be eligible under current regulations and statutes.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 300,000.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 454,539.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.