[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5015-5016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2598]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR-4200-N-19]
Submission for OMB Review: Comment Request
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing, HUD.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described
below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department
is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.
DATES: Comments due date: April 4, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding
this proposal. Comments must be received within seven days from the
date of this Notice. Comments should
[[Page 5016]]
refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB approval number and should be
sent to: Mr. Oliver Walker, Housing, Department of Housing and Urban
Development, 451 7th Street, SW, Room 9116, Washington, DC 20410.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Faye Norman, Office of Multifamily Housing Development, 451 7th Street,
Southwest, Washington, DC 20410 telephone (202) 708-0624 ext 2482. This
is not a toll-free number. Copies of the proposed questionnaire and
other available documents may be obtained from Ms. Norman.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department will submit the proposed
information collection to OMB for review, as required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended).
The Notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and
affecting agencies concerning the proposed collection of information
to: (1) evaluate 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)
evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information to be collected; and (4) 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.
This Notice also lists the following information:
Title of Proposal: Neighborhood Underwriting Guidelines
Questionnaire.
OMB Control Number: 2502-xxxx.
Description of the need for the information and proposed use:
This Notice describes the questionnaire to be used by Applicants
for FHA's Neighborhood Underwriting process. The purpose of the
questionnaire is to provide additional information to assist FHA in
evaluating the effect of the other developments in the neighborhood
upon the proposed project and will consider the potential effect of the
proposed project upon existing or other proposed developments.
I. Background
Neighborhood Underwriting establishes as official HUD policy an
important role for FHA in assuring that any use of mortgage insurance
takes into consideration the health of the entire neighborhood. While
playing an active role of participation with local leaders in planning
for new housing initiatives, coordinates a wide spectrum of existing
resources (relating to both bricks and mortar and other neighborhood
amenities), and identifies neighborhood needs for social, educational
and economic development initiatives.
Neighborhood Underwriting will encourage FHA field staff to base
underwriting decisions, in part, upon a proposal's effect upon the
neighborhood and vice versa.
FHA wants to target its efforts (and make its mortgage insurance
available) in those communities and neighborhoods which have in place a
mechanism for area-wide comprehensive planning, decision making, and
problem-solving. FHA feels that where these local processes are
ongoing, there is greater likelihood for neighborhood stability, market
attractiveness, and long-term financial viability of FHA-insured
housing.
The process of Neighborhood Underwriting is expected to bring FHA
much closer to local concerns, enhance the positive impact of FHA-
insured developments on the neighborhood, and--at the same time--afford
greater financial security to the FHA mortgage insurance fund. This
process represents a natural and major step forward in FHA's
integration of its programs with neighborhood needs, as well as a
prudent step forward in protecting the long-term value of FHA's
investments.
Neighborhood Underwriting is FHA's way of supporting and enhancing
the Department's broader initiatives relative to placebased development
and partnerships. Through Neighborhood Underwriting, the Department
will encourage and foster coordination across cylinders within HUD.
This focus is consistent with the Department's emphasis upon place-
based program efforts.
Dated: January 28, 1997.
James E. Schoenberger,
Associate General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal
Housing Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 97-2598 Filed 1-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-27-M