2011-2733. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 3, 2011.

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, OCIO, 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 1902-A, Supervised Bank Accounts.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0158.

Summary of Collection: 7 CFR 1902-A, Supervised Bank Accounts, prescribes the policies and procedures for disbursing loan and grant funds, establishing and closing supervised accounts, and placing Multi-Family housing reserve accounts in supervised accounts. Supervised accounts are accounts with a financial institution in the names of a borrower and the United States Government, represented by Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Utilities Service, (Agency). Section 339 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S.C. 1989 and Section 510 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 1480) are the legislative authorities requiring the use of supervised accounts.

Need and Use of the Information: The agency's state and field offices will collect information from borrowers and financial institutions and use the information to monitor compliance with agency regulations governing supervised accounts, such as establishing, maintaining, and withdrawing funds. In addition, the information will be used to ensure that the borrowers operate on a sound basis and use the loan and grant funds for authorized purposes.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 20,000.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 26,969.

Rural Housing Service

Title: Rural Rental Housing Program, 7 CFR Part 3560.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0189.

Summary of Collection: The programs covered by 7 CFR part 3560 provide financing to support the development of adequate, affordable housing and rental units for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households, and farm workers. Rural Housing Service (RHS) is authorized to collect the information needed to administer these various programs under Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, Section 515 Rural Rental Housing, Sections 514 and 516 Farm Labor Housing loans and grants, and Section 521 Rental Assistance.

Need and Use of the Information: The information collected by RHS is used to plan, manage, evaluate and account for Government resources. The reports are required to ensure the proper and judicious use of public funds. The purpose of the Multi-Family Housing programs is to provide adequate, affordable, decent, safe, and sanitary rental units for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households and farm workers in rural areas.

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

Number of Respondents: 500,000.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Quarterly; Monthly, Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 1,091,785.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.