2021-04136. 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Public Housing Financial Management Template

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: April 30, 2021.

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:

Dacia Rogers, 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 Relay Service at [phone]. Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Ms. Rogers.

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: Public Housing Financial Management Template.

OMB Approval Number: 2535-0107.

Type of Request: Reinstatement of a previously approved collection.

Form Number: N/A.

Description of the need for the information and proposed use: To meet the requirements of the Uniform Financial Standards Rule (24 CFR part 5, subpart H) and the asset management requirements in 24 CFR part 990, the Department developed financial management templates that public housing agencies (PHAs) use to annually submit electronically financial information to HUD. HUD uses the financial information it collects from each PHA to assist in the evaluation and assessment of the PHAs' overall condition. Requiring PHAs to report electronically has enabled HUD to provide a comprehensive financial assessment of the PHAs receiving federal funds from HUD.

Respondents: Public Housing Agencies (PHAs).

Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden: The average burden hour estimate assumes that there are 3,916 PHAs (Low Rent Only, Low Rent and Section 8, and Section 8 only PHAs) that submit one unaudited financial management template annually. The average burden hours associated with an unaudited financial management template is 6.4 hours (25,015.5 total hours divided by 3,916 PHAs). There are 3,538 PHAs that are required to or voluntarily submit an audited financial management template annually. The average burden hours associated with an audited financial management template is 4.2 hours (14,705 total hours divided by 3,538 PHAs). When added together, the average burden hours for a PHA that submits both an unaudited and audited financial management template is 5.3 hours, for a total reporting burden of 39,721 hours.

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.

C. Authority

Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35 as amended.

Dated: February 19, 2021.

Merrie Nichols-Dixon,

Director, Office of Policy, Programs and Legislative Initiatives.