2018-05114. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 9, 2018.

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 are requested regarding (1) 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments regarding this information collection received by April 13, 2018 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. 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 1901-E, Civil Rights Compliance Requirements.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0018.

Summary of Collection: Rural Development (RD) is required to provide Federal financial assistance through its farmer, housing, and community and business programs on an equal opportunity basis. The laws implemented in 7 CFR 1901-E, require the recipients of Rural Development`s Federal financial assistance to collect various types of information by race, color, and national origin.

Need and Use of the Information: RD will use the information to monitor a recipient's compliance with the civil rights laws, and to determine whether or not service and benefits are being provided to beneficiaries on an equal opportunity basis. This information is made available to USDA officials, officials of other Federal agencies and to Congress for reporting purposes. Without the required information, RD and its recipient will lack the necessary documentation to demonstrate that their programs are being administered in a nondiscriminatory manner and in full compliance with the civil rights laws.

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

Number of Respondents: 27,000.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 542,369.

Rural Housing Service

Title: 7 CFR 1951-E, Servicing of Community and Direct Business Programs Loans and Grants.

OMB Control Number: 0575-0066.

Summary of Collection: Rural Development (Agency) is the credit agency for agriculture and rural development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Community Facilities program is authorized to make loans and grants for the development of essential community facilities primarily serving rural residents. The Direct Business and Industry Program is authorized to make loans to improve, develop, or finance business, industry, and employment, and improve the economic and environmental climate in rural communities. Section 331 and 335 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Agency, to establish provisions for security servicing policies for the loans and grants in questions. When there is a problem, a recipient of the loan, grant, or loan guarantee must furnish financial information to aid in resolving the problem through reamortization, sale, transfer, debt restructuring, liquidation, or other means provided in the regulations.

Need and Use of the Information: The Agency will use several different forms to collect information from applicants, borrowers, consultants, lenders and attorneys. This information is used to determine applicant/borrower eligibility and project feasibility for various servicing actions. The information enables field staff to ensure that borrowers operate on a sound basis and use loan and grant funds for authorized purposes.

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

Number of Respondents: 154.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 1,540.

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: USDA Rural Development (RD) is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. RD's Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency) offers a variety of programs to build or improve housing and essential community facilities in rural areas. The Housing Act of 1949 provides the authority for the RHS' direct single family housing loan and grant programs. The programs provide eligible applicants with financial assistance to own adequate but modest homes in rural areas. 7 CFR part 3550 sets forth the programs' policies and the programs' procedures can be found in its accompanying handbooks (Handbook-1-3550 and Handbook-2-3550). To originate and service direct loans and grants that comply with the programs' statute, policies, and procedures, RHS must collect information from low- and very low-income applicants, third parties associated with or working on behalf of the applicants, borrowers, and third parties associated with or working on behalf of the borrowers. 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.

Number of Respondents: 106,300.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 315,570.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.