2021-20590. 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs), OMB Control No: 2502-0561

AGENCY:

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing Commissioner, 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: November 22, 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:

Colette Pollard, Reports Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW, Room 4176, Washington, DC 20410-5000; email Colette Pollard at [e-mail] or telephone [phone] (this is not a toll-free number). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at [phone].

Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Ms. Pollard.

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: Energy Efficient Mortgages.

OMB Approval Number: 2502-0561.

Type of Request: Reinstatement of a currently approved collection.

Form Number: N/A.

Description of the need for the information and proposed use: FHA offers the Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) as an approved mortgage insurance product under Section 513 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (Section 106 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992). Section 2123 of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) (Public Law 110-289, approved July 30, 2008) amended Section 106 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 by revising the maximum dollar amount that can be added to an FHA-insured mortgage for energy efficient improvements.

The EEM program allows the mortgagors to finance cost-effective energy efficient improvements to an existing property at the time of purchase or refinancing, or for upgrades above the established residential building code for new construction.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit (FHA-approved lenders).

Estimated Number of Respondents: 40.

Estimated Number of Responses: 90.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Average Hours per Response: 1.35.

Total Estimated Burdens: 122 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 comments in response to these questions.

C. Authority

Section 2 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507.

Janet M. Golrick,

Acting Chief of Staff for Housing.