[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56940-56941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28384]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census


Survey of Housing Starts, Sales and Completions

ACTION: Proposed agency information collection activity; comment 
request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 6, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Linda P. Hoyle, Bureau of the Census, 
Manufacturing and Construction Division, Room 2105, FOB 4, Washington, 
DC 20233-6900, (301) 457-1321.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Bureau of the Census conducts the Survey of Housing Starts, 
Sales and Completions, also known as the Survey of Construction (SOC), 
to collect monthly data on new residential construction from a sample 
of owners or builders. The data collected includes starts and 
completions dates of construction, physical characteristics of the 
structure (floor area, number of bathrooms, type of heating system, 
etc.), and if applicable, date of sale, sales price, and type of 
financing. The SOC program provides widely used measures of 
construction activity, including the economic indicators Housing 
Starts, Housing Completions, and New Housing Sales.
    Currently, Census Bureau Field Representatives (FRs) mail forms 
SOC-900.1 and SOC-900A.1, which are facsimiles of the data collection 
forms, to respondents. The FR then uses paper forms SOC-900 and SOC-
900A to record respondents' answers during a later telephone or 
personal interview.
    After July 1997, FRs will collect the data using Computer Assisted 
Personal Interviewing (CAPI). We have been experimenting with CAPI and 
have been using this technology on a test basis since November 1995. 
For CAPI, we will replace the SOC-900.1 and SOC-900A.1 forms with the 
SOC-QI/SF.1 and SOC-QI/MF.1 forms. We will also replace the SOC-900 and 
SOC-900A data collection forms with electronic versions. The new data 
collection forms and the facsimiles mailed to respondents' are 
virtually the same as the old forms.
    The use of CAPI will not affect respondent burden. We are, however, 
requesting a reduction in burden of 42 hours. This reduction is 
attributable to our completion of a test of CAPI procedures using 200 
test cases which we obtained approval for under this clearance in 1994.

II. Method of Collection

    The Bureau of the Census uses its FRs to collect the data. The FRs 
mail a letter with a facsimile of the survey form to owners or 
builders. The letter tells the owners or builders to retain the form 
for use when the FR telephones or visits them within a few days. If the 
FR is unable to conduct an interview, she/he will try to get some 
information by visiting the construction site. After July 1997, the FRs 
will collect the data using CAPI.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0110.
    Form Number: SOC-900, 900.1, 900A, 900A.1, SOC-QI/SR.1, SOC-QI/
MF.1.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,800.
    Estimated Responses Per Respondent: 3.38.
    Estimated Time Per Response: .209 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,807.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The total cost in fiscal year 1996 is 
$3,686,200 of which $1,765,000 is borne by the Department of Housing 
and Urban Development, and $1,921,200 is borne by the Bureau of the 
Census.

[[Page 56941]]

Based on information available from our 1992 Census of Construction 
Industries and the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 
1996-1997 Edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, ``Construction 
managers,'' we estimate the average hourly pay for respondents to be 
$24.25. Therefore the total cost to the respondents is $116,570.
    Respondent's obligation: Voluntary.

    Legal authority: Title 13 USC, Section 182.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this 
information collection; they also will become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: October 25, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-28384 Filed 11-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P