[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5015-5016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2598]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-4200-N-19]


Submission for OMB Review: Comment Request

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described 
below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department 
is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

DATES: Comments due date: April 4, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal. Comments must be received within seven days from the 
date of this Notice. Comments should

[[Page 5016]]

refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB approval number and should be 
sent to: Mr. Oliver Walker, Housing, Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, 451 7th Street, SW, Room 9116, Washington, DC 20410.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Faye Norman, Office of Multifamily Housing Development, 451 7th Street, 
Southwest, Washington, DC 20410 telephone (202) 708-0624 ext 2482. This 
is not a toll-free number. Copies of the proposed questionnaire and 
other available documents may be obtained from Ms. Norman.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department will submit the proposed 
information collection to OMB for review, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended).
    The Notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and 
affecting agencies concerning the proposed collection of information 
to: (1) evaluate 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) 
evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information to be collected; and (4) 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.
    This Notice also lists the following information:
    Title of Proposal: Neighborhood Underwriting Guidelines 
Questionnaire.
    OMB Control Number: 2502-xxxx.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use:
    This Notice describes the questionnaire to be used by Applicants 
for FHA's Neighborhood Underwriting process. The purpose of the 
questionnaire is to provide additional information to assist FHA in 
evaluating the effect of the other developments in the neighborhood 
upon the proposed project and will consider the potential effect of the 
proposed project upon existing or other proposed developments.

I. Background

    Neighborhood Underwriting establishes as official HUD policy an 
important role for FHA in assuring that any use of mortgage insurance 
takes into consideration the health of the entire neighborhood. While 
playing an active role of participation with local leaders in planning 
for new housing initiatives, coordinates a wide spectrum of existing 
resources (relating to both bricks and mortar and other neighborhood 
amenities), and identifies neighborhood needs for social, educational 
and economic development initiatives.
    Neighborhood Underwriting will encourage FHA field staff to base 
underwriting decisions, in part, upon a proposal's effect upon the 
neighborhood and vice versa.
    FHA wants to target its efforts (and make its mortgage insurance 
available) in those communities and neighborhoods which have in place a 
mechanism for area-wide comprehensive planning, decision making, and 
problem-solving. FHA feels that where these local processes are 
ongoing, there is greater likelihood for neighborhood stability, market 
attractiveness, and long-term financial viability of FHA-insured 
housing.
    The process of Neighborhood Underwriting is expected to bring FHA 
much closer to local concerns, enhance the positive impact of FHA-
insured developments on the neighborhood, and--at the same time--afford 
greater financial security to the FHA mortgage insurance fund. This 
process represents a natural and major step forward in FHA's 
integration of its programs with neighborhood needs, as well as a 
prudent step forward in protecting the long-term value of FHA's 
investments.
    Neighborhood Underwriting is FHA's way of supporting and enhancing 
the Department's broader initiatives relative to placebased development 
and partnerships. Through Neighborhood Underwriting, the Department 
will encourage and foster coordination across cylinders within HUD. 
This focus is consistent with the Department's emphasis upon place-
based program efforts.

    Dated: January 28, 1997.
James E. Schoenberger,
Associate General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal 
Housing Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 97-2598 Filed 1-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-27-M