[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 10360]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5349]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


1999 New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey; Proposed 
Collection

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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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 May 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
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 Peter Fronczek, Census Bureau, FB3-1433, 
Washington, DC 20233-8500, phone: 301-457-3199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to conduct the 1999 New York City Housing 
and Vacancy Survey (NYCHVS) under contract for the City of New York. 
The primary purpose of the survey is to measure the rental vacancy rate 
which is the primary factor in determining the continuation of rent 
control regulations. Other survey information is used by city and state 
agencies for planning purposes as well as the private sector for 
business decisions. The laws of New York require such a survey to be 
conducted every three years.
    Information to be collected includes: Age, gender, race, hispanic 
origin, and relationship of all household members; employment status, 
education level, and income for persons aged 15 & above; owner/renter 
status (tenure) for all households, amount of rent paid, as well as 
kitchen and bathroom facilities availability, maintenance deficiencies, 
neighborhood suitability, and specific questions about each unit such 
as number of rooms and bedrooms. The survey also poses a number of 
items relating to handicapped accessibility. Finally, a shorter series 
of similar questions are asked for any units that are vacant. Note that 
all vacant units and approximately five percent of occupied units will 
be reinterviewed for quality assurance purposes.

II. Method of Collection

    All information will be conducted by personal interview.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0757 (expired 09/30/96)
    Form Number: H-100, H-108(reinterview)
    Type of Review: Regular
    Affected Public: Households and businesses
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 17,200 interviews; 2,000 
reinterviews
    Estimated Time Per Response: 40 minutes occupied (16,000); 10 
minutes vacant (1,200); 10 minutes reinterview (2,000)
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,200
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to respondents is that 
of their time.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary
    Legal Authority: Local Emergency Housing Rent Control Act, Laws of 
New York (Chapters 8603 and 657)

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: February 25, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-5349 Filed 3-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P