[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 136 (Monday, July 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 37102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17645]



[[Page 37101]]

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Part III





Department of Housing and Urban Development





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Notice of Request for Comments on Obstacles to the Participation of 
Faith-Based and Other Community Organizations; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 136 / Monday, July 16, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 37102]]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-4685-N-02]


Notice of Request for Comments on Obstacles to the Participation 
of Faith-Based and Other Community Organizations

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary; Center for Faith-Based and Community 
Initiatives, HUD.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This Notice re-opens the comment period inviting interested 
parties to comment on regulatory, contracting and other programmatic 
obstacles to the participation of faith-based and other community 
organizations in HUD's grant funding programs.

DATES: Comment Due Date: August 15, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this Notice to the Rules Docket Clerk, Office of General Counsel, Room 
10278, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20410. Communications should refer to the above 
docket number and title. A copy of each communication submitted will be 
available for public inspection and copying between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 
p.m. weekdays at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Loyd LaMois, Center for Faith-Based 
and Community Initiatives, Room 10286, 451 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20410-2000. Telephone number (202) 708-2404. A 
telecommunications device (TDD) for hearing and speech impaired persons 
is available at (202) 708-0455. (These are not toll-free numbers.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 5, 2001, at 66 FR 30276, HUD 
published a Notice requesting comments on obstacles to the 
participation of faith-based and other community organization in HUD's 
grant funding programs. Because of the high degree of interest in, and 
response to, that Notice, HUD is re-opening the comment period to 
provide an additional opportunity for the submission of comments. As a 
convenience to commenters, the text of the first Notice, slightly 
revised to focus this request for comments on additional programs, is 
republished below:
    Executive Order 13198, entitled ``Agency Responsibilities With 
Respect to Faith-Based and Community Initiatives'' and issued on 
January 29, 2001, requires, among other actions, certain Executive 
Departments, including HUD, to inventory current programs in order to 
identify any existing or perceived impediments ``to the participation 
of faith-based and other community organizations in the delivery of 
social services by the department, including but not limited to 
regulations, rules, orders, procurement, and other internal policies 
and practices, and outreach activities that either facially 
discriminate against or otherwise discourage or disadvantage the 
participation of faith-based and other community organizations in 
Federal programs.'' To assist in carrying out this action, HUD is 
requesting comments that identify specific issues with HUD programs 
that in any way discourage or inhibit participation of faith-based and 
community-based groups. Examples might include burdensome application, 
documentation or reporting requirements, or requirements for a 
mandatory organizational structure (e.g., 501(c)(3) status). HUD will 
consider the comments received in conducting its review to determine 
whether any regulations or procedures may discriminate against 
religious or local groups' participation in HUD programs.
    Under this notice, HUD is requesting that commenters specifically 
focus on the following programs, which are also identified by their 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance numbers:
Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation for Single Room Occupancy (C of 
C)--14.249
Shelter Plus Care--14.238
Supportive Housing (C of C)--14.235
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement--14.218
Community Development Block Grant Insular--14.225
Community Development Block Grant State--14.228
Emergency Shelter Services Grant (ESG)--14.231
HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME)--14.239
HOPWA--Formula--14.241
HOPWA--Competitive--14.241
T/A Homeless Assistance--14.235
T/A CDBG--14.227
T/A HOME--14.239
T/A HOME CHDO--14.239
T/A HOPWA--14.241
Youthbuild--14.243
Approval of Nonprofit Organizations Housing Counseling Assistance--
14.169
Sec 202--Elderly--14.157
Sec. 811--Persons with Disabilities--14.181
Family Self-Sufficiency--14.857(HCV); 14.855(RCP)
HOPE VI Revitalization of Severely Distressed Public Housing--14.866
Housing Choice Vouchers--14.871
Housing Choice Vouchers Mainstream Disabilities (811)--14.857
Resident Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (ROSS)--14.870

    Comments not covered by the above specific interest areas are 
welcome.
    For each of these funding programs, HUD especially wants comments 
to address the following questions:
    1. Are there restrictive conditions that constrict the 
participation of faith-based and community-based organizations?
    2. How are restrictions manifested or applied (specifically 
identify the provision which you believe creates the restrictive 
condition and explain how it prevents participation by faith-based and 
community-based organizations. Also, if possible give a specific 
example):
    a. In Departmental regulations;
    b. In the eligibility criteria in Notices of Funding Availability 
(NOFAs);
    c. In Requests for Proposals (RFPs);
    d. In grant monitoring;
    e. In guidance the Department gives its State and local government 
partners;
    f. In contract or grant manuals; and
    g. In guidance to grant managers?
    3. Are any information collection, submission or monitoring 
requirements duplicative or unduly burdensome?
    In addition, HUD requests that commenters identify any positive 
program practices or procedures that presently facilitate, or that 
would increase, the participation of faith-based and other community 
organizations.
    HUD seeks specific information, e.g., the name of the program, the 
form, etc., where the impediment or the positive practice is found. It 
will also be helpful if respondents indicate whether they have ever 
applied (successfully or unsuccessfully) for the program, or otherwise 
been involved with the program(s).
    For comments on the CDBG or HOME programs and the Continuum of Care 
process, it will help if the comment identifies the jurisdiction that 
administered the program, i.e., the relevant State, county or municipal 
government.
    HUD also requests that the comments provide the name, size, and 
location of the nonprofit, faith-based, or other organization 
submitting the comments, and identify a contact person to permit HUD to 
follow-up on the concerns and issues raised.

    Dated: July 10, 2001.
Robin McDonald,
Director, Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
[FR Doc. 01-17645 Filed 7-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-32-P