[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9046-9047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4622]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intention to request an 
extension for a currently approved information collection in support of 
the program for Rural Rental and Cooperative Housing Loan Policies, 
Procedures, and Authorizations.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 28, 2003 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas H. MacDowell, Senior Loan 
Specialist, Rural Housing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 
0781, Washington, DC 20250-0781, Telephone (202) 720-1604.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Rural Rental and Cooperative Housing Loan Policies, 
Procedures, and Authorizations.
    OMB Number: 0575-0047.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), an agency of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, is authorized to make loans to finance rural 
rental housing (RRH) and rural cooperative housing (RCH) complexes and 
related facilities under Sections 515 and 521 of Title V of the Housing 
Act of 1949, as amended. The RRH and RCH programs provide affordable 
rental and cooperative housing for elderly or disabled persons and 
families, and other persons and families of low or moderate income in 
rural areas.
    RHS is responsible for ensuring that these Federally funded loans 
are made to eligible applicants for authorized purposes. The 
information collected is necessary to determine the eligibility of the 
applicant and the feasibility of the proposed housing. If not 
collected, the Agency would be providing unauthorized Federal 
assistance.

[[Page 9047]]

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 6.9 hours per response.
    Respondents: Individuals, trusts, associations, partnerships, 
limited partnerships, State or local public agencies, consumer 
cooperatives, and profit or nonprofit corporations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 623.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 9.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 35,088.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tracy 
Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-
0039.
    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 will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be 
sent to Tracy Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-0742. All responses to this 
notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. 
All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: February 22, 2003.
Arthur A. Garcia,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4622 Filed 2-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P