[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 79 (Thursday, April 24, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20111-20112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10158]


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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.

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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 
Security Servicing for Multiple Family Housing Loans.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 23, 2003, to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James E. Vollmer, Senior Loan 
Specialist, Multi-Family Housing Portfolio Management Division, Rural 
Housing Service, Stop 0782, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0782. Telephone: (202) 
720-1060.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Security Servicing for Multiple Family Housing Loans.
    OMB Number: 0575-0100.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is an Agency of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA). As a creditor of last resort, the 
Agency extends financial assistance in support of housing for rural 
residents. The Agency is authorized under sections 514, 515, 516, and 
521 of title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, to provide loans 
and grants to eligible recipients for the development of rural rental 
housing. Such Multiple Family Housing projects are intended to meet the 
housing needs of persons or families having low to moderate incomes, 
senior citizens, the disabled, and domestic farm laborers.
    The Agency has the responsibility of assuring the public that the 
housing projects financed are owned and operated as mandated by 
Congress. This regulation was issued to ensure proper servicing actions 
are accomplished for projects financed with Multiple Family Housing 
loan and grant funds. Minimal requirements have been established as 
deemed necessary to assure that applicable laws and authorities are

[[Page 20112]]

carried out as intended, and to improve the Agency's ability to assure 
the continued availability of the facilities financed under the 
Agency's multiple housing programs to eligible users.
    Without the provisions of this regulation, the Agency would be 
unable to provide the necessary guidance to the Agency's field staff to 
assist borrowers in processing servicing actions affecting their 
projects. The Agency also would not be able to quickly respond to 
servicing requests from borrowers, initiate servicing actions, or 
establish a uniform procedure for processing such requests from 
borrowers. The Agency must be able to assure Congress and the general 
public that all projects financed with Multiple Family Housing funds 
will be maintained for the purposes for which they are intended and 
used for the benefit of those they are mandated to serve.
    Public Law (Pub. L.) 95-375 provides administrative powers for the 
Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the provisions of title V of the 
Housing Act of 1949, as amended. This law provides for making rules and 
regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of title V. The purpose 
of the applicable sections 514, 515, 516, and 521 of the Housing Act as 
stated above is to provide rental housing to eligible low-(including 
very low-) and moderate-income tenants at affordable rental rates. The 
Agency has been charged with the responsibility of protecting the 
interest of the taxpayer's funds and to assure that the objectives of 
the loans and grants are carried out as intended. In an effort to carry 
out the responsibilities of assuring that the objectives of the law are 
met, it is required that information be collected to assure program 
objectives and integrity is maintained.
    Pub. L. 88-352, ``Civil Rights Act of 1965,'' as amended, title VI, 
Pub. L. 90-284 and 93-383, Pub. L. 93-383, ``Sex Discrimination, 
Executive Order 11246, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974, and 
the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 are also applicable to the 514, 
515, 516, and 521 programs. Civil Rights compliance reviews are 
conducted to assure nondiscrimination in these Federally assisted 
programs. The owners are, therefore, required to keep certain 
information, such as a list of applicants, list of tenants, 
verifications of income of the tenants, and records or rejected 
applicants, and make such information available to the compliance 
review officer upon request.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1.7 hours per response.
    Respondents: The primary respondents are small business 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 930.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 930.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,583 hours.
    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. 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: April 7, 2003.
James E. Selmon, III,
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-10158 Filed 4-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P