[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56260-56261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24675]


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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 (RHS), USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection: comments request.

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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 
the program for Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant Policies, Procedures, 
and Authorizations.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 1, 2003 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas MacDowell, Senior Loan 
Specialist, Multi-Family Housing Processing Division, RHS, United 
States Department of Agriculture, Stop 0781, 1400 Independence Ave., 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-0781, Telephone: (202) 720-1604.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant Policies, Procedures, and 
Authorizations.
    OMB Number: 0575-0045.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2004.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is authorized under 
Sections 514, 515, 516, and 521 of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, 
as amended, to make initial and subsequent loans and grants to provide 
housing and related facilities for domestic farm labor. A loan only can 
be made to a farmowner, family farm partnership, family farm 
corporation, or an association of farmers whose farming operations 
demonstrate a need for farm labor housing and that is engaged in 
agricultural or aquacultural farming operations and which will own the 
housing and operate it on a nonprofit basis. A loan can also be made to 
any limited partnership in which the general partner is a nonprofit 
entity. A loan and/or grant can be made to public,

[[Page 56261]]

private nonprofit organizations for domestic farm labor in areas where 
need exists. In some cases, rental assistance may be provided to 
eligible tenants.
    RHS has the responsibility of assuring the public that funds for 
Labor Housing projects are financed to build, buy, improve or repair 
farm labor housing and related facilities. The facilities financed are 
to have decent, safe and sanitary living conditions and are managed and 
operated as mandated by Congress. 7 CFR part 1944, subpart D was issued 
to set forth the policies and procedures and delegation of authority 
for making initial and subsequent insured loans under Section 514 and 
grants under Section 516 to provide housing and related facilities for 
domestic farm labor and to assure that applicable laws and authorities 
are carried out as intended.
    With the provisions of this regulation, RHS will be able to provide 
the financial assistance and necessary guidance to applicants in the 
development of their project proposals. It provides the Agency the 
capacity to meaningfully evaluate the feasibility of the proposed 
projects. RHS will be able to assure Congress and the general public 
that all Labor Housing projects will be operated for purposes that are 
intended, and for the benefit of those they are mandated to serve.
    The required information is collected on a project-by-project basis 
and is done so in accordance with the amended Housing Act of 1949, so 
that RHS can provide guidance and be assured of compliance with terms 
and conditions of loan, grant, and/or subsidy agreements.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 7.9 hours per response.
    Respondents: Farms, Not-for-profit Institutions, and State, Local 
or Tribal Governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 695.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.85.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10,151 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tracy 
Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support 
Services Division, at (202) 692-0039.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
RHS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of RHS'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: September 17, 2003.
Arthur A. Garcia,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-24675 Filed 9-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P