[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 5833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2625]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


2005 New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey

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 April 6, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to: Howard Savage, Census Bureau, FB3-1433, 
Washington, DC 20233-8500, or phone (301)763-5665.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to conduct the 2005 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. New York is required by law to have such a survey 
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 and above. Owner/renter 
status (tenure) is asked for all units, including vacants. Utility 
costs, monthly rent, availability of kitchen and bathroom facilities, 
maintenance deficiencies, neighborhood suitability, and other specific 
questions about each unit such as number of rooms and bedrooms are also 
asked. The survey also poses a number of questions relating to 
handicapped accessibility. For vacant units, a shorter series of 
similar questions is asked. Finally, all vacant units and approximately 
five percent of occupied units will be reinterviewed for quality 
assurance purposes.
    The Census Bureau compiles the data in tabular format based on 
specifications of the survey sponsor, as well as non-identifiable 
microdata. Both types of data are also made available to the general 
public through the Census internet site. Note, however, that the 
sponsor receives the same data that are made generally available so as 
not to enable the identification of any sample respondent or household.

II. Method of Collection

    All information will be collected by personal interview.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0757 (expired 08/31/2002).
    Form Number: H-100, H-108 (reinterview).
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: Households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 18,000 + 2,000 reinterviews.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes occupied (16,500); 10 
minutes vacant (1,500); 10 minutes reinterview (2,000).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,835.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to the respondent is 
that of his/her time.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C.--section 8b and 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 3, 2004.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-2625 Filed 2-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P