[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7639-7640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3461]


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FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE BOARD

[No. 2004-N-02]


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Federal Housing Finance Board.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, the Federal Housing Finance Board (Finance Board) is 
seeking public comments concerning a three-year extension by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) of the information collection entitled 
``Affordable Housing Program (AHP)''.

DATES: Interested persons may submit comments on or before April 19, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Send comments by e-mail to [email protected], by facsimile 
to 202/408-2580, or by regular mail to the Federal Housing Finance 
Board, 1777 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006, ATTN: Public Comments. 
Comments will be available on the Finance Board Web site at http://www.fhfb.gov/pressroom/pressroom_regs.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles E. McLean, Jr., Associate 
Director, Community Investment and Affordable Housing Division, Office 
of Supervision, by telephone at 202/408-2537 or by electronic mail at 
[email protected], or Melissa L. Allen, Program Analyst, Community 
Investment and Affordable Housing Division, Office of Supervision, by 
telephone at 202/408-2524 or by electronic mail at [email protected], or 
by regular mail at the Federal Housing Finance Board, 1777 F Street, 
NW, Washington, DC 20006.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Need for and Use of the Information Collection

    Section 10(j) of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (Bank Act) requires 
the Federal Housing Finance Board (Finance Board) to promulgate 
regulations under which the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) must 
establish an Affordable Housing Program (AHP) to make subsidized 
advances to members engaged in lending for long term, low- and 
moderate-income, owner-occupied and affordable rental housing at 
subsidized interest rates. See 12 U.S.C. 1430(j). Section 10(j) also 
establishes the standards and requirements for making subsidized AHP 
advances to FHLBank members. Part 960 of the Finance Board regulations 
implements the statutory requirements and authorizes the FHLBanks to 
make AHP funding decisions. See 12 CFR part 951.
    The information collection contained in part 951 is used by the 
FHLBanks to determine whether an AHP applicant satisfies the statutory 
and regulatory requirements to receive subsidized advances or direct 
subsidies under the AHP. The Finance Board requires and uses the 
information, through examination of the FHLBanks, to ensure that 
FHLBank funding decisions, and the use of the funds awarded, are 
consistent with statutory and regulatory requirements.
    The OMB number for the information collection is 3069-0006. The OMB 
clearance for the information collection expires on June 30, 2004.
    The likely respondents include applicants for AHP funding.

B. Burden Estimate

    The Finance Board estimates the total annual average number of 
respondents at 7,720, with 1.39 responses per respondent. The estimate 
for the average hours per response is 6.1 hours. The estimate for the 
total annual hour burden is 65,461 hours (7,720 respondents x 1.39 
responses per respondent x 6.1 hours per response).

C. Comment Request

    The Finance Board requests written comments on the following: (1) 
Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of Finance Board functions, including whether the 
information has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the Finance 
Board's estimates of the burdens of the collection of information; (3) 
ways to

[[Page 7640]]

enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; 
and (4) 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.

    Dated: February 12, 2004.

    By the Federal Housing Finance Board.
Donald Demitros,
Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-3461 Filed 2-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6725-01-P