[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 54 (Friday, March 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13018-13019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6171]


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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 
the program for Management and Supervision of Multiple Family Housing 
Borrowers and Grant Recipients.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 18, 2004, to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janet Stouder, Multi-Family Housing 
Portfolio Management Division, Rural Housing Service, Room 1245, Stop 
0782, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250, Telephone: 
(202) 720-9728.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Management and Supervision of Multiple Family Housing 
Borrowers and Grant Recipients.
    OMB Number: 0575-0033.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 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 provide loans and grants to eligible recipients for the 
development of rental housing in rural areas. Such multi-family housing 
(MFH) projects are intended to meet the housing needs of persons or 
families having very low to moderate incomes, senior citizens, the 
disabled, and domestic farm laborers.
    RHS has the responsibility of assuring the public that MFH projects 
financed are managed and operated as mandated by Congress. This 
regulation (7 CFR part 1930, subpart C) was issued to insure consistent 
and proper management and operation of projects financed with MFH loan 
and grant funds. Minimal requirements have been established as deemed 
necessary 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 necessary guidance and supervision to new and existing borrowers to 
assist in the economical operation of their projects. RHS must be able 
to assure Congress and the general public that all MFH projects will be 
operated as economically as possible, for the purposes for which they 
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 the 
terms and conditions of loan, grant, and/or subsidy agreements.
    RHS will use the information collected to identify financially 
detrimental trends, poor management practices, and potential problems 
before they manifest themselves in the form of loan delinquencies, 
unpaid operation expenses, improper discriminatory practices, or high 
vacancy rates. With this information, RHS can assist the borrower 
through consultation (supervision) to improve the efficiency of the 
project and its operation. RHS supervision is especially critical 
during the first year of operation. In addition, the information 
provided is intended to verify whether or not the borrower is complying 
with the terms and conditions of loan, grant, or subsidy agreements. 
After the first year of operation, the information is requested of the 
borrower to assure continued compliance with the loan and grant 
agreements.
    Failure by RHS to monitor progress of borrower operation through 
review of collected information and consultation would reasonably lead 
to noncompliance with statutory intent in some instances and financial 
default in others. Corrective action to remove such noncompliance or 
default would be costly to RHS and the public in terms of program 
integrity, public confidence, dollars, and staff time.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .90 hours per response.
    Respondents: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 18,200 borrowers, 420,000 tenants 
and 100,000 tenant applicant respondents.
    Estimated Number of Responses Per Respondent: 4.43.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,143,740 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tracy 
Givelekian, RPMB Analyst, 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 RHS, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of RHS' 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

[[Page 13019]]

will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All 
comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: March 9, 2004.
Arthur A. Garcia,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-6171 Filed 3-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P