[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 141 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 41826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6433]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5043-N-05]


Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Public Comment on 
the: 2007 American Housing Survey--National Sample; 2007 American 
Housing Survey--Metropolitan Sample

AGENCY: Office of Policy Development and Research, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirements described 
below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public 
Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). The Department is soliciting 
public comments on the subject proposal.

DATES: Comments Due Date: September 22, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB 
Control Number and should be sent to: Reports Liaison Officer, Office 
of Policy Development and Research, Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, 451 7th Street, SW., Room 8226, Washington, DC 20410.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald J. Sepanik at (202) 708-1060, 
Ext. 5887 (this is not a toll-free number), or Barbara T. Williams, 
Bureau of the Census, HHES Division, Washington, DC 20233, (301) 763-
3235 (this is not a toll-free number). Copies of the proposed forms and 
other available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Mr. 
Ronald J. Sepanick or Ms. Barbara Williams.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department will submit the proposed 
information collection to OMB for review, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended).
    This Notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and 
affected agencies concerning the proposing collection of information 
to: (1) Evaluate 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; (2) 
Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the 
burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond; 
including through the use of appropriate automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology that will reduce 
burden, (e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses).
    This Notice also lists the following information:
    (A) Title of Proposal: 2007 American Housing Survey--National 
Sample. OMB Control Number: 2528-0017.
    (B) Title of Proposal: 2007 American Housing Survey--Metropolitan 
Sample. OMB Control Number: 2528-0016.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use: The 
2007 American Housing Survey National Sample (AHS-N) and the 2007 
American Housing Survey Metropolitan Sample (AHS-MS) provide a periodic 
measure of the size and composition of the housing inventory with the 
former capturing it for the country and the latter for select 
metropolitan areas. Title 12, United States Code, Sections 1701Z-1, 
1701Z-2(g), and 1701Z-10a mandates the collection of this information.
    The 2007 surveys are similar to previous AHS-N and ASH-MS surveys 
in that they collect data on subjects such as the amount and types of 
changes in the inventory, the physical condition of the inventory, the 
characteristics of the occupants, the persons eligible for and 
beneficiaries of assisted housing by race and ethnicity, and the number 
and characteristics of vacancies. Policy analysts, program managers, 
budget analysts, and Congressional staff use AHS data to advise 
executive and legislative branches about housing conditions and the 
suitability of public policy initiatives. Academic researchers and 
private organizations also use AHS data in efforts of specific interest 
and concern to their respective communities.
    The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) needs the AHS 
data for two important uses.
    1. With the data, policy analysts can monitor the interaction among 
housing needs, demand and supply, as well as changes in housing 
conditions and costs, to aid in the development of housing policies and 
the design of housing programs appropriate for different target groups, 
such as first-time home buyers and the elderly.
    2. With the data, HUD can evaluate, monitor, and design HUD 
programs to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
    Agency Form Numbers: Computerized Versions of AHS-21/61, AHS-22/62 
and AHS-23/63.
    Members of affected public: Households.
    Estimation of the total number of hours needed to prepare the 
information collection including number of respondents, frequency of 
response, and hours of response:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 National   Metropolitan
                                                  sample       sample
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Respondents........................       59,581        24,990
Estimate Responses per Respondent............          (*)          (**)
Time (minutes) per respondent................           34            34
                                              --------------------------
  Total hours to respond.....................       33,763       14,161
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* One (1) every two years.
** One (1) every six to eight years.

    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Status of the proposed information collection: Pending OMB 
approval.

    Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Section 9(a), and Title 12, U.S.C., 
Section 1701z-1 et seq.

    Dated: July 17, 2006.
Darlene F. Williams,
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research.
[FR Doc. 06-6433 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-M