[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 42350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11946]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Request for Collection of Public Information With the 
Use of a Survey

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 (RHS) intention to request 
clearance for continuation of information collection to measure the 
quality of loan servicing provided by the RHS, Centralized Servicing 
Center (CSC) in St. Louis, MO.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 25, 2006, 
to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terrie Barton, Customer Service Branch 
Chief, Centralized Servicing Center, 1520 Market Street, Room 3622, St. 
Louis, Missouri 63103, phone (314) 206-2108, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Rural Development--Customer Satisfaction Survey.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: RHS, provides insured loans to low- and moderate-income 
applicants located in rural geographic areas to assist them in 
obtaining decent, sanitary and safe dwellings. RHS currently processes 
loan originations through approximately 700 Field Offices. The CSC 
provides support to the Field Offices and is responsible for loan 
servicing functions for RHS program borrowers. The CSC was established 
to achieve a high level of customer service and operating efficiency. 
The CSC has established a fully integrated call center and is able to 
provide borrowers with convenient access to their loan account 
information.
    To facilitate CSC's mission and in an effort to continuously 
improve its services, a survey has been developed that will measure the 
change in quality of service that borrower's receive when they contact 
the CSC. Two previous surveys have been completed under prior 
authorization. Respondents will only need to report information on a 
one-time basis.
    The results of the survey will provide a general satisfaction level 
among borrowers throughout the nation. The data analysis will provide 
comparisons to prior surveys and reveal areas of increased satisfaction 
as well as areas in need of improvement. CSC's goal is to continuously 
improve program delivery, accessibility and overall customer service 
satisfaction. A follow up survey will be conducted in 18-24 months, but 
may or may not be sent to the same initial respondents. Additionally, 
in accordance with Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), the 
survey will enable CSC to measure the results and overall effectiveness 
of customer services provided as well as implement action plans and 
measure improvements.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Borrowers who have a Rural Housing Program services 
loan.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 6,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,000 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services 
Division at (202) 692-0043.
    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 will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of agency'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 Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, 
Support Services Division, 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: July 20, 2006.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. E6-11946 Filed 7-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P