[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 209 (Monday, October 30, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63340-63342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8979]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5067-N-02]


Extension of Period of Submission for Notices of Intent and 
Fungibility Plans in Accordance With HUD's Implementation Guidance for 
Section 901 of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations To Address 
Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
Housing, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On July 28, 2006, HUD published a notice entitled, 
``Implementation Guidance for Section 901 of the Emergency Supplemental 
Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and 
Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006.'' This notice extends the period for 
eligible public housing agencies (PHAs) located within the most heavily 
impacted areas of Louisiana and Mississippi that are subject to a 
declaration by the President of a major disaster under the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in connection 
with Hurricanes Katrina or Rita to submit Notices of Intent and 
Fungibility Plans in accordance with the July 28, 2006, notice. Section 
901 of the supplemental appropriations act authorizes PHAs to combine 
assistance provided under sections 9(d) and (e) of the United States 
Housing Act of 1937 (Act) and assistance provided under section 8(o) of 
the Act, for the purpose of facilitating the prompt, flexible, and 
efficient use of funds provided under these sections of the Act to 
assist families who were receiving housing assistance under the Act 
immediately prior to Hurricane Katrina or Rita and were displaced from 
their housing by the hurricanes. In addition to extending the PHA 
submission deadline, this notice removes the restriction that the 
combined funding may not be spent for uses under the housing choice 
voucher (HCV) program. If approved by HUD, the combined funding may now 
be used for eligible purposes under the HCV program. Any use of 
combined funds under the HCV program must also be in accordance with 
the requirement to assist those families who were receiving housing 
assistance under the public housing or HCV program immediately prior to 
Hurricane Katrina or Rita and were displaced from their housing by the 
hurricane. A PHA that already has an approved Fungibility Plan may 
request HUD approval to change the Plan in order to use the combined 
funds for HCV program eligible purposes. As provided in the July 28, 
2006 Federal Register notice, PHAs must submit to HUD requests for 
approval of any substantial deviations from the approved Fungibility 
Plan, and HUD will respond to such requests within 10 calendar days.

DATES: Eligible PHAs must submit their Notices of Intent and 
Fungibility Plans no later than November 21, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical assistance and other 
questions concerning the Notice of Intent and Section 901 Fungibility 
Plan, PHAs should contact their local HUD Public Housing Hub in New 
Orleans, Louisiana, or Jackson, Mississippi; or Bessy Kong, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Policy, Program, and Legislative Initiatives, 
Office of Public and Indian Housing, Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Room 4216, Washington, DC 20410-
5000, telephone (202) 708-0614 or 708-0713, extension 2548 (this is not 
a toll-free number). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may 
access this number via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information 
Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On July 28, 2006 (71 FR 42996), HUD published a notice entitled, 
``Implementation Guidance for Section 901 of the Emergency Supplemental 
Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and 
Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006.'' Section V.A. of the July 28, 2006, 
notice, entitled, ``General Procedures for Combining Public Housing and 
Voucher Funds Under Section 901,'' instructs that PHAs interested in 
implementing the flexibility authorized in Section 901 should submit, 
in writing for HUD review and approval, no later than 45 days from the 
date of the notice or September 11, 2006: (1) A Notice of Intent to 
invoke Section 901 flexibility and (2) a detailed Section 901 
Fungibility Plan describing the total amount under Section 901, and the 
source of those funds by account (HCV, Operating Fund, Capital Fund).
    Some eligible PHAs are facing circumstances that precluded 
submission of their Notices of Intent and Fungibility plans by 
September 11, 2006, and require additional time to determine whether 
program funds are available to combine for other program uses. 
Therefore, HUD has extended the period during which eligible PHAs may 
submit their Notices of Intent and Fungibility Plans to no later than 
November 21, 2006, in order to allow sufficient time for HUD to review 
and approve the plans. HUD strongly recommends earlier submission, if 
possible, in the event resubmission of plans is required because of 
HUD's review determinations. HUD must approve all plans, including 
those that must be resubmitted, no later than December 31, 2006.
    In addition to extending the PHA submission deadline, this notice 
removes the restriction that the combined funding may not be spent for 
uses under the housing choice voucher (HCV) program. If approved by 
HUD, the combined funding may now be used

[[Page 63341]]

for eligible purposes under the HCV program. Any use of combined funds 
under the HCV program must also be in accordance with the requirement 
to assist those families who were receiving housing assistance under 
the public housing or HCV program immediately prior to Hurricane 
Katrina or Rita and were displaced from their housing by the hurricane.
    A PHA that already has an approved Fungibility Plan may request HUD 
approval to change the Plan in order to use the combined funds for HCV 
program eligible purposes. As provided in the July 28, 2006 Federal 
Register Notice, PHAs must submit to HUD requests for approval of any 
substantial deviations from the approved Fungibility Plan, and HUD will 
respond to such requests within 10 calendar days.
    Notices and Plans should be submitted to the following addresses 
and contacts, as listed in the July 28, 2006, notice: PHAs should 
submit one copy to the Public Housing Director of the HUD office in New 
Orleans, Louisiana or Jackson, Mississippi, as applicable, and the 
original to HUD Headquarters, Office of Public and Indian Housing, 
Office of Policy, Program, and Legislative Initiatives, 451 Seventh 
Street, SW., Room 4116, Washington, DC 20410-5000, Attention: Bessy 
Kong/Sherry McCown.

II. List of Louisiana and Mississippi PHAs Heavily Impacted by 
Hurricane Katrina or Rita

    The following list includes PHAs in counties eligible to receive 
individual and public assistance through FEMA as a result of damages 
sustained from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

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    No.        HA code               HA name                  County           State            Hurricane
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1.........  LA001.......  New Orleans Housing           Orleans...........  LA........  Katrina.
                           Authority (HA).
2.........  LA003.......  E. Baton Rouge HA...........  East Baton Rouge..  LA........  Katrina.
3.........  LA004.......  Lake Charles HA.............  Calcasieu.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
4.........  LA005.......  Lafayette (City) HA.........  Lafayette.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
5.........  LA011.......  Westwego....................  Jefferson.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
6.........  LA012.......  Kenner HA...................  Jefferson.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
7.........  LA013.......  Jefferson Parish HA.........  Jefferson.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
8.........  LA024.......  Bogalusa HA.................  Washington........  LA........  Katrina.
9.........  LA025.......  Eunice HA...................  St. Landry........  LA........  Rita.
10........  LA026.......  Kaplan HA...................  Vermilion.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
11........  LA027.......  New Iberia HA...............  Iberia............  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
12........  LA028.......  Rayne HA....................  Acadia............  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
13........  LA029.......  Crowley.....................  Acadia............  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
14........  LA030.......  Ville Platte HA.............  Evangeline........  LA........  Rita.
15........  LA031.......  Mamou HA....................  Evangeline........  LA........  Rita.
16........  LA032.......  Church Point HA.............  Acadia............  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
17........  LA033.......  Oakdale HA..................  Allen.............  LA........  Rita.
18........  LA034.......  Abbeville HA................  Vermilion.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
19........  LA035.......  Gueydan HA..................  Vermilion.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
20........  LA036.......  Morgan City HA..............  St. Mary..........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
21........  LA039.......  Welsh HA....................  Jefferson Davis...  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
22........  LA040.......  St. Martinville HA..........  St. Martin........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
23........  LA041.......  Lake Arthur HA..............  Jefferson Davis...  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
24........  LA043.......  Donaldsonville HA...........  Ascension.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
25........  LA044.......  Thibodaux HA................  Lafourche.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
26........  LA046.......  Vinton HA...................  Calcasieu.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
27........  LA047.......  Erath HA....................  Vermilion.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
28........  LA055.......  Opelousas HA................  St. Landry........  LA........  Rita.
29........  LA056.......  Berwick HA..................  St. Mary..........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
30........  LA058.......  Basile HA...................  Evangeline........  LA........  Rita.
31........  LA059.......  Breaux Bridge HA............  St. Martin........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
32........  LA063.......  Sulphur HA..................  Calcasieu.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
33........  LA065.......  Delcambre HA................  Vermilion.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
34........  LA066.......  Elton HA....................  Jefferson Davis...  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
35........  LA067.......  St. Landry Parish HA........  St. Landry........  LA........  Rita.
36........  LA068.......  Oberlin HA..................  Allen.............  LA........  Rita.
37........  LA069.......  Kinder HA...................  Allen.............  LA........  Rita.
38........  LA070.......  Patterson HA................  St. Mary..........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
39........  LA073.......  South Landry HA.............  St. Landry........  LA........  Rita.
40........  LA074.......  Sabine Parish HA............  Sabine............  LA........  Rita.
41........  LA075.......  Ponchatoula HA..............  Tangipahoa........  LA........  Katrina.
42........  LA080.......  Lafourche Parish HA.........  Lafourche.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
43........  LA082.......  Merryville HA...............  Beauregard........  LA........  Rita.
44........  LA084.......  Parks HA....................  St. Martin........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
45........  LA086.......  Deridder HA.................  Beauregard........  LA........  Rita.
46........  LA090.......  Houma--Terrebonne HA........  Terrebonne........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
47........  LA091.......  Southwest Acadia HA.........  Acadia............  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
48........  LA092.......  St. James Parish HA.........  St. James.........  LA........  Katrina.
49........  LA093.......  White Castle HA.............  Iberville.........  LA........  Katrina.
50........  LA094.......  St. Charles Parish HA.......  St. Charles.......  LA........  Katrina.
51........  LA095.......  St. John the Baptist Parish   St. John the        LA........  Katrina.
                           HA.                           Baptist.
52........  LA099.......  Independence HA.............  Tangipahoa........  LA........  Katrina.
53........  LA100.......  Youngsville HA..............  Lafayette.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
54........  LA101.......  Denham Springs HA...........  Livingston........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
55........  LA103.......  Slidell HA..................  St. Tammany.......  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
56........  LA106.......  Dequincy HA.................  Calcasieu.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.

[[Page 63342]]

 
57........  LA111.......  Leesville HA................  Vernon............  LA........  Rita.
58........  LA113.......  New Roads HA................  Pointe Coupee.....  LA........  Katrina.
59........  LA118.......  Jennings HA.................  Jefferson Davis...  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
60........  LA128.......  Vernon Parish HA............  Vernon............  LA........  Rita.
61........  LA130.......  Duson HA....................  Lafayette.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
62........  LA231.......  HA of Iowa..................  Calcasieu.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
63........  LA238.......  Covington HA................  St. Tammany.......  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
64........  LA250.......  Ascension Parish............  Ascension.........  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
65........  LA261.......  Fenton......................  Jefferson Davis...  LA........  Katrina and Rita.
66........  LA266.......  White Castle City...........  Iberville.........  LA........  Katrina.
67........  MS001.......  Hattiesburg HA..............  Forrest...........  MS........  Katrina.
68........  MS002.......  Laurel HA...................  Jones.............  MS........  Katrina.
69........  MS003.......  McComb HA...................  Pike..............  MS........  Katrina.
70........  MS004.......  Meridian HA.................  Lauderdale........  MS........  Katrina.
71........  MS005.......  Biloxi HA...................  Harrison..........  MS........  Katrina.
72........  MS019.......  Mississippi Regional HA No.   Lowndes...........  MS........  Katrina.
                           IV.
73........  MS030.......  Mississippi Regional HA No.   Newton............  MS........  Katrina.
                           V.
74........  MS040.......  Mississippi Regional HA No.   Harrison..........  MS........  Katrina.
                           VIII.
75........  MS047.......  Starkville HA...............  Oktibbeha.........  MS........  Katrina.
76........  MS057.......  Mississippi Regional HA No.   Pike..............  MS........  Katrina.
                           VII.
77........  MS058.......  Mississippi Regional HA No.   Hinds.............  MS........  Katrina.
                           VI.
78........  MS060.......  Brookhaven HA...............  Lincoln...........  MS........  Katrina.
79........  MS061.......  Canton HA...................  Madison...........  MS........  Katrina.
80........  MS063.......  Yazoo City HA...............  Yazoo.............  MS........  Katrina.
81........  MS064.......  Bay St. Louis HA............  Hancock...........  MS........  Katrina.
82........  MS066.......  Picayune HA.................  Pearl River.......  MS........  Katrina.
83........  MS067.......  Richton HA..................  Perry.............  MS........  Katrina.
84........  MS068.......  Waynesboro HA...............  Wayne.............  MS........  Katrina.
85........  MS076.......  Columbus HA.................  Lowndes...........  MS........  Katrina.
86........  MS079.......  Louisville HA...............  Winston...........  MS........  Katrina.
87........  MS084.......  Summit HA...................  Pike..............  MS........  Katrina.
88........  MS086.......  Vicksburg HA................  Warren............  MS........  Katrina.
89........  MS094.......  Hazlehurst HA...............  Copiah............  MS........  Katrina.
90........  MS099.......  Lumberton HA................  Lamar.............  MS........  Katrina.
91........  MS101.......  Waveland HA.................  Hancock...........  MS........  Katrina.
92........  MS103.......  Jackson HA..................  Hinds.............  MS........  Katrina.
93........  MS105.......  Natchez HA..................  Adams.............  MS........  Katrina.
94........  MS109.......  Long Beach HA...............  Harrison..........  MS........  Katrina.
95........  MS111.......  Forest HA...................  Scott.............  MS........  Katrina.
96........  MS117.......  Attala County HA............  Attala............  MS........  Katrina.
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    Dated: October 24, 2006.
Paula O. Blunt,
General Deputy Assistant, Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.
[FR Doc. 06-8979 Filed 10-26-06; 1:56 pm]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P