[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 102 (Tuesday, May 27, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30376-30377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11599]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of 
information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35).
    Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
    Title: Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS).
    OMB Control Number: 0607-0179.
    Form Number(s): HVS-600, BC-1428RV, CPS-263(L).
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Burden Hours: 4,278.
    Number of Respondents: 6,936.
    Average Hours Per Response: 3 minutes.
    Needs and Uses: The U.S. Census Bureau collects the HVS data for a 
sample of vacant housing units identified in the monthly Current 
Population Survey (CPS) sample and provides the only quarterly 
statistics on rental vacancy rates, and home ownership rates for the 
United States, the four census regions, inside vs. outside metropolitan 
areas (MSAs), the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the 75 
largest MSAs. Private and public sector organizations use these rates 
extensively to gauge and analyze the housing market. In addition, the 
rental vacancy rate is a component of the index of leading economic 
indicators published by the Department of Commerce.
    Policy analysts, program managers, budget analysts, and 
Congressional staff use data obtained from the remaining questions that 
do not deal specifically with the vacancy rate to advise the executive 
and legislative branches of government with respect to number and 
characteristics of units available for occupancy and the suitability of 
housing initiatives. Public and private sector organizations use these 
data for evaluating the housing market with regard to supply, cost, and 
affordability at various points in time.
    The Census Bureau produces a press release, ``Census Bureau Reports 
on Residential Vacancies and Home Ownership,'' on a quarterly basis. In 
addition, it places the HVS data on the Internet for users to access. 
The Internet

[[Page 30377]]

address for the HVS data is www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/hvs/hvs.html. Several other government agencies use these data on a 
continuing basis, for example, the Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the 
HVS data in calculating consumer expenditures for housing as a 
component of the gross domestic product; the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development relies on the HVS data to measure the adequacy of the 
supply of rental and homeowner units and works with the White House in 
measuring homeownership for minorities. The National Association of 
Home Builders, the National Association of Realtors, the Federal 
National Mortgage Association, the Federal Reserve Board, the Home Loan 
Mortgage Corporation, and the American Federation of Labor-Congress of 
Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) are among the many users in the 
private sector who routinely use the HVS data in making policy 
decisions relating to the housing market. In addition, investment firms 
use the HVS data to analyze market trends and for economic forecasting.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Frequency: Monthly.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., Section 182.
    OMB Desk Officer: Brian Harris-Kojetin, (202) 395-7314.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202) 395-7245 
or e-mail ([email protected]).

    Dated: May 20, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-11599 Filed 5-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P