[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 47 (Thursday, March 12, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 10715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5324]


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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 Single Family Housing Direct Loans and Grants programs. The 
collection involves the use of Form RD 410-8 ``Applicant Reference 
Letter.'' The Form will be used to obtain information about an 
applicant's credit history that might not appear on a credit report and 
to provide clarification on the promptness of applicant's payments on 
debts which enables Rural Housing Service to make better 
creditworthiness decisions.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 11, 2009, to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Migdaliz Bernier, Loan Specialist, 
Single Family Housing, Rural Housing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Mail STOP 0783, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, 
DC 20250-0783. Phone number 202-690-3833; fax number 202-720-2232. 
Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Form RD 410-8, ``Applicant Reference Letter''.
    OMB Number: 0575-0091.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2009.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) must, by law, make 
available to the applicant, upon request, the source of information 
used to make an adverse decision. Individual references may be 
solicited with the clear understanding that if the information is used 
to deny credit the information will be made available to the applicant 
upon request. Without this information, the Agency is unable to 
determine if a customer would qualify for services.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Individuals and businesses already extending credit/
financing to Section 502 and 504 applicants.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 33,837.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 33,837.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,692.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Linda 
Watts Thomas, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 
692-0226.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
Rural Housing Service, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of Rural Housing Service'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 Linda Watts Thomas, 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 will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: February 2, 2009.
James C. Alsop,
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
 [FR Doc. E9-5324 Filed 3-11-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410XV-P