[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65643-65644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-27074]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5382-N-16]


Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Public Comment: 
Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units

AGENCY: Office of Policy Development and Research, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described 
below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for approval as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The 
Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

DATES: Comments Due Date: December 27, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name/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 8234, Washington, DC 20410.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the proposed forms and instructions submitted to OMB should 
be directed to: Carolyn Lynch, Economist, Housing and Demographic 
Analysis Division, Office of Policy Development and Research, 
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20410; via telephone (202) 402-5910 (this is not toll-
free number); via e-mail at [email protected] or to Robert R. 
Callis, U.S. Census Bureau, Social, Economic and Housing Statistics 
Division, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Room 7H087, Washington, DC 20233; via 
telephone (301) 763-5694 (this is not toll-free number); via e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Housing and Urban 
Development will submit the proposed information collection package to 
OMB for review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended).

I. Abstract: Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed 
Use

    The Survey of Market Absorption (SOMA) provides the data necessary 
to measure the rate at which new rental apartments and new condominium 
apartments are absorbed; that is, taken off the market, usually by 
being rented or sold, over the course of the first twelve months 
following completion of a building. The data are collected at quarterly 
intervals until the twelve months conclude, or until the units in a 
building are completely absorbed. The survey also provides estimates of 
certain characteristics, including asking rent/price, number of units, 
and number of bedrooms. The survey provides a basis for analyzing the 
degree to which new apartment construction is meeting the present and 
future needs of the public. Additionally, beginning with new 
construction in 2002, the survey ascertains the number and degree of 
services provided by ``Assisted Living'' type units.

II. Method of Collection

    The methodology for collecting information on the lease or sale of 
new multifamily units involves contacting a sample of new multifamily 
units by telephone or in person.

III. Data

    Title of Proposal: Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily 
Units.
    OMB Control Number: 2528-0013 (Expires 1/30/2011).
    Form Number: H-31.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Members of affected public: Rental Agents/Builders.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,000 yearly (maximum).
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Four times (maximum).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 4,000 (12,000 x 20 minutes).
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to respondents is that 
of their time. The total estimated cost to do the survey in FY 2011 is 
$943,000.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: The survey is taken under Title 12, United States 
Code, Section 1701Z.

IV. Request for Comments

    This Notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and 
affected agencies concerning the proposed information collection of 
information to: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the

[[Page 65644]]

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 the use of appropriate automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses).
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection. Submitted comments will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: October 20, 2010.
Raphael W. Bostic,
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research.
[FR Doc. 2010-27074 Filed 10-25-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P