[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 12, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9935-9936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03204]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5683-N-13]


Notice of Submission of Proposed Information Collection to OMB; 
Family Self-Sufficiency Program Demonstration

AGENCY: Office of the Chief Information Officer, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described 
below has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department 
is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.
    The Department is conducting this study under contract with MDRC 
and its subcontractors (Branch Associates and M. Davis and Company, 
Inc.). The project is an evaluation of the Family Self-Sufficiency 
Program operated at Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) across the U.S. The 
study will use random assignment methods to evaluate the effectiveness 
of the program. FSS has operated since 1992 and serves voucher holders 
and residents of public housing. The FSS model is essentially case 
management plus an escrow account. FSS case managers create a plan with 
families to achieve goals and connect with services that will enhance 
their employment opportunities. Families accrue money in their escrow 
accounts as they increase their earnings. To date, HUD has funded two 
other studies of the FSS program, but neither can tell us how well 
families would have done in the absence of the program. A random 
assignment model is needed because participant self-selection into FSS 
limits the ability to know whether program features rather than the 
characteristics of the participating families caused tenant income 
gains. Random assignment will limit the extent to which selection bias 
is driving observed results. The demonstration will document the 
progress of a group of FSS participants from initial enrollment to 
program completion (or exit). The intent is to gain a deeper 
understanding of the program and illustrate strategies that assist 
participants to obtain greater economic independence. While the main 
objective of FSS is stable, suitable employment, there are many interim 
outcome of interest, which include: Getting a first job; getting a 
higher paying job; self-employment/small business ownership; no longer 
needing benefits provided under one or more welfare programs; obtaining 
additional education, whether in the form of a high school diploma, 
higher education degree, or vocational training; buying a home; buying 
a car; setting up savings accounts; or accomplishing similar goals that 
lead to economic independence. Data collection will include the 
families that are part of the treatment and control groups, as well as 
PHA staff. Data will be gathered through a variety of methods including 
surveys, informational interviews, direct observation, and analysis of 
administrative records.

DATES: Comments Due Date: March 14, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB 
approval Number (2528-New) and should be sent to: HUD Desk Officer, 
Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, 
Washington, DC 20503; fax: 202-395-5806. Email: [email protected] fax: 202-395-5806.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colette Pollard., Reports Management 
Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20410; email Colette Pollard at 
[email protected]. or telephone (202) 402-3400. This is not a 
toll-free number. Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be 
obtained from Ms. Pollard.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice informs the public that the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development has submitted to OMB a 
request for approval of the Information collection described below. 
This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and 
affecting agencies concerning the proposed collection of information 
to: (1) Evaluate 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; (2) 
Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the

[[Page 9936]]

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 through the use of appropriate automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    This notice also lists the following information:
    Title of Proposed: Family Self-Sufficiency Program Demonstration.
    OMB Approval Number: 2528-New.
    Form Numbers: None.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use:
    The Department is conducting this study under contract with MDRC 
and its subcontractors (Branch Associates and M. Davis and Company, 
Inc.). The project is an evaluation of the Family Self-Sufficiency 
Program operated at Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) across the U.S. The 
study will use random assignment methods to evaluate the effectiveness 
of the program. FSS has operated since 1992 and serves voucher holders 
and residents of public housing. The FSS model is essentially case 
management plus an escrow account. FSS case managers create a plan with 
families to achieve goals and connect with services that will enhance 
their employment opportunities. Families accrue money in their escrow 
accounts as they increase their earnings. To date, HUD has funded two 
other studies of the FSS program, but neither can tell us how well 
families would have done in the absence of the program. A random 
assignment model is needed because participant self-selection into FSS 
limits the ability to know whether program features rather than the 
characteristics of the participating families caused tenant income 
gains. Random assignment will limit the extent to which selection bias 
is driving observed results. The demonstration will document the 
progress of a group of FSS participants from initial enrollment to 
program completion (or exit). The intent is to gain a deeper 
understanding of the program and illustrate strategies that assist 
participants to obtain greater economic independence. While the main 
objective of FSS is stable, suitable employment, there are many interim 
outcome of interest, which include: Getting a first job; getting a 
higher paying job; self-employment/small business ownership; no longer 
needing benefits provided under one or more welfare programs; obtaining 
additional education, whether in the form of a high school diploma, 
higher education degree, or vocational training; buying a home; buying 
a car; setting up savings accounts; or accomplishing similar goals that 
lead to economic independence. Data collection will include the 
families that are part of the treatment and control groups, as well as 
PHA staff. Data will be gathered through a variety of methods including 
surveys, informational interviews, direct observation, and analysis of 
administrative records.

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                                         Number of          Annual             Hours per
                                        respondents       responses      x      response      =    Burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting Burden....................           3,000                1   ..           2.126   ..           6,378
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    Total Estimated Burden Hours: 6,378.
    Status: New collection.

    Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
44 U.S.C. 35, as amended.

    Dated: February 6, 2013.
Colette Pollard,
Department Reports Management Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-03204 Filed 2-11-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P