[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42750-42751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17128]


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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.

[[Page 42751]]


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 program for Rural Housing Loans.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 16, 2013 
to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra A. Terrell, Senior Loan 
Specialist, Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Division, Rural 
Housing Service, Stop 0784, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 
20250-0784; Telephone: (202) 720-1452 or (918) 534-3254; Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Rural Housing Loans.
    OMB Number: 0575-0078.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2013.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is authorized under 
Section 517(d) of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, to 
issue loan guarantees for the acquisition of new or existing dwellings 
and related facilities to provide decent, safe, and sanitary living 
conditions and other structures in rural areas by eligible recipients.
    The Act also authorizes the Secretary to pay the holder of a 
guaranteed loan the difference between the rate of interest paid by the 
borrower and the market rate of interest.
    The purpose of the program is to assist low and moderate income 
individuals and families acquire or construct a single family residence 
in a rural area with loans made by private lenders. Eligibility for 
this program includes low and moderate income families or persons whose 
income does not exceed 115 percent of the median income for the area, 
as determined by the Secretary.
    The Guaranteed Rural Housing (GRH) program was authorized under the 
Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, and the Agency 
issued a final rule implementing the GRH program on April 17, 1991, 
before departmental reorganization. The program began as a pilot 
program in 20 States on May 17, 1991. In 1992, the GRH program was 
offered on a nationwide basis. During the implementation process, the 
Agency looked for ways to improve the program and make it more user 
friendly.
    The Agency recognized the need to make its program even more 
compatible with the existing structure of the mortgage lending 
community. On May 22, 1995, the Agency published a final rule 
incorporating the needed changes to encourage greater participation by 
lenders and the secondary market for mortgage loans.
    The information requested by the Agency includes borrower financial 
information such as household income, assets and liabilities, and 
monthly expenses. All information collected is vital for the Agency to 
determine if borrowers qualify for and assure they receive all 
assistance for which they are eligible. Information requested on 
lenders is required to ensure lenders are eligible to participate in 
the GRH program. Lender requirements are in compliance with OMB 
Circular A-129.
    Congress passed Public Law 111-212, Supplemental Disaster Relief 
and Summer Jobs Act of 2010 (H.R. 4899) which authorized the Agency to 
assess an annual fee in an effort to maintain a budget-neutral loan 
program. Effective in fiscal year 2011, the Agency began assessing an 
annual fee against newly closed guaranteed loans.
    To support collection of the annual fee the program introduced an 
electronic method for lenders to pay the annual fee through the 
Guaranteed Annual Fee (GAF) system. This new Web-based system allows 
loan servicers to authorize pre-authorized debit (PAD) payments as well 
as review annual fee advance notice, billing, and payment 
reconciliation details for guaranteed loans that they service.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .85 hours per response.
    Respondents: Individuals or households and business or other for-
profits.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 154,197.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.7.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1,030,338.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 881,261 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Jeanne 
Jacobs, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0040.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
RHS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of RHS'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 Jeanne Jacobs, Branch Chief, 
Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Development, 7th Floor, Reporters Building, 300 7th 
St SW., Washington, DC 20024. 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: June 28, 2013.
Tammye Trevi[ntilde]o,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-17128 Filed 7-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P