[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 163 (Friday, August 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49792-49793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-20031]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5758-N-12]


60 Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: 2015 American 
Housing Survey

AGENCY: Office of Policy Development and Research, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is 
seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the 
information collection described below. In accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is requesting comment from all interested 
parties on the proposed collection of information. The purpose of this 
notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment.

DATES: Comments Due Date: October 21, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB 
Control Number and should be sent to: Colette Pollard, Reports 
Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
451 7th Street SW., Room 4176, Washington, DC 20410-5000; telephone 
202-402-3400 (this is not a toll-free number) or email at 
[email protected] for a copy of the proposed forms or other 
available information. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may 
access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay 
Service at (800) 877-8339.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colette Pollard, Reports Management 
Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20410; email Colette Pollard at 
[email protected] or telephone 202-402-3400. This is not a toll-
free number. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this 
number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at 
(800) 877-8339.
    Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from 
Ms. Pollard.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: HUD 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).

A. Overview of Information Collection

    Title of Information Collection: 2015 American Housing Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 2528-0017.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use: The 
purpose of the American Housing Survey (AHS) is to supply the public 
with detailed and timely information about housing quality, housing 
costs, and neighborhood assets, in support of effective housing policy, 
programs, and markets. Title 12, United States Code, Sections 1701Z-1, 
1701Z-2(g), and 1710Z-10a mandates the collection of this information.
    Like the previous surveys, the 2015 AHS will collect ``core'' data 
on subjects such as the amount and types of changes in the housing 
inventory, the physical condition of the housing inventory, the 
characteristics of the occupants, housing costs for owners and renters, 
the persons eligible for and beneficiaries of assisted housing, 
remodeling and repair frequency, reasons for moving, the number and 
characteristics of vacancies, and characteristics of resident's 
neighborhood.
    In additional to the ``core'' data, HUD plans to collect 
``topical'' data using a series of topical modules. The topics include: 
Potential health and safety hazards in the home, modifications made to 
assist occupants living with disabilities, food insecurity, the use of 
housing counseling services, and the presence of arts and cultural 
opportunities in the community.
    For the first time since 1985, HUD will draw new national and 
metropolitan area longitudinal samples for the AHS. The national 
longitudinal sample will consist of approximately 82,950 housing units, 
and will include oversample from the largest 15 metropolitan areas and 
approximately 5,250 HUD-assisted housing units. In additional to the 
national longitudinal sample, HUD plans to conduct 25 metropolitan area 
samples, each with approximately 3,000 housing units (for a total 
75,000 housing units). Lastly, HUD plans to conduct a ``bridge'' sample 
of 9,000 households from the 2013 AHS. The bridge sample will allow for 
estimation of longitudinal changes between 2013 and 2015, and 
facilitates analyses of the impact of survey design changes on 2015 AHS 
estimates.
    Policy analysts, program managers, budget analysts, and 
Congressional staff use AHS data to advise executive and legislative 
branches about housing conditions and the suitability of public policy 
initiatives. Academic researchers and private organizations also use 
AHS data in efforts of specific interest and concern to their 
respective communities.
    HUD needs the AHS data for two important uses.
    1. With the data, policy analysts can monitor the interaction among 
housing needs, demand and supply, as well as changes in housing 
conditions and costs, to aid in the development of housing policies and 
the design of housing programs appropriate for different target groups, 
such as first-time home buyers and the elderly.
    2. With the data, HUD can evaluate, monitor, and design HUD 
programs to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
    Members of affected public: Households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 166,950.
    Estimated Time per Response: 40 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One time every two years.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 111,300.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to respondents is that 
of their time. The total estimated cost is $64,500,000.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Section 9(a), and Title 12, 
U.S.C., Section 1701z-1 et seq.

B. Solicitation of Public Comment

    This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and 
affected parties concerning the collection of information described in 
Section A on the following:
    (1) 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) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information;
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (4) Ways to 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.

[[Page 49793]]

    HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to 
these questions. 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.

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

    Dated: August 15, 2014.
Katherine O'Regan,
Assistant Secretary for Office of Policy Development and Research.
[FR Doc. 2014-20031 Filed 8-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P