[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 169 (Wednesday, August 31, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60017-60018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20956]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5915-N-08]


Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Public Comment on 
the 2017 American Housing Survey

AGENCY: Office of the Chief Information Officer, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 31, 2016.

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: HUD Desk Officer, Office of 
Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 
20503; fax: 202-395-5806. Email: [email protected].

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

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: 2017 American Housing Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 2528-0017.
    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 2017 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 addition to the ``core'' data, HUD plans to collect ``topical'' 
data on disaster and emergency preparedness, how people commute to work 
and commuting costs, the causes and effects of evictions, and recent 
delinquent payments and notices for mortgage, rent, or utility bills.
    The AHS national longitudinal sample consists of approximately 
92,000 housing units, and includes oversample from the 15 largest 
metropolitan areas, approximately 5,250 HUD-assisted housing units, and 
approximately 6,000 ``bridge sample'' housing units. The bridge sample 
will allow for estimation of longitudinal changes between 2013, 2015, 
when the AHS introduced a new sample, and 2017. The bridge sample will 
also facilitate analyses of the impact of survey design changes on 2017 
AHS estimates. In addition to the national longitudinal sample, HUD 
plans to conduct 15 metropolitan area samples, each with approximately 
3,000 housing units (for a total 45,000 metropolitan area housing 
units).
    To help reduce respondent burden on households in the longitudinal 
sample, the 2017 AHS will make use of dependent interviewing 
techniques, which will decrease the number of questions asked.
    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: 137,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 40 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: One time every two years.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 91,333.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to respondents is that 
of their time. The total estimated cost is $67,600,000.
    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 solicits comments from members of the public and 
affected parties concerning the collection of

[[Page 60018]]

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 the use of appropriate automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to 
these questions.

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

    Dated: August 17, 2016.
Katherine M. O'Regan,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy Development and Research.
[FR Doc. 2016-20956 Filed 8-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P