[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 125 (Friday, July 2, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35310-35311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14146]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-7038-N-09]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: FHA Catalyst: 
Multifamily Application Portal, OMB Control No.: 2502-0620

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal Housing 
Commissioner, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: 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: August 31, 2021.

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: This notice informs the public that HUD is 
seeking approval from OMB for the information collection described in 
Section A.

A. Overview of Information Collection

    Title of Information Collection: FHA Catalyst: Multifamily 
Application Portal.
    OMB Approval Number: 2502-0620.
    OMB Expiration Date: 5/31/2021.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use: The 
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)/Federal Housing 
Administration's (FHA) Office of Multifamily Housing Programs (MFH) has 
developed a web-based portal for FHA-approved multifamily lenders to 
submit applications for FHA multifamily mortgage insurance to HUD 
electronically. The FHA Catalyst: Multifamily Application Portal (``FHA 
Catalyst''), was released in fall 2020 to aid in the collection of 
information for FHA multifamily mortgage insurance program 
applications. The National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and 
implementing regulations at 24 CFR parts 200-266 authorize HUD/FHA to 
administer the multifamily mortgage insurance programs. The specific 
authority to require a mortgage insurance application is found at 24 
CFR 200.45(b): ``[a]n application for a firm commitment must be made by 
an approved mortgagee for any project for

[[Page 35311]]

which a mortgagor seeks mortgage insurance under the Act.''
    FHA Catalyst allows FHA-approved multifamily lenders to submit 
electronic applications for FHA multifamily mortgage insurance and 
related documents to HUD through a web-based portal, and HUD staff are 
able to receive and download the documents from the portal. The system 
is designed to streamline existing processes for collecting information 
to administer FHA multifamily mortgage insurance programs; no new 
information will be collected as a result of FHA Catalyst. Prior to the 
COVID-19 pandemic, multifamily lenders submitted applications to HUD in 
USB and hard copy format via mail. Due to the pandemic, multifamily 
lenders are currently submitting electronic applications using various 
online file-sharing platforms (e.g., Dropbox) as a short-term solution. 
FHA Catalyst provides multifamily lenders and MFH with a central, 
secure portal and long-term solution for online application submissions 
that will be used for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. 
Hard copies and/or removable USB drives will no longer be required for 
applications submitted through FHA Catalyst once FHA Catalyst becomes 
mandatory.
    Respondents (i.e., affected public): Business or other for-profit; 
individuals or households; not-for-profit intuitions; state, local, or 
tribal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 741.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 741.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Hours per Response: 1.
    Total Estimated Burden: 741.

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

C. Authority

    Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 
3507.

Janet M. Golrick,
Acting, Chief of Staff for the Office of Housing, Federal Housing 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2021-14146 Filed 7-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P