[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 79849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-28238]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 87 , No. 248 / Wednesday, December 28, 2022 / 
Notices  

[[Page 79849]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding: whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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 regarding this information collection received by January 
27, 2023 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for 
the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days 
of the publication of this notice on the following website 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARPA)--7 CFR PART 3550, 
``DIRECT SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING SECTIONS 502 and 504 LOAN PROGRAMS
    OMB Control Number: 0575-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: USDA Rural Development (RD) is committed to 
helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. RD's 
Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency) offers a variety of programs to 
build or improve housing and essential community facilities in rural 
areas.
    The Housing Act of 1949 provides the authority for the RHS's direct 
single family housing loan and grant programs. The programs provide 
eligible applicants with financial assistance to own adequate but 
modest homes in rural areas. 7 CFR part 3550 sets forth the programs' 
policies and the programs' procedures can be found in its accompanying 
handbooks (Handbook-1-3550 and Handbook-2-3550). To originate and 
service direct loans and grants that comply with the programs' statute, 
policies, and procedures, RHS must collect information from low- and 
very low-income applicants, third parties associated with or working on 
behalf of the applicants, borrowers, and third parties associated with 
or working on behalf of the borrowers.
    The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 (Pub. L. 117-2; H.R. 
1319, section 3207) appropriated an additional $39 million of Budget 
Authority (BA) for Single Family Housing (SFH) section 502 and 504 
Direct Loan Program borrowers. The BA equated to approximately $656.6 
million of ARP program funding available in FY 21; due to a change in 
the subsidy rate, there are approximately $1.955 billion of program 
funding available in FY 22. Funds remain available until September 30, 
2023. The stated purpose of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 
is to provide ``additional relief to address the continued impact of 
COVID-19 on the economy, public health, state and local governments, 
individuals, and businesses.'' Therefore, the Agency's initial 
objective under the ARP Act is to refinance the existing 24,000 Section 
502 direct and Section 504 borrowers who have been granted and received 
a COVID-19 payment moratorium. Refinancing these loans with a lower 
interest rate and extended terms will help provide needed relief to 
borrowers, so that mortgage payments are more affordable post-
moratorium. The Agency has made every effort to streamline the ARPA 
application process by using existing direct application processes, 
documents, etc., and eliminate requirements which are not applicable 
for ARPA (e.g., credit verifications). Likewise, due to the unique 
nature of ARPA it was necessary to create or modify some items specific 
to ARPA as explained later in this document.
    Need and Use of the Information: Information needed for origination 
purposes is largely collected by RD field staff from applicants and 
third parties associated with or working on behalf of the applicants. 
Information needed for servicing purposes is largely collected by the 
Servicing and Asset Management Office (Servicing Center) from borrowers 
and third parties associated with or working on behalf of the 
borrowers. The party collecting the information provides the respondent 
with the needed form(s) and/or non-form(s) along with submission 
instructions. While submission instructions may vary, the Agency 
utilizes secure electronic means of submission when possible (e.g., 
eForms and password protected emails).
    Description of Respondents: Individuals and Households.
    Number of Respondents: 4,420.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 2,602.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-28238 Filed 12-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P