[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 111 (Friday, June 9, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37848-37849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12331]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

[Docket No.: RHS -23-MFH-0012]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Rural Rental 
Housing Program; OMB Control No.: 0575-0189

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) announces its' intention 
to request a revision of a currently approved information collection 
and invites comments on this information collection.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 8, 2023 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: 
Go to http://www.regulations.gov and, in the ``Search Field'' box, 
labeled ``Search for dockets and documents on agency actions,'' enter 
the following docket number: (RHS-23-MFH-0012), and click ``Search.'' 
To submit public comments, select the ``Comment'' button. Before 
inputting your comments, you may also review the ``Commenter's 
Checklist'' (optional). Insert your comments under the ``Comment'' 
title, click ``Browse'' to attach files (if applicable). Input your 
email address and select an identity category then click ``Submit 
Comment.'' Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions 
for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket 
after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's 
``FAQ'' link.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: MaryPat Daskal, Chief, Branch 1, Rural 
Development Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, United 
States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, South 
Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-7853. Email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on 
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies the

[[Page 37849]]

following information collection that the RHS is submitting to OMB as a 
revision to an existing collection with Agency adjustment.
    Title: 7 CFR 3560, Rural Rental Housing Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0189.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2026.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .48 hours per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profits, Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 589,500.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 2,236,035.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.8.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,072,246 hours.
    Abstract: The Rural Rental Housing program provides adequate, 
affordable, decent, safe, and sanitary rental units for very low-, low-
, and moderate-income households in rural areas. The programs covered 
by this part are authorized by title V of the Housing Act of 1949 and 
are: (1) Section 515 Rural Rental Housing, which includes congregate 
housing, group homes, and Rural Cooperative Housing. The section 515 
direct loan program provides financing to support the development of 
rental units in rural areas that need housing affordable to very low-, 
low-, and moderate-income households, and where this housing is 
unlikely to be provided through other means. (2) Sections 514 and 516 
Farm Labor Housing loans and grants. Section 514/516 direct loan and 
grant programs provide funds to support the development of adequate, 
affordable housing for farm workers that is unlikely to be provided 
through other means. (3) Section 521 Rental Assistance. A project-based 
tenant rent subsidy which may be provided to Rural Rental Housing and 
Farm Labor Housing facilities.
    The Rural Housing Service is revising this information collection 
to include a new form. The new form titled ``Replacement Reserve 
Intercreditor Agreement'' (ICA) is a supplement to the existing section 
515 Subordination Agreement. The ICA form will be used between the 
section 515 RRH Borrower/Owner and the section 538 Lender to establish 
control and guidance on how the Reserve Account will be handled in a 
joint transaction. The ICA will add an additional 24 responses and 4 
hours to the collection's total burden.
    Information is completed by developers and potential borrowers 
seeking approval of rural rental housing loans with the assistance of 
professionals such as attorneys, architects, and contractors and the 
operation and management of the MFH properties in an affordable decent, 
safe and sanitary manner. The forms and information provide the basis 
for making determinations of eligibility and the need and feasibility 
of the proposed housing. The information provides the basis for 
determining that rents charged are appropriate, the housing is well-
maintained, and proper priority is given to those tenants eligible for 
occupancy. Information is collected to assure compliance with the terms 
and conditions of loan, grant and/or subsidy agreements.
    Comments are invited on:
    (a) 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;
    (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
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 respondents, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. All 
responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request 
for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimble 
Brown, Rural Development Innovation Center--Regulations Management 
Division, at (202) 720-6780. Email: [email protected].
    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.

Joaquin Altoro,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-12331 Filed 6-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P