80 FR 25707 - Notice of Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request: Certification and Funding of State and Local Fair Housing Enforcement Agencies

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 86 (May 5, 2015)

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.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25707-25708]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10502]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5833-N-01]


Notice of Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request: 
Certification and Funding of State and Local Fair Housing Enforcement 
Agencies

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal 
Opportunity, 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: July 6, 2015.

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

[[Page 25708]]

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: Certification and Funding of State 
and Local Fair Housing Enforcement Agencies.
    OMB Approval Number: 2529-0005.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use:

A. Request for Substantial Equivalence

    For a state or local law to be certified as ``substantially 
equivalent'' and therefore be eligible to participate in the Fair 
Housing Assistance Program (FHAP), the Assistant Secretary for Fair 
Housing and Equal Opportunity must determine that the state or local 
law provides substantive rights, procedures, remedies, and the 
availability of judicial review that are substantially equivalent to 
those provided in the federal Fair Housing Act (the Act).
    State and local fair housing enforcement agencies that are seeking 
certification in accordance with Section 810(f) of the Act submit a 
request to the Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal 
Opportunity. The request must be supported by the text of the 
jurisdiction's fair housing law, the law creating and empowering the 
agency, all laws referenced in the jurisdiction's fair housing law, any 
regulations and directives issued under the law, and any formal 
opinions of the State Attorney General or the chief legal officer of 
the jurisdiction that pertain to the jurisdiction's fair housing law.

B. Information Related to Agency Performance

    Once agencies are deemed substantially equivalent and are 
participating in the FHAP, HUD collects sufficient information to 
monitor agency performance in accordance with 24 CFR 115.206, which 
sets forth the performance standards for agencies participating in the 
FHAP. These standards are meant to ensure that the state or local law, 
both ``on its face'' and ``in operation,'' provides substantive rights, 
procedures, remedies, and judicial review procedures for alleged 
discriminatory housing practices that are substantially equivalent to 
those provided in the Act. In addition, HUD collects sufficient 
information to monitor agency compliance with 24 CFR 115.307 and 24 CFR 
115.308, which set forth requirements for FHAP participation and 
reporting and record keeping requirements including, but not limited 
to, the requirement that FHAP agencies use HUD's official complaint 
data information system, and input complaint processing information 
into that system in a timely manner.
    Respondents: State and local government agencies participating in 
the Fair Housing Assistance Program as well State and local government 
agencies applying to participate in the FHAP.
    Frequency/Burden: The Department estimates that requests for 
substantial equivalence will have the following reporting burdens:

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                                     Number of              Annual             Hours per
                                    respondents     x     responses      x      response      =    Burden hours
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Reporting Burden................               5   ..               6   ..              15   ..             450
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Department estimates that reporting information related to 
agency performance will have the following reporting burdens:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Number of              Annual             Hours per
                                    respondents     x     responses      x      response      =    Burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting Burden................              88   ..              33   ..              20   ..          58,080
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    Total Estimated Burden Hours: 58,530.

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.

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

    Dated: April 29, 2015.
Joseph A. Pelletier,
Director, Fair Housing Assistance Division, Office of Fair Housing and 
Equal Opportunity.
[FR Doc. 2015-10502 Filed 5-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P