80 FR 76704 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Multifamily Family Self-Sufficiency (MF FSS) Program Escrow Credit Data

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 237 (December 10, 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 237 (Thursday, December 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76704-76705]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31201]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5835-N-28]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Multifamily 
Family Self-Sufficiency (MF FSS) Program Escrow Credit Data

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

[[Page 76705]]

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: February 8, 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: 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: Danielle Garcia, Branch Chief, Subsidy 
Oversight Branch, Assisted Housing Oversight Division, Office of Asset 
Management and Portfolio Oversight, Office of Multifamily Housing 
Programs, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street 
SW., Washington, DC 20410; email [email protected] or telephone 
202-402-2768. 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: Multifamily Family Self-
Sufficiency Program Escrow Credit Data.
    OMB Approval Number: Pending.
    Type of Request: This is a new collection.
    Form Number: Sample attached: Sample MF FSS Reporting Tool
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use:
    Multifamily Family Self-Sufficiency (MF FSS) is a HUD program that 
enables families living in multifamily assisted housing to increase 
their earned income and reduce their dependence on public assistance 
programs. MF FSS promotes the development of local strategies to 
coordinate the use of HUD rental assistance programs with public and 
private resources, to enable eligible families to achieve economic 
independence and self-sufficiency.
    HUD's Appropriations Act of 2015 allows owners of privately owned 
multifamily properties with a Section 8 contract to voluntarily make a 
Family Self-Sufficiency program available to assisted tenants in 
accordance with procedures established by the Secretary, including 
those procedures permitting tenants to accrue escrow funds in 
accordance with section 23(d)(2) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937. 
Owners of privately-owned HUD assisted multifamily housing can 
voluntarily establish and operate a MF FSS program at their housing 
sites. Participation in the MF FSS program is voluntary for families 
living in these properties.
    FSS families are referred to services and educational opportunities 
that can lead to improved employment and earned income. Such services 
might include child care, transportation, education, job training, 
employment counseling, financial literacy, and homeownership 
counseling.
    Families entering the FSS program work with a case manager to 
develop goals that will lead to self-sufficiency within a 5-year 
period. These goals may include education, specialized training, and 
job readiness, placement, and career advancement activities. Families 
sign a five year contract of participation (CoP) with the owner. Goals 
for each participating family member are set out in Individual Training 
and Services plans (ITSP) that are part of the CoP. When the family 
meets its goals and completes its FSS contract, the family becomes 
eligible to receive funds deposited in an escrow account.
    The owner establishes an interest-bearing escrow account for each 
participating family. If a family's earned income and rental payments 
increase as a result of participation in the FSS, the owner will credit 
the incremental earned income amount to the family's escrow account. 
Once a family successfully graduates from the program, they may access 
the escrow funds and use them for any purpose.

Respondents

    Owners of privately-owned HUD assisted multifamily housing who 
voluntarily establish and operate a MF FSS program at their housing 
sites.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 8,000.
    Frequency of Response: Quarterly.
    Average Hours per Response: 1 hour.
    Total Estimated Burdens: 8,000.

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: December 2, 2015.
Janet M. Golrick,
Associate General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Housing--Associate 
Deputy Federal Housing Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 2015-31201 Filed 12-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P