81_FR_15602 81 FR 15546 - Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Local Government Assessment Tool-Information Collection Renewal: Solicitation of Comment-60-Day Notice Under Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

81 FR 15546 - Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Local Government Assessment Tool-Information Collection Renewal: Solicitation of Comment-60-Day Notice Under Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 56 (March 23, 2016)

Page Range15546-15549
FR Document2016-06600

On December 31, 2015, HUD announced the availability of the assessment tool (Local Government Assessment Tool) developed by HUD for use by local governments that receive Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), or Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) formula funding from HUD when conducting and submitting their own Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH). The Local Government Assessment Tool is also available for use for AFHs conducted by joint and regional collaborations between: (1) Such local governments; (2) one or more such local governments with one or more public housing agency (PHA) partners; and (3) other collaborations in which such a local government is designated as the lead for the collaboration. The Local Government Assessment Tool was approved by HUD's Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) for a period of one year. This notice, which solicits public comment for a period of 60 days, begins the process to renew the approval of the Local Government Assessment Tool. The PRA requires two public comment periods--a public comment period of 60 days and a second comment period of 30 days. After consideration of the public comments submitted in response to this notice, HUD will solicit a second round of public comments for a period of 30 days. HUD notes that, over the next several months, it will be soliciting public comment pursuant to the PRA on assessment tools to be used by different categories of program participants. This Notice solicits public comment on the Local Government Assessment Tool. In a notice issued on March 11, 2016, published at 81 FR 12921, HUD announced that it is seeking public comments on the proposed assessment tool for use by States and Insular Areas (State and Insular Area Assessment Tool). In the near future, HUD will issue the proposed assessment tool for Public Housing Agencies (PHA Assessment Tool).

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 56 (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15546-15549]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06600]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5173-N-10]


Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Local Government Assessment 
Tool--Information Collection Renewal: Solicitation of Comment--60-Day 
Notice Under Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

AGENCY: Office of the Assistance Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal 
Opportunity, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On December 31, 2015, HUD announced the availability of the 
assessment tool (Local Government Assessment Tool) developed by HUD for 
use by local governments that receive Community Development Block 
Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Emergency 
Solutions Grants (ESG), or Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS 
(HOPWA) formula funding from HUD when conducting and submitting their 
own Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH). The Local Government Assessment 
Tool is also available for use for AFHs conducted by joint and regional 
collaborations between: (1) Such local governments; (2) one or more 
such local governments with one or more public housing agency (PHA) 
partners; and (3) other collaborations in which such a local government 
is designated as the lead for the collaboration.
    The Local Government Assessment Tool was approved by HUD's Office 
of

[[Page 15547]]

Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) for a 
period of one year. This notice, which solicits public comment for a 
period of 60 days, begins the process to renew the approval of the 
Local Government Assessment Tool. The PRA requires two public comment 
periods--a public comment period of 60 days and a second comment period 
of 30 days. After consideration of the public comments submitted in 
response to this notice, HUD will solicit a second round of public 
comments for a period of 30 days.
    HUD notes that, over the next several months, it will be soliciting 
public comment pursuant to the PRA on assessment tools to be used by 
different categories of program participants. This Notice solicits 
public comment on the Local Government Assessment Tool. In a notice 
issued on March 11, 2016, published at 81 FR 12921, HUD announced that 
it is seeking public comments on the proposed assessment tool for use 
by States and Insular Areas (State and Insular Area Assessment Tool). 
In the near future, HUD will issue the proposed assessment tool for 
Public Housing Agencies (PHA Assessment Tool).

DATES: Comment Due Date: May 23, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this notice to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, 
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 
10276, Washington, DC 20410-0500. Communications must refer to the 
above docket number and title. There are two methods for submitting 
public comments. All submissions must refer to the above docket number 
and title.
    1. Submission of Comments by Mail. Comments may be submitted by 
mail to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department 
of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 10276, 
Washington, DC 20410-0500.
    2. Electronic Submission of Comments. Interested persons may submit 
comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
www.regulations.gov. HUD strongly encourages commenters to submit 
comments electronically. Electronic submission of comments allows the 
commenter maximum time to prepare and submit a comment, ensures timely 
receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to make them immediately available to 
the public. Comments submitted electronically through the 
www.regulations.gov Web site can be viewed by other commenters and 
interested members of the public. Commenters should follow the 
instructions provided on that site to submit comments electronically.

    Note: To receive consideration as public comments, comments must 
be submitted through one of the two methods specified above. Again, 
all submissions must refer to the docket number and title of the 
notice.

    No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile (FAX) comments are not acceptable.
    Public Inspection of Public Comments. All properly submitted 
comments and communications submitted to HUD will be available for 
public inspection and copying between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the 
above address. Due to security measures at the HUD Headquarters 
building, an advance appointment to review the public comments must be 
scheduled by calling the Regulations Division at 202-708-3055 (this is 
not a toll-free number). Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing 
and individuals with speech impairments may access this number via TTY 
by calling the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Copies of all 
comments submitted are available for inspection and downloading at 
www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George D. Williams, Sr., Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Policy, Legislative Initiatives and Outreach, 
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and 
Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 5246, Washington, DC 20410; 
telephone number 866-234-2689 (toll-free). Individuals with hearing or 
speech impediments may access this number via TTY by calling the toll-
free Federal Relay Service during working hours at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    On December 31, 2015, at 80 FR 81840, by notice published in the 
Federal Register, HUD announced the availability for use of the 
Assessment Tool. This announcement was preceded by the two Federal 
Register notices for public comment required by the PRA. The 60-day 
notice was published on September 26, 2015, at 79 FR 57949, and the 30-
day notice published on July 16, 2015, at 80 FR 42108, the same day 
that HUD published its Affirmatively Furthering Final Rule, at 80 FR 
42272. The Assessment Tool, HUD's final rule on Affirmatively 
Furthering Fair Housing, and HUD's AFFH Rule Guidebook accompanying the 
Local Government Assessment Tool can all be found at https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/affh/.

II. Overview of Information Collection

    Title of Proposal: Assessment of FairHousing Tool.
    OMB Control Number, if applicable: 2529-0054.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use: The 
purpose of HUD's Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) final 
rule is to provide HUD program participants with a more effective 
approach to fair housing planning so that they are better able to meet 
their statutory duty to affirmatively further fair housing. In this 
regard, the final rule requires HUD program participants to conduct and 
submit an AFH. In the AFH, program participants must identify and 
evaluate fair housing issues, and factors significantly contributing to 
fair housing issues (contributing factors) in the program participant's 
jurisdiction and region.
    The Assessment Tool is the standardized document designed to aid 
program participants in conducting the required assessment of fair 
housing issues and contributing factors and priority and goal setting. 
The Assessment Tool asks a series of questions that program 
participants must respond to in carrying out an assessment of fair 
housing issues and contributing factors, and setting meaningful fair 
housing goals and priorities to overcome them.
    Agency form numbers, if applicable: Not applicable.
    Members of affected public: As noted earlier in this document, 
local governments that receive CDBG, HOME, ESG, or HOPWA formula 
funding from HUD when conducting and submitting their own AFH, and any 
PHAs that choose to partner with such local governments.
    Estimation of the total numbers of hours needed to prepare the 
information collection including number of respondents, frequency of 
response, and hours of response:
    Please see table below.

[[Page 15548]]



                                       Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Estimated
                                                    Number of                      average time      Estimated
                                   Number of      responses per    Frequency of         for         burden (in
                                 respondents *     respondent      response **      requirement       hours)
                                                                                  (in hours) ***
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CFR Section Reference: Sec.    2,508 total                    1  Once every five  ..............  ..............
 5.154(d) (Assessment of Fair   entities (1,194                   years (or
 Housing).                      Entitlement                       three years in
                                Jurisdictions                     the case of 3-
                                and                               Year
                                approximately                     Consolidated
                                1,314 PHAs) *.                    Plans) **.
Entitlement Jurisdiction.....  1,194...........  ..............  ...............         *** 240         286,560
PHAs.........................  1,314 *.........  ..............  ...............             120         157,680
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Burden.............  2,508...........         * 1,194  ...............  ..............         444,240
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* This template is primarily designed for local government program participants, of which there are
  approximately 1,194, and PHAs seeking to join with local governments on a jointly submitted AFH. There are
  3,942 PHAs, and HUD estimates that approximately \1/3\ of PHAs may seek to join with a local government and
  submit a joint AFH. The Total Number of responses is listed as 1,194 based on the number of entitlement
  jurisdictions that will submit AFHs using this Assessment Tool. The total hours and burden are based on the
  total estimated number of both types of program participants and the ``estimated average time'' listed for
  type of program participant.
** The timing of submission depends upon whether a local government program participant submits its consolidated
  plan every 3 years or every 5 years.
*** The estimate of 240 hours is an average across all local government program participants, with some having
  either higher or lower actual burden.
**** PHAs participating in joint submissions using the Assessment Tool under this notice are assumed to have
  some fixed costs, including staff training, conducting community participation costs, but reduced costs for
  conducting the analysis in the assessment itself.

III. Solicitation of Specific Comment on the Local Government 
Assessment Tool

    HUD specifically requests comment on the following subjects.
    As HUD has stated, it intends to make improvements to the online 
AFFH Data and Mapping Tool (AFFH-T). HUD is seeking feedback on the 
items listed below that are under consideration, as well as any other 
requests for data or functionality improvements in the AFFH-T. The 
specific items under consideration are intended to modify and improve 
existing data items or to better facilitate program participants in 
completing the Assessment Tool. HUD also intends to provide additional 
instructions to clarify that additional data items may be provided in 
the online available data that do not necessarily require the program 
participant to respond to or include in their final submission as an 
attached map or table, but are provided for the program participants 
benefit in conducting additional levels of analyses. The public and, in 
particular affected HUD program participants are invited to comment on 
the following specific questions. For each of these questions, in 
addition to answering the question, HUD asks commenters to explain why 
the issue or issues posed in each question either would or would not be 
helpful from a fair housing perspective to have this additional level 
of detail presented in the question.
    1. Should R/ECAPs be amended to exclude college students from the 
calculation of poverty rate?
    2. Should HUD provide additional data on homeownership and rental 
housing, including maps and tables (e.g. data on percent of owner and 
renter occupied housing by area, maps showing patterns of home 
ownership and renter occupied housing together with demographics of 
race/ethnicity, and homeownership/rental rates by protected class 
group)?
    3. Are there changes or improvements that can be made to the 
Opportunity Index measures? For example, should HUD include additional 
national data related to schools and education? Should HUD change the 
variables included in the Labor Market Engagement Index? Are there 
changes to the transportation indices (currently Transit Trips and Low 
Transportation Cots) that can be made to better inform a fair housing 
analysis of transportation access and whether transportation provides 
access to areas of opportunity? Should HUD adjust the Environmental 
Health Index with new variables and/or a revised formula?
    5. Should HUD add Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data to 
inform a fair housing analysis of lending practices and trends? Which 
types of HMDA data would be most useful (e.g., loan origination data, 
data on conventional loans compared to FHA loans, etc.)?
    6. Should HUD distinguish between 9 percent and 4 percent tax 
credits in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) data being 
provided, including in maps of development locations?
    7. Should HUD make any other changes to the Local Government 
Assessment Tool to facilitate joint or regional collaboration or 
facilitate a meaningful fair housing analysis and priority and goal 
setting?

IV. Solicitation of Comment Require by the Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), HUD is specifically 
soliciting comment from members of the public and affected program 
participants on the Assessment Tool 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 not only program participants but interested persons 
to submit comments regarding the information collection requirements in 
this proposal. Comments must be received by May 23, 2016 to 
www.regulations.gov as provided under the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice. Comments must refer to the proposal by name and docket number 
(FR-5173-N-10).
    HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to 
these questions.


[[Page 15549]]


    Dated: March 17, 2016.
George D. Williams, Sr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Legislative Initiatives, and 
Outreach.
[FR Doc. 2016-06600 Filed 3-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P



                                                  15546                       Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 23, 2016 / Notices

                                                  APR annually. In addition to the IHP/                   formula. HUD is notified of changes in                the agency, including whether the
                                                  APR, each year recipients may submit a                  the FCAS through a Formula Response                   information will have practical utility;
                                                  Formula Response Form (HUD–4117),                       Form (HUD–4117), as defined at 24 CFR                   (2) The accuracy of the agency’s
                                                  Formula Challenge Form (HUD–4119),                      1000.302. A tribe, Tribally Designated                estimate of the burden of the proposed
                                                  and Depository Agreements (HUD–                         Housing Entities (TDHE), or HUD may                   collection of information;
                                                  52736–A and B). Indian tribes, Alaska                   challenge the data from the U.S.                        (3) Ways to enhance the quality,
                                                  Natives, Native Hawaiians, or tribally                  Decennial Census or provide an                        utility, and clarity of the information to
                                                  designated housing entities that receive                alternative source of data by submitting              be collected; and
                                                  IHBG funds are required annually to                     the Guidelines for Challenging U.S.                     (4) Ways to minimize the burden of
                                                  submit HUD–52737 that consists of two                   Decennial Census Data Document Form                   the collection of information on those
                                                  component: The Indian Housing Plan                      (HUD–4119). Census challenges are due                 who are to respond; including through
                                                  (IHP) component and the Annual                          March 30th of each fiscal year, as                    the use of appropriate automated
                                                                                                          defined at 24 CFR 1000.336. This                      collection techniques or other forms of
                                                  Performance Report (APR) component.
                                                                                                          information collection is required of                 information technology, e.g., permitting
                                                  The IHP is required by Section 102 of
                                                                                                          participants in the IHBG program to                   electronic submission of responses.
                                                  the Native American Housing
                                                                                                          demonstrate compliance with eligibility               HUD encourages interested parties to
                                                  Assistance and Self-Determination Act
                                                                                                          and other requirements of NAHASDA;                    submit comment in response to these
                                                  (NAHASDA) and describes the eligible                                                                          questions.
                                                  IHBG-funded, affordable housing                         provision of correction or challenge
                                                  activities the recipient plans to conduct               documentation of the formula                            Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork
                                                                                                          calculation; and provision of data for                Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
                                                  for the benefit of low and moderate
                                                  income tribal members and identifies                    HUD’s annual report to Congress. The                    Dated: March 17, 2016.
                                                  the intended outcomes and outputs for                   information gathered will be used to                  Colette Pollard,
                                                  the upcoming 12-month year. The                         allocate funds under the IHBG program.                Department Reports Management Officer,
                                                  recipient submits the IHP at least 75                   The quality assurance of data reported                Office of the Chief Information Officer.
                                                  days prior to the beginning of its 12-                  is a very important issue in maintaining              [FR Doc. 2016–06596 Filed 3–22–16; 8:45 am]
                                                  month program year. HUD conducts a                      HUD’s databases used to monitor                       BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
                                                  limited review of the IHP to determine                  participant’s proposed plans,
                                                  that the planned activities are in                      accomplishments, determine program
                                                  compliance with NAHASDA                                 compliance, and to ensure fair and                    DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
                                                  requirements, as defined at 24 CFR part                 equitable allocations. In some cases, the             URBAN DEVELOPMENT
                                                  1000. At the end of the 12-month                        FCAS information addressing the
                                                                                                                                                                [Docket No. FR–5173–N–10]
                                                  period, the recipient submits the APR                   conveyances and conversions of units
                                                  that is required by Section 404 of                      has resulted in the recouping of funds.               Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
                                                  NAHASDA and describes (1) the use of                    IHBG recipients have the option to                    Local Government Assessment Tool—
                                                  grant funds during the prior 12-month                   invest IHBG funds in eligible                         Information Collection Renewal:
                                                  period; (2) the actual outcomes and                     instruments for up to five years with                 Solicitation of Comment—60-Day
                                                  outputs achieved; (3) program                           private bankers and/or brokers. At any                Notice Under Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                  accomplishments; and (4) jobs                           time, a recipient may enter into a                    of 1995
                                                  supported by IHBG-funded activities.                    Depository Agreement with a banker
                                                  HUD uses the information in the APR to                  (HUD–52736–A) and/or with the broker                  AGENCY:  Office of the Assistance
                                                  review the recipient’s progress in                      (HUD–52736–B).                                        Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal
                                                  implementing the IHP, verify whether                       Respondents (i.e. affected public):                Opportunity, HUD.
                                                  the activities are eligible and to                      Native American Tribes and Tribally                   ACTION: Notice.
                                                  determine if the recipient has the                      Designated Housing Entities, Alaska
                                                                                                                                                                SUMMARY:   On December 31, 2015, HUD
                                                  capacity to continue implementing the                   Natives and Corporations, and Native
                                                                                                                                                                announced the availability of the
                                                  activities described in the IHP in a                    Hawaiians.
                                                                                                                                                                assessment tool (Local Government
                                                  timely manner. The information in the                      Estimated Number of Respondents:                   Assessment Tool) developed by HUD for
                                                  APR also will be used to provide                        366.                                                  use by local governments that receive
                                                  Congress, stakeholders, and other                          Estimated Number of Responses:                     Community Development Block Grants
                                                  interested parties with information on                  1,779.                                                (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships
                                                  how the IHBG funds are being used to                       Frequency of Response: The IHP/APR                 Program (HOME), Emergency Solutions
                                                  meet affordable housing needs within                    is submitted twice a year and the                     Grants (ESG), or Housing Opportunities
                                                  Native American communities. The                        Formula Correction and Formula                        for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
                                                  IHP/APR is currently available in a                     Challenge forms are submitted once per                formula funding from HUD when
                                                  Word version, an Excel version, and a                   year.                                                 conducting and submitting their own
                                                  version on HUD’s Energy and                                Average Hours per Response: 60.                    Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH). The
                                                  Performance Information Center (EPIC)                      Total Estimated Burdens: 48,211                    Local Government Assessment Tool is
                                                  Web site. All three versions of the IHP/                hours.                                                also available for use for AFHs
                                                  APR request the same information and                                                                          conducted by joint and regional
                                                                                                          B. Solicitation of Public Comment
                                                  a recipient may elect to submit to HUD                                                                        collaborations between: (1) Such local
                                                  either the Word, Excel, or EPIC versions;                 This notice is soliciting comments
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                                governments; (2) one or more such local
                                                  however, the Excel and EPIC versions                    from members of the public and affected               governments with one or more public
                                                  are preferred because of their automated                parties concerning the collection of                  housing agency (PHA) partners; and (3)
                                                  capabilities and reduced burden.                        information described in Section A on                 other collaborations in which such a
                                                  Participants in the IHBG program are                    the following:                                        local government is designated as the
                                                  responsible for notifying HUD of                          (1) Whether the proposed collection                 lead for the collaboration.
                                                  changes to the Formula Current Assisted                 of information is necessary for the                     The Local Government Assessment
                                                  Stock (FCAS) component of the IHBG                      proper performance of the functions of                Tool was approved by HUD’s Office of


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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 23, 2016 / Notices                                             15547

                                                  Management and Budget under the                         make them immediately available to the                that HUD published its Affirmatively
                                                  Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) for a                     public. Comments submitted                            Furthering Final Rule, at 80 FR 42272.
                                                  period of one year. This notice, which                  electronically through the                            The Assessment Tool, HUD’s final rule
                                                  solicits public comment for a period of                 www.regulations.gov Web site can be                   on Affirmatively Furthering Fair
                                                  60 days, begins the process to renew the                viewed by other commenters and                        Housing, and HUD’s AFFH Rule
                                                  approval of the Local Government                        interested members of the public.                     Guidebook accompanying the Local
                                                  Assessment Tool. The PRA requires two                   Commenters should follow the                          Government Assessment Tool can all be
                                                  public comment periods—a public                         instructions provided on that site to                 found at https://
                                                  comment period of 60 days and a                         submit comments electronically.                       www.hudexchange.info/programs/affh/.
                                                  second comment period of 30 days.                         Note: To receive consideration as public
                                                  After consideration of the public                                                                             II. Overview of Information Collection
                                                                                                          comments, comments must be submitted
                                                  comments submitted in response to this                  through one of the two methods specified                 Title of Proposal: Assessment of
                                                  notice, HUD will solicit a second round                 above. Again, all submissions must refer to           FairHousing Tool.
                                                  of public comments for a period of 30                   the docket number and title of the notice.
                                                                                                                                                                   OMB Control Number, if applicable:
                                                  days.                                                      No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile
                                                    HUD notes that, over the next several                                                                       2529–0054.
                                                                                                          (FAX) comments are not acceptable.
                                                  months, it will be soliciting public                       Public Inspection of Public                           Description of the need for the
                                                  comment pursuant to the PRA on                          Comments. All properly submitted                      information and proposed use: The
                                                  assessment tools to be used by different                comments and communications                           purpose of HUD’s Affirmatively
                                                  categories of program participants. This                submitted to HUD will be available for                Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) final
                                                  Notice solicits public comment on the                   public inspection and copying between                 rule is to provide HUD program
                                                  Local Government Assessment Tool. In                    8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the above               participants with a more effective
                                                  a notice issued on March 11, 2016,                      address. Due to security measures at the              approach to fair housing planning so
                                                  published at 81 FR 12921, HUD                           HUD Headquarters building, an advance                 that they are better able to meet their
                                                  announced that it is seeking public                     appointment to review the public                      statutory duty to affirmatively further
                                                  comments on the proposed assessment                     comments must be scheduled by calling                 fair housing. In this regard, the final rule
                                                  tool for use by States and Insular Areas                the Regulations Division at 202–708–                  requires HUD program participants to
                                                  (State and Insular Area Assessment                      3055 (this is not a toll-free number).                conduct and submit an AFH. In the
                                                  Tool). In the near future, HUD will issue               Individuals who are deaf or hard of                   AFH, program participants must
                                                  the proposed assessment tool for Public                 hearing and individuals with speech                   identify and evaluate fair housing
                                                  Housing Agencies (PHA Assessment                        impairments may access this number                    issues, and factors significantly
                                                  Tool).                                                  via TTY by calling the Federal Relay                  contributing to fair housing issues
                                                  DATES: Comment Due Date: May 23,                        Service at 800–877–8339. Copies of all                (contributing factors) in the program
                                                  2016.                                                   comments submitted are available for                  participant’s jurisdiction and region.
                                                                                                          inspection and downloading at                            The Assessment Tool is the
                                                  ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
                                                                                                          www.regulations.gov.                                  standardized document designed to aid
                                                  invited to submit comments regarding
                                                  this notice to the Regulations Division,                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      program participants in conducting the
                                                  Office of General Counsel, Department                   George D. Williams, Sr., Deputy                       required assessment of fair housing
                                                  of Housing and Urban Development,                       Assistant Secretary for Policy,                       issues and contributing factors and
                                                  451 7th Street SW., Room 10276,                         Legislative Initiatives and Outreach,                 priority and goal setting. The
                                                  Washington, DC 20410–0500.                              Office of Fair Housing and Equal                      Assessment Tool asks a series of
                                                  Communications must refer to the above                  Opportunity, Department of Housing                    questions that program participants
                                                  docket number and title. There are two                  and Urban Development, 451 7th Street                 must respond to in carrying out an
                                                  methods for submitting public                           SW., Room 5246, Washington, DC                        assessment of fair housing issues and
                                                  comments. All submissions must refer                    20410; telephone number 866–234–2689                  contributing factors, and setting
                                                  to the above docket number and title.                   (toll-free). Individuals with hearing or              meaningful fair housing goals and
                                                    1. Submission of Comments by Mail.                    speech impediments may access this                    priorities to overcome them.
                                                  Comments may be submitted by mail to                    number via TTY by calling the toll-free                  Agency form numbers, if applicable:
                                                  the Regulations Division, Office of                     Federal Relay Service during working                  Not applicable.
                                                  General Counsel, Department of                          hours at 1–800–877–8339.                                 Members of affected public: As noted
                                                  Housing and Urban Development, 451                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            earlier in this document, local
                                                  7th Street SW., Room 10276,                                                                                   governments that receive CDBG, HOME,
                                                                                                          I. Background
                                                  Washington, DC 20410–0500.                                                                                    ESG, or HOPWA formula funding from
                                                    2. Electronic Submission of                              On December 31, 2015, at 80 FR
                                                                                                                                                                HUD when conducting and submitting
                                                  Comments. Interested persons may                        81840, by notice published in the
                                                                                                                                                                their own AFH, and any PHAs that
                                                  submit comments electronically through                  Federal Register, HUD announced the
                                                                                                                                                                choose to partner with such local
                                                  the Federal eRulemaking Portal at                       availability for use of the Assessment
                                                                                                                                                                governments.
                                                  www.regulations.gov. HUD strongly                       Tool. This announcement was preceded
                                                  encourages commenters to submit                         by the two Federal Register notices for                  Estimation of the total numbers of
                                                  comments electronically. Electronic                     public comment required by the PRA.                   hours needed to prepare the information
                                                  submission of comments allows the                       The 60-day notice was published on                    collection including number of
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                                                  commenter maximum time to prepare                       September 26, 2015, at 79 FR 57949,                   respondents, frequency of response, and
                                                  and submit a comment, ensures timely                    and the 30-day notice published on July               hours of response:
                                                  receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to                      16, 2015, at 80 FR 42108, the same day                   Please see table below.




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                                                  15548                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 23, 2016 / Notices

                                                                                                                     REPORTING AND RECORDKEEPING BURDEN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Estimated
                                                                                                                                             Number of                                                                      average time                 Estimated
                                                                                                Number of respondents *                    responses per                  Frequency of response **                                for                      burden
                                                                                                                                             respondent                                                                     requirement                  (in hours)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            (in hours) ***

                                                  CFR Section Reference:                      2,508 total entities (1,194                                       1     Once every five years (or                            ........................   ........................
                                                   § 5.154(d) (Assessment of                    Entitlement Jurisdictions                                              three years in the case of 3-
                                                   Fair Housing).                               and approximately 1,314                                                Year Consolidated Plans) **.
                                                                                                PHAs) *.
                                                  Entitlement Jurisdiction ........           1,194 ....................................   ........................   ..................................................                *** 240                 286,560
                                                  PHAs ....................................   1,314 * ..................................   ........................   ..................................................                    120                 157,680

                                                        Total Burden .................        2,508 ....................................               * 1,194        ..................................................   ........................             444,240
                                                     * This template is primarily designed for local government program participants, of which there are approximately 1,194, and PHAs seeking to
                                                  join with local governments on a jointly submitted AFH. There are 3,942 PHAs, and HUD estimates that approximately 1⁄3 of PHAs may seek to
                                                  join with a local government and submit a joint AFH. The Total Number of responses is listed as 1,194 based on the number of entitlement juris-
                                                  dictions that will submit AFHs using this Assessment Tool. The total hours and burden are based on the total estimated number of both types of
                                                  program participants and the ‘‘estimated average time’’ listed for type of program participant.
                                                     ** The timing of submission depends upon whether a local government program participant submits its consolidated plan every 3 years or
                                                  every 5 years.
                                                     *** The estimate of 240 hours is an average across all local government program participants, with some having either higher or lower actual
                                                  burden.
                                                     **** PHAs participating in joint submissions using the Assessment Tool under this notice are assumed to have some fixed costs, including staff
                                                  training, conducting community participation costs, but reduced costs for conducting the analysis in the assessment itself.


                                                  III. Solicitation of Specific Comment on                              data on percent of owner and renter                                         IV. Solicitation of Comment Require by
                                                  the Local Government Assessment Tool                                  occupied housing by area, maps                                              the Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                     HUD specifically requests comment                                  showing patterns of home ownership
                                                                                                                        and renter occupied housing together                                          In accordance with 5 CFR
                                                  on the following subjects.                                                                                                                        1320.8(d)(1), HUD is specifically
                                                     As HUD has stated, it intends to make                              with demographics of race/ethnicity,
                                                                                                                        and homeownership/rental rates by                                           soliciting comment from members of the
                                                  improvements to the online AFFH Data
                                                  and Mapping Tool (AFFH–T). HUD is                                     protected class group)?                                                     public and affected program
                                                  seeking feedback on the items listed                                     3. Are there changes or improvements                                     participants on the Assessment Tool on
                                                  below that are under consideration, as                                that can be made to the Opportunity                                         the following:
                                                  well as any other requests for data or                                Index measures? For example, should                                           (1) Whether the proposed collection
                                                  functionality improvements in the                                     HUD include additional national data                                        of information is necessary for the
                                                  AFFH–T. The specific items under                                      related to schools and education?                                           proper performance of the functions of
                                                  consideration are intended to modify                                  Should HUD change the variables                                             the agency, including whether the
                                                  and improve existing data items or to                                 included in the Labor Market                                                information will have practical utility;
                                                  better facilitate program participants in                             Engagement Index? Are there changes to
                                                                                                                                                                                                      (2) The accuracy of the agency’s
                                                  completing the Assessment Tool. HUD                                   the transportation indices (currently
                                                                                                                                                                                                    estimate of the burden of the proposed
                                                  also intends to provide additional                                    Transit Trips and Low Transportation
                                                                                                                                                                                                    collection of information;
                                                  instructions to clarify that additional                               Cots) that can be made to better inform
                                                  data items may be provided in the                                     a fair housing analysis of transportation                                     (3) Ways to enhance the quality,
                                                  online available data that do not                                     access and whether transportation                                           utility, and clarity of the information to
                                                  necessarily require the program                                       provides access to areas of opportunity?                                    be collected; and
                                                  participant to respond to or include in                               Should HUD adjust the Environmental                                           (4) Ways to minimize the burden of
                                                  their final submission as an attached                                 Health Index with new variables and/or                                      the collection of information on those
                                                  map or table, but are provided for the                                a revised formula?                                                          who are to respond, including through
                                                  program participants benefit in                                          5. Should HUD add Home Mortgage                                          the use of appropriate automated
                                                  conducting additional levels of                                       Disclosure Act (HMDA) data to inform                                        collection techniques or other forms of
                                                  analyses. The public and, in particular                               a fair housing analysis of lending                                          information technology, e.g., permitting
                                                  affected HUD program participants are                                 practices and trends? Which types of                                        electronic submission of responses.
                                                  invited to comment on the following                                   HMDA data would be most useful (e.g.,
                                                                                                                        loan origination data, data on                                                HUD encourages not only program
                                                  specific questions. For each of these
                                                                                                                        conventional loans compared to FHA                                          participants but interested persons to
                                                  questions, in addition to answering the
                                                                                                                        loans, etc.)?                                                               submit comments regarding the
                                                  question, HUD asks commenters to
                                                                                                                           6. Should HUD distinguish between 9                                      information collection requirements in
                                                  explain why the issue or issues posed in
                                                                                                                        percent and 4 percent tax credits in the                                    this proposal. Comments must be
                                                  each question either would or would
                                                                                                                        Low-Income Housing Tax Credit                                               received by May 23, 2016 to
                                                  not be helpful from a fair housing
                                                                                                                        (LIHTC) data being provided, including                                      www.regulations.gov as provided under
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                                                  perspective to have this additional level
                                                                                                                        in maps of development locations?                                           the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
                                                  of detail presented in the question.
                                                     1. Should R/ECAPs be amended to                                       7. Should HUD make any other                                             Comments must refer to the proposal by
                                                  exclude college students from the                                     changes to the Local Government                                             name and docket number (FR–5173–N–
                                                  calculation of poverty rate?                                          Assessment Tool to facilitate joint or                                      10).
                                                     2. Should HUD provide additional                                   regional collaboration or facilitate a                                        HUD encourages interested parties to
                                                  data on homeownership and rental                                      meaningful fair housing analysis and                                        submit comment in response to these
                                                  housing, including maps and tables (e.g.                              priority and goal setting?                                                  questions.


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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 23, 2016 / Notices                                               15549

                                                    Dated: March 17, 2016.                                public comment periods under the                      above. Again, all submissions must refer to
                                                  George D. Williams, Sr.,                                Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD issued                   the docket number and title of the notice.
                                                  Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy,                  the Local Government Assessment Tool.                   No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile
                                                  Legislative Initiatives, and Outreach.                  On March 11, 2016, at 81 FR 12921,                    (FAX) comments are not acceptable.
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–06600 Filed 3–22–16; 8:45 am]             HUD issued for public comment the                       Public Inspection of Public
                                                  BILLING CODE 4210–67–P                                  proposed State and Insular Area                       Comments. All properly submitted
                                                                                                          Assessment Tool for a 60-day period of                comments and communications
                                                                                                          public comment.                                       submitted to HUD will be available for
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND                                  This Notice solicits public comment                public inspection and copying between
                                                  URBAN DEVELOPMENT                                       for a period of 60 days on the proposed               8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the above
                                                                                                          PHA Assessment Tool. In seeking                       address. Due to security measures at the
                                                  [Docket No. FR–5173–N–09]
                                                                                                          comment for a period of 60 days, this                 HUD Headquarters building, an advance
                                                  Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing                   notice commences the process for                      appointment to review the public
                                                  Assessment Tool for Public Housing                      compliance with the Paperwork                         comments must be scheduled by calling
                                                  Agencies Solicitation of Comment—60-                    Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). The PRA                  the Regulations Division at 202–708–
                                                  Day Notice Under Paperwork                              requires two public comment periods—                  3055 (this is not a toll-free number).
                                                  Reduction Act of 1995                                   a public comment period of 60 days and                Individuals who are deaf or hard of
                                                                                                          a second comment period of 30 days.                   hearing and individuals with speech
                                                  AGENCY:  Office of the Assistant                        After consideration of the public                     impairments may access this number
                                                  Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal                    comments submitted in response to this                via TTY by calling the Federal Relay
                                                  Opportunity, HUD.                                       notice, HUD will solicit a second round               Service at 800–877–8339. Copies of all
                                                  ACTION: Notice.                                         of public comments for a period of 30                 comments submitted are available for
                                                                                                          days on the proposed PHA Assessment                   inspection and downloading at
                                                  SUMMARY:    On July 16, 2015, HUD
                                                                                                          Tool.                                                 www.regulations.gov.
                                                  published the Affirmatively Furthering
                                                  Fair Housing (AFFH) final rule that                     DATES: Comment Due Date: May 23,                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  provides HUD program participants                       2016.                                                 Dustin Parks, Office of Fair Housing and
                                                  with a new process for planning for fair                ADDRESSES: Interested persons are                     Equal Opportunity, Department of
                                                  housing outcomes that will assist them                  invited to submit comments regarding                  Housing and Urban Development, 451
                                                  in meeting their statutory obligation to                this notice to the Regulations Division,              7th Street SW., Room 5249, Washington,
                                                  affirmatively further fair housing. This                Office of General Counsel, Department                 DC 20410–0500; telephone number 202–
                                                  process includes an assessment tool that                of Housing and Urban Development,                     708–1112 (this is not a toll-free
                                                  program participants must use to                        451 7th Street SW., Room 10276,                       number). Persons who are deaf or hard
                                                  evaluate fair housing choice and access                 Washington, DC 20410–0500.                            of hearing and persons with speech
                                                  to opportunity in their jurisdictions, to               Communications must refer to the above                impairments may access this number
                                                  identify barriers to fair housing choice                docket number and title. There are two                through TTY by calling the toll-free
                                                  and opportunity at the local and                        methods for submitting public                         Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339.
                                                  regional levels, and to set fair housing                comments. All submissions must refer                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  goals to overcome such barriers and                     to the above docket number and title.
                                                  advance fair housing choice.                               1. Submission of Comments by Mail.                 I. Background
                                                     HUD committed to issue three                         Comments may be submitted by mail to                     On July 16, 2015, at 80 FR 42272,
                                                  assessment tools for its program                        the Regulations Division, Office of                   HUD issued its final AFFH rule. The
                                                  participants covered by the AFFH final                  General Counsel, Department of                        AFFH rule provides a new approach to
                                                  rule. One assessment tool is for use by                 Housing and Urban Development, 451                    enable program participants to more
                                                  local governments (Local Government                     7th Street SW., Room 10276,                           fully incorporate fair housing
                                                  Assessment Tool) that receive assistance                Washington, DC 20410–0500.                            considerations into their existing
                                                  under certain grant programs                               2. Electronic Submission of                        planning processes and assist them in
                                                  administered by HUD’s Office of                         Comments. Interested persons may                      their efforts to comply with their duty
                                                  Community Planning and Development                      submit comments electronically through                to affirmatively further fair housing as
                                                  (CPD), as well as by joint and regional                 the Federal eRulemaking Portal at                     required by the Fair Housing Act, which
                                                  collaborations between: (i) Local                       www.regulations.gov. HUD strongly                     is Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act, and
                                                  governments; (ii) one or more local                     encourages commenters to submit                       other authorities. The Fair Housing Act
                                                  governments and one or more public                      comments electronically. Electronic                   not only prohibits discrimination, but,
                                                  housing agency (PHA) partners; and (iii)                submission of comments allows the                     in conjunction with other statutes,
                                                  other collaborations in which such a                    commenter maximum time to prepare                     directs HUD’s program participants to
                                                  local government is designated as the                   and submit a comment, ensures timely                  take meaningful actions to overcome
                                                  lead for the collaboration. The second                  receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to                    historic patterns of segregation, promote
                                                  tool is for States and Insular Areas (State             make public comments immediately                      fair housing choice, and foster inclusive
                                                  and Insular Area Assessment Tool),                      available to the public. Comments                     communities that are free from
                                                  including joint collaborations (with                    submitted electronically through the                  discrimination.
                                                  local governments and/or PHAs, both of                  www.regulations.gov Web site can be                      The new approach established by
                                                  which would require HUD approval)                       viewed by other commenters and                        HUD replaces the existing analysis of
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  where the State is designated as the lead               interested members of the public.                     impediments (AI) process. The
                                                  entity. The third assessment tool, which                Commenters should follow the                          approach is designed to assist program
                                                  is the subject of this Notice, is for PHAs              instructions provided on that site to                 participants in analyzing their fair
                                                  (including for joint collaborations                     submit comments electronically.                       housing environment, identifying fair
                                                  among multiple PHAs) (PHA                                 Note: To receive consideration as public            housing issues and the related
                                                  Assessment Tool). On December 31,                       comments, comments must be submitted                  contributing factors, and setting fair
                                                  2015, following 60-day and 30-day                       through one of the two methods specified              housing goals, and, ultimately, taking


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Document Created: 2016-03-23 00:04:13
Document Modified: 2016-03-23 00:04:13
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
ContactGeorge D. Williams, Sr., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Legislative Initiatives and Outreach, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 5246, Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 866-234-2689 (toll-free). Individuals with hearing or speech impediments may access this number via TTY by calling the toll- free Federal Relay Service during working hours at 1-800-877-8339.
FR Citation81 FR 15546 

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