81 FR 17489 - 60 Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Public Comment on the: ConnectHome Use and Barriers Focus Groups

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 60 (March 29, 2016)

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 81, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 17489]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07063]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5915-N-02]


60 Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Public 
Comment on the: ConnectHome Use and Barriers Focus Groups

AGENCY: Office of Policy Development and Research, HUD.

ACTION: Notice of proposed information collection.

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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: May 31, 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: 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: ConnectHome Use and Barriers Focus 
Groups.
    OMB Approval Number: Pending.
    Type of Request: New.
    Form Number: Focus groups.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use: 
President Barack Obama and HUD Secretary Juli[aacute]n Castro announced 
ConnectHome on July 15, 2015, as the next step in the Obama 
Administration's efforts to increase access to high-speed Internet 
access for all Americans. Through public-private partnerships, 
nonprofit organizations, businesses, and Internet service providers 
(ISPs), ConnectHome will offer high-speed Internet service, devices, 
technical training, and digital literacy programs to residents of HUD-
assisted housing in 28 pilot communities, including the Choctaw Nation 
of Oklahoma.
    As communities begin to implement ConnectHome in 2016 and connect 
residents to Internet access within their homes, these focus groups 
will illuminate how families are taking advantage of ConnectHome as 
well as barriers they may encounter. The focus groups will explore 
ConnectHome subscribers' previous broadband access, current and planned 
patterns of use, and current and anticipated benefits of their at-home 
high-speed Internet access. Questions will emphasize educational 
Internet use such as completing homework, connecting parents with 
educators, and applying to college. In addition, the focus groups will 
explore barriers to signing up for ConnectHome, securing devices, and 
using the Internet.
    Respondents (i.e. affected public): ConnectHome-eligible residents 
in 5 of the 28 pilot communities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 45 total--9 respondents each at 5 
ConnectHome sites.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Average Hours per Response: 1.5 hours.
    Total Estimated Burden: 67.5 hours.
    Respondents' Obligation: Voluntary.

B. Solicitation of Public Comment

    This notice solicits 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: March 22, 2016.
Katherine M. O'Regan,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy Development and Research.
[FR Doc. 2016-07063 Filed 3-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P