81 FR 509 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Program Reporting

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 3 (January 6, 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 3 (Wednesday, January 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 509-510]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-33187]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5838-N-11]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Indian Housing 
Block Grant (IHBG) Program Reporting

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
Housing, PIH, 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: March 7, 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: Arlette Mussington, Office of Policy, 
Programs and Legislative Initiatives,

[[Page 510]]

PIH, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., 
(L'Enfant Plaza, Room 2206), Washington, DC 20410; telephone 202-402-
4109, (this is not a toll-free number). Persons with hearing or speech 
impairments may access this number via TTY by calling the Federal 
Information Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Copies of available 
documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Ms. Mussington.

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: Indian Housing Block Grant 
Information Collection, Word, Excel and EPIC Versions of the Indian 
Housing Plan/Annual Performance Report.
    OMB Approval Number: 2577-0218.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Form Number: HUD-52737, HUD-4117, HUD-4119.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use: 
Indian tribes, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, or tribally designated 
housing entities that receive IHBG funds are required annually to 
submit HUD-52737 that consists of two components: The Indian Housing 
Plan (IHP) component and the Annual Performance Report (APR) component.
    The IHP is required by section 102 of the Native American Housing 
Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) and describes the 
eligible IHBG-funded, affordable housing activities the recipient plans 
to conduct for the benefit of low and moderate income tribal members 
and identifies the intended outcomes and outputs for the upcoming 12-
month year. The recipient submits the IHP at least 75 days prior to the 
beginning of its 12-month program year. HUD conducts a limited review 
of the IHP to determine that the planned activities are in compliance 
with NAHASDA requirements, as defined at 24 CFR part 1000.
    At the end of the 12-month period, the recipient submits the APR 
that is required by section 404 of NAHASDA and describes (1) the use of 
grant funds during the prior 12-month period; (2) the actual outcomes 
and outputs achieved; (3) program accomplishments; and (4) jobs 
supported by IHBG-funded activities. HUD uses the information in the 
APR to review the recipient's progress in implementing the IHP, verify 
whether the activities are eligible and to determine if the recipient 
has the capacity to continue implementing the activities described in 
the IHP in a timely manner. The information in the APR also will be 
used to provide Congress, stakeholders, and other interested parties 
with information on how the IHBG funds are being used to meet 
affordable housing needs within Native American communities.
    The IHP/APR is currently available in a Word version, an Excel 
version, and a version on HUD's Energy and Performance Information 
Center (EPIC) Web site. All three versions of the IHP/APR request the 
same information and a recipient may elect to submit to HUD either the 
Word, Excel, or EPIC versions; however, the Excel and EPIC versions are 
preferred because of their automated capabilities and reduced burden.
    Participants in the IHBG program are responsible for notifying HUD 
of changes to the Formula Current Assisted Stock (FCAS) component of 
the IHBG formula. HUD is notified of changes in the FCAS through a 
Formula Response Form (HUD-4117), as defined at 24 CFR 1000.302. A 
tribe, TDHE, or HUD may challenge the data from the U.S. Decennial 
Census or provide an alternative source of data by submitting the 
Guidelines for Challenging U.S. Decennial Census Data Document (HUD-
4119). Census challenges are due March 30th of each fiscal year, as 
defined at 24 CFR 1000.336. This information collection is required of 
participants in the IHBG program to demonstrate compliance with 
eligibility and other requirements of NAHASDA; provision of correction 
or challenge documentation of the formula calculation; and provision of 
data for HUD's annual report to Congress. The information gathered will 
be used to allocate funds under the IHBG program. The quality assurance 
of data reported is a very important issue in maintaining HUD's 
databases used to monitor participant's proposed plans, 
accomplishments, determine program compliance, and to ensure fair and 
equitable allocations. In some cases, the FCAS information addressing 
the conveyances and conversions of units has resulted in the recouping 
of funds. The information collected will allow HUD to accurately audit 
the program.
    Respondents (i.e. affected public): Native American Tribes and 
Tribally Designated Housing Entities, Alaska Natives and Corporations, 
and Native Hawaiians.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 366.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1,047.
    Frequency of Response: The IHP/APR is submitted twice a year and 
the Formula Correction and Formula Challenge forms are submitted once 
per year.
    Average Hours per Response: 60.
    Total Estimated Burdens: 48,028 hours.

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.

C. Authority

    Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 
chapter 35 as amended.

    Dated: December 30, 2015.
Danielle Bastarache,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy, Programs and Legislative 
Initiatives.
[FR Doc. 2015-33187 Filed 1-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P