82 FR 32568 - 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Housing Counseling Program-Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling Agency

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 134 (July 14, 2017)

Page Range		32568-32569
FR Document		2017-14805

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 82 Issue 134 (Friday, July 14, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 134 (Friday, July 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32568-32569]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14805]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-6001-N-26]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Housing 
Counseling Program--Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling 
Agency

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal Housing 
Commissioner, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: HUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In 
accordance with the 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: September 12, 2017.

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: Kim Jakeway, Senior Housing Program 
Officer, Office of Outreach and Capacity Building, Office of Housing 
Counseling, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 3000 C Street, 
Suite 401, Anchorage, AK 99503; [email protected] or telephone (907) 
677-9848. 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: Application for Approval as a 
Housing Counseling Agency.
    OMB Approval Number: 2502-0573.
    Type of Request: Revision.
    Form Number: HUD-9900.
    Description of the need for the information and proposed use: The 
Office of Housing Counseling is responsible for administration of the 
Department's Housing Counseling Program, authorized by Section 106 of 
the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. The Housing 
Counseling Program supports the delivery of a wide variety of housing 
counseling services to homebuyers, homeowners, low- to moderate-income 
renters, and the homeless. The primary objective of the program is to 
educate families and individuals in order to help them make smart 
decisions regarding improving their housing situation and meeting the 
responsibilities of tenancy and homeownership, including through budget 
and financial counseling. Counselors also help borrowers avoid 
predatory lending practices, such as inflated appraisals, unreasonably 
high interest rates, unaffordable repayment terms, and other conditions 
that can result in a loss of equity, increased debt, default, and 
possible foreclosure. Counselors may also provide reverse mortgage 
counseling to elderly homeowners who seek to convert equity in their 
homes to pay for home improvements, medical costs, living expenses or 
other expenses. Additionally, housing counselors may distribute and be 
a resource for information concerning Fair Housing and Fair Lending. 
The Housing Counseling Program is instrumental to achievement of HUD's 
mission. The Program's far-reaching effects support numerous 
departmental programs, including Federal Housing Administration (FHA) 
single family housing programs.
    Approximately 1,900 HUD-participating agencies provide housing 
counseling services nation-wide currently. Of these, approximately 920 
have been directly approved by HUD. HUD maintains a list of these 
agencies so that individuals in need of assistance can easily access 
the nearest HUD-approved housing counseling agency via HUD's Web site, 
an automated 1-800 Hotline, or a smart phone application. HUD Form 
9900, Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling Agency, is 
necessary to make sure that people who contact a HUD approved agency 
can have confidence they will receive quality service and these 
agencies meet HUD requirements for approval.
    To participate in HUD's Housing Counseling Program, a housing 
counseling agency must first be approved by HUD. Approval entails 
meeting various requirements relating to experience and capacity, 
including nonprofit status, a minimum of one year of housing counseling 
experience in the target community, and sufficient resources to 
implement a housing counseling plan. Eligible organizations include 
local housing counseling agencies, private or public organizations 
(including grassroots, faith-based and other community-based 
organizations) such as nonprofit, state, or public housing authorities 
that meet the Program criteria. HUD uses form HUD-9900 to evaluate 
whether applying organizations meet minimum

[[Page 32569]]

requirements to participate in the Housing Counseling Program. The 
instruction on how to become a HUD approved Housing Counseling Agency 
is found at https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/housing-counseling/agency-application/. HUD is seeking a revision for the Application for 
Approval as a Housing Counseling Agency, form HUD-9900. There have been 
no changes in program eligibility requirements. The form will be 
updated to reflect a streamlined, fillable PDF interactive version and 
will continue to require electronic submission of applications through 
email in place of paper submissions.
    Respondents (i.e. affected public): Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 800.
    Estimated Number of Response: 800.
    Frequency of Response: 1.
    Average Hours per Response: 8.
    Total Estimated Burdens: 6400.

B. Solicitation of Public Comment

    This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and 
affected parties concerning the collection of information described in 
Section A on the following:
    (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on those who are to respond; including 
through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission 
of responses.
    HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to 
these questions.

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

    Dated: June 21, 2017.
Genger Charles,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Housing.
[FR Doc. 2017-14805 Filed 7-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P

32568 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 134 / Friday, July 14, 2017 / Notices

necessary for determining to which R&D Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is families and individuals in order to help
programs the company or product may requesting comment from all interested them make smart decisions regarding
be of interest, alignment to current and parties on the proposed collection of improving their housing situation and
future needs of S&T and its customers information. The purpose of this notice meeting the responsibilities of tenancy
in the homeland security enterprise, and is to allow for 60 days of public and homeownership, including through
how best to partner with the company. comment. budget and financial counseling.
DATES: Comments Due Date: September
Counselors also help borrowers avoid
Overview of This Information predatory lending practices, such as
Collection 12, 2017.
inflated appraisals, unreasonably high
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
(1) Type of Information Collection: interest rates, unaffordable repayment
New information collection. invited to submit comments regarding
terms, and other conditions that can
(2) Title of the Form/Collection: DHS this proposal. Comments should refer to result in a loss of equity, increased debt,
S&T Industry Outreach Information the proposal by name and/or OMB default, and possible foreclosure.
Form. Control Number and should be sent to: Counselors may also provide reverse
(3) Agency Form Number, if any, and Colette Pollard, Reports Management mortgage counseling to elderly
the applicable component of the Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing homeowners who seek to convert equity
Department of Homeland Security and Urban Development, 451 7th Street in their homes to pay for home
sponsoring the collection: Department of SW., Room 4176, Washington, DC improvements, medical costs, living
Homeland Security, Science & 20410–5000; telephone 202–402–3400 expenses or other expenses.
Technology Directorate—DHS S&T (this is not a toll-free number) or email Additionally, housing counselors may
Industry Outreach Information Form at Colette.Pollard@hud.gov for a copy of distribute and be a resource for
(DHS Form 026–01)). the proposed forms or other available information concerning Fair Housing
(4) Affected public who will be asked information. Persons with hearing or and Fair Lending. The Housing
or required to respond, as well as a brief speech impairments may access this Counseling Program is instrumental to
abstract: Private sector companies who number through TTY by calling the toll- achievement of HUD’s mission. The
are making significant investments in free Federal Relay Service at (800) 877– Program’s far-reaching effects support
innovative technology development 8339. numerous departmental programs,
with whom S&T seeks to leverage those FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim including Federal Housing
investments to meet the needs of the Jakeway, Senior Housing Program Administration (FHA) single family
homeland security enterprise. Officer, Office of Outreach and Capacity housing programs.
(5) An estimate of the total number of Building, Office of Housing Counseling, Approximately 1,900 HUD-
respondents and the amount of time Department of Housing and Urban participating agencies provide housing
estimated for an average respondent to Development, 3000 C Street, Suite 401, counseling services nation-wide
respond: Anchorage, AK 99503; kim.jakeway@ currently. Of these, approximately 920
a. Estimate of the total number of hud.gov or telephone (907) 677–9848. have been directly approved by HUD.
respondents: 312. This is not a toll-free number. Persons HUD maintains a list of these agencies
b. An estimate of the time for an with hearing or speech impairments so that individuals in need of assistance
average respondent to respond: .050 may access this number through TTY by can easily access the nearest HUD-
burden hours. calling the toll-free Federal Relay approved housing counseling agency via
c. An estimate of the total public Service at (800) 877–8339. Copies of HUD’s Web site, an automated 1–800
burden (in hours) associated with the available documents submitted to OMB Hotline, or a smart phone application.
collection: 156 burden hours. may be obtained from Ms. Pollard. HUD Form 9900, Application for
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Approval as a Housing Counseling
Dated: July 7, 2017.
notice informs the public that HUD is Agency, is necessary to make sure that
Rick Stevens, people who contact a HUD approved
seeking approval from OMB for the
Chief Information Officer, Science and agency can have confidence they will
information collection described in
Technology Directorate. receive quality service and these
Section A.
[FR Doc. 2017–14869 Filed 7–13–17; 8:45 am] agencies meet HUD requirements for
BILLING CODE 9110–9F–P A. Overview of Information Collection approval.
Title of Information Collection: To participate in HUD’s Housing
Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling Program, a housing
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND Counseling Agency. counseling agency must first be
URBAN DEVELOPMENT OMB Approval Number: 2502–0573. approved by HUD. Approval entails
Type of Request: Revision. meeting various requirements relating to
[Docket No. FR–6001–N–26] Form Number: HUD–9900. experience and capacity, including
Description of the need for the nonprofit status, a minimum of one year
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information
information and proposed use: The of housing counseling experience in the
Collection: Housing Counseling
Office of Housing Counseling is target community, and sufficient
Program—Application for Approval as
responsible for administration of the resources to implement a housing
a Housing Counseling Agency
Department’s Housing Counseling counseling plan. Eligible organizations
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Program, authorized by Section 106 of include local housing counseling
Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing the Housing and Urban Development agencies, private or public organizations
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

Commissioner, HUD. Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. The Housing (including grassroots, faith-based and
ACTION: Notice. Counseling Program supports the other community-based organizations)
delivery of a wide variety of housing such as nonprofit, state, or public
SUMMARY: HUD is seeking approval from counseling services to homebuyers, housing authorities that meet the
the Office of Management and Budget homeowners, low- to moderate-income Program criteria. HUD uses form HUD–
(OMB) for the information collection renters, and the homeless. The primary 9900 to evaluate whether applying
described below. In accordance with the objective of the program is to educate organizations meet minimum

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 134 / Friday, July 14, 2017 / Notices 32569

requirements to participate in the DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND A. Overview of Information Collection
Housing Counseling Program. The URBAN DEVELOPMENT
instruction on how to become a HUD Title of Information Collection:
Request for Prepayment of Section 202
approved Housing Counseling Agency is [Docket No. FR–6001–N–27] or 202/8 Project.
found at https://www.hudexchange.info
/programs/housing-counseling/agency- 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information OMB Approval Number: 2502–0554.
application/. HUD is seeking a revision Collection: Request for Prepayment of Type of Request: Revision of a
for the Application for Approval as a Section 202 or 202/8 Direct Loan currently approved collection.
Housing Counseling Agency, form Project Form Number: 9808.
HUD–9900. There have been no changes Description of the need for the
in program eligibility requirements. The AGENCY: Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing information and proposed use: Owners
form will be updated to reflect a of Section 202 projects use the form as
streamlined, fillable PDF interactive Commissioner, HUD.
the initial application to prepay their
version and will continue to require ACTION: Notice. Section 202 Direct Loan and provide
electronic submission of applications narrative information relative to the
through email in place of paper SUMMARY: HUD is seeking approval from prepayment that must be reviewed by
submissions. the Office of Management and Budget HUD staff, including a draft the
Respondents (i.e. affected public): (OMB) for the information collection applicable Use Agreement required in
described below. In accordance with the most prepayments.
Not-for-profit institutions.
Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is Respondents (i.e., affected public):
Estimated Number of Respondents: requesting comment from all interested Business, Not for profit institutions
800. parties on the proposed collection of
Estimated Number of Respondents:
Estimated Number of Response: 800. information. The purpose of this notice
1,566.
is to allow for 60 days of public
Frequency of Response: 1. Estimated Number of Responses:
comment.
Average Hours per Response: 8. 1,566.
Total Estimated Burdens: 6400. DATES: Comments Due Date: September Frequency of Response: On occasion.
12, 2017.
B. Solicitation of Public Comment Average Hours per Response: 1 hours.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are Total Estimated Burdens: 1,566.
This notice is soliciting comments invited to submit comments regarding
from members of the public and affected this proposal. Comments should refer to B. Solicitation of Public Comment
parties concerning the collection of the proposal by name and/or OMB
This notice is soliciting comments
information described in Section A on Control Number and should be sent to:
from members of the public and affected
the following: Colette Pollard, Reports Management
parties concerning the collection of
Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing
(1) Whether the proposed collection information described in Section A on
and Urban Development, 451 7th Street
of information is necessary for the the following:
SW., Room 4176, Washington, DC
proper performance of the functions of 20410–5000; telephone 202–402–3400 (1) Whether the proposed collection
the agency, including whether the (this is not a toll-free number) or email of information is necessary for the
information will have practical utility; at Colette.Pollard@hud.gov for a copy of proper performance of the functions of
(2) The accuracy of the agency’s the proposed forms or other available the agency, including whether the
estimate of the burden of the proposed information. Persons with hearing or information will have practical utility;
collection of information; (3) Ways to speech impairments may access this (2) The accuracy of the agency’s
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity number through TTY by calling the toll- estimate of the burden of the proposed
of the information to be collected; and free Federal Relay Service at (800) collection of information;
(4) Ways to minimize the burden of the 8778339. (3) Ways to enhance the quality,
collection of information on those who utility, and clarity of the information to
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
are to respond; including through the be collected; and
Colette Pollard, Reports Management
use of appropriate automated collection (4) Ways to minimize the burden of
Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing
techniques or other forms of information and Urban Development, 451 7th Street the collection of information on those
technology, e.g., permitting electronic SW., Washington, DC 20410; email who are to respond; including through
submission of responses. Colette Pollard at Colette.Pollard@ the use of appropriate automated
HUD encourages interested parties to hud.gov or telephone 202–402–3400. collection techniques or other forms of
submit comment in response to these This is not a toll-free number. Persons information technology, e.g., permitting
questions. with hearing or speech impairments electronic submission of responses.
Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork
may access this number through TTY by HUD encourages interested parties to
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
calling the toll-free Federal Relay submit comment in response to these
Service at (800) 8778339. questions.
Dated: June 21, 2017.
Copies of available documents Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

Genger Charles, submitted to OMB may be obtained Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35.
General Deputy Assistant Secretary for from Ms. Pollard. Dated: June 23, 2017.
Housing.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Genger Charles,
[FR Doc. 2017–14805 Filed 7–13–17; 8:45 am]
notice informs the public that HUD is General Deputy Assistant Secretary for
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P Housing.
seeking approval from OMB for the
information collection described in [FR Doc. 2017–14804 Filed 7–13–17; 8:45 am]
Section A. BILLING CODE 4210–67–P

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Document Created: 2018-10-24 11:18:18
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 11:18:18

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Comments Due Date: September 12, 2017.
Contact		Kim Jakeway, Senior Housing Program Officer, Office of Outreach and Capacity Building, Office of Housing Counseling, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 3000 C Street, Suite 401, Anchorage, AK 99503; [email protected] or telephone (907) 677-9848. 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.
FR Citation		82 FR 32568