82 FR 58439 - Notice for Suspension of Small Area Fair Market Rent (Small Area FMR) Designations; Solicitation of Comment

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 237 (December 12, 2017)

Page Range		58439-58441
FR Document		2017-26695

On August 10, 2017, pursuant to the authority provided in regulation, HUD suspended for two years the designation for the mandatory use of Small Area Fair Market Rents (Small Area FMRs) for certain metropolitan areas that had previously been designated for Small Area FMR use (Suspension). After HUD provided notice of this suspension, interested persons requested an opportunity to review and comment on the Suspension. While HUD is not required to post the Suspension for public comment, this notice solicits comment for a period of 30 days. At the expiration of the 30-day period, HUD will review the comments and consider if any further changes to the Suspension are necessary.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 237 (Tuesday, December 12, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58439-58441]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26695]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-6070-N-01]

Notice for Suspension of Small Area Fair Market Rent (Small Area
FMR) Designations; Solicitation of Comment

AGENCY: Office of Public and Indian Housing, HUD.

ACTION: Notice; solicitation of comment.

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SUMMARY: On August 10, 2017, pursuant to the authority provided in
regulation, HUD suspended for two years the designation for the
mandatory use of Small Area Fair Market Rents (Small Area FMRs) for
certain metropolitan areas that had previously been designated for
Small Area FMR use (Suspension). After HUD provided notice of this
suspension, interested persons requested an opportunity to review and
comment on the Suspension. While HUD is not required to post the
Suspension for public comment, this notice solicits comment for a
period of 30 days. At the expiration of the 30-day period, HUD will
review the comments and consider if any further changes to the
Suspension are necessary.

DATES: Comment Due Date: January 11, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding
this notice, and HUD's temporary suspension of the use of Small Area
FMRs, 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.
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.
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 comments immediately available
to the public. Comments submitted electronically through the
www.regulations.gov website 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 appointment to review the public comments must be
scheduled in advance by calling the Regulations Division at 202-708-
3055 (this is not a toll-free number). Individuals with

[[Page 58440]]

speech or hearing impairments may access this number via TTY by calling
the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 (this is a toll-free
number). Copies of all comments submitted are available for inspection
and downloading at www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd M. Richardson, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Office of Policy Development, Office of Policy Development
and Research, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th
Street SW, Room 4130, Washington, DC 20410, 202-708-1537, ext. 5706
(this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since October 2011, all Public Housing
Agencies (PHAs) operating the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program in
the Dallas, TX HUD Metro FMR Area have been using Small Area Fair
Market Rents (Small Area FMRs). The use of Small Area FMRs was intended
to give HCV families access to areas of high opportunity and lower
poverty by providing a subsidy that is adequate to cover rents in those
areas, thereby reducing the number of voucher families that reside in
areas of high poverty concentration. The PHAs in Dallas began using
Small Area FMRs as the result of a legal settlement.
HUD announced the commencement of the Small Area FMR demonstration
in November 2012. Five PHAs participated voluntarily in this
demonstration, which sought to assess the effect on families of using
FMRs published at the U.S. Postal Service ZIP code level (i.e., Small
Area FMRs) in lieu of FMRs published at the metropolitan area level.\1\
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\1\ Four of the five demonstration PHAs requested and were
permitted by HUD to continue using Small Area FMRs in the operation
of their HCV programs after the demonstration ended.
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In 2015, HUD awarded a cooperative agreement to Abt Associates to
evaluate the use of Small Area FMRs by the five PHAs that voluntarily
participated in the demonstration, as well as two PHAs operating the
voucher program in the Dallas, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. Abt was charged
with examining whether and to what extent providing higher subsidies in
ZIP code areas where rents are higher, and lower subsidies in ZIP code
areas where rents are lower, helps HCV families to better access areas
of opportunity. HUD also requested that the evaluation examine how the
transition from metropolitan-wide to Small Area FMRs affected families
and landlords, and the impact of Small Area FMRs on HCV subsidy and
administrative costs.
On November 16, 2016, HUD published its ``Establishing a More
Effective Fair Market Rent System; Using Small Area Fair Market Rents
in the Housing Choice Voucher Program Instead of the Current 50th
Percentile FMR'' final rule (81 FR 80567). This final rule required the
use of Small Area FMRs in certain metropolitan areas instead of the
50th percentile rent previously used. On the same day, HUD published a
notice listing areas in which the use of Small Area FMRs is mandatory
beginning on October 1, 2017 (81 FR 80678).
On April 26, 2017, HUD received Abt's Small Area Fair Market Rent
Demonstration Evaluation Interim Report.\2\ The Interim Report examines
changes in outcomes from 2010 to 2015 and documents several findings
that HUD finds concerning. In addition, it indicates that further
research is needed to address several critical questions with respect
to the potential harm to HCV families (both participants and
applicants) and PHAs in areas transitioning to Small Area FMRs.
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\2\ The Small Area Fair Market Rent Demonstration Evaluation
Interim Report may be found at https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/SAFMR-Interim-Report.pdf.
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On August 10, 2017, pursuant to the authority provided in
regulation, HUD suspended the designation for the mandatory use of
Small Area FMRs for 23 of the 24 metropolitan areas that would become
subject to the requirement on October 1, 2017 (Suspension).\3\ The
Suspension was made pursuant to 24 CFR 888.113(c)(4), which provides
that HUD may suspend the Small Area FMR designation for a metropolitan
area when HUD by notice makes a documented determination that such
action is warranted. Specifically, Sec. 888.113(c)(4) provides:
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\3\ The Small Area FMR designation remains in effect for the
Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metro Division (also referred to as the
Dallas, TX HUD Metro FMR Area). All PHAs administering the HCV
program in the Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metro Division have been
using Small Area FMRs since 2011 as a result of a legal settlement.

HUD will designate Small Area FMR areas at the beginning of a
Federal fiscal year, such designations will be permanent, and [HUD]
will make new area designations thereafter as new data becomes
available. HUD may suspend a Small Area FMR designation from a
metropolitan area, or may temporarily exempt a PHA in a Small Area
FMR metropolitan area from use of the Small Area FMRs, when HUD by
notice makes a documented determination that such action is
warranted. Actions that may serve as the basis of a suspension of
Small Area FMRs are:
i. A Presidentially declared disaster area that results in the
loss of a substantial number of housing units;
ii. A sudden influx of displaced households needing permanent
housing; or
iii. Other events as determined by the Secretary (emphasis
added).

Based on the findings in Abt's Small Area Fair Market Rent
Demonstration Evaluation Interim Report, summarized above, HUD has
concerns that the mandatory use of Small Area FMRs, without sufficient
preparation and mitigation of potential unintended consequences, could
put some PHAs at risk of causing an adverse rental housing market
condition. Accordingly, after careful consideration, HUD issued the
Suspension of the Small Area FMR designation for 23 of the 24
metropolitan areas that had previously been designated for mandatory
Small Area FMR use. The Suspension was for two Federal fiscal years
(FYs), becoming effective at the beginning of FY 2020 (October 1, 2019)
instead of FY 2018. To provide notice to affected PHAs, HUD sent
letters to more than 200 PHAs in the 23 metropolitan areas noted in the
Suspension. Additionally, HUD posted an article regarding the
Suspension on its website.\4\
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\4\ See HUD, Giving Public Housing Agencies More Time to
Succeed, PD&R Edge, https://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-frm-asst-sec-082817.html.
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The delayed implementation of mandatory Small Area FMR adoption
will provide HUD with reasonable time to analyze the final findings of
the demonstration and determine what measures are necessary to mitigate
negative effects, if possible. For example, the delay may allow HUD to
develop guidance and technical assistance that is informed by the
lessons learned from the demonstration.
Notwithstanding the exercise of this authority, the Small Area FMR
Rule permits any PHA that voluntarily seeks to adopt SAFMRs to do so.
The program regulations at 24 CFR 888.113(c)(3) provide that a PHA
administering an HCV program in a metropolitan area not subject to the
mandatory application of Small Area FMRs may opt to use Small Area FMRs
by seeking approval from HUD's Office of Public and Indian Housing
(PIH) through written request to PIH. In light of the findings of Abt's
Small Area Fair Market Rent Demonstration Evaluation Interim Report
referenced above, should HUD receive a request under this provision,
HUD will consider in its approval determination a PHA's ability to
provide reasonable assurance that adoption of Small Area FMRs will not
result in an adverse housing market condition.
With this notice, HUD seeks public comment on the Suspension. While

[[Page 58441]]

HUD is not required to post the Suspension for public comment, this
notice solicits comment for a period of 30 days. At the expiration of
the 30-day period, HUD will review the comments and consider if any
further changes to the Suspension are necessary. Interested parties can
find the Suspension in the Supporting Documents section of the docket
associated with this notice, at www.regulations.gov, and on HUD's
website at https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr/smallarea/index.html.

Dated: December 1, 2017.
Dominique Blom,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Public and Indian
Housing.
[FR Doc. 2017-26695 Filed 12-11-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 12, 2017 / Notices 58439

takes this approach to recognize the 6. HUD currently permits, and funds, for a period of 30 days. At the expiration
potential life-changing impacts of FSS programs at MTW agencies. of the 30-day period, HUD will review
helping individuals move from However, MTW agencies are only the comments and consider if any
unemployment to high-paying jobs. required to report select FSS data fields further changes to the Suspension are
Such impacts are captured in looking at into the PIC system. HUD requests necessary.
average earnings growth, but might be suggestions on how to best capture DATES: Comment Due Date: January 11,
missed in looking only at the median information on MTW FSS participants 2018.
growth. It is appropriate in this context to determine a score. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
to use averages, or should HUD switch 7. How should HUD evaluate FSS invited to submit comments regarding
to medians instead? programs offered by HUD-assisted this notice, and HUD’s temporary
3. Has HUD adequately accounted for multifamily properties with Section 8 suspension of the use of Small Area
variations in local economic conditions? contracts? These programs are very new FMRs, to the Regulations Division,
If not, what further adjustments should and currently submit quarterly Office of General Counsel, Department
be made? The earnings performance spreadsheets rather than an FSS of Housing and Urban Development,
measure accounts for local economic addendum integrated into a HUD data 451 7th Street SW, Room 10276,
conditions by comparing the earnings reporting system. Washington, DC 20410–0500.
growth for FSS participants at a PHA to VIII. Environmental Impact Communications must refer to the above
the earnings growth for non-FSS docket number and title. There are two
participants at the same PHA with This notice does not direct, provide methods for submitting public
similar characteristics. The assumption for assistance or loan and mortgage comments. All submissions must refer
underlying this approach is that insurance for, or otherwise govern or to the above docket number and title.
earnings growth for non-FSS regulate, real property acquisition, Submission of Comments by Mail.
participants will be higher in areas with disposition, leasing, rehabilitation, Comments may be submitted by mail to
stronger job markets than in areas with alteration, demolition, or new the Regulations Division, Office of
weaker job markets. To attain the same construction, or establish, revise or General Counsel, Department of
earnings performance measure, a PHA provide for standards for construction or Housing and Urban Development, 451
in an area with a strong job market construction materials, manufactured 7th Street SW, Room 10276,
would thus need to demonstrate a housing, or occupancy. Accordingly, Washington, DC 20410–0500.
higher level of earnings growth among under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(1), this notice is Electronic Submission of Comments.
FSS participants than would a PHA in categorically excluded from Interested persons may submit
an area with a weaker job market. After environmental review under the comments electronically through the
calculating the difference between National Environmental Policy Act of Federal eRulemaking Portal at
earnings growth for FSS and non-FSS 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321). www.regulations.gov. HUD strongly
participants at a PHA, the proposed Dated: December 5, 2017. encourages commenters to submit
system makes no further adjustments. Dominique Blom, comments electronically. Electronic
Should HUD further adjust its system to General Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office submission of comments allows the
account for variations in local economic of Public and Indian Housing. commenter maximum time to prepare
conditions, and if so, how should HUD [FR Doc. 2017–26696 Filed 12–11–17; 8:45 am] and submit a comment, ensures timely
make this adjustment? For example, BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to
HUD could divide the earnings make comments immediately available
performance measure by the average to the public. Comments submitted
starting earnings for a PHA’s FSS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND electronically through the
participants and then compare the URBAN DEVELOPMENT www.regulations.gov website can be
resulting percentages across PHAs. viewed by other commenters and
Further, HUD could adjust the earnings [Docket No. FR–6070–N–01] interested members of the public.
performance measures by an index that Commenters should follow the
accounts for local economic conditions. Notice for Suspension of Small Area
instructions provided on that site to
Fair Market Rent (Small Area FMR)
4. HUD currently allows a PHA to submit comments electronically.
Designations; Solicitation of Comment
count FSS participants living in Note: To receive consideration as public
multifamily FSS programs toward the AGENCY: Office of Public and Indian comments, comments must be submitted
minimum number of participants Housing, HUD. through one of the two methods specified
required to be served in order to qualify ACTION: Notice; solicitation of comment.
above. Again, all submissions must refer to
for FSS funding. The PIC data system, the docket number and title of the notice.
however, does not capture information SUMMARY: On August 10, 2017, pursuant No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile
on multifamily FSS participants. HUD to the authority provided in regulation, (fax) comments are not acceptable.
requests suggestions on how best to HUD suspended for two years the Public Inspection of Public
capture information on multifamily FSS designation for the mandatory use of Comments. All properly submitted
participants being served by a PHA’s Small Area Fair Market Rents (Small comments and communications
FSS coordinator to determine a PHA’s Area FMRs) for certain metropolitan submitted to HUD will be available for
participation rate. areas that had previously been public inspection and copying between
5. HUD currently permits, and funds, designated for Small Area FMR use 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the above
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

FSS programs in Tribes and Tribally (Suspension). After HUD provided address. Due to security measures at the
Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs). notice of this suspension, interested HUD Headquarters building, an
However, Tribes and TDHEs do not persons requested an opportunity to appointment to review the public
report into the PIC data system. HUD review and comment on the comments must be scheduled in
requests suggestions on how to best Suspension. While HUD is not required advance by calling the Regulations
capture information on tribal FSS to post the Suspension for public Division at 202–708–3055 (this is not a
participants to determine a score. comment, this notice solicits comment toll-free number). Individuals with

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58440 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 12, 2017 / Notices

speech or hearing impairments may On November 16, 2016, HUD ii. A sudden influx of displaced
access this number via TTY by calling published its ‘‘Establishing a More households needing permanent housing; or
the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877– Effective Fair Market Rent System; iii. Other events as determined by the
Using Small Area Fair Market Rents in Secretary (emphasis added).
8339 (this is a toll-free number). Copies
of all comments submitted are available the Housing Choice Voucher Program Based on the findings in Abt’s Small
for inspection and downloading at Instead of the Current 50th Percentile Area Fair Market Rent Demonstration
www.regulations.gov. FMR’’ final rule (81 FR 80567). This Evaluation Interim Report, summarized
final rule required the use of Small Area above, HUD has concerns that the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
FMRs in certain metropolitan areas mandatory use of Small Area FMRs,
Todd M. Richardson, Deputy Assistant
instead of the 50th percentile rent without sufficient preparation and
Secretary, Office of Policy Development,
previously used. On the same day, HUD mitigation of potential unintended
Office of Policy Development and
published a notice listing areas in which consequences, could put some PHAs at
Research, Department of Housing and
the use of Small Area FMRs is risk of causing an adverse rental
Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW,
mandatory beginning on October 1, housing market condition. Accordingly,
Room 4130, Washington, DC 20410,
2017 (81 FR 80678). after careful consideration, HUD issued
202–708–1537, ext. 5706 (this is not a On April 26, 2017, HUD received the Suspension of the Small Area FMR
toll-free number). Abt’s Small Area Fair Market Rent designation for 23 of the 24
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since Demonstration Evaluation Interim metropolitan areas that had previously
October 2011, all Public Housing Report.2 The Interim Report examines been designated for mandatory Small
Agencies (PHAs) operating the Housing changes in outcomes from 2010 to 2015 Area FMR use. The Suspension was for
Choice Voucher (HCV) program in the and documents several findings that two Federal fiscal years (FYs), becoming
Dallas, TX HUD Metro FMR Area have HUD finds concerning. In addition, it effective at the beginning of FY 2020
been using Small Area Fair Market indicates that further research is needed (October 1, 2019) instead of FY 2018. To
Rents (Small Area FMRs). The use of to address several critical questions provide notice to affected PHAs, HUD
Small Area FMRs was intended to give with respect to the potential harm to sent letters to more than 200 PHAs in
HCV families access to areas of high HCV families (both participants and the 23 metropolitan areas noted in the
opportunity and lower poverty by applicants) and PHAs in areas Suspension. Additionally, HUD posted
providing a subsidy that is adequate to transitioning to Small Area FMRs. an article regarding the Suspension on
cover rents in those areas, thereby On August 10, 2017, pursuant to the its website.4
reducing the number of voucher authority provided in regulation, HUD The delayed implementation of
families that reside in areas of high suspended the designation for the mandatory Small Area FMR adoption
poverty concentration. The PHAs in mandatory use of Small Area FMRs for will provide HUD with reasonable time
Dallas began using Small Area FMRs as 23 of the 24 metropolitan areas that to analyze the final findings of the
the result of a legal settlement. would become subject to the demonstration and determine what
HUD announced the commencement requirement on October 1, 2017 measures are necessary to mitigate
of the Small Area FMR demonstration in (Suspension).3 The Suspension was negative effects, if possible. For
November 2012. Five PHAs participated made pursuant to 24 CFR 888.113(c)(4), example, the delay may allow HUD to
voluntarily in this demonstration, which provides that HUD may suspend develop guidance and technical
which sought to assess the effect on the Small Area FMR designation for a assistance that is informed by the
families of using FMRs published at the metropolitan area when HUD by notice lessons learned from the demonstration.
U.S. Postal Service ZIP code level (i.e., makes a documented determination that Notwithstanding the exercise of this
Small Area FMRs) in lieu of FMRs such action is warranted. Specifically, authority, the Small Area FMR Rule
published at the metropolitan area § 888.113(c)(4) provides: permits any PHA that voluntarily seeks
level.1 HUD will designate Small Area FMR areas to adopt SAFMRs to do so. The program
In 2015, HUD awarded a cooperative at the beginning of a Federal fiscal year, such regulations at 24 CFR 888.113(c)(3)
agreement to Abt Associates to evaluate designations will be permanent, and [HUD] provide that a PHA administering an
the use of Small Area FMRs by the five will make new area designations thereafter as HCV program in a metropolitan area not
PHAs that voluntarily participated in new data becomes available. HUD may subject to the mandatory application of
the demonstration, as well as two PHAs suspend a Small Area FMR designation from
Small Area FMRs may opt to use Small
operating the voucher program in the a metropolitan area, or may temporarily
exempt a PHA in a Small Area FMR Area FMRs by seeking approval from
Dallas, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. Abt metropolitan area from use of the Small Area HUD’s Office of Public and Indian
was charged with examining whether FMRs, when HUD by notice makes a Housing (PIH) through written request
and to what extent providing higher documented determination that such action to PIH. In light of the findings of Abt’s
subsidies in ZIP code areas where rents is warranted. Actions that may serve as the Small Area Fair Market Rent
are higher, and lower subsidies in ZIP basis of a suspension of Small Area FMRs Demonstration Evaluation Interim
code areas where rents are lower, helps are: Report referenced above, should HUD
HCV families to better access areas of i. A Presidentially declared disaster area
that results in the loss of a substantial receive a request under this provision,
opportunity. HUD also requested that HUD will consider in its approval
number of housing units;
the evaluation examine how the determination a PHA’s ability to provide
transition from metropolitan-wide to 2 The Small Area Fair Market Rent Demonstration reasonable assurance that adoption of
Small Area FMRs affected families and Evaluation Interim Report may be found at https:// Small Area FMRs will not result in an
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

landlords, and the impact of Small Area www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/ adverse housing market condition.
FMRs on HCV subsidy and SAFMR-Interim-Report.pdf.
3 The Small Area FMR designation remains in
With this notice, HUD seeks public
administrative costs. comment on the Suspension. While
effect for the Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metro Division
(also referred to as the Dallas, TX HUD Metro FMR
1 Four of the five demonstration PHAs requested Area). All PHAs administering the HCV program in 4 See HUD, Giving Public Housing Agencies More

and were permitted by HUD to continue using the Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metro Division have Time to Succeed, PD&R Edge, https://
Small Area FMRs in the operation of their HCV been using Small Area FMRs since 2011 as a result www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-frm-
programs after the demonstration ended. of a legal settlement. asst-sec-082817.html.

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 12, 2017 / Notices 58441

HUD is not required to post the 1. Submission of Hard Copy Washington, DC 20410–7000, telephone
Suspension for public comment, this Comments. Comments may be number 202–402–5132 (this is not a toll-
notice solicits comment for a period of submitted by mail or hand delivery. free number). Persons with hearing or
30 days. At the expiration of the 30-day Each commenter submitting hard copy speech impairments may access this
period, HUD will review the comments comments, by mail or hand delivery, number through TTY by calling the
and consider if any further changes to should submit comments to the address Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339
the Suspension are necessary. Interested above, addressed to the attention of the (this is a toll-free number).
parties can find the Suspension in the Regulations Division. Due to security SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Supporting Documents section of the measures at all federal agencies,
I. Background
docket associated with this notice, at submission of comments by mail often
www.regulations.gov, and on HUD’s results in delayed delivery. To ensure Under the leadership of President
website at https://www.huduser.gov/ timely receipt of comments, HUD Donald J. Trump, the Administration is
portal/datasets/fmr/smallarea/ recommends that any comments committed to reforming government
index.html. submitted by mail be submitted at least services and expanding opportunities
2 weeks in advance of the public for more Americans to become self-
Dated: December 1, 2017.
comment deadline. All hard copy sufficient. The EnVision Center
Dominique Blom, demonstration focuses on empowering
comments received by mail or hand
General Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office people to leave HUD-assisted housing
of Public and Indian Housing.
delivery are a part of the public record
and will be posted to http:// through self-sufficiency to become
[FR Doc. 2017–26695 Filed 12–11–17; 8:45 am] responsible homeowners and renters in
www.regulations.gov without change.
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
2. Electronic Submission of the private market. By doing so, HUD
Comments. Interested persons may will be able to make those resources
submit comments electronically through available to others and help more
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND Americans.
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
URBAN DEVELOPMENT The EnVision Centers demonstration
http://www.regulations.gov. HUD
[Docket No. FR 6069–N–01] strongly encourages commenters to is premised on the notion that financial
submit comments electronically. support alone is insufficient to solve the
Advanced Notice of EnVision Center Electronic submission of comments problem of poverty. Intentional and
Demonstration allows the commenter maximum time to collective efforts across a diverse set of
prepare and submit a comment, ensures organizations are needed to implement
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HUD. a holistic approach to foster long-lasting
ACTION: Notice. timely receipt by HUD, and enables
HUD to make comments immediately self-sufficiency. EnVision Centers will
SUMMARY: Through this notice, HUD available to the public. Comments provide communities with a centralized
solicits comment on a demonstration submitted electronically through the hub for support in the following four
designed to test the effectiveness of http://www.regulations.gov website can pillars: (1) Economic Empowerment, (2)
collaborative efforts by government, be viewed by other commenters and Educational Advancement, (3) Health
industry, and nonprofit organizations to interested members of the public. and Wellness, and (4) Character and
accelerate economic mobility of low- Commenters should follow instructions Leadership. The Economic
income households in communities that provided on that site to submit Empowerment pillar is designed to
comments electronically. improve the economic sustainability of
include HUD-assisted housing through
No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile individuals residing in HUD-assisted
EnVision Centers, centralized hubs for
(fax) comments are not acceptable. housing by empowering them with
supportive services focusing on the four
Public Inspection of Comments. All opportunities to improve their economic
pillars of Economic Empowerment,
comments submitted to HUD regarding outlook. The Education pillar seeks to
Educational Advancement, Health and
this notice will be available, without bring educational opportunities directly
Wellness, and Character and
charge, for public inspection and to HUD-assisted housing and includes
Leadership. Approximately 10
copying between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., partnering with public and private
communities, selected from across the
Eastern Time, weekdays at the above organizations that approach education
country, are anticipated to participate in
address. Due to security measures at the in non-traditional ways on non-
the demonstration. The purpose of the traditional platforms. The Health and
demonstration is to explore the HUD Headquarters building, an advance
Wellness pillar is designed to improve
potential of a new service-delivery appointment to review the public
access to health outcomes by
mechanism to provide HUD-assisted comments must be scheduled by calling
individuals and families living in HUD-
households the ability to benefit from the Regulations Division at 202–708–
assisted housing. The Character and
life-changing opportunities that the 3055 (this is not a toll-free number).
Leadership pillar is designed to enable
advancement of the four pillars affords. Individuals with speech or hearing
all individuals and families residing in
DATES: Comment Due Date: February 12, impairments may access this number
HUD-assisted housing, especially young
2018. through TTY by calling the Federal
people, to reach their full potential as
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are Relay Service at 800–877–8339 (this is
productive, caring, responsible citizens
invited to submit comments responsive a toll-free number). Copies of all
by encouraging participation in
to this notice to the Office of General comments submitted are available for volunteer and mentoring opportunities.
Counsel, Regulations Division, inspection and downloading at http:// Through results-driven partnerships
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

Department of Housing and Urban www.regulations.gov. with federal agencies, state and local
Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: governments, non-profits, faith-based
10276, Washington, DC 20410–0001. All Ariel Pereira, Associate General Counsel organizations, corporations, public
submissions should refer to the above for Legislation and Regulations, Office housing authorities (PHAs), tribal
docket number and title. Submission of of General Counsel, Department of designated housing entities (TDHEs)
public comments may be carried out by Housing and Urban Development, 451 and housing finance agencies, EnVision
hard copy or electronic submission. Seventh Street SW, Room 10282, Centers will leverage public and private

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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; solicitation of comment.
Dates		Comment Due Date: January 11, 2018.
Contact		Todd M. Richardson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy Development, Office of Policy Development and Research, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room 4130, Washington, DC 20410, 202-708-1537, ext. 5706 (this is not a toll-free number).
FR Citation		82 FR 58439