Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

Title: Security Servicing for Multiple Family Housing Loans. OMB Number: 0575-0100. Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 1997. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The rural housing loan and grant programs under Sections 514, 515, 516, and 521 of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, provide loans and grants to eligible recipients for the development and operation of rural rental housing. These programs are intended to meet the housing needs of persons or families including senior citizens, the handicapped or disabled and domestic farm laborers, having low to moderate incomes. In order to assist its borrowers to operate and maintain these properties to meet program objectives, improve the Agency's ability to assure the continued

availability of the facilities financed under RHS multiple housing programs and protect the Government's security interest, RHS provides for a variety of servicing actions and guidance to Agency field staff in processing these servicing actions. RHS will be collecting information from borrowers, borrower representatives, Agency personnel and representatives from other sources of credit. This information is needed by RHS to determine under what circumstances borrowers may need and qualify for the various servicing options available and develop more flexibility in Agency regulations in order to provide borrowers with a wide range of servicing options and increase the opportunity for successfully meeting loan and program objectives. If not collected, RHS would be unable to provide the widest range of servicing options available and thereby possibly causing borrowers to fail in meeting loan and program objectives and/or protect the security interest of the Government. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.67 hours per response. Respondents: Small business or organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 945. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,587 hours. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Barbara Williams, Regulations and Paperwork Management Division, at (202) 720- 9734.

Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of RHS, including the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of RHS's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Barbara Williams, Regulations and Paperwork Management Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 0743, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20250. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: September 9, 1996. Maureen Kennedy, Administrator, Rural Housing Service. [FR Doc. 96-23704 Filed 9-16-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-07-U