Rules and Regulations. Notice

Agency: Office of Policy Development and Research, Chief Data Officer, HUD
Action: Notice
Citation: FR Doc. 2024-07870 · Docket No. FR-7080-N-18

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 an additional 30 days of public comment.

Dates

Comments Due Date: May 15, 2024.

Supplementary Information

This notice informs the public that HUD is seeking approval from OMB for the information collection described in Section A. The Federal Register notice that solicited public comment on the information collection for a period of 60 days was published on December 18, 2023 at 88 FR 87452. A. Overview of Information Collection Title of Information Collection: Housing Counseling Program—Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling Agency. OMB Approval Number: 2502-0573. OMB Expiration Date: April 30, 2024. Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection. Form Numbers: Form HUD-9900 and Form HUD-9900a. Description of the need for the information and proposed use: The Office of Housing Counseling (OHC) is responsible for the 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. and 42 U.S.C. 3533(g)). 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 to help them improve their housing situation and meet 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 senior 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 the achievement of HUD's mission. The Program's far-reaching effects support numerous departmental programs, including Federal Housing Administration (FHA) single family housing programs. Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Individuals; households; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government. Estimated Number of Respondents: 973. Estimated Number of Responses: 973. Frequency of Response: 1. Average Hours per Response: 8. Total Estimated Burden: 7,946 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. (5) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are t0 respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. HUD encourages interested parties to submit comments in response to these questions. C. Authority Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 3507. Colette Pollard, Department Reports Management Officer, Office of Policy Development and Research, Chief Data Officer. [FR Doc. 2024-07870 Filed 4-12-24; 8:45 am]