Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: March 23, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 55)]

[Notices]

[Page 13868]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr23mr98-93]

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-4351-N-01]

Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Public Comment

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

DATES: Comments due: May 22, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name or OMB Control Number and should be sent to: Reports Liaison Officer, Office of Policy Development and Research, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW, Room 8226, Washington, DC 20410.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harold R. Holzman, Office of Policy Development and Research; telephone (202) 708-3700 extension 5709. (This is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department will submit the proposed information collection to OMB for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended).

This Notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information to: (1) Evaluate 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) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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.

This notice also lists the following information:

Title of Proposal: Case Studies of the Conversion of Development- Based Assistance to Household-Based Assistance.

Description of the need from the information and proposed use: The Department of Housing and Urban Development has contracted with Abt Associates Inc. to conduct an exploratory study of housing developments that have converted from development-based Section 8 rental assistance to household-based assistance (1) when property owners ``opt-out'' of the development-based program at contract expiration and (2) when property owners prepay mortgages in the case of Section 236 and 221 (d)(3) BMIR developments. This exploratory research on these privately- owned developments will enable HUD to understand (1) the factors that influence households' decisions to move or stay when offered vouchers; (2) the outcomes of moving or remaining in place; and (3) the financial and physical characteristics of developments that convert.

The study will address the conversion process through case studies of approximately twelve assisted properties in four cities. The case studies will draw on information from numerous sources, including a survey of households that have received vouchers as part of the conversion process. The survey will provide information on tenant experiences and outcomes including the decision to move or stay, the housing search process, relocation counseling, and housing and neighborhood characteristics and satisfaction.

Findings from the study will inform ongoing programmatic and policy decisions by HUD and the Congress regarding treatment of the FHA multifamily portfolio. This work has important implications for HUD as it proceeds with the conversion process, because the ability of such tenants to find suitable housing will be an important concern.

Members of affected public: The survey will involve approximately 420 households in twelve housing developments that have converted from project-based Section 8 rental assistance to tenant-based assistance in the form of Section 8 vouchers. These developments will be located in four cities throughout the country. The respondent in each household will be the person in whose name the voucher has been issued.

Estimate Burden: The survey will involve 420 respondents, all of whom resided in the twelve assisted developments at notification. Information will be collected through a one-time telephone interview that will take an average of 15 minutes to complete. The survey process will require a total of 105 hours of respondents' time (15 minutes times 420 respondents divided by 60).

Status of the proposed information collection: New Collection.

Authority: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended.

Dated: March 13, 1998. Paul A. Leonard, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development.

[FR Doc. 98-7450Filed3-20-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4210-62-M