Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved

Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this

notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS) intention to request

an extension for a currently approved information collection in support

of the Complaints and Compensation for Construction Defects.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 30, 1996 to

be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Colbert, Senior Loan

Specialist, Single Family Housing Processing Division, RHS, US

Department of Agriculture, STOP 0783, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW,

Washington, DC 20250-0783, Telephone (202) 690-3832.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: FmHA Instruction 1924-F, ``Complaints and Compensation for

Construction Defects''.

OMB Number: 0575-0082.

Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 1997.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information

collection.

Abstract: The Complaints and Compensation for Construction Defects

program under Section 509(c) of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as

amended, provides eligible persons who have Structural Defects the

opportunity to correct their problems. Structural Defects are defects

in the dwelling, installation of a manufactured home (unit), or a

related facility or a deficiency in the site or site development which

directly and significantly reduces the useful life, habitability or

integrity of the dwelling or unit. The defect may be due to faulty

material, poor workmanship, or latent causes that existed when the

dwelling or unit was constructed. The period in which to place a claim

for a defect is within 18 months after the date that financial

assistance was granted. If the defect is determined to be structural

and is covered by the builders/dealers-contractor's warranty, the

contractor is expected to correct the defect. If the contractor cannot

or will not correct the defect, the borrower may be compensated for

having the defect corrected, under the Complaints and Compensation for

Construction Defects program. Provisions of this subpart do not apply

to dwellings financed with guaranteed section 502 loans.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of

information is estimated to average .28 hours per response.

Respondents: Individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.06

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,500 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Johnnie

Anderson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Division, at (202) 720-

9735.

Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of

information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of

RHS, including whether 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 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 Johnnie Anderson, Regulations and

Paperwork Management Division, US Department of Agriculture, Rural

Development, STOP 0743, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC

20250-0743. 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: October 15, 1996.

Jan E. Shadburn,

Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

[FR Doc. 96-27725 Filed 10-28-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-XV-U