Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Public Comment

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-4263-N-09]

Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Public Comment

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and

Research, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described

below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

for review, as requested by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department

is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

DATES: Comments due date: October 21, 1997.

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, Room 8226, 451 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20410.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald J. Sepanik at (202) 708-1060,

Ext. 334 (this is not a toll-free number) for copies of the proposed

questions and other available documents.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department will submit the proposed

information collection to OMB for review, as requested 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 a 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 automation collection

techniques or other forms of information technology.

This Notice also lists the following information:

OMB Control Number: 2528-0016.

Title of Proposal: The 1998 American Housing Survey--Metropolitan

Sample.

Description of the need for the information and proposed use: The

1998 American Housing Survey--Metropolitan Sample (AHS-MS) provides a

periodic measure of the size and composition of the housing inventory

in selected metropolitan areas. Title 12, United States Code, Sections

1701Z-1, 1701Z-2(g), and 1701Z-10a mandates the collection of this

information.

The 1998 survey is similar to previous AHS-MS surveys and collects

data on subjects such as the amount and types of changes in the

inventory, the physical condition of the inventory, the characteristics

of the occupants, the persons eligible for and beneficiaries of

assisted housing by race and ethnicity, and the number and

characteristics of vacancies.

Policy analysts, program managers, budget analysts, and

Congressional staff use AHS data to advise executive and legislative

branches about housing conditions and the suitability of policy

initiatives. Academic researchers and private organizations also use

AHS data in efforts of specific interest and concern to their

respective communities.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) needs the AHS

data for two important uses.

1. With these data, policy analysts can monitor the interaction

among housing needs, demand and supply, as well as changes in housing

conditions and costs, to aid in the development of housing policies and

the design of housing programs appropriate for

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different target groups, such as first-time home buyers and the

elderly.

2. With these data, HUD can evaluate, monitor, and design HUD

programs to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Members of affected public: Households.

Number of respondents: 77,000.

Frequency of response: Once every six years.

Time per respondent: 34 minutes.

Total hours to respond: 43,633.

Respondent's obligation: Voluntary.

Status of proposed information collection: Pending OMB approval.

Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Section 9(a), and Title 12 U.S.C.

Section 1701z-1 et seq.

Dated: August 8, 1997.

Lawrence L. Thompson,

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development, Office of

Policy Development and Research.

[FR Doc. 97-22277 Filed 8-21-97; 8:45 am]

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