Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Public Comment

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-4442-N-06]

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 required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department

is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

DATES: Comments are due April 27, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding

this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB

Control Number and should be sent to: the 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:

Ronald J. Sepanik, Office of Policy Development and Research,

Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW,

Washington. Telephone (202)-708-1060, Ext. 5887 (this is not a toll-

free number), or Jane Kneessi, Bureau of the Census, HHES Division,

Washington, DC 20233, (301)-457-3235 (this is not a toll-free number).

Copies of the proposed forms and other available documents to be

submitted to OMB may be obtained from Mr. Sepanik or Ms. Kneessi.

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: 1999 American Housing Survey--National Survey.

OMB Control Number: 2528-0017.

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

1999 American Housing Survey-National Sample (AHS-N) provides a

periodic measure of the size and composition of the housing inventory

in our country. Title 12, United States Code, Sections 1701Z-1, 1701Z-

2(g), and 1701Z-10a mandate the collection of this information.

The 1999 survey is similar to previous AHS-N surveys and collects

data on subjects such as the amount and types of housing 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 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.

Agency Form Numbers: Computerized Versions of AHS-22 and AHS-23.

Members of affected public: Households.

Estimation of the total numbers of hours needed to prepare the

information collection including number of respondents, frequency of

response, and hours of response:

Number of respondents: 61,000.

Estimated responses per respondent: 1 every two years.

Time per respondent: 34 minutes.

Total hours to respond: 34,567.

Status of the 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: February 18, 1999.

Lawrence L. Thompson,

General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research.

[FR Doc. 99-4771 Filed 2-25-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4210-62-M