Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Rural Housing Service (RHS), USDA.

ACTION:

Proposed collection: comments request.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant Policies, Procedures and Authorizations for Multi-Family Housing.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by July 25, 2000 to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mary Fox, Senior Loan Specialist, Multi-Family Housing Processing Division, RHS, United States Department of Agriculture, Stop 0781, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-0781, Telephone (202) 720-1624.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant Policies, Procedures and Authorizations.

OMB Number: 0575-0045.

Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2000.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is authorized under Section 514, 516, and 521 of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, to make initial and subsequent loans and grants to provide housing and related facilities for domestic farm labor. A loan only can be made to a farmowner, family farm partnership, family farm corporation, or an association of farmers whose farming operations demonstrate a need for farm labor housing and that is engaged in agricultural or aquacultural farming operations and which will own the housing and operate it on a nonprofit basis. A loan can also be made to any limited partnership in which the general partner is a nonprofit entity. A loan and/or grant can be made to public, private nonprofit organizations for domestic farm labor in areas where need exists. In some cases, rental assistance may be provided to eligible tenants.

RHS has the responsibility of assuring the public that funds for Farm Labor Housing projects are financed to build, buy, improve or repair farm labor housing and related facilities. The facilities financed are to have decent, safe and sanitary living conditions and are managed and operated as mandated by Congress. 7 CFR part 1944, subpart D was issued to set forth the policies and procedures and delegation of authority for making initial and subsequent insured loans under Section 514 and grants under Section 516 to provide housing and related facilities for domestic farm labor and to assure that applicable laws and authorities are carried out as intended.

With the provisions of this regulation, RHS will be able to provide the financial assistance and necessary guidance to applicants in the development of their project proposals. It provides the Agency the capacity to meaningfully evaluate the feasibility of the proposed projects. RHS will be able to assure Congress and the general public that all LH projects will be operated for purposes that are intended, and for the benefit of those they are mandated to serve.

The required information is collected on a project-by-project basis and is done so in accordance with the amended Housing Act of 1949, so that RHS can provide guidance and be assured of compliance with terms and conditions of loan, grant, and or subsidy agreements.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10.93 hours per response.

Respondents: Farms, Not-for-profit Institutions, and State, Local or Tribal Government.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 95.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 8.21.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,524 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Brenda Frost, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services Division, at (202) 692-0037.

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 the 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 Brenda Frost, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0743, 1400 Independence Ave., 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.