[Federal Register: May 10, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 90)]
[Notices]               
[Page 25880]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10my04-36]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    DOC has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
clearance the following proposal for collection of information under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).
    Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
    Title: 2005 New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey.
    Form Number(s): H-100, H-105, H-108, H-100L, H-100L(A).
    Agency Approval Number: 0607-0757.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, with change, of an expired 
collection.
    Burden: 8,967 hours.
    Number of Respondents: 18,000.
    Avg Hours Per Response: Occupied units--30 minutes, Vacant Units--
10 minutes, Reinterview--10 minutes.
    Needs and Uses: The U.S. Census Bureau requests OMB clearance to 
conduct the 2005 New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey (NYCHVS). The 
Census Bureau will conduct this survey for the New York City Department 
of Housing Preservation and Development (NYCHPD). Pursuant to the Local 
Emergency Housing Rent Control Act (Chapter 8603, Laws of New York, 
1963, as amended by Chapter 657, Laws of New York, 1967) and Sections 
26-414 and 26-415 of the Administrative Code of the City, a survey is 
required in order to determine the supply, condition, and vacancy rate 
of housing in the city. The NYCHPD must take this survey every three 
years. The Census Bureau has conducted this survey for the city since 
1962, most recently in 2002.
    Census Bureau interviewers will conduct personal visit interviews 
for a sample of housing units in the City, the vast majority of which 
are rental units in multi-unit rental structures (apartment buildings). 
Single-family rental or owner-occupied units (houses), however, are not 
excluded from the sample. We will interview residents (occupied units) 
or other knowledgeable people such as a building manager, 
superintendent, or rental or real estate agent (vacant units) to gather 
information on vacancy rates, housing costs, and the income of 
residents. About ten percent of the sample will be reinterviewed for 
quality control purposes. We will also determine primarily by 
observation whether a separate sample of units previously lost from the 
City's housing inventory have been reconverted for residential use.
    The 2005 NYCHVS will be an up-to-date and comprehensive data source 
required by rent control laws as well as a source of data needed to 
evaluate the city's housing policies. Specifically, the city will look 
to the 2005 survey to provide accurate and reliable estimates of the 
rental and homeowner vacancy rates, to measure improvements in housing 
and neighborhood conditions, and to provide data on low-income, 
doubled-up, and crowded households at risk of becoming homeless. The 
city will use the results to develop programs and policies that aim to 
improve housing conditions.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, Business or other for-
profit.
    Frequency: Every three years.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Local Emergency Housing Rent Control Act (Chapter 
8603, Laws of New York, 1963, as amended by Chapter 657, Laws of New 
York, 1967) and Sections 26-414 and 26-415 of the Administrative Code 
of the City; Title 13 U.S.C., Section 8b.
    OMB Desk Officer: Susan Schechter, (202) 395-5103.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, room 6625, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
dhynek@doc.gov).

    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to Susan Schechter, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202-395-7245) or e-
mail (susan_schechter@omb.eop.gov).

    Dated: May 4, 2004.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-10506 Filed 5-7-04; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-07-P