[Federal Register: June 26, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 122)]
[Notices]               
[Page 30501-30502]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26jn09-22]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

June 23, 2009.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1944-N--Housing Preservation Grants.

[[Page 30502]]

    OMB Control Number: 0575-0115.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) is 
authorized to make grants to eligible applicants to provide repair and 
rehabilitation assistance so that very low- and low-income rural 
residents can obtain adequate housing. Such assistance is made by 
grantees to very low- and low-income persons, and to co-ops. Grant 
funds are used by grantees to make loans, grants, or other comparable 
assistance to eligible homeowners, rental unit owners, and co-ops for 
repair and rehabilitation of dwellings to bring them up to code or 
minimum property standards. These grants were established by Public Law 
98-181, the Housing Urban Rural Recovery Act of 1983, which amended the 
Housing Act of 1949 (Pub. L. 93-383) by adding section 533, 42 U.S.C. S 
2490(m), Housing Preservation Grants.
    Need and Use of the Information: An applicant will submit a 
``Statement of Activity'' that describes its proposed program. RHS will 
collect information to determine eligibility for a grant to justify its 
selection of the applicant for funding; to report program 
accomplishments and to justify and support expenditure of grant funds. 
RHS uses the information to determine if the grantee is complying with 
its grant agreement and to make decisions regarding continuing with 
modifying, or terminating grant assistance. If the information were not 
collected and presented to RHS, the Agency could not monitor the 
program or justify disbursement of grant funds.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit; Individuals or households; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Number of Respondents: 2,258.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 12,439.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1944-B, Housing Applications Packaging Grants.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0157.
    Summary of Collection: Section 509 of the Housing Act of 1949, as 
amended, authorizes the Rural Housing Service (RHS) to make grants to 
private and public nonprofit organizations and State and local 
governments to package housing applications for Section 502, 504, 514/
515 and 533 to colonias and designated counties. Eligible organizations 
aid very low and low-income individuals and families in obtaining 
benefits from RHS housing programs. Various forms are used to confirm 
income verification for loan applicants, as a checklist to obtain a 
loan, and to check credit information about the applicants.
    Need and Use of the Information: RHS field personnel will use this 
information to verify program eligibility requirements, to secure grant 
assistance, and for approval of housing application-packaging grants. 
The information will ensure that the program is administered in a 
manner consistent with legislative and administrative requirements. 
Without this information, RHS would be unable to determine if a grantee 
qualifies for grant assistance.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit; and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 200.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 500.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-15137 Filed 6-25-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-XT-P