Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection, 48933-48934 [05-16512]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 161 / Monday, August 22, 2005 / Notices SUMMARY: This is to notify cooperatives and cooperative associations, university personnel, public and private researchers with interests in agricultural and other rural cooperative policy, and other interested persons that Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) is holding a public meeting for interested persons to express their views on the research needs of rural cooperatives with an emphasis on their business and organizational challenges and appropriate policies for strengthening agricultural and rural cooperatives in the United States. DATES: The public meeting will be held on September 27, 2005, starting at 9 a.m. eastern time, with registration at 8 a.m. The public meeting will end at 3 p.m. unless concluded earlier. ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held in Room 107A Whitten Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Persons interested in making a presentation at the meeting should send a written request to Dr. John R. Dunn, Director, Cooperative Resources Management Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Room 4206–S, stop 3253, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250– 3253. Persons that cannot attend the meeting may submit written comments to Dr. John R. Dunn, Director, Cooperative Resources Management Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Room 4206–S, stop 3253, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250–3253 no later than September 30, 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. John R. Dunn, Director, Cooperative Resources Management Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Room 4206–S, stop 3253, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250– 3253, telephone: (202) 720–1374. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting will be conducted by representatives of the Department of Agriculture. The proceedings of the meeting will be transcribed and considered in the development of the cooperative research agenda undertaken by Rural Development’s Cooperative Programs in support of the research provisions of the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926. The purpose of the meeting is to collect input and recommendations from the cooperative and cooperative research communities on priority research topics and research strategies. The Agency will compile written presentations and retain them as a summary of the meeting. To schedule oral testimony for the public meeting, notify Dr. Dunn, in VerDate jul<14>2003 16:09 Aug 19, 2005 Jkt 205001 writing, at the above address. Requests may be sent by facsimile transfer to (202) 690–1375 or e-mailed to: john.dunn@wdc.usda.gov. Persons who wish to make oral presentations must restrict presentations to 15 minutes and are encouraged to have written copies of their complete comments, including exhibits, for inclusion in the official record. Written copies should be sent to Dr. Dunn in advance of the meeting. Persons who register at the public meeting and have not been scheduled in advance to present oral testimony will be given an opportunity to do so if time permits. Otherwise, such persons will be allowed the opportunity to submit their views in writing by October 7, 2005, for inclusion in the official record. Subject to the limitations described in the preceding paragraph, any interested person will be given the opportunity to appear and be heard with respect to matters relevant and material to the subject. However, presiding officials may limit the number of times that any one person may be heard and limit or exclude material that is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious. Such action is intended to focus the discussion on the relevant issues, to ensure that all interested persons have an opportunity to participate to the extent time permits, and to prevent undue prolongation of the meeting. Presiding officials may ask questions at the meeting of persons making presentations. The questions and responses will become a part of the official record. Copies of the official record of the meeting will not be available for distribution from the Department. However, the record will be available for public inspection in Room 4206 at the Cooperative Programs offices, Room 4206 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, during regular business hours. Dated: August 5, 2005. Peter J. Thomas, Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service. [FR Doc. 05–16525 Filed 8–19–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection AGENCY: PO 00000 Rural Housing Service, USDA. Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 48933 Proposed collection; Comments requested. ACTION: 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 7 CFR Part 3550, Direct Single Family Housing Loans and Grants and its accompanying Handbooks. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 21, 2005 to be assured of consideration. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gale Richardson, Loan Specialist, Single Family Housing, Rural Housing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Mail Stop 0783, Washington, DC 20250– 0783, telephone number (202) 720– 1459. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Direct Single Family Housing Loans and Grants. OMB Number: 0575–0172. Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2006. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), through its direct single family housing loan and grant programs, provides financial assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, replace or rehabilitate dwellings, which will provide modest, decent, safe and sanitary housing to eligible individuals in rural areas. To assist a customer, they must provide the Agency with a standard housing application (used by government and private lenders), and provide documentation to support the same. Documentation includes verification of income, financial information on assets and liabilities, etc. The information requested is comparable to that required by any private mortgage lender. To assist individuals in obtaining affordable housing, a borrower’s house payment may be subsidized to an interest rate as low as 1%. The amount of subsidy is based upon the customer’s household income. After receipt of this information, if the customer obtains a loan from RHS, they must update income information on an annual basis to renew the payment subsidy. The aforementioned information required by RHS is vital to be able to process applications for RHS assistance and make prudent loan underwriting and program decisions. It includes borrower financial information such as household income, assets and liabilities and E:\FR\FM\22AUN1.SGM 22AUN1 48934 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 161 / Monday, August 22, 2005 / Notices monthly expenses. Without this information, the Agency is unable to determine if a customer would qualify for any services or if assistance has been granted to which the customer would not be eligible under current regulations and statutes. The Agency also encourages its customers to leverage our mortgage financing with that of other lenders to assist as many customers as possible within our limited resources. In many cases, another lender will leverage and participate with RHS in assisting the customer. In these cases, RHS and the other lender share documentation, with the customer’s consent, to reduce duplication. Through our work with participating lenders, the Agency keeps abreast of information required by other lenders to ensure that RHS is not requiring unnecessary information. The Agency continually strives to ensure that information collection burden is kept to a minimum. As mentioned, these loans are made directly by the Agency. RHS also services these loans for their term (33 or 38 years) and provides tools to assist the customer in becoming a successful homeowner. As discussed, payment subsidies are renewed on an annual basis. In addition, the Agency provides credit counseling and other services to its customers in an effort to assist them in becoming successful. The Agency offers many servicing tools including a moratorium (stop) on payments, modifications to payment subsidies to reflect changes in the customer’s income, loan reamortization, payment workouts, etc. To obtain this assistance, the Agency must require certain information such as updated income and financial information, etc., to ensure the customer qualifies for the assistance, and is provided with the correct benefits based upon their circumstances. Direct single family housing loans are only provided to customers who cannot obtain other credit for their housing needs. Customers are required by statute to refinance with another lender when they are financially able. To ensure the Agency meets its statutory responsibilities, existing customers may be requested to submit updated income and financial information for the Agency to make a determination as to whether they can ‘‘graduate’’ to other credit. In addition, should a customer default on a loan which results in liquidation, the Agency needs updated income and financial information to settle any outstanding indebtedness. With the implementation of EGOV in June 2002, individuals are able to make application on line. We have 64 eForms which the public can access and print VerDate jul<14>2003 16:09 Aug 19, 2005 Jkt 205001 for personal use. RHS is committed to automation and reducing the burden upon the public. Estimate of Burden: Public burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .24 hours per response. Respondents: Applicants seeking direct single family housing loans and grants from the Agency and approximately 336,000 existing customers who have active loans and grants under the Section 502 and 504 programs. Estimated Number of Respondents: 300,000. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 5.6. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 417,631 hours. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tracy Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692–0039. Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Rural Housing Service, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Rural Housing Service’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 Tracy Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250. 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. Dated: July 28, 2005. Russell T. Davis, Administrator, Rural Housing Service. [FR Doc. 05–16512 Filed 8–19–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting of the Kentucky Advisory Committee Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, that a meeting of the Kentucky Advisory Committee to the Commission will convene at 10 a.m. and adjourn at 11:30 a.m. on September 2, 2005, at Gardiner Hall, 2nd Floor, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40252. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Committee’s ongoing project report, The Achievement Gap between African American Students and White Students in Large Urban Areas, and discuss the design of the Committee’s second project, The Unitary Status of Public School Districts in Kentucky. Persons desiring additional information, or planning a presentation to the Committee, should contact Ivy Davis, Acting Chief of the Regional Programs Coordination Unit, (202) 376– 7700 (TDD 202–376–8116). Hearingimpaired persons who will attend the meeting and require the services of a sign language interpreter should contact the Regional Office at least ten (10) working days before the scheduled date of the meeting. The meeting will be conducted pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the Commission. Dated at Washington, DC, August 11, 2005. Barbara Delaviez, Acting Director, Regional Programs Coordination Unit. [FR Doc. 05–16546 Filed 8–19–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6335–01–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Export Trade Certificate of Review Notice of application to amend an Export Trade Certificate of Review. ACTION: SUMMARY: Export Trading Company Affairs (‘‘ETCA’’), International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce, has received an application from The Great Lakes Fruit Exporters Association, LLC (‘‘GLFEA’’) to amend its Export Trade Certificate of Review (‘‘Certificate’’). This notice summarizes the proposed amendment and requests comments relevant to whether the Certificate should be issued. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Anspacher, Director, Export Trading Company Affairs, International E:\FR\FM\22AUN1.SGM 22AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 161 (Monday, August 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48933-48934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16512]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; Comments requested.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 7 CFR Part 3550, Direct Single Family Housing Loans and 
Grants and its accompanying Handbooks.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 21, 2005 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gale Richardson, Loan Specialist, 
Single Family Housing, Rural Housing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Mail Stop 0783, Washington, DC 20250-0783, telephone number (202) 
720-1459.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Direct Single Family Housing Loans and Grants.
    OMB Number: 0575-0172.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), through its direct 
single family housing loan and grant programs, provides financial 
assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, replace or 
rehabilitate dwellings, which will provide modest, decent, safe and 
sanitary housing to eligible individuals in rural areas. To assist a 
customer, they must provide the Agency with a standard housing 
application (used by government and private lenders), and provide 
documentation to support the same. Documentation includes verification 
of income, financial information on assets and liabilities, etc. The 
information requested is comparable to that required by any private 
mortgage lender. To assist individuals in obtaining affordable housing, 
a borrower's house payment may be subsidized to an interest rate as low 
as 1%. The amount of subsidy is based upon the customer's household 
income. After receipt of this information, if the customer obtains a 
loan from RHS, they must update income information on an annual basis 
to renew the payment subsidy. The aforementioned information required 
by RHS is vital to be able to process applications for RHS assistance 
and make prudent loan underwriting and program decisions. It includes 
borrower financial information such as household income, assets and 
liabilities and

[[Page 48934]]

monthly expenses. Without this information, the Agency is unable to 
determine if a customer would qualify for any services or if assistance 
has been granted to which the customer would not be eligible under 
current regulations and statutes. The Agency also encourages its 
customers to leverage our mortgage financing with that of other lenders 
to assist as many customers as possible within our limited resources. 
In many cases, another lender will leverage and participate with RHS in 
assisting the customer. In these cases, RHS and the other lender share 
documentation, with the customer's consent, to reduce duplication. 
Through our work with participating lenders, the Agency keeps abreast 
of information required by other lenders to ensure that RHS is not 
requiring unnecessary information. The Agency continually strives to 
ensure that information collection burden is kept to a minimum.
    As mentioned, these loans are made directly by the Agency. RHS also 
services these loans for their term (33 or 38 years) and provides tools 
to assist the customer in becoming a successful homeowner. As 
discussed, payment subsidies are renewed on an annual basis. In 
addition, the Agency provides credit counseling and other services to 
its customers in an effort to assist them in becoming successful. The 
Agency offers many servicing tools including a moratorium (stop) on 
payments, modifications to payment subsidies to reflect changes in the 
customer's income, loan reamortization, payment workouts, etc. To 
obtain this assistance, the Agency must require certain information 
such as updated income and financial information, etc., to ensure the 
customer qualifies for the assistance, and is provided with the correct 
benefits based upon their circumstances.
    Direct single family housing loans are only provided to customers 
who cannot obtain other credit for their housing needs. Customers are 
required by statute to refinance with another lender when they are 
financially able. To ensure the Agency meets its statutory 
responsibilities, existing customers may be requested to submit updated 
income and financial information for the Agency to make a determination 
as to whether they can ``graduate'' to other credit. In addition, 
should a customer default on a loan which results in liquidation, the 
Agency needs updated income and financial information to settle any 
outstanding indebtedness.
    With the implementation of EGOV in June 2002, individuals are able 
to make application on line. We have 64 eForms which the public can 
access and print for personal use. RHS is committed to automation and 
reducing the burden upon the public.
    Estimate of Burden: Public burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .24 hours per response.
    Respondents: Applicants seeking direct single family housing loans 
and grants from the Agency and approximately 336,000 existing customers 
who have active loans and grants under the Section 502 and 504 
programs.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 300,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 5.6.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 417,631 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tracy 
Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-
0039.
    Comments:
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Rural Housing Service, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Rural Housing Service'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 Tracy Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork 
Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, 
STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250. 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.

    Dated: July 28, 2005.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-16512 Filed 8-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P
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