Final Fair Market Rents for the Housing Choice Voucher Program and Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy Program for Fiscal Year 2008; Revised for Selected Areas, 6197-6198 [E8-1911]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 22 / Friday, February 1, 2008 / Notices renewed for subsequent two-year terms nine times since then. With the creation of DHS, the Secretary of the Treasury delegated a joint chair and Committee management role to the Secretary of Homeland Security (see Treasury Department Order No. 100–16, 19 CFR Part 0 Appx.). In Delegation Number 7010.3 (May, 2006), the Secretary of Homeland Security delegated to the Commissioner of CBP the authority to preside jointly with Treasury over the meetings of the Committee, to make appointments (subject to approval of the Secretary of Homeland Security) to COAC jointly with Treasury, and to receive COAC advice. It is expected that, during its eleventh two-year term, the Committee will consider issues relating to enhanced border and cargo supply chain security. COAC will continue to provide advice and report on matters such as CBP modernization and automation, informed compliance and compliance assessment, account-based processing, commercial enforcement and uniformity, international efforts to harmonize customs practices and procedures, strategic planning, northern border and southern border issues, and relationships with foreign customs authorities. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Committee Meetings The Committee meets at least once each quarter, although additional meetings may be scheduled. Generally, every other meeting of the Committee may be held outside of Washington, DC, usually at a CBP port of entry. Committee Membership Membership on the Committee is personal to the appointee and is concurrent with the two-year duration of the charter for the eleventh term. Under the Charter, a member may not send an alternate to represent him or her at a Committee meeting. However, since Committee meetings are open to the public, another person from a member’s organization may attend and observe the proceedings in a nonparticipating capacity. Regular attendance is essential; the Charter provides that a member who is absent for two consecutive meetings or two meetings in a calendar year shall be recommended for replacement on the Committee. No person who is required to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act as an agent or representative of a foreign principal may serve on this advisory committee. Members who are currently serving on the Committee are eligible to reapply for membership provided that VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:22 Jan 31, 2008 Jkt 214001 they are not in their second consecutive term and that they have met attendance requirements. A new application letter (see ADDRESSES above) is required, but it may incorporate by reference materials previously filed (please attach courtesy copies). Members will not be paid compensation by the Federal Government for their services with respect to the COAC. Application for Advisory Committee Appointment There is no prescribed format for the application. Applicants may send a letter describing their interest and qualifications and enclose a resume. Any interested person wishing to serve on the Committee must provide the following: • Statement of interest and reasons for application; • Complete professional biography or resume; • Political affiliation, in order to ensure balanced representation (mandatory). If no party registration or allegiance exists, indicate ‘‘independent’’ or ‘‘unaffiliated’’. In addition, all applicants must state in their applications that they agree to submit to pre-appointment background and tax checks (mandatory). However, a national security clearance is not required for the position. In support of the policy of DHS on gender and ethnic diversity, qualified women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply for membership. Dated: January 30, 2008. W. Ralph Basham, Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection. [FR Doc. E8–1944 Filed 1–31–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111–14–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–5186–N–05] Federal Property Suitable as Facilities To Assist the Homeless Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, HUD. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This Notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless. EFFECTIVE DATE: February 1, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Ezzell, Department of Housing PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 6197 and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Room 7262, Washington, DC 20410; telephone (202) 708–1234; TTY number for the hearing- and speech-impaired (202) 708–2565, (these telephone numbers are not toll-free), or call the toll-free Title V information line at 800–927–7588. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the December 12, 1988 court order in National Coalition for the Homeless v. Veterans Administration, No. 88–2503–OG (D.D.C.), HUD publishes a Notice, on a weekly basis, identifying unutilized, underutilized, excess and surplus Federal buildings and real property that HUD has reviewed for suitability for use to assist the homeless. Today’s Notice is for the purpose of announcing that no additional properties have been determined suitable or unsuitable this week. Dated: January 24, 2008. Mark R. Johnston, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs. [FR Doc. E8–1578 Filed 1–31–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–5152–N–03] Final Fair Market Rents for the Housing Choice Voucher Program and Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy Program for Fiscal Year 2008; Revised for Selected Areas Office of the Secretary, HUD. Notice of Final Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for Fiscal Year 2008, Update. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: This notice updates the FMRs for Gulfport-Biloxi, MS, and Pascagoula, MS, to accommodate continuing rental market impacts of Hurricane Katrina. EFFECTIVE DATE: February 1, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information on the methodology used to develop FMRs or a listing of all FMRs, please call the HUD USER information line at (800) 245–2691 or access the information on the HUD Web site, https:// www.huduser.org/datasets/fmr.html. Any questions related to use of FMRs or voucher payment standards should be directed to the respective local HUD program staff. Questions on how to conduct FMR surveys or further methodological explanations may be addressed to Marie L. Lihn or Lynn A. Rodgers, Economic and Market Analysis Division, Office of Economic Affairs, Office of Policy Development and E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM 01FEN1 6198 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 22 / Friday, February 1, 2008 / Notices Research, telephone (202) 708–0590. Questions about disaster-related FMR exceptions should be referred to the respective local HUD office. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. (Other than the HUD USER information line and TTY numbers, telephone numbers are not toll-free.) Background The coastal Mississippi rental housing markets identified in this notice experienced enormous impacts from Hurricane Katrina, with the loss of many rental housing units. On December 1, 2007, HUD took over dayto-day management of rental assistance payments for the 28,000 households in rental housing still displaced due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Beginning January 2008, HUD will begin working with FEMA to transition eligible families out of travel trailers and into rental housing in the private market. On March 1, 2008, the level of subsidy will begin to be reduced, which will gradually lead families toward independence. Program participants will pay a portion of the cost, which will begin at $50 per month and incrementally increase each month thereafter until the program concludes on March 1, 2009. Residents in the program will also receive case management services coordinated by PHAs to help them get back on their feet, including financial education, job training or other social services. Families and individuals in the program will be given complete information, supportive services, resources and ample time to prepare themselves for the end of temporary, subsidized housing. Seniors and the disabled whose primary source of income is Supplemental Security Income or other fixed income that make them eligible to receive assistance under existing HUD programs will be protected. HUD, through its network of PHAs, will actively work to transition these individuals into its existing programs. Although new rental stock is being built in the affected areas, it will take some time for sufficient numbers of units to be completed to stabilize the market. Many single-family homes in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS, and Pascagoula, MS, areas that accepted vouchers were wiped out by Katrina and have not been rebuilt. The tight rental market has significantly increased pressure on rents in these two areas of Mississippi. High hazard insurance rates have sharply increased homeowners’ and landlords’ monthly insurance costs. Although the state has provided the State Wind Pool insurance to provide coverage to owners, this insurance is often two-to-three times higher than what was previously paid. American Community Survey data for 2006 show that rents in these areas have increased substantially since 2005. These results are supported by extensive field work by HUD economists who have been researching local market conditions. In order to ensure the successful operation of HUD’s regular voucher program as well as HUD’s new responsibilities under the expanded Disaster Housing Assistance Program on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, HUD is increasing the Gulfport-Biloxi and Pascagoula fiscal year (FY) 2008 FMRs by 20 percent, effective immediately. The FMR increases provided, in combination with the continuation of flexibility for Public Housing Authorities to set payment standards up to 120 percent of FMR without HUD approval, are believed adequate to reflect current market circumstances and should cover at least part of the expected additional rent increases anticipated this year. The Department will continue to monitor this situation and modify FMRs if significant further rent increases occur. The FY2008 FMRs for the affected areas are increased as follows: Number of bedrooms 2008 Fair market rent areas 0 Gulfport-Biloxi, MS MSA .............................................................................................. Pascagoula, MS MSA .................................................................................................. Dated: January 25, 2008. Darlene F. Williams, Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. [FR Doc. E8–1911 Filed 1–31–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–5130–N–20] mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Privacy Act of 1974; Notice of a Computer Matching Program Between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of the Chief Information Officer, HUD. ACTION: Notice of a Computer Matching Program between HUD and the SBA. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:22 Jan 31, 2008 Jkt 214001 1 2 $655 563 $695 643 $811 773 amended by the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, as amended, (Pub. L. 100–503), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines on the Conduct of Matching Programs (54 FR 25818 (June 19, 1989)), and OMB Bulletin 89–22, ‘‘Instructions on Reporting Computer Matching Programs to the Office of Management (OMB), Congress and the Public,’’ HUD is issuing a public notice of its intent to conduct a recurring computer matching program with the SBA to utilize a computer information system of HUD, the Credit Alert Interactive Voice Response System (CAIVRS), with SBA’s debtor files. HUD has revised the ‘‘records to be matched’’ section of this notice to reflect the new HUD Privacy Act Systems of Records involved in the matching program. This update does not change the authority and the objectives of the existing HUD and SBA matching program. PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3 $1,057 1,064 4 $1,086 1,141 Effective Date: The effective date of the matching program shall begin March 3, 2008 or at least 40 days from the date copies of the signed (by HUD and SBA’s Data Integrity Boards (DIBs) computer matching agreement are sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Congress, whichever is later, providing no comments are received which would result in a contrary determination. Comments Due Date: March 3, 2008. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this notice to the Rules Docket Clerk, Office of General Counsel, Room 10276, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410. Communications should refer to the above docket number and title. A copy of each communication submitted will be available for public inspection and ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM 01FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 22 (Friday, February 1, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6197-6198]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1911]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5152-N-03]


Final Fair Market Rents for the Housing Choice Voucher Program 
and Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy Program for Fiscal 
Year 2008; Revised for Selected Areas

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HUD.

ACTION: Notice of Final Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for Fiscal Year 2008, 
Update.

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

SUMMARY: This notice updates the FMRs for Gulfport-Biloxi, MS, and 
Pascagoula, MS, to accommodate continuing rental market impacts of 
Hurricane Katrina.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 1, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information on the 
methodology used to develop FMRs or a listing of all FMRs, please call 
the HUD USER information line at (800) 245-2691 or access the 
information on the HUD Web site, https://www.huduser.org/datasets/
fmr.html. Any questions related to use of FMRs or voucher payment 
standards should be directed to the respective local HUD program staff. 
Questions on how to conduct FMR surveys or further methodological 
explanations may be addressed to Marie L. Lihn or Lynn A. Rodgers, 
Economic and Market Analysis Division, Office of Economic Affairs, 
Office of Policy Development and

[[Page 6198]]

Research, telephone (202) 708-0590. Questions about disaster-related 
FMR exceptions should be referred to the respective local HUD office. 
Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number 
through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service 
at (800) 877-8339. (Other than the HUD USER information line and TTY 
numbers, telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

Background

    The coastal Mississippi rental housing markets identified in this 
notice experienced enormous impacts from Hurricane Katrina, with the 
loss of many rental housing units. On December 1, 2007, HUD took over 
day-to-day management of rental assistance payments for the 28,000 
households in rental housing still displaced due to Hurricanes Katrina 
and Rita. Beginning January 2008, HUD will begin working with FEMA to 
transition eligible families out of travel trailers and into rental 
housing in the private market.
    On March 1, 2008, the level of subsidy will begin to be reduced, 
which will gradually lead families toward independence. Program 
participants will pay a portion of the cost, which will begin at $50 
per month and incrementally increase each month thereafter until the 
program concludes on March 1, 2009. Residents in the program will also 
receive case management services coordinated by PHAs to help them get 
back on their feet, including financial education, job training or 
other social services.
    Families and individuals in the program will be given complete 
information, supportive services, resources and ample time to prepare 
themselves for the end of temporary, subsidized housing. Seniors and 
the disabled whose primary source of income is Supplemental Security 
Income or other fixed income that make them eligible to receive 
assistance under existing HUD programs will be protected. HUD, through 
its network of PHAs, will actively work to transition these individuals 
into its existing programs.
    Although new rental stock is being built in the affected areas, it 
will take some time for sufficient numbers of units to be completed to 
stabilize the market. Many single-family homes in the Gulfport-Biloxi, 
MS, and Pascagoula, MS, areas that accepted vouchers were wiped out by 
Katrina and have not been rebuilt. The tight rental market has 
significantly increased pressure on rents in these two areas of 
Mississippi. High hazard insurance rates have sharply increased 
homeowners' and landlords' monthly insurance costs. Although the state 
has provided the State Wind Pool insurance to provide coverage to 
owners, this insurance is often two-to-three times higher than what was 
previously paid.
    American Community Survey data for 2006 show that rents in these 
areas have increased substantially since 2005. These results are 
supported by extensive field work by HUD economists who have been 
researching local market conditions. In order to ensure the successful 
operation of HUD's regular voucher program as well as HUD's new 
responsibilities under the expanded Disaster Housing Assistance Program 
on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, HUD is increasing the Gulfport-Biloxi 
and Pascagoula fiscal year (FY) 2008 FMRs by 20 percent, effective 
immediately. The FMR increases provided, in combination with the 
continuation of flexibility for Public Housing Authorities to set 
payment standards up to 120 percent of FMR without HUD approval, are 
believed adequate to reflect current market circumstances and should 
cover at least part of the expected additional rent increases 
anticipated this year. The Department will continue to monitor this 
situation and modify FMRs if significant further rent increases occur.
    The FY2008 FMRs for the affected areas are increased as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Number of bedrooms
               2008 Fair market rent areas                ------------------------------------------------------
                                                               0          1          2          3          4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS MSA..................................       $655       $695       $811     $1,057     $1,086
Pascagoula, MS MSA.......................................        563        643        773      1,064      1,141
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Dated: January 25, 2008.
Darlene F. Williams,
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research.
[FR Doc. E8-1911 Filed 1-31-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P
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