Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2017 New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey, 68499 [2015-28150]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• U.s. Census Bureau

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 214 (Thursday, November 5, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 68499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28150]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2017 New York 
City Housing and Vacancy Survey

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before January 4, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at jjessup@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Ramon Toledo, US Census Bureau, Room 7H590T, 
Washington, DC 20233-8500; phone: (301) 763-5773 or email: 
ramon.e.toledo@census.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to conduct the 2017 New York City Housing 
and Vacancy Survey (NYCHVS) under contract for the City of New York. 
The primary purpose of the survey is to measure the rental vacancy 
rate, which is the primary factor in determining the continuation of 
rent control regulations. Other survey information is used by city and 
state agencies for planning purposes and by the private sector for 
business decisions. New York is required by city law to have such a 
survey conducted every three years.
    Information to be collected includes: age, gender, race, Hispanic 
origin, and relationship of all household members; employment status, 
education level, and income for persons aged 15 and above. Owner/renter 
status (tenure) is asked for all occupied units. Utility costs, monthly 
rent, availability of kitchen and bathroom facilities, maintenance 
deficiencies, neighborhood suitability, and other specific questions 
about each unit such as number of rooms and bedrooms are also asked. 
The survey also poses a number of questions relating to handicapped 
accessibility. For vacant units, a shorter series of similar questions 
is asked. Finally, all vacant units and approximately five percent of 
occupied units will be reinterviewed for quality assurance purposes.
    The Census Bureau compiles the data in tabular format based on 
specifications of the survey sponsor, as well as non-identifiable 
microdata. Both types of data are also made available to the general 
public through the Census Internet site. Note, however, that the 
sponsor, like the general public, does not receive any information that 
identifies any sample respondent or household.

II. Method of Collection

    We will attempt to collect all information via a personal interview 
using a questionnaire that is available in English and Spanish. 
However, upon the respondent's request, a telephone interview may be 
conducted.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0757.
    Form Numbers: H-100, H-108.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: primarily households and some rental offices/
realtors (for vacancies).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 17,000 occupied units, 1,500 
vacant units, 2,400 reinterviews.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes--occupied, 10 minutes--
vacant, 10 minutes--reinterview.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,200.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C.--Section 8b and Local Emergency 
Housing Rent Control Act, Laws of New York (Chapters 8603 and 657).

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(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 respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: October 30, 2015.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-28150 Filed 11-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-07-P