Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2018, 50888-50890 [2017-23901]

Download as PDF 50888 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 211 / Thursday, November 2, 2017 / Notices withdrawal of a retaining element, such as a guidewire, to secure the closure device to the wall. Potential Commercial Applications: Endovascular interventions. Inventors: Toby Rogers, Merdim Sonmez, Robert Lederman, Ozgur Kocaturk, (NHLBI). Intellectual Property: HHS Reference No. E–273–2015/0, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/236,734 filed October 2, 2015, International Patent Application PCT/US2016/054961 filed September 30, 2016. Licensing Contact: Michael Shmilovich, Esq, CLP; 301–435–5019; shmilovm@nih.gov. Dated: October 23, 2017. Michael Shmilovich, Senior Licensing and Patenting Manager, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Office of Technology Transfer and Development. Name of Committee: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Special Emphasis Panel; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute— Factor VIII Immune Response (U54). Date: November 30–December 1, 2017. Time: 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1480 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. Contact Person: William J. Johnson, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer, Office of Scientific Review/DERA, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 7178, Bethesda, MD 20892–7924, 301–827– 7938, johnsonwj@nhlbi.nih.gov. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.233, National Center for Sleep Disorders Research; 93.837, Heart and Vascular Diseases Research; 93.838, Lung Diseases Research; 93.839, Blood Diseases and Resources Research, National Institutes of Health, HHS) Dated: October 27, 2017. Michelle Trout, Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. 2017–23863 Filed 11–1–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P [FR Doc. 2017–23819 Filed 11–1–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Notice of Closed Meetings National Institutes of Health asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, notice is hereby given of the NHLBI Special Emphasis Panel meetings. The meetings will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Name of Committee: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Special Emphasis Panel; T32: Institutional Training to Promote Diversity. Date: November 30, 2017. Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 7189, Bethesda, MD 20892 (Telephone Conference Call). Contact Person: Lindsay M. Garvin, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer, Office of Scientific Review, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 7189, Bethesda, MD 20892, 301–827–7911, lindsay.garvin@ nih.gov. VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:28 Nov 01, 2017 Jkt 244001 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; Notice of Closed Meeting Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, notice is hereby given of the following meeting. The meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Name of Committee: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Special Emphasis Panel; NIAMS Ancillary Studies Review Meeting. Date: November 15, 2017. Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: National Institute of Health/NIAMS, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Suite 824, Bethesda, MD 20892 (Teleconference). Contact Person: Yin Liu, Ph.D., MD, Scientific Review Officer, Scientific Review Branch, National Institute of Health/NIAMS, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Suite 824, Bethesda, PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 MD 20892, 301–594–4952, liuy@ exchange.nih.gov. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.846, Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research, National Institutes of Health, HHS) Dated: October 30, 2017. Sylvia L. Neal, Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. 2017–23864 Filed 11–1–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–6044–N–01] Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2018 Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing Commissioner, HUD. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice establishes operating cost adjustment factors (OCAFs) for project-based rental assistance contracts issued under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 and renewed under the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (MAHRA) with an anniversary date on or after February 11, 2018. OCAFs are annual factors used primarily to adjust the rents for contracts renewed under section 515 or section 524 of MAHRA. OCAFs are distinct from, and do not apply to the same properties as Annual Adjustment Factors (AAFs). AAFs are used to adjust contract rents for units assisted in certain Section 8 housing assistance payment programs during the initial (i.e., pre-renewal) term of the HAP contract and for all units in the ProjectBased Certificate program. DATES: Applicable: February 11, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carisa L. Janis, Program Analyst, Office of Asset Management and Portfolio Oversight, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 202–402–2487 (this is not a tollfree number). Hearing- or speechimpaired individuals may access this number through TTY by calling the tollfree Federal Relay Service at 800–877– 8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. OCAFs Section 514(e)(2) and section 524(c)(1) of MAHRA (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) require HUD to establish guidelines for the development of OCAFs for rent E:\FR\FM\02NON1.SGM 02NON1 asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 211 / Thursday, November 2, 2017 / Notices adjustments. Sections 524(a)(4)(C)(i), 524(b)(1)(A), and 524(b)(3)(A) of MAHRA, all of which prescribe the use of the OCAF in the calculation of renewal rents, contain similar language. HUD has therefore used a single methodology for establishing OCAFs, which varies from State to State. MAHRA gives HUD broad discretion in setting OCAFs, referring, for example, in sections 524(a)(4)(C)(i), 524(b)(1)(A), 524(b)(3)(A) and 524(c)(1) simply to ‘‘an operating cost adjustment factor established by the Secretary.’’ The sole limitation to this grant of authority is a specific requirement in each of the foregoing provisions that application of an OCAF ‘‘shall not result in a negative adjustment.’’ Contract rents are adjusted by applying the OCAF to that portion of the rent attributable to operating expenses exclusive of debt service. The OCAFs provided in this notice are applicable to eligible projects having a contract anniversary date of February 11, 2018 or after and were calculated using the same method as those published in HUD’s 2017 OCAF notice originally published on October 5, 2016 (81 FR 69073) and amended and republished on December 27, 2016 (81 FR 95162). Specifically, OCAFs are calculated as the sum of weighted average cost changes for wages, employee benefits, property taxes, insurance, supplies and equipment, fuel oil, electricity, natural gas, and water/ sewer/trash using publicly available indices. The weights used in the OCAF calculations for each of the nine cost component groupings are set using current percentages attributable to each of the nine expense categories. These weights are calculated in the same manner as in the December 27, 2016, notice. Average expense proportions were calculated using three years of audited Annual Financial Statements from projects covered by OCAFs. The expenditure percentages for these nine categories have been found to be very stable over time, but using three years of data increases their stability. The nine cost component weights were calculated at the state level, which is the lowest level of geographical aggregation with enough projects to permit statistical analysis. These data were not available for the Western Pacific Islands, so data for Hawaii were used as the best available indicator of OCAFs for these areas. The best current price data sources for the nine cost categories were used in calculating annual change factors. Statelevel data for fuel oil, electricity, and natural gas from Department of Energy surveys are relatively current and continue to be used. Data on changes in VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:28 Nov 01, 2017 Jkt 244001 employee benefits, insurance, property taxes, and water/sewer/trash costs are only available at the national level. The data sources for the nine cost indicators selected used were as follows: • Labor Costs: First quarter, 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ECI, Private Industry Wages and Salaries, All Workers (Series ID CIU2020000000000I) at the national level and Private Industry Benefits, All Workers (Series ID CIU2030000000000I) at the national level. • Property Taxes: Census Quarterly Summary of State and Local Government Tax Revenue—Table 1 https://www2.census.gov/govs/qtax/ 20162017/q1t1.xls https://www2.census. gov/govs/qtax/2017/q1t1.xls. 12-month property taxes are computed as the total of four quarters of tax receipts for the period from April through March. Total 12-month taxes are then divided by the number of occupied housing units to arrive at average 12-month tax per housing unit. The number of occupied housing units is taken from the estimates program at the Bureau of the Census. https://www.census.gov/ housing/hvs/data/histtab8.xls. • Goods, Supplies, Equipment: May 2016 to May 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index, All Items Less Food, Energy and Shelter (Series ID CUUR0000SA0L12E) at the national level. • Insurance: May 2016 to May 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS) Consumer Price Index, Tenants and Household Insurance Index (Series ID CUUR0000SEHD) at the national level. • Fuel Oil: October 2016–March 2017 U.S. Weekly Heating Oil and Propane Prices report. Average weekly residential heating oil prices in cents per gallon excluding taxes for the period from October 5, 2016 through March 28, 2017 are compared to the average from October 13, 2015 through March 30, 2016. For the States with insufficient fuel oil consumption to have separate estimates, the relevant regional Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADD) change between these two periods is used; if there is no regional PADD estimate, the U.S. change between these two periods is used. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_ wfr_a_EPD2F_prs_dpgal_w.htm. • Electricity: Energy Information Agency, February 2017 ‘‘Electric Power Monthly’’ report, Table 5.6.B. https:// www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_ table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_5_06_b. • Natural Gas: Energy Information Agency, Natural Gas, Residential Energy Price, 2016–2017 annual prices in dollars per 1,000 cubic feet at the state level. Due to EIA data quality standards PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 50889 several states were missing data for one or two months in 2016; in these cases, data for these missing months were estimated using data from the surrounding months in 2016 and the relationship between that same month and the surrounding months in 2015. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_pri_ sum_a_EPG0_PRS_DMcf_a.htm. • Water and Sewer: May 2016 to May 2017 Consumer Price Index, All Urban Consumers, Water and Sewer and Trash Collection Services (Series ID CUUR0000SEHG) at the national level. The sum of the nine cost component percentage weights equals 100 percent of operating costs for purposes of OCAF calculations. To calculate the OCAFs, state-level cost component weights developed from AFS data are multiplied by the selected inflation factors. For instance, if wages in Virginia comprised 50 percent of total operating cost expenses and increased by 4 percent from 2017 to 2018 the wage increase component of the Virginia OCAF for 2018 would be 2.0 percent (50% * 4%). This 2.0 percent would then be added to the increases for the other eight expense categories to calculate the 2018 OCAF for Virginia. For states where the OCAF is less than 0 percent, the OCAF is floored at 0 percent. The OCAFs for 2018 are included as an Appendix to this Notice. II. MAHRA OCAF Procedures Sections 514 and 515 of MAHRA, as amended, created the Mark-to-Market program to reduce the cost of federal housing assistance, to enhance HUD’s administration of such assistance, and to ensure the continued affordability of units in certain multifamily housing projects. Section 524 of MAHRA authorizes renewal of Section 8 projectbased assistance contracts for projects without restructuring plans under the Mark-to-Market program, including projects that are not eligible for a restructuring plan and those for which the owner does not request such a plan. Renewals must be at rents not exceeding comparable market rents except for certain projects. As an example, for Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation projects, other than single room occupancy projects (SROs) under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.), that are eligible for renewal under section 524(b)(3) of MAHRA, the renewal rents are required to be set at the lesser of: (1) The existing rents under the expiring contract, as adjusted by the OCAF; (2) fair market rents (less any amounts allowed for tenant-purchased utilities); or (3) comparable market rents for the market area. E:\FR\FM\02NON1.SGM 02NON1 50890 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 211 / Thursday, November 2, 2017 / Notices III. Findings and Certifications Environmental Impact This notice sets forth rate determinations and related external administrative requirements and procedures that do not constitute a development decision affecting the physical condition of specific project areas or building sites. Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(6), this notice is categorically excluded from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321). Paperwork Reduction Act This notice does not impact the information collection requirements already submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3520). In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection displays a currently valid OMB control number. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program is 14.195. Dated: October 27, 2017. Dana T. Wade, General Deputy, Assistant Secretary for Housing. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:28 Nov 01, 2017 OCAF (%) Jkt 244001 1.9 2.2 1.8 2.0 2.4 1.7 2.0 2.1 2.5 1.9 2.1 2.3 0.9 2.1 2.0 1.9 2.3 2.4 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.0 2.1 2.3 2.8 2.3 2.1 2.2 [FR Doc. 2017–23901 Filed 11–1–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR [189A2100DD/AAKC001030/ A0A501010.999900 253G; OMB Control Number 1076–0131] Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2018 Alabama ........................................ Alaska ........................................... Arizona .......................................... Arkansas ....................................... California ....................................... Colorado ....................................... Connecticut ................................... Delaware ....................................... District of Columbia ...................... Florida ........................................... Georgia ......................................... Hawaii ........................................... Idaho ............................................. Illinois ............................................ Indiana .......................................... Iowa .............................................. Kansas .......................................... Kentucky ....................................... Louisiana ...................................... Maine ............................................ Maryland ....................................... Massachusetts .............................. Michigan ....................................... Minnesota ..................................... Mississippi .................................... Missouri ........................................ Montana ........................................ Nebraska ...................................... Nevada ......................................... New Hampshire ............................ New Jersey ................................... New Mexico .................................. New York ...................................... North Carolina .............................. North Dakota ................................ Ohio .............................................. Oklahoma ..................................... Oregon .......................................... Pacific Islands ............................... Pennsylvania ................................ Puerto Rico ................................... Rhode Island ................................ South Carolina .............................. South Dakota ................................ Tennessee .................................... Texas ............................................ Utah .............................................. Vermont ........................................ Virgin Islands ................................ Virginia .......................................... Washington ................................... West Virginia ................................ Wisconsin ..................................... Wyoming ....................................... U.S. ............................................... Bureau of Indian Affairs APPENDIX State OCAF (%) State 2.3 2.9 2.0 2.2 2.4 1.9 2.2 2.1 2.0 2.1 2.2 0.9 2.4 2.2 2.1 2.5 2.4 2.1 2.1 1.6 2.3 1.9 2.2 2.2 2.0 1.8 Agency Information Collection Activities; Indian Child Welfare Quarterly and Annual Report Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is proposing to renew an information collection. SUMMARY: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before January 2, 2018. ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request (ICR) by mail to Ms. Evangeline Campbell, Chief, Division of Human Services, Office of Indian Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street NW., MS–4513– MIB, Washington, DC 20240; facsimile: (202) 208–5113; email: Evangeline.Campbell@bia.gov. Please reference OMB Control Number 1076– DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 0131 in the subject line of your comments. To request additional information about this ICR, contact Ms. Evangeline Campbell, (202) 513–7621. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. We are soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper functions of the BIA; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the BIA enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the BIA minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Abstract: The BIA is seeking to renew the information collection conducted under 25 CFR 23, related to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). BIA collects information using a consolidated caseload form, which tribal ICWA program directors fill out. BIA uses the information to determine the extent of service needs in local Indian communities, assess ICWA program effectiveness, and provide date for the annual program budget justification. The aggregated report is not considered confidential. This form must completed by tribes that operate child protection programs. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\02NON1.SGM 02NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 211 (Thursday, November 2, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50888-50890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23901]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-6044-N-01]


Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2018

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal Housing 
Commissioner, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice establishes operating cost adjustment factors 
(OCAFs) for project-based rental assistance contracts issued under 
Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 and renewed under 
the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 
(MAHRA) with an anniversary date on or after February 11, 2018. OCAFs 
are annual factors used primarily to adjust the rents for contracts 
renewed under section 515 or section 524 of MAHRA. OCAFs are distinct 
from, and do not apply to the same properties as Annual Adjustment 
Factors (AAFs). AAFs are used to adjust contract rents for units 
assisted in certain Section 8 housing assistance payment programs 
during the initial (i.e., pre-renewal) term of the HAP contract and for 
all units in the Project-Based Certificate program.

DATES: Applicable: February 11, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carisa L. Janis, Program Analyst, 
Office of Asset Management and Portfolio Oversight, Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 
20410; telephone number 202-402-2487 (this is not a toll-free number). 
Hearing- or speech-impaired individuals may access this number through 
TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. OCAFs

    Section 514(e)(2) and section 524(c)(1) of MAHRA (42 U.S.C. 1437f 
note) require HUD to establish guidelines for the development of OCAFs 
for rent

[[Page 50889]]

adjustments. Sections 524(a)(4)(C)(i), 524(b)(1)(A), and 524(b)(3)(A) 
of MAHRA, all of which prescribe the use of the OCAF in the calculation 
of renewal rents, contain similar language. HUD has therefore used a 
single methodology for establishing OCAFs, which varies from State to 
State.
    MAHRA gives HUD broad discretion in setting OCAFs, referring, for 
example, in sections 524(a)(4)(C)(i), 524(b)(1)(A), 524(b)(3)(A) and 
524(c)(1) simply to ``an operating cost adjustment factor established 
by the Secretary.'' The sole limitation to this grant of authority is a 
specific requirement in each of the foregoing provisions that 
application of an OCAF ``shall not result in a negative adjustment.'' 
Contract rents are adjusted by applying the OCAF to that portion of the 
rent attributable to operating expenses exclusive of debt service.
    The OCAFs provided in this notice are applicable to eligible 
projects having a contract anniversary date of February 11, 2018 or 
after and were calculated using the same method as those published in 
HUD's 2017 OCAF notice originally published on October 5, 2016 (81 FR 
69073) and amended and republished on December 27, 2016 (81 FR 95162). 
Specifically, OCAFs are calculated as the sum of weighted average cost 
changes for wages, employee benefits, property taxes, insurance, 
supplies and equipment, fuel oil, electricity, natural gas, and water/
sewer/trash using publicly available indices. The weights used in the 
OCAF calculations for each of the nine cost component groupings are set 
using current percentages attributable to each of the nine expense 
categories. These weights are calculated in the same manner as in the 
December 27, 2016, notice. Average expense proportions were calculated 
using three years of audited Annual Financial Statements from projects 
covered by OCAFs. The expenditure percentages for these nine categories 
have been found to be very stable over time, but using three years of 
data increases their stability. The nine cost component weights were 
calculated at the state level, which is the lowest level of 
geographical aggregation with enough projects to permit statistical 
analysis. These data were not available for the Western Pacific 
Islands, so data for Hawaii were used as the best available indicator 
of OCAFs for these areas.
    The best current price data sources for the nine cost categories 
were used in calculating annual change factors. State-level data for 
fuel oil, electricity, and natural gas from Department of Energy 
surveys are relatively current and continue to be used. Data on changes 
in employee benefits, insurance, property taxes, and water/sewer/trash 
costs are only available at the national level. The data sources for 
the nine cost indicators selected used were as follows:
     Labor Costs: First quarter, 2017 Bureau of Labor 
Statistics (BLS) ECI, Private Industry Wages and Salaries, All Workers 
(Series ID CIU2020000000000I) at the national level and Private 
Industry Benefits, All Workers (Series ID CIU2030000000000I) at the 
national level.
     Property Taxes: Census Quarterly Summary of State and 
Local Government Tax Revenue--Table 1 https://www2.census.gov/govs/qtax/20162017/q1t1.xls https://www2.census.gov/govs/qtax/2017/q1t1.xls. 12-
month property taxes are computed as the total of four quarters of tax 
receipts for the period from April through March. Total 12-month taxes 
are then divided by the number of occupied housing units to arrive at 
average 12-month tax per housing unit. The number of occupied housing 
units is taken from the estimates program at the Bureau of the Census. 
https://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/data/histtab8.xls.
     Goods, Supplies, Equipment: May 2016 to May 2017 Bureau of 
Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index, All Items Less Food, 
Energy and Shelter (Series ID CUUR0000SA0L12E) at the national level.
     Insurance: May 2016 to May 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistic 
(BLS) Consumer Price Index, Tenants and Household Insurance Index 
(Series ID CUUR0000SEHD) at the national level.
     Fuel Oil: October 2016-March 2017 U.S. Weekly Heating Oil 
and Propane Prices report. Average weekly residential heating oil 
prices in cents per gallon excluding taxes for the period from October 
5, 2016 through March 28, 2017 are compared to the average from October 
13, 2015 through March 30, 2016. For the States with insufficient fuel 
oil consumption to have separate estimates, the relevant regional 
Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADD) change between 
these two periods is used; if there is no regional PADD estimate, the 
U.S. change between these two periods is used. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_wfr_a_EPD2F_prs_dpgal_w.htm.
     Electricity: Energy Information Agency, February 2017 
``Electric Power Monthly'' report, Table 5.6.B. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_5_06_b.
     Natural Gas: Energy Information Agency, Natural Gas, 
Residential Energy Price, 2016-2017 annual prices in dollars per 1,000 
cubic feet at the state level. Due to EIA data quality standards 
several states were missing data for one or two months in 2016; in 
these cases, data for these missing months were estimated using data 
from the surrounding months in 2016 and the relationship between that 
same month and the surrounding months in 2015. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_pri_sum_a_EPG0_PRS_DMcf_a.htm.
     Water and Sewer: May 2016 to May 2017 Consumer Price 
Index, All Urban Consumers, Water and Sewer and Trash Collection 
Services (Series ID CUUR0000SEHG) at the national level.
    The sum of the nine cost component percentage weights equals 100 
percent of operating costs for purposes of OCAF calculations. To 
calculate the OCAFs, state-level cost component weights developed from 
AFS data are multiplied by the selected inflation factors. For 
instance, if wages in Virginia comprised 50 percent of total operating 
cost expenses and increased by 4 percent from 2017 to 2018 the wage 
increase component of the Virginia OCAF for 2018 would be 2.0 percent 
(50% * 4%). This 2.0 percent would then be added to the increases for 
the other eight expense categories to calculate the 2018 OCAF for 
Virginia. For states where the OCAF is less than 0 percent, the OCAF is 
floored at 0 percent. The OCAFs for 2018 are included as an Appendix to 
this Notice.

II. MAHRA OCAF Procedures

    Sections 514 and 515 of MAHRA, as amended, created the Mark-to-
Market program to reduce the cost of federal housing assistance, to 
enhance HUD's administration of such assistance, and to ensure the 
continued affordability of units in certain multifamily housing 
projects. Section 524 of MAHRA authorizes renewal of Section 8 project-
based assistance contracts for projects without restructuring plans 
under the Mark-to-Market program, including projects that are not 
eligible for a restructuring plan and those for which the owner does 
not request such a plan. Renewals must be at rents not exceeding 
comparable market rents except for certain projects. As an example, for 
Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation projects, other than single room 
occupancy projects (SROs) under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.), that are eligible for renewal under 
section 524(b)(3) of MAHRA, the renewal rents are required to be set at 
the lesser of: (1) The existing rents under the expiring contract, as 
adjusted by the OCAF; (2) fair market rents (less any amounts allowed 
for tenant-purchased utilities); or (3) comparable market rents for the 
market area.

[[Page 50890]]

III. Findings and Certifications

Environmental Impact

    This notice sets forth rate determinations and related external 
administrative requirements and procedures that do not constitute a 
development decision affecting the physical condition of specific 
project areas or building sites. Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(6), 
this notice is categorically excluded from environmental review under 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This notice does not impact the information collection requirements 
already submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). In 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, an agency may not conduct 
or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of 
information unless the collection displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program 
is 14.195.

    Dated: October 27, 2017.
Dana T. Wade,
General Deputy, Assistant Secretary for Housing.

APPENDIX

Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2018

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            State                              OCAF  (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama......................................................        2.3
Alaska.......................................................        2.9
Arizona......................................................        2.0
Arkansas.....................................................        2.2
California...................................................        2.4
Colorado.....................................................        1.9
Connecticut..................................................        2.2
Delaware.....................................................        2.1
District of Columbia.........................................        2.0
Florida......................................................        2.1
Georgia......................................................        2.2
Hawaii.......................................................        0.9
Idaho........................................................        2.4
Illinois.....................................................        2.2
Indiana......................................................        2.1
Iowa.........................................................        2.5
Kansas.......................................................        2.4
Kentucky.....................................................        2.1
Louisiana....................................................        2.1
Maine........................................................        1.6
Maryland.....................................................        2.3
Massachusetts................................................        1.9
Michigan.....................................................        2.2
Minnesota....................................................        2.2
Mississippi..................................................        2.0
Missouri.....................................................        1.8
Montana......................................................        1.9
Nebraska.....................................................        2.2
Nevada.......................................................        1.8
New Hampshire................................................        2.0
New Jersey...................................................        2.4
New Mexico...................................................        1.7
New York.....................................................        2.0
North Carolina...............................................        2.1
North Dakota.................................................        2.5
Ohio.........................................................        1.9
Oklahoma.....................................................        2.1
Oregon.......................................................        2.3
Pacific Islands..............................................        0.9
Pennsylvania.................................................        2.1
Puerto Rico..................................................        2.0
Rhode Island.................................................        1.9
South Carolina...............................................        2.3
South Dakota.................................................        2.4
Tennessee....................................................        2.2
Texas........................................................        2.2
Utah.........................................................        2.2
Vermont......................................................        2.2
Virgin Islands...............................................        2.0
Virginia.....................................................        2.1
Washington...................................................        2.3
West Virginia................................................        2.8
Wisconsin....................................................        2.3
Wyoming......................................................        2.1
U.S..........................................................        2.2
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[FR Doc. 2017-23901 Filed 11-1-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P
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