Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2021, 76088-76090 [2020-26192]

Download as PDF 76088 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 229 / Friday, November 27, 2020 / Notices • lipid disorder • metabolic syndrome Development Stage • Early stage Inventors: Kenneth A. Jacobson (NIDDK), Anna Junker, Elisa Uliassi (NIDDK), Evgeny Kiselev (NIDDK) Publications: Junker A, Balasubramanian R, Ciancetta A, et al., Structure-based design of 3-(4-aryl-1H– 1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-biphenyl derivatives as P2Y14 receptor antagonists. J. Med. Chem., 2016, 59:6149¥6168. Intellectual Property: HHS Reference No. E–213–2015–0, U.S. Patent No. 10,683,277, issued June 16, 2020, EP Patent Application 16774825.0, filed Sept. 23, 2016, Chinese Patent Application 201680064441.5, filed Sept. 23, 2016. Licensing Contact: Betty B. Tong, Ph.D.; 301–451–7836; tongb@ mail.nih.gov. This notice is made in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR part 404. Dated: November 19, 2020. Bei Tong, Senior Licensing and Patenting Manager, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Technology Advancement Office. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 5601 Fishers Lane, Room 3G31, Rockville, MD 20892, (Virtual Meeting). Contact Person: Cynthia L. De La Fuente, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer, Scientific Review Program, Division of Extramural Activities, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 5601 Fishers Lane, Room 3G31, Rockville, MD 20852, 240–669–2740, delafuentecl@niaid.nih.gov. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.855, Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation Research; 93.856, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institutes of Health, HHS) Dated: November 20, 2020. Tyeshia M. Roberson, Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. 2020–26152 Filed 11–25–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–6236–N–01] Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2021 [FR Doc. 2020–26169 Filed 11–25–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing Commissioner, HUD. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES 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 Allergy and Infectious Diseases Special Emphasis Panel NIAID SBIR Phase II Clinical Trial Implementation Cooperative Agreement (U44 Clinical Trial Required). Date: December 18, 2020. Time: 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:29 Nov 25, 2020 This notice establishes operating cost adjustment factors (OCAFs) for project-based 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) for eligible multifamily housing projects having an anniversary date on or after February 11, 2021. OCAFs are annual factors used to adjust Section 8 rents renewed under section 515 or section 524 of MAHRA. DATES: Applicability Date: February 11, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carissa 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: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Notice of Closed Meeting Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 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 vary among states and territories. 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), to simply ‘‘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, 2021, or after and were calculated using the same method as those published in HUD’s 2020 OCAF notice published on November 22, 2019 (84 FR 64553). Specifically, OCAFs are calculated as the sum of weighted component 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 November 22, 2019, 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- E:\FR\FM\27NON1.SGM 27NON1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 229 / Friday, November 27, 2020 / Notices 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 available only at the national level. The data sources used for the selected nine cost indicators are as follows: • Labor Costs: First quarter, 2020 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://www.census.gov/econ/ currentdata/dbsearch?program =QTAX&startYear=2018&endYear =2020&categories= QTAXCAT1&dataType=T01&geoLevel= US&notAdjusted=1&submit= GET+DATA&releaseScheduleId=. Twelve-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.xlsx. • Goods, Supplies, Equipment: May 2019 to May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index, All Items Less Food, Energy and Shelter (Series ID CUUR0000SA0L12E) at the national level. • Insurance: May 2019 to May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS) Consumer Price Index, Tenants and Household Insurance Index (Series ID CUUR0000SEHD) at the national level. • Fuel Oil: October 2019–March 2020 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 7, 2019, through the week of March 30, 2020, are compared to the average from October 1, 2018, through the week of March 25, 2019. 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:29 Nov 25, 2020 Jkt 253001 76089 • Electricity: Energy Information Agency, February 2020 ‘‘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, 2018–2019 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 2019; in these cases, data for these missing months were estimated using data from the surrounding months in 2019 and the relationship between that same month and the surrounding months in 2018. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_pri_ sum_a_EPG0_PRS_DMcf_a.htm. • Water and Sewer: May 2019 to May 2020 Consumer Price Index, All Urban Consumers, Water and Sewer and Trash Collection Services (Series ID CUUR00 00SEHG) 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 2019 to 2020, the wage increase component of the Virginia OCAF for 2021 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 2021 OCAF for Virginia. For states where the calculated OCAF is less than zero, the OCAF is floored at zero. The OCAFs for 2021 are included as an Appendix to this Notice. 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. 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 Dana T. Wade, Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing Commissioner. PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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). IV. 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. V. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program is 14.195. APPENDIX OPERATING COST ADJUSTMENT FACTORS FOR 2021 Alabama ............................................ Alaska ............................................... Arizona .............................................. Arkansas ........................................... California ........................................... Colorado ........................................... Connecticut ....................................... Delaware ........................................... District of Columbia .......................... Florida ............................................... Georgia ............................................. Hawaii ............................................... Idaho ................................................. Illinois ................................................ Indiana .............................................. Iowa .................................................. E:\FR\FM\27NON1.SGM 27NON1 2.6 2.3 2.1 2.4 2.7 2.4 2.6 2.2 2.7 2.5 2.5 2.0 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.7 76090 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 229 / Friday, November 27, 2020 / Notices OPERATING COST ADJUSTMENT FACTORS FOR 2021—Continued 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 ........................................... US ..................................................... 2.0 2.4 2.2 2.2 2.5 2.3 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.0 2.0 2.5 2.7 2.6 2.8 2.2 2.0 2.6 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.4 2.0 2.4 2.5 2.4 2.6 2.3 2.4 2.8 2.3 1.8 2.0 2.6 2.3 2.2 2.8 2.2 2.5 [FR Doc. 2020–26192 Filed 11–25–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–7024–N–48] 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: HUD-Owned Good Neighbor Next Door Program; OMB Control No.: (2502–0570) Office of the Chief Information Officer, HUD. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: HUD has submitted the proposed information collection requirement described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The purpose of this notice is to allow for an additional 30 days of public comment. DATES: Comments Due Date: December 28, 2020. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this proposal. Written comments and jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:29 Nov 25, 2020 Jkt 253001 recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ Start Printed Page 15501PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or by using the search function. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colette Pollard, Reports Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20410; email Colette Pollard at Colette.Pollard@ hud.gov or telephone 202–402–3400. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. This is not a toll-free number. Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Ms. Pollard. This notice informs the public that HUD has submitted to OMB a request for approval of the information collection described in Section A. The Federal Register notice that solicited public comment on the information collection for a period of 60 days was published on June 1, 2020 at 85 FR 33188. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Overview of Information Collection Title of Information Collection: HUDOwned Good Neighbor Next Door Program. OMB Approval Number: 2502–0570. Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection. Form Number: HUD–9549, HUD– 9549–A, HUD–9549–B, HUD–9549–C, HUD–9549–D, HUD–9549–E. Description of the need for the information and proposed use: The information collected will be used to administer the Good Neighbor Next Door Sales program and to determine and document the eligibility to participate in the program. The forms are used in addition to the sales contracts and addenda that are used in binding contracts between purchasers of acquired single family assets and HUD through the Good Neighbor Next Door Sales program. Respondents: law enforcement officers, teachers or firefighters/ emergency medical Technicians. Estimated Number of Respondents: 738. Estimated Number of Responses: 1,806. Frequency of Response: 2.44715. Average Hours per Response: 0.08582. Total Estimated Burdens: 155. PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 B. Solicitation of Public Comment This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affected parties concerning the collection of information described in Section A on the following: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond,; including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. (5) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. HUD encourages interested parties to submit comments in response to these questions. C. Authority: Section 2 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507. Colette Pollard, Department Reports Management Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2020–26234 Filed 11–25–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–7024–N–49] 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Exigent Health and Safety Deficiency Correction Certification; OMB Control No.: 2577–0241 Office of the Chief Information Officer, HUD. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: HUD has submitted the proposed information collection requirement described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The purpose of this notice is to allow for an additional 30 days of public comment. DATES: Comments Due Date: December 28, 2020. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27NON1.SGM 27NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 229 (Friday, November 27, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76088-76090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26192]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-6236-N-01]


Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2021

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 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) for eligible multifamily housing projects having an anniversary 
date on or after February 11, 2021. OCAFs are annual factors used to 
adjust Section 8 rents renewed under section 515 or section 524 of 
MAHRA.

DATES: Applicability Date: February 11, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carissa 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 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 vary 
among states and territories.
    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), to simply ``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, 2021, or 
after and were calculated using the same method as those published in 
HUD's 2020 OCAF notice published on November 22, 2019 (84 FR 64553). 
Specifically, OCAFs are calculated as the sum of weighted component 
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 
November 22, 2019, 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-

[[Page 76089]]

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 available only at the national level. The data 
sources used for the selected nine cost indicators are as follows:
     Labor Costs: First quarter, 2020 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://www.census.gov/econ/currentdata/dbsearch?program=QTAX&startYear=2018&endYear=2020&categories=QTAXCAT1&dataType=T01&geoLevel=US¬Adjusted=1&submit=GET+DATA&releaseScheduleId=.
 Twelve-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.xlsx.
     Goods, Supplies, Equipment: May 2019 to May 2020 Bureau of 
Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index, All Items Less Food, 
Energy and Shelter (Series ID CUUR0000SA0L12E) at the national level.
     Insurance: May 2019 to May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistic 
(BLS) Consumer Price Index, Tenants and Household Insurance Index 
(Series ID CUUR0000SEHD) at the national level.
     Fuel Oil: October 2019-March 2020 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 
7, 2019, through the week of March 30, 2020, are compared to the 
average from October 1, 2018, through the week of March 25, 2019. 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 2020 
``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, 2018-2019 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 2019; in 
these cases, data for these missing months were estimated using data 
from the surrounding months in 2019 and the relationship between that 
same month and the surrounding months in 2018. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_pri_sum_a_EPG0_PRS_DMcf_a.htm.
     Water and Sewer: May 2019 to May 2020 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 2019 to 2020, the wage 
increase component of the Virginia OCAF for 2021 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 2021 OCAF for 
Virginia. For states where the calculated OCAF is less than zero, the 
OCAF is floored at zero. The OCAFs for 2021 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.

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).

IV. 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.

V. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

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

Dana T. Wade,
Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner.

APPENDIX

               Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2021
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama........................................................      2.6
Alaska.........................................................      2.3
Arizona........................................................      2.1
Arkansas.......................................................      2.4
California.....................................................      2.7
Colorado.......................................................      2.4
Connecticut....................................................      2.6
Delaware.......................................................      2.2
District of Columbia...........................................      2.7
Florida........................................................      2.5
Georgia........................................................      2.5
Hawaii.........................................................      2.0
Idaho..........................................................      2.5
Illinois.......................................................      2.6
Indiana........................................................      2.5
Iowa...........................................................      2.7

[[Page 76090]]

 
Kansas.........................................................      2.0
Kentucky.......................................................      2.4
Louisiana......................................................      2.2
Maine..........................................................      2.2
Maryland.......................................................      2.5
Massachusetts..................................................      2.3
Michigan.......................................................      2.5
Minnesota......................................................      2.4
Mississippi....................................................      2.4
Missouri.......................................................      2.0
Montana........................................................      2.0
Nebraska.......................................................      2.5
Nevada.........................................................      2.7
New Hampshire..................................................      2.6
New Jersey.....................................................      2.8
New Mexico.....................................................      2.2
New York.......................................................      2.0
North Carolina.................................................      2.6
North Dakota...................................................      2.5
Ohio...........................................................      2.3
Oklahoma.......................................................      2.2
Oregon.........................................................      2.4
Pacific Islands................................................      2.0
Pennsylvania...................................................      2.4
Puerto Rico....................................................      2.5
Rhode Island...................................................      2.4
South Carolina.................................................      2.6
South Dakota...................................................      2.3
Tennessee......................................................      2.4
Texas..........................................................      2.8
Utah...........................................................      2.3
Vermont........................................................      1.8
Virgin Islands.................................................      2.0
Virginia.......................................................      2.6
Washington.....................................................      2.3
West Virginia..................................................      2.2
Wisconsin......................................................      2.8
Wyoming........................................................      2.2
US.............................................................      2.5
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[FR Doc. 2020-26192 Filed 11-25-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P
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