Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2022, 54707-54709 [2021-21511]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 189 / Monday, October 4, 2021 / Notices A public comment period will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET and Wednesday, October 20, 2021 from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET. The public comment period will not exceed 30 minutes. Please note that the public comment period may end before the time indicated, following the last call for comments. Contact the individual listed below to register as a speaker by close of business on Thursday October 14, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Koper, Designated Federal Officer for the TMAC, FEMA, 400 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20024, telephone 202– 733–7859, and email brian.koper@ fema.dhs.gov. The TMAC website is: https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/ guidance-partners/technical-mappingadvisory-council. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of this meeting is given under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (Pub. L. 92–463). In accordance with the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, the TMAC makes recommendations to the FEMA Administrator on: (1) How to improve, in a cost-effective manner, the (a) accuracy, general quality, ease of use, and distribution and dissemination of flood insurance rate maps and risk data; and (b) performance metrics and milestones required to effectively and efficiently map flood risk areas in the United States; (2) mapping standards and guidelines for (a) flood insurance rate maps, and (b) data accuracy, data quality, data currency, and data eligibility; (3) how to maintain, on an ongoing basis, flood insurance rate maps and flood risk identification; (4) procedures for delegating mapping activities to State and local mapping partners; and (5) (a) methods for improving interagency and intergovernmental coordination on flood mapping and flood risk determination, and (b) a funding strategy to leverage and coordinate budgets and expenditures across Federal agencies. Furthermore, the TMAC is required to submit an annual report to the FEMA Administrator that contains: (1) A description of the activities of the Council; (2) an evaluation of the status and performance of flood insurance rate maps and mapping activities to revise and update Flood Insurance Rate Maps; and (3) a summary of recommendations made by the Council to the FEMA Administrator. Agenda: The purpose of this meeting is for the TMAC members to discuss the draft content for the 2021 TMAC report. Any related materials will be posted to VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:52 Oct 01, 2021 Jkt 256001 the FEMA TMAC site prior to the meeting to provide the public an opportunity to review the materials. The full agenda and related meeting materials will be posted for review by Thursday, October 14, 2021 at https:// www.fema.gov/flood-maps/guidancepartners/technical-mapping-advisorycouncil. Michael M. Grimm, Assistant Administrator for Risk Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency. [FR Doc. 2021–21515 Filed 10–1–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–12–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–6288–N–01] Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2022 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 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, 2022. OCAFs are annual factors used to adjust Section 8 rents renewed under section 515 or section 524 of MAHRA. DATES: Applicability Date: February 11, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Lavorel, Director, Office of Asset Management and Portfolio Oversight Program Administration Office, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 202–402–4633 (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 adjustments. Sections 524(a)(4)(C)(i), 524(b)(1)(A), and 524(b)(3)(A) of MAHRA, all of which prescribe the use PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54707 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, 2022, or after and were calculated using the same method as those published in HUD’s 2021 OCAF notice published on November 27, 2020 (85 FR 76088). 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 27, 2020, 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 employee benefits, employee wages, goods/supplies/equipment, insurance, property taxes, and water/sewer/trash costs are available only at the national level. The data sources used for the E:\FR\FM\04OCN1.SGM 04OCN1 54708 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 189 / Monday, October 4, 2021 / Notices selected nine cost indicators are as follows: • Electricity: Energy Information Agency, February 2021 ‘‘Electric Power Monthly’’ report, Table 5.6.B. https:// www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_ table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_06_b. • Employee benefits/employee wages: First quarter, 2021 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. • Fuel Oil: October 2020–March 2021 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, 2020, through the week of March 29, 2021, are compared to the average from October 7, 2019, through the week of March 30, 2020. 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. • Goods, Supplies, Equipment: May 2020 to May 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index, All Items Less Food, Energy and Shelter (Series ID CUUR0000SA0L12E) at the national level. • Insurance: May 2020 to May 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS) Consumer Price Index, Tenants and Household Insurance Index (Series ID CUUR0000SEHD) at the national level. • Natural Gas: Energy Information Agency, Natural Gas, Residential Energy Price, 2019–2020 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 2020; in these cases, data for these missing months were estimated using data from the surrounding months in 2020 and the relationship between that same month and the surrounding months in 2019. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_pri_ sum_a_EPG0_PRS_DMcf_a.htm. • Property Taxes: Census Quarterly Summary of State and Local Government Tax Revenue—Table 1: https://www.census.gov/econ/ currentdata/dbsearch?program=QTAX& startYear=2019&endYear=2021& categories=QTAXCAT1& dataType=T01&geoLevel =US&notAdjusted=1& submit=GET+DATA& VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:52 Oct 01, 2021 Jkt 256001 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 U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey/ Housing Vacancy Survey (CPS/HVS) housing inventory estimates the estimates, Table 8: https:// www.census.gov/housing/hvs/data/ histtab8.xlsx. • Water and Sewer: May 2020 to May 2021 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 2020 to 2021, the wage increase component of the Virginia OCAF for 2022 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 2022 OCAF for Virginia. For states where the calculated OCAF is less than zero, the OCAF is floored at zero. The OCAFs for 2022 are included as an Appendix to this Notice. 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 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) Lopa P. Kolluri, Principal Deputy Assistant, Secretary for Housing. PO 00000 Frm 00036 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 2022 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 ........................................... E:\FR\FM\04OCN1.SGM 04OCN1 3.1 2.5 3.0 3.4 3.5 3.0 2.9 3.4 2.9 2.9 3.1 1.8 3.2 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.0 3.0 2.8 2.0 3.1 2.9 3.3 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 189 / Monday, October 4, 2021 / Notices 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 ........................................... United States .................................... 3.2 3.1 2.8 3.3 3.2 3.1 2.4 3.0 3.4 2.9 3.2 3.0 2.8 2.8 3.2 1.8 2.8 2.9 2.7 3.0 3.1 3.0 3.3 3.3 3.0 2.6 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.1 3.1 [FR Doc. 2021–21511 Filed 10–1–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs [212A2100DD/AAKC001030/ A0A501010.999900 253G] Indian Child Welfare Act; Designated Tribal Agents for Service of Notice Bureau of Indians Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The regulations implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act provide that Federally recognized Indian Tribes may designate an agent other than the Tribal Chairman for service of notice of proceedings under the Act. This notice includes the current list of designated Tribal agents for service of notice. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Evangeline M. Campbell, Chief, Division of Human Services, Office of Indian Services, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 3641–MIB, Washington, DC 20240; Phone: (202) 513–7621; Email: Evangeline.campbell@ bia.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 U.S.C. 1901 et seq., provide that Federally recognized Tribes may designate an agent other than the Tribal Chairman for service of notice of proceedings under the Act. See 25 CFR 23.12. The Secretary of the Interior is required to update and publish in the Federal Register as necessary the names and addresses of the designated Tribal agents. This notice is published in exercise of authority delegated by the Secretary of the Interior to the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs by 209 DM 8. In any involuntary proceeding in a State court where the court knows or has reason to know that an Indian child is involved, and where the identity and location of the child’s parent or Indian custodian or Tribe is known, the party seeking the foster-care placement of, or termination of parental rights to, an Indian child must directly notify the parents, the Indian custodians, and the child’s Tribe by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested, of the pending child-custody proceedings and their right of intervention. Copies of these notices must be sent to the appropriate Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Regional Director by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested or by personal delivery. See 25 CFR 23.11. No notices are requir-ed to be sent to the Secretary’s office or the BIA Central Office, except for final adoption de-crees. Final adoption decrees are required to be sent to the BIA Central Office in Washington, DC. If the identity or location of the child’s parents, the child’s Indian custodian, or the Federally Recognized Tribe(s) in which the Indian child is a 54709 member or eligible for membership cannot be ascertained, but there is reason to know the child is an Indian child, notice of the child-custody proceeding must be sent to the appropriate BIA Regional Director (see www.bia.gov). See 25 CFR 23.111. This notice presents, the names and addresses of current designated Tribal agents for service of notice, and includes each designated Tribal agent received by the Secretary of the Interior prior to the date of this publication. Part A, published in this notice, lists designated Tribal agents by BIA Region and alphabetically by Tribe within each of the 12 BIA Regions. Part A is also available electronically at: https:// www.bia.gov/bia/ois. In between the BIA’s annual Federal Register publication the ICWA Designated Agent List, it will also be available on the IndianAffairs.gov website, the link is: https:// www.bia.gov/bia/ois/dhs/icwa. ICWA Designated agents will be updated every three months on the website link to assist the public. A. List of Designated Tribal Agents by BIA Region 1. Alaska Region 2. Eastern Region 3. Eastern Oklahoma Region 4. Great Plains Region 5. Midwest Region 6. Navajo Region 7. Northwest Region 8. Pacific Region 9. Rocky Mountain Region 10. Southern Plains Region 11. Southwest Region 12. Western Region A. List of Designated Tribal Agents by BIA Region 1. Alaska Region Alaska Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Human Services, 3601 C Street, Suite #1200 MC–403, Anchorage, Alaska 99503; Phone: (907) 271–4111; Fax: 907 271–4083. Tribe ICWA POC Mailing address Telephone No. Fax No. Agdaagux Tribe of King Cove ................... Amanda McAdoo, Family Services Coordinator, amandam@apiai.org. (907) 276–2700 (907) 222–9735 Akiachak Native Community ..................... Sharon Lindley, ICWA Manager, icwa2@avcp.org. (907) 543–8691 (907) 543–7644 Akiak Native Community ........................... Alatna Village ............................................. Olinka Jones, ICWA Director .................. Miriam A. Titus, Child Protection Program Manager, akiakicwadept@ gmail.com. Sven Paulkan, Tribal Administrator, Spaukan187@gmail.com. Miriam A. Titus, Child Protection Program Manager, miriam.titus@ tananachiefs.org. Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association Inc., 1131 East International Airport Road, Anchorage, AK 99518. Association of Village Council Presidents, P.O. Box 218, Bethel, AK 99559. P.O. Box 52127, Akiak, AK 99552 ......... Tanana Chiefs Conference, 122 First Avenue, Ste 600, Fairbanks, AK 99701. P.O. Box 48, St. Mary’s, AK 99658 ........ (907) 765–7112 (907) 452–8251 (907) 765–7512 (907) 459–3984 (907) 438–2932 (907) 438–2227 (907) 452–8251 (907) 459–3984 Algaaciq Native Village (St. Mary’s) .......... Allakaket Village ........................................ VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:52 Oct 01, 2021 Jkt 256001 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Tanana Chiefs Conference, 122 First Avenue, Ste 600, Fairbanks, AK 99701. Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\04OCN1.SGM 04OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 189 (Monday, October 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54707-54709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21511]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-6288-N-01]


Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2022

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, 2022. OCAFs are annual factors used to 
adjust Section 8 rents renewed under section 515 or section 524 of 
MAHRA.

DATES: Applicability Date: February 11, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Lavorel, Director, Office of 
Asset Management and Portfolio Oversight Program Administration Office, 
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 202-402-4633 (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, 2022, or 
after and were calculated using the same method as those published in 
HUD's 2021 OCAF notice published on November 27, 2020 (85 FR 76088). 
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 27, 2020, 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, employee wages, goods/supplies/equipment, 
insurance, property taxes, and water/sewer/trash costs are available 
only at the national level. The data sources used for the

[[Page 54708]]

selected nine cost indicators are as follows:
     Electricity: Energy Information Agency, February 2021 
``Electric Power Monthly'' report, Table 5.6.B. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_06_b.
     Employee benefits/employee wages: First quarter, 2021 
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.
     Fuel Oil: October 2020-March 2021 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, 2020, through the week of March 29, 2021, are compared to the 
average from October 7, 2019, through the week of March 30, 2020. 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.
     Goods, Supplies, Equipment: May 2020 to May 2021 Bureau of 
Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index, All Items Less Food, 
Energy and Shelter (Series ID CUUR0000SA0L12E) at the national level.
     Insurance: May 2020 to May 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistic 
(BLS) Consumer Price Index, Tenants and Household Insurance Index 
(Series ID CUUR0000SEHD) at the national level.
     Natural Gas: Energy Information Agency, Natural Gas, 
Residential Energy Price, 2019-2020 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 2020; in 
these cases, data for these missing months were estimated using data 
from the surrounding months in 2020 and the relationship between that 
same month and the surrounding months in 2019. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_pri_sum_a_EPG0_PRS_DMcf_a.htm.
     Property Taxes: Census Quarterly Summary of State and 
Local Government Tax Revenue--Table 1: https://www.census.gov/econ/currentdata/dbsearch?program=QTAX&startYear=2019&endYear=2021&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 U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population 
Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey (CPS/HVS) housing inventory estimates the 
estimates, Table 8: https://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/data/histtab8.xlsx.
     Water and Sewer: May 2020 to May 2021 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 2020 to 2021, the wage 
increase component of the Virginia OCAF for 2022 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 2022 OCAF for 
Virginia. For states where the calculated OCAF is less than zero, the 
OCAF is floored at zero. The OCAFs for 2022 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.

Lopa P. Kolluri,
Principal Deputy Assistant, Secretary for Housing.

Appendix

Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2022

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama........................................................      3.1
Alaska.........................................................      2.5
Arizona........................................................      3.0
Arkansas.......................................................      3.4
California.....................................................      3.5
Colorado.......................................................      3.0
Connecticut....................................................      2.9
Delaware.......................................................      3.4
District of Columbia...........................................      2.9
Florida........................................................      2.9
Georgia........................................................      3.1
Hawaii.........................................................      1.8
Idaho..........................................................      3.2
Illinois.......................................................      3.0
Indiana........................................................      3.1
Iowa...........................................................      3.2
Kansas.........................................................      3.0
Kentucky.......................................................      3.0
Louisiana......................................................      2.8
Maine..........................................................      2.0
Maryland.......................................................      3.1
Massachusetts..................................................      2.9
Michigan.......................................................      3.3

[[Page 54709]]

 
Minnesota......................................................      3.2
Mississippi....................................................      3.1
Missouri.......................................................      2.8
Montana........................................................      3.3
Nebraska.......................................................      3.2
Nevada.........................................................      3.1
New Hampshire..................................................      2.4
New Jersey.....................................................      3.0
New Mexico.....................................................      3.4
New York.......................................................      2.9
North Carolina.................................................      3.2
North Dakota...................................................      3.0
Ohio...........................................................      2.8
Oklahoma.......................................................      2.8
Oregon.........................................................      3.2
Pacific Islands................................................      1.8
Pennsylvania...................................................      2.8
Puerto Rico....................................................      2.9
Rhode Island...................................................      2.7
South Carolina.................................................      3.0
South Dakota...................................................      3.1
Tennessee......................................................      3.0
Texas..........................................................      3.3
Utah...........................................................      3.3
Vermont........................................................      3.0
Virgin Islands.................................................      2.6
Virginia.......................................................      3.2
Washington.....................................................      3.2
West Virginia..................................................      3.3
Wisconsin......................................................      3.3
Wyoming........................................................      3.1
United States..................................................      3.1
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[FR Doc. 2021-21511 Filed 10-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P
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