Department of Housing and Urban Development October 30, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On October 23, 2012 at 77 FR 64820 HUD published an information collection notice entitled ``Indian Housing Block Grants Program Reporting''. The following information is a correction to the previous notice publish October 23, 2012. The proposed information collection requirement described below has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal. Indian tribes, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, or tribally designated housing entities that receive IHBG funds are required annually to submit HUD-52737 that consists of two components: the Indian Housing Plan (IHP) component and the Annual Performance Report (APR) component. The IHP is required by Section 102 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) and describes the eligible IHBG-funded, affordable housing activities the recipient plans to conduct for the benefit of low and moderate income tribal members and identifies the intended outcomes and outputs for the upcoming 12- month year. The recipient submits the IHP at least 75 days prior to the beginning of its 12-month program year. HUD conducts a limited review of the IHP to determine that the planned activities are in compliance with NAHASDA requirements, as defined at 24 CFR Part 1000. At the end of the 12-month period, the recipient submits the APR that is required by Section 404 of NAHASDA and describes (1) the use of grant funds during the prior 12-month period; (2) the actual outcomes and outputs achieved; (3) program accomplishments; and (4) jobs supported by IHBG-funded activities. HUD uses the information in the APR to review the recipient's progress in implementing the IHP, verify whether the activities are eligible and to determine if the recipient has the capacity to continue implementing the activities described in the IHP in a timely manner. The information in the APR also will be used to provide Congress, stakeholders, and other interested parties with information on how the IHBG funds are being used to meet affordable housing needs within Native American communities. The IHP/APR is currently available in a Word version. With this submission HUD intends to make available a revised Word version, an Excel version, and a version on HUD's Energy and Performance Information Center (EPIC) Web site. All three versions of the IHP/APR request the same information and a recipient may elect to submit to HUD either the Word, Excel, or EPIC versions; however, the Excel and EPIC versions are preferred because of their automated capabilities and reduced burden. The Word, Excel, and EPIC versions differ from the current version of HUD-52737 with the elimination of Line 1 (Planned Grant-Based Budget for Eligible Programs) in Section 5 (Budgets) because collection of this information served no valid purpose. Participants in the IHBG program are responsible for notifying HUD of changes to the Formula Current Assisted Stock (FCAS) component of the IHBG formula. HUD is notified of changes in the FCAS through a Formula Response Form (HUD-4117), as defined at 24 CFR 1000.302. A tribe, TDHE, or HUD may challenge the data from the U.S. Decennial Census or provide an alternative source of data by submitting the Guidelines for Challenging U.S. Decennial Census Data Document (HUD- 4119). Census challenges are due March 30th of each fiscal year, as defined at 24 CFR 1000.336. This information collection is required of participants in the IHBG program to demonstrate compliance with eligibility and other requirements of NAHASDA; provision of correction or challenge documentation of the formula calculation; and provision of data for HUD's annual report to Congress. The information gathered will be used to allocate funds under the IHBG program. The quality assurance of data reported is a very important issue in maintaining HUD's databases used to monitor participant's proposed plans, accomplishments, determine program compliance, and to ensure fair and equitable allocations. In some cases, the FCAS information addressing the conveyances and conversions of units has resulted in the recouping of funds. The information collected will allow HUD to accurately audit the program.