HUD is conducting an evaluation of FEMAÂs Alternative Housing Pilot Program (AHPP). Due to the immediate need to improve the temporary housing situation for many victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, FEMA is rapidly developing the alternative housing. In order to measure program effectiveness, the evaluation requires that we do a baseline evaluation of households before they receive a housing unit.
In compliance with the requirements of 5 CFR 1320.13, this letter requests emergency processing within 14 days from the date of publication. This emergency processing is essential to ensure baseline survey is collected before the AHPP program is implemented. Due to the continuing housing needs of residents in the Gulf region, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the AHPP grantees are on a fast track to produce the new temporary housing units. The largest grantee, Mississippi, has indicated that it plans to start accepting applications in May. As such, it is critical that this survey be available for collecting baseline data prior to states making resident selections. Knowing whether or not you will receive a unit is very likely to bias the responses to the baseline survey.
HUD is conducting an evaluation of FEMAÂs Alternative Housing Pilot Program (AHPP). Four states affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita received AHPP grants to test out alternative approaches to providing temporary housing after a disaster. HUD is charged with measuring what benefits and costs are associated with each of the alternatives being implemented by the states. Benefits and costs are to be measured in terms of the cost, quality, durability, and speed of construction and delivery of the housing units; health, satisfaction, and general well-being of the occupants; and acceptance and impact on the communities in which they are placed.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.