ICR IHBG - 83i rev

ICR IHBG - 83i rev.DOC

Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Evaluation

OMB: 2577-0255

Document [doc]

Download: doc | pdf

Paperwork Reduction Act Submission

Please read the instruction before completing this form. For additional forms or assistance in completing this forms, contact your agency’s Paperwork Reduction Officer. Send two copies of this form, the collection instrument to be reviewed, the Supporting Statement, and any additional documentation to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Docket Library, Room 10102, 725 Seventeenth St. NW, Washington, DC 20503.

1. Agency/Subagency Originating Request:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Office of Public and Indian Housing, Office of Native American Programs (ONAP)

2. OMB Control Number:

a.  

b. X None

2577

3. Type of information collection: (check one)

X New Collection
Revision of a currently approved collection
Extension of a currently approved collection
Reinstatement, without change, of previously approved

collection for which approval has expired

Reinstatement, with change, of previously approved collection

for which approval has expired

Existing collection in use without an OMB control number

For b-f, note item A2 of Supporting Statement instructions.

4. Type of review requested: (check one)

Regular
X Emergency - Approval requested by 30 days after submission
Delegated

5. Small entities: Will this information collection have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities?

Yes X No

6. Requested expiration date:

a. X Three years from approval date b. Other (specify)

7. Title:

Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Evaluation

8. Agency form number(s): (if applicable)

none

9. Keywords:

Indian Housing Plan, Evaluation, Homeowership, public housing, Indian Housing Block Grant Program, Office of Native American Programs, Annual Performance Report, Program Assessment Rating Tool, housing, tribes, Indian Country, Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs), Annual Performance Report, IHBG recipient

10. Abstract:

The study of the Indian Housing Block Grant program will provide the answer to a number of important questions about the homeownership programs. Information will provide a detailed assessment of the effectiveness of the IHBG and its relevance to the housing needs of American Indians and Alaska natives and whether desired results are achieved through the program’s activities..

11. Affected public: (mark primary with “P” and all others that apply with “X”)

a. P Individuals or households e.   Farms

b.   Business or other for-profit f.   Federal Government

c.   Not-for-profit institutions g. X State, Local or Tribal Government

12. Obligation to respond: (mark primary with “P” and all others that apply with “X”)

a. P Voluntary

b.   Required to obtain or retain benefils

c.   Mandatory

13. Annual reporting and recordkeeping hour burden:

a. Number of respondents 650

b. Total annual responses 650

Percentage of these responses collected electronically 0

c. Total annual hours requested 108.3

d. Current OMB inventory 0

e. Difference (+,-) +108.3

f. Explanation of difference:

1. Program change: 108.3

2. Adjustment:

14. Annual reporting and recordkeeping cost burden: (in thousands of dollars)

Do not include costs based on the hours in item 13.

a. Total annualized capital/startup costs 0

b. Total annual costs (O&M) 0

c. Total annualized cost requested 0

d. Current OMB inventory 0

e. Difference 0

f. Explanation of difference:

1. Program change:

2. Adjustment:

15. Purpose of Information collection: (mark primary with “P” and all others that apply with “X”)

a.   Application for benefits e. X Program planning or management

b. P Program evaluation f.   Research

c.   General purpose statistics g.   Requlatory or compliance

d.   Audit

16. Frequency of recordkeeping or reporting: (check all that apply)

a. Recordkeeping b. Third party disclosure

c. X Reporting:

1. X On occasion 2. Weekly 3. Monthly

4. Quarterly 5. Semi-annually 6. Annually

7. Biennually 8. X Other (describe) one-time

17. Statistical methods:

Does this information collection employ statistical methods?

X Yes No

18. Agency contact: (person who can best answer questions regarding the content of this submission)

Name: Diana Stephens

Phone: 202-402-6950

19. Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9.

Note: The text of 5 CFR 1320.9, and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320/8(b)(3). appear at the end of the instructions. The certification is to be made with reference to those regulatory provisions as set forth in the instructions.

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collections of information, that the certification covers:

It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
It avoids unnecessary duplication;
It reduces burden on small entities;
It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous terminology that is understandable to respondents;
Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3):

Why the information is being collected;
Use of the information;
Burden estimate;
Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to collected (see note in item 19 of the instructions);
It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology; and
It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item below and explain the reason in item 18 of the Supporting Statement.

Signature of Program Official:

Rodger J. Boyd, Deputy Assitant Secretary for Native American Programs

Date:

Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions

A. Justification

1. Why is this information necessary? Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating/authorizing the collection of information.

A.1: Need and Legal Basis

Currently ONAP does not have access to information that is needed to evaluate the IHBG’s effectiveness, its relevance to the housing needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives and whether desired results are achieved through the program’s activities. In fact, in a 2002 Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) review, OMB assigned the “Native American Block Grant” (i.e., Indian Housing Block Grant) a “Results Not Demonstrated” rating. A rating of Results Not Demonstrated indicates that a program has not been able to develop acceptable performance goals or collect data to determine whether it is performing. The data collection effort described in this submission will help to address this shortcoming in measuring the performance of the program.

The administrative requirements that necessitate this data collection effort are covered under Section 4 of the Government Reorganization and Program Performance Improvement Act. This act is attached in Appendix A.

2. How is the information collected and how is the information to be used?

A.2: Information Users

This data collection will serve two critical purposes. It will provide ONAP with information it needs to help determine the performance of the IHBG program for policy and program management purposes using data gathered through a community questionnaire. A second purpose for this evaluation will be to provide information that HUD can submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as part of the PART process. It will help ONAP meet the PART requirement that an agency conduct an independent evaluation of the program being rated in the PART process. OMB describes independent evaluations as “non-biased evaluations that are either conducted regularly or on an as-needed basis to fill gaps in performance information.” This evaluation will serve as the independent evaluation of the IHBG program by helping to fill in information gaps on whether the program is effectively meeting housing needs of recipients in Indian Country.

Exhibit 1 indicates how each of the questions in the questionnaire will be used. The Questionnaire is attached as Appendix B.

Exhibit 1: Proposed Questionnaire—Use of Each Question

Question Number	Content / Use of Information
Q1	Description of the current housing / For analysis by housing tenure
Q2	Description of type of housing help you currently received / For analysis by receipt and type of IHBG assistance
Q3	Description of current house or apartment condition / Perception of housing quality
Q4	Number of rooms in house/apartment excluding bathrooms and hallways / Number of rooms used for people-to-rooms overcrowding measure
Q5a-g	Description of interior walls, plumbing, appliances, electrical conditions / Housing quality (safe and decent condition) measures for interior of housing unit
Q6	Description of exterior walls, roof, windows condition / Housing quality measures for exterior of housing unit
Q7	Description of yard/drainage / Housing quality measure, grounds near house
Q8	Description of sense of security at night / Perception of safety
Q9	Description of extent to which housing needs are met / Overall satisfaction with housing
Q10 –11	Listing of occupants over 18 and under 18 / Number of adults and children for people-to-rooms overcrowding measure
Q12-13	Description of sleeping space for occupants / Overcrowding indicators
Q14	Description of percentage of income spent on housing / Rent or mortgage burden- affordability of housing measure
Q15-16	Description of homesite location and land status / To understand location of assisted units and for analysis by housing on/off reservation-on trust/fee land

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information is automated (item 13b1 of OMB form 83-i). If it’s not automated, explain why not. Also describe any other efforts to reduce burden.

A.3: Improved Information Technologies

The information collection burden associated with the questionnaire is small. The questionnaire will take less than 10 minutes to complete and has been designed for use in tribal community meetings. A web-based survey is impractical because of lack of access to the Internet in many of the isolated tribal communities being studied. We are not aware of appropriate technology for reducing the information collection burden further.

4. Is this information collected elsewhere? If so, why cannot any similar information already available be used or modified.

A.4: Avoiding Duplication

No secondary or primary data sources currently provide the information that will be generated through this evaluation’s community questionnaire. There is no other data source for IHBG recipient perceptions of their housing conditions. We did a comprehensive literature search and have explored secondary data sources of information, but have not found a source for the information needed.

The American Community Survey (ACS) obtains the same household and housing characteristics data as the long form of the Decennial Census. In the future, ACS will have some potential for being used for performance measures based on overcrowding and housing quality. However, the measure of housing crowding would be limited to the ratio of persons per room and the housing quality measure would be limited to the presence of full kitchen and plumbing facilities. Furthermore, the ACS does not collect information on the receipt of IHBG assistance, so it would not be possible to separately measure the housing conditions of recipients and non-recipients. Finally, ACS staff will not release annual updates on geographic areas smaller than 65,000 persons. Only one tribal area (the Navajo nation) would meet this size criterion. Data from this source on geographic areas with populations under 20,000 would not be available until 2010.

We also looked at the possibility of using information from Indian Housing Plans and from Annual Performance Reports submitted by Tribes or Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) as possible a source for information we plan to obtain through the questionnaire. In order to be eligible for IHBG funding, each Tribe or TDHE must submit an Indian Housing Plan (IHP) every five years, with an annual update to document how the Tribe or TDHE plans to focus its efforts in light of local needs. However, there is wide variation across Tribes in the information reported in these plans and none of the information is based on feedback from persons receiving IHBG assistance. Even for the data that are commonly reported across Plans, there are tremendous variations in how the tribal staff interprets the data and the rigor in which they are collected. The result is that there are many inconsistencies that would make it difficult to generate valid, aggregate information representing all tribes.

At the conclusion of each grant year, the Tribe or TDHE must submit an Annual Performance Report (APR) to report on its use of funds, expenditures by category, and accomplishments by category. The data from each Tribe’s APR is recorded in the ONAP Performance Tracking Database. Concurrent with this study, ONAP is also reviewing and redesigning its APR forms. There may be opportunities to leverage the new APR as a data source to track future performance-related data. However, the current APR data are not useful for measuring housing quality of IHBG housing and none of the information is based on feedback from IHBG recipients.

5. Does the collection of information impact small businesses or other small entities (item 5 of OMB form 83-i)? Describe any methods used to minimize burden.

A.5: Collection of Information Impacts on Small Businesses or Other Small Entities

No small businesses or other small entities are involved as respondents in the proposed

data collection effort. Respondents to this data collection are tribal community members. Efforts have been made to minimize response burden on respondents through careful design of the data collection strategy and efficient construction of the data collection instrument. All data collection is voluntary.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

A.6: Consequences of Less Frequent Data Collection

This is a one-time data collection effort.

7. Explain any special circumstances requiring:

respondents to report information more than quarterly;
a written response in fewer than 30;
more than an original and two copies of any document;
respondents to retain records other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;
a statistical survey not designed to produce results than can be generalized to the universe of study;
the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;
a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential information.

A.7: Special Circumstances

The proposed data collection activities are consistent with the guidelines set forth in 5

CFR 1320.6 (Controlling Paperwork Burden on the Public—General Information Collection Guidelines). There are no special circumstances that require deviation from these guidelines.

8. Identify the date and page number of the Federal Register notice (and provide a copy) soliciting comments on the information. Summarize public comments and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Describe all efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their.

A.8: Consultations outside the Agency

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, HUD published a notice in the

Federal Register announcing the agency’s intention to request an OMB review of data collection activities for the IHBG evaluation. The notice was published on XXXXXXX A copy of this notice appears in Appendix B. HUD’s contractor, ACKCO Inc, developed this data collection instrument in consultation with its subcontractor Abt Associates, Inc. with input from ONAP staff.

9. Explain any payments or gifts to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

A.9: Payments to Respondents

Although there will be no payment to respondents, we will hold a door-prize drawing for tribal members who attend the community meetings and participate in the household questionnaire. We intend to use Pendleton blankets, as they are traditionally part of tribal give-away activities.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for assurance in statute, regulation or agency policy.

A.10: Arrangements and Assurances Regarding Confidentiality HUD does not assure confidentiality.

11. Justify any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private.

A.11: Sensitive Questions

The questionnaire does not ask any sensitive questions. The questionnaire/survey asks about the percentage of household income that community members spend on housing costs. However, since we are asking for categorical information and are not asking for household income, this generally is not considered to be a sensitive question. It is needed to gather information on housing cost burden.

12. Estimate public burden: number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden. Read the complete instructions on the form 83i. Explain how the burden was estimated. Generally estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices. Provide a table to describe the elements of the burden. Break out each form used.

if this collection uses more than one form, provide separate estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in item 13 of OMB Form 83i; and
provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.
The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead this cost should be included in Item 13.

A.12: Estimate of Burden (Total Hours and Wages)

Exhibit 2 provides information on the survey to be used in the study and the estimated time to complete the data collection. Total burden for data collection for the study is estimated at 108.3 hours.

Type of Respondent	Number of Respondents	# of Responses per Respondent	Average Burden (in minutes)	Total Burden Hours
IHBG Recipient	650	1	10 minutes	108.3 Hours (6,500 minutes)

Tribal areas are generally high-poverty, low-wage rural areas. If we assume an average hourly cost of two times the minimum wage, $11.70 (2 x 5.85) for respondents’ time, the total respondent cost for participating in the survey is $1,267.11 (650 x $11.70).

13. Estimate of the annual cost to respondents or recordkeepers (do not include the cost of hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14). Read the complete instructions on the form 83i.

A.13(a) Estimated Record Keeping and Reporting Cost Burden on Respondents

The cost to respondents will be the time required to respond to the survey. There are no record keeping costs to participating community members.

A.13(b) Capital Costs (Maintenance of Capital Costs)

There are no Capital Costs for this data collection effort.

14. Estimate annualized costs to the Federal government.

A.14: Cost to Federal Government

The total contracted cost to the federal government for the IHBG Questionnaire and data collection is $139,587.

15. Explain any program changes or adjustments reported in items 13 and 14 of the OMB Form 83i.

A.15: Reasons for Changes in Burden

This submission to OMB is a new request for approval; there is no change in burden.

16. If the information will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication.

A.16: Tabulation Plan, Statistical Analysis, and Study Schedule

Contingent upon OMB approval, data collection will begin by the end of July 2008 and continue through early November 2008. During that time, the research team will visit each of the 30 tribes selected for the study to participate in a community meeting and attempt to survey 27 IHBG recipients and 27 waiting list households (with the target of obtaining 22 completed surveys from each group). The waiting list households are being surveyed to serve as a comparison group for the IHBG-assisted households. Waiting list households make a good comparison group because, like the currently assisted households, they have indicated a housing need by applying for the program.

After data collection is complete, the data will be analyzed and a draft report will be completed by the end of January 2009. A final revised report, addressing the comments of ONAP staff, will be completed by the end of March 2009.

The responses from the community member questionnaires will be tabulated and weighted to represent IHBG households nationally. In addition to straight frequencies of responses, cross-tabulations will be reported by:

housing tenure (renter/owner);
type of housing assistance; and
location of housing on or off the reservation and on or off Trust land.

Survey responses of IHBG-recipients will also be compared to the responses of households on the waiting list for housing assistance. Statistical significance tests will be performed to determine if the responses of assisted households are significantly different from the answers of waiting list households.

17. Explain any request to not display the expiration date.

A.17: Expiration Date Display Exemption

All data collection instruments will prominently display the expiration date for OMB

approval.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in item 19.

A.18: Exceptions to Certification

This submission describing data collection requests no exceptions to the Certificate for

Paperwork Reduction Act (5 CFR 1320.9).

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

B.1: Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods

The focus of this data collection effort is on households currently receiving housing assistance through their tribe’s IHBG program.

The sample for the community questionnaire will be selected in two stages. In the first stage, we will select a nationally representative sample of 30 tribal areas. In the second stage, we will select a random sample of IHBG recipients from each of these tribal areas.

Selecting the Sample of Tribes. The sample of 30 tribes will be selected from the list of tribal areas on the FY2006 IHBG Formula Area Worksheet. This list shows 580 IHBG tribal areas (including Indian Reservations, Indian statistical areas, and Alaskan Native Villages). We plan to allocate the sample by ONAP region so that each of the six regions has at least 4 tribal areas in the sample. This ensures that differences in impacts of IHBG across regions will be reflected in the estimates.

Given the large range of sizes of the tribal areas, we will use the probability proportionate to size method—where size is the total population of each tribe—to select the tribal sample within each region. This method gives all tribal areas a known, positive probability to be selected for the sample, but gives tribal areas with a larger population a higher probability of being selected. This mitigates the risk that the final sample will have only the smaller tribal areas, which comprise a large proportion of the tribal areas relative to the proportion of AI/AN households that live there.

We also plan to exclude the 63 areas that report zero households living in overcrowded conditions or lacking kitchen and plumbing facilities according to the 2000 Census. Since the focus of this study is on the reduction of overcrowding and improvement in housing conditions, we do not believe it is efficient to focus research resources on these sites. Some of these sites (22) are listed as having zero AI/AN persons, and others have received only small IHBG grants of $25,000. Hence, the universe for this study is:

Households receiving IHBG assistance and living in one of the 517 tribal areas that had either households that were overcrowded or lived in units that lacked kitchen or plumbing facilities.

Selecting the households at each tribe. We will select a simple random sample (equal probability for all IHBG households in the tribal area) of an average of 27 households from a list of addresses where households receiving IHBG assistance live. The list of households provided assistance will be provided by the tribal housing authority. We will target the head of household for the interview. We are selecting a sample of 27 households with the goal of completing interviews with 22 households (a response rate of 81 percent) with a total number of completes of 650.

How the sample size was chosen. This sample size was chosen to obtain reliable estimates in a cost-efficient manner. The sample size of 650 households in 30 tribes is the minimum sample size that can provide estimates of population percentages with sampling errors of less than +/- 5 percentage points for national estimates at a 95 percent confidence level. This means that 95 percent of the estimates of sample percentages based on simple random samples of 650 households are less than 5 percentage points different from the actual value of population percentage that would be obtained if every household receiving IHBG assistance was interviewed.

To determine the sampling error, we analyzed data on overcrowding and population at each tribe from the FY2006 IHBG Formula Area Worksheet. We used standard statistical formulas for calculating the sampling error of sample percentages for various sample sizes under simple random sampling. In simple random sampling, each household has an equal probability of being chosen from a national list of households receiving IHBG assistance. Since these questionnaires are being completed on site, simple random sampling would be prohibitively costly. It would require interviewers to travel large distances to obtain a single completed interview. In addition, there is no national list of households receiving IHBG assistance from which to select the sample. In these circumstances, the more cost effective and practical sample design is to conduct a two-stage sampling design in which we first randomly select tribal areas and then randomly select households within selected tribal areas for the questionnaire. By clustering the interviews within a sample of tribes, there are large economies of scale both in travel and in working with tribal staff to obtain a list of households receiving assistance and to receive assistance in setting up community meetings.

With a simple random sample, a sampling error of +/- 5 percentage points can be obtained with a sample of 246 households for an estimated sample percentage of 20 percent.^¹ For a two-stage sample, a larger sample is needed to obtain such precision. By analyzing the likelihood of living in overcrowded housing in each tribal area and the differences in this likelihood across tribal areas, we were able to calculate the sampling error under various tribe and household sample sizes. From this analysis, it was determined that we needed approximately 650 interviews across 30 tribes to achieve a sampling error of less than +/- 5 percentage points.

Weighting estimates to be nationally representative. All responding households will be assigned a sampling weight. These weights will be used to produce population-based estimates such that the results are statistically representative of all AI/AN households receiving IHBG assistance. The weight assigned to a household will be the inverse of the probability of that household being selected for the sample. This probability is based on the probability of selecting the tribal area for the study and the probability of selecting a particular household within the tribe. For example, if the tribe has a 10 percent chance of being selected and the household at that tribe has a 50 percent chance of being selected, the weight for that household will be (1/(.10 x.5) = 20. A weight of 20 means that the household represents itself and 19 other households in the non-sampled part of the population. Each household in a tribal area will have the same weight, but the weights will vary across tribal areas in the sample. See Section B.3 below for the weighting adjustment that will be made to account for non-response.

B.2: Procedures for the Collection of Information

The research team will facilitate community meetings at each of the 30 selected tribal areas to discuss housing issues and the role of IHBG in their community. While the community meetings are open to all community member, we will send specific written invitations to a sample of approximately 27 households who either live in units built or subsidized through the IHBG program or receive some type of housing assistance through the IHBG program and to approximately 27 households who are on the waiting list for IHBG assistance. To be consistent with the community culture and to ensure no one will stand out, all attendees to the meeting will be allowed to complete the community questionnaire. However, we will separately track the questionnaires completed by the sample households for the analysis of nationally representative data. We will have a registration for the meeting where we will have cover sheets with numbered questionnaires corresponding with the sign in number. After the meeting, we will separate the questionnaires completed by the targeted current beneficiary sample members, current waiting list sample members and other attendees. We will note which sample members from both beneficiary and waiting list groups did not attend or did not complete a questionnaire, then discard the cover sheets so that the completed questionnaires cannot be associated with a specific respondent.

The questionnaires will be self-administered, but the research staff will walk around the meeting room to answer questions. We will encourage respondents to complete the questionnaire prior to the meeting so that their perceptions are not influenced by the discussion. To this end, after some introductory remarks, the facilitator will set aside 10 minutes of the meeting for attendees to complete the questionnaires.

Once all the questionnaires for a given tribe are complete, they will be entered into a database, using a double entry system for quality control. In a double-entry system, two separate people enter the data and any inconsistencies are manually reviewed to ensure accuracy. There will be variables that indicate which tribe the response is from, whether or not the respondent was an invited sample member, and whether the questionnaire was completed at the community meeting or during follow-up efforts. The responses of the non-sample members will be reported separately in memo and will be used to see if they are consistent with the sample members or whether the people who attend the meeting without a specific invitation have different views than the random sample of invitees.

B.3: Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal with Nonresponse

We have designed the data collection plan to meet our goal of a response rate above 80 percent. First, we have designed a short instrument to minimize the burden of the respondent. Second, we are administering the survey at a community meeting rather than going door to door so that the data collection is not intrusive. Third, the meetings will be facilitated by research team members with cultural competency and expertise in Indian housing program. Fourth, the introduction and informed consent reassures potential respondents that we will not associate their name with any of the responses to protect their privacy.

In order to encourage sample members to attend the community meeting, we will send invitations to each sample member a few weeks before the meeting explaining the purpose of the meeting and the questionnaire and the value of receiving their input. Right before the meeting, we will send them a reminder card about the meeting. To further encourage attendance, we will hold a door-prize drawing at the meeting for a Pendleton blanket, a traditional part of Indian give-away activities.

We will also follow-up with sample members that do not attend the meeting. We will send them a copy of the questionnaire with a business reply envelope to return the completed questionnaire. For any sites where the response rate is less than 80 percent due to non-attendance, we will also make follow-up phone calls when that contact information is available.

In our analysis, non-response will be treated as missing at random within tribal areas. (We will not have any information on non-respondents to ascertain whether certain demographic groups or assistance types are not participating or to use in making the non-response adjustment.) That is, the non-response adjustment will be made at the tribal area level and will assume non-respondents are similar to respondents in the same tribal area for both IHBG beneficiary and waiting list populations. For example, if 22 of the 27 sample members complete the survey, the non-response adjustment will be to multiply the sampling weight by the adjustment factor 27/22.

B.2: Procedures for the Collection of Information

The research team will facilitate community meetings at each of the 30 selected tribal areas to discuss housing issues and the role of IHBG in their community. While the community meetings are open to all community member, we will send specific written invitations to a sample of approximately 27 households who either live in units built or subsidized through the IHBG program or receive some type of housing assistance through the IHBG program. To be consistent with the community culture and to ensure no one will stand out, all attendees to the meeting will be allowed to complete the community questionnaire. However, we will separately track the questionnaires completed by the sample households for the analysis of nationally representative data. We will have a registration for the meeting where we will have cover sheets with numbered questionnaires corresponding with the sign in number. After the meeting, we will separate the questionnaires completed by the targeted sample members and other attendees and note which sample members did not attend or did not complete a questionnaire, then discard the cover sheets so that the completed questionnaires cannot be associated with a specific respondent.

B.3: Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal with Nonresponse

In our analysis, non-response will be treated as missing at random within tribal areas. (We will not have any information on non-respondents to ascertain whether certain demographic groups or assistance types are not participating or to use in making the non-response adjustment.) That is, the non-response adjustment will be made at the tribal area level and will assume non-respondents are similar to respondents in the same tribal area. For example, if 22 of the 27 sample members complete the survey, the non-response adjustment will be to multiply the sampling weight by the adjustment factor 27/22.

B.4: Tests of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken

The community questionnaire has been extensively reviewed and revised by research team members with extensive experience and understanding of American Indian/Alaskan Native culture and by experienced survey researchers. We will use our first two tribal areas to fine-tune the data collection process. We will schedule a two-week break between the first two sites and the remaining 28 sites to work out any unforeseen issues that arise in our planned procedures.

B.5: Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects and Individuals Collecting and/or Analyzing Data

HUD has contracted with ACKCO Inc and its subcontractor Abt Associates Inc, to design the data collection instrument and sampling plan and to collect the data. HUD staff in the Office of Native American Programs provided input prior to development of the instruments and design plans and reviewed and commented on draft versions.

ACKCO staff and their consultants who have extensive experience working in tribal areas will conduct the data collection. Dr. Dan Van Otten (ACKCO) will lead the data collection efforts. He can be reached at 1-800-525-2859 x 156.

The sampling plan was developed by Dr. Larry Buron (301-634-1735), an Economist,

and Dr. K.P. Srinath (301-634-1836), a Sampling Statistician, at Abt Associates. Dr. Larry Buron will also lead the data analysis team.

Appendix A:
Government Reorganization and Program Performance Improvement Act of 2005

GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION AND PROGRAM PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2005 AND SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

A BILL

To improve the results the Executive Branch achieves on behalf of the American people.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “The Government Reorganization and Program Performance Improvement Act of 2005.”

SECTION 2. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Act is to improve the performance of the Executive branch of the Federal government by ascertaining whether programs work or not and addressing deficiencies in existing programs, eliminating duplication of effort, and abolishing agencies and programs that do not work.

SECTION 3. RESULTS COMMISSIONS.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSIONS. –

(1) PROPOSAL AND ENACTMENT. – The President may propose the establishment in the Executive Branch of one or more commissions for the purpose of improving the overall effectiveness, efficiency, or accountability of Executive Branch operations through reorganization. Each such commission shall be known as a Results Commission and shall require an Act of Congress to be established.

(2) REASONS FOR ESTABLISHING RESULTS COMMISSIONS. – In each proposal to create a Results Commission, the President shall describe the agencies or programs that the Results Commission would study. In making such proposals, the President shall identify areas where multiple Federal programs have similar, related, or overlapping responsibilities that are under the jurisdiction of multiple Executive Branch agencies and Committees of the Congress, and areas where reorganization may improve the overall effectiveness, efficiency, or accountability of Executive Branch operations.

(b) PROCEDURE FOR MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN EXECUTIVE BRANCH PERFORMANCE. –

(1) The President may, from time to time in his discretion, submit to a Results Commission established under Section 3 one or more specific proposals to improve the performance of the Executive Branch by reorganizing agencies or programs in the areas that a Results Commission has been authorized to study.

(2) After receiving a specific proposal from the President under Subsection (b)(1), a Results Commission shall evaluate the proposal and shall provide a response to

the President on the proposal, including any changes that the Commission may wish to recommend; provided, however, that the Commission may recommend changes or additions to the proposal only if the Commission believes that such changes are necessary to better accomplish the stated purpose of the President’s reorganization proposal.

(3) The Results Commission shall explain and justify any recommended changes or additions made by the Commission to the President’s proposal pursuant to Subsection (b)(2).

(4) If the President disapproves the recommendations of the Results Commission, in whole or in part, the President may transmit to the Results Commission the reasons for that disapproval. The Commission shall then transmit to the President a report responding to the President's concerns and any changes in its recommendations.

(5) If the President chooses, the President shall transmit to the Congress a copy of all of the final recommendations of each Results Commission, together with legislation to accomplish those recommendations.

(1) IN GENERAL. – Each Results Commission shall be composed of seven members, who shall be appointed within 60 days from the date of enactment of the Act authorizing the Commission.

(2) APPOINTMENTS. – (A) The President shall appoint the seven members, who shall serve at the pleasure of the President, as follows:

(i) One in consultation with the Majority Leader of the Senate;

(ii) One in consultation with the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(iii) One in consultation with the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(iv) One in consultation with the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and

(v) Three other members.

(B) Any vacancy on a Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.

(3) CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR. – The President shall designate one member of each Results Commission to serve as Chair and one member as Vice Chair.

(4) TERMINATION. – Each Results Commission shall cease to exist within nine months from the date it commences operations, unless provided otherwise in law.

(5) DUTIES. – Each Results Commission is authorized to:

(A) evaluate the merits of a specific proposal by the President for governmental reorganization; and

(B) provide views to the President on the proposal, including any changes or additions to the proposal that the Commission may wish to recommend.

(6) POWERS. –

(A) OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES. –

(1) IN GENERAL. – Each Results Commission is authorized to secure directly from any executive department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the United States Government, information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics for the purpose of this title. Each department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Commission, upon request made by the chairman or any other member designated by a majority of the Commission.

(2) RECEIPT, HANDLING, STORAGE, AND DISSEMINATION. – Information shall only be received, handled, stored, and disseminated by members of the Commission and its staff consistent with all applicable statutes, regulations, and Executive orders.

(B) CONTRACTING AUTHORITY. – Each Results Commission may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for services without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5).

(7) PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS. –

(A) PUBLIC HEARINGS. – Each Results Commission shall hold public hearings and meetings to the extent appropriate. Any such public sessions shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection of information provided to or developed for or by the Commission as required by applicable law.

(B) NON-APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

ACT. – The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App) shall not apply

to any Results Commission.

(8) INTERNAL PROCEDURES. –

(A) PROCEEDINGS. – Each Results Commission shall commence operations within 6 months from the date of enactment of the Act authorizing the

Commission and shall meet periodically at the call of the Chair.

(B) QUORUM. – Four members of the Results Commission shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings.

(9) PERSONNEL MATTERS. –

(A) TRAVEL EXPENSES. – The members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission.

(B) DIRECTOR. – The Chair of the Commission may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate a Director for the Commission. The Director shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the Level II of the Executive Schedule.

(C) STAFF. – The Director may appoint and compensate staff for the Commission in accordance with section 3161 of title 5, United States Code.

(D) APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE LAWS. – The Director and any staff of the Commission shall be employees under section 2105 of title 5, United States Code, for purposes including, but not limited to chapters 63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of that title.

(E) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMITTENT SERVICES.– The Chair of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for Level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.

(10) OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS. –

(A) POSTAL AND PRINTING SERVICES. – Each Results Commission may use the United States mails and obtain printing and binding services in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States.

(B) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES. – Upon the request of each Results Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Results Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Results Commission to carry out its duties under this Act.

(C) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. – Such sums as may be necessary are authorized to be appropriated for the purposes of carrying out the duties of each Commission under this section. Such funds shall remain available until expended.

(d) EXPEDITED CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW PROCEDURES. – In reviewing proposals by the President to authorize a Results Commission and in reviewing proposals by the President to authorize implementation of a reorganization proposal that has been recommended by a Results Commission, the Congress shall follow the expedited review procedures set forth in section 5 of this Act.

SECTION 4. SUNSET COMMISSION TO REVIEW AND MAXIMIZE THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL FEDERAL AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS.

(a) SCHEDULE FOR REVIEW OF AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS. – The President may submit to the Congress for its consideration a proposed schedule for reviewing the performance of, and need for, Executive Branch agencies and programs at least once every 10 years. In reviewing this schedule, the Congress shall follow the expedited review procedures set forth in section 5 of this Act.

(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. – There is hereby established a commission to be known as the Sunset Commission.

(1) IN GENERAL- Executive Branch agencies and programs shall--

(A) be reviewed by the Sunset Commission according to the schedule authorized by the Congress pursuant to section 4(a) of this Act; and

(B) be abolished two years after the date that the President submits the recommendations to the Congress on the agency or program, along with the report of the Sunset Commission on the agency or program, unless the agency or program is reauthorized by law after receiving the President’s recommendations.

(2) EXTENSION- The deadline for abolishment of an agency or program may be extended for an additional two years after the date described in section 4(c)(1) of this Act if the Congress enacts legislation extending such deadline.

(d) MEMBERSHIP, POWERS, AND OTHER MATTERS. –

(1) MEMBERSHIP. –

(A) IN GENERAL. – The Sunset Commission shall be comprised of seven

members, who shall be appointed within 180 days from the date of enactment of this Act.

(B) APPOINTMENTS. – The President shall appoint the seven members of the Sunset Commission as follows:

(1) One in consultation with the Majority Leader of the Senate;

(2) One in consultation with the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(3) One in consultation with the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) One in consultation with the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and

(5) Three other members.

(C) CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR. – The President shall designate one member of the Sunset Commission to serve as Chair and one member as Vice Chair.

(D) LENGTH OF SERVICE. – The members of the Sunset Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the President. Each member shall serve for a term not to exceed three years, unless reappointed by the President.

(E) VACANCIES. -- Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.

(2) POWERS. –

(A) OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES. –

(1) IN GENERAL. – Each Sunset Commission is authorized to secure directly from any executive department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the United States Government, information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics for the purpose of this title. Each department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Commission, upon request made by the chairman or any other member designated by a majority of the Commission.

(B) CONTRACTING AUTHORITY. – The Sunset Commission may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for services

without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5).

(3) PUBLIC HEARINGS AND MEETINGS. –

(A) PUBLIC HEARINGS. – Each Commission shall hold public hearings and meetings to the extent appropriate. Any such public sessions shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection of information provided to or developed for or by the Commission as required by any applicable statute, regulation, or Executive Order.

(B) NON-APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT. – The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App) shall not apply to any Commission.

(4) INTERNAL PROCEDURES. –

(A) MEETINGS. – The Sunset Commission shall meet periodically at the call of the Chair. Such meetings may include public hearings and sessions as authorized by paragraph 2(a) of this section of this Act.

(B) QUORUM. – Four members of the Sunset Commission shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings.

(5) PERSONNEL MATTERS. –

(C) STAFF. – The Director may appoint and fix the compensation of additional personnel without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the Director and other personnel may not exceed Level II of the Executive Schedule

(E) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES- Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.

(F) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMITTENT SERVICES- The chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for Level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.

(6) OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS. –

(A) POSTAL AND PRINTING SERVICES. – The Sunset Commission may use the United States mails and obtain printing and binding services in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States.

(B) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES. – Upon the request of the Sunset Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Sunset Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Sunset Commission to carry out its duties under this Act.

(C) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. – Such sums as may be necessary are authorized to be appropriated for the purposes of carrying out the duties the Commission under this section. Such funds shall remain available until expended.

(6) SUNSET OF COMMISSION. – The Sunset Commission shall terminate on December 31, 2026, unless reauthorized in law by Congress.

(e) REVIEW OF EFFICIENCY AND NEED FOR EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS. –

(1) IN GENERAL. – The Sunset Commission shall review agencies and programs in accordance with the criteria described in section 4(f) of this Act. The Sunset Commission shall consider recommendations made by the President to the Commission for improving the performance of the agencies or programs being considered.

(2) USE OF EVALUATIONS AND ASSESSMENTS. – In its deliberations, the Sunset Commission may consider any publicly available agency or program evaluations and assessments, including those that the Office of Management and Budget has undertaken in consultation with the affected agencies of the Federal

Government. Such Office of Management and Budget assessments shall evaluate the purpose, design, strategic plan, management, and results of the program, and such other matters as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget considers appropriate, as well as make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the assessed programs.

(3) RECOMMENDATIONS; REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT. – The Sunset Commission shall submit to the President not later than August 1 of each year a report containing –

(A) its assessment of each agency and program reviewed during the preceding 12 months pursuant to the schedule authorized by the Congress under section 4(a) of this Act; and

(B) its recommendations on how to improve the results that each agency and program achieves and whether to abolish any agency or program.

(4) DRAFT LEGISLATION. –

(A) The Sunset Commission shall submit to the President with its report a draft of any proposed legislation needed to carry out its recommendations.

(B) The President may submit to Congress draft legislation needed to accomplish the recommendations of the Sunset Commission with any revisions the President believes are necessary to improve the performance of the assessed agencies or programs.

(5) PROPOSALS TO ABOLISH AGENCIES OR PROGRAMS. – Prior to recommending the abolition of any agency or program, the Sunset Commission should, as it considers appropriate:

(A) conduct public hearings on the merits of retaining the agency or program;

(B) provide an opportunity for public comment on the option of abolishing the agency or program;

(D) review the assessments described in section 4(e)(2) of this Act; and

(E) consult with the Government Accountability Office, the relevant Inspectors General, and the relevant committees of Congress.

(f) CRITERIA FOR REVIEW. – The Sunset Commission shall use the following criteria to evaluate each agency or program:

(1) Whether the agency or program as carried out by the agency is cost-effective and achieves its stated purpose of goals.

(2) The extent to which any trends, developments, or emerging conditions affect the need to change the mission of the agency or program or the way that the mission is being carried out by the agency.

(3) The extent to which the agency or program duplicates or conflicts with other Federal agencies, State and local government, or the private sector.

(4) The extent to which the agency coordinates effectively with State and local governments in performing the functions of the program.

(5) The extent to which changes in the authorizing statutes of the agency or program would improve the performance of the agency or program.

(6) The extent to which changes in the management structure of the agency or program or its placement in the Executive Branch are needed to improve the overall efficiency, effectiveness, or accountability of Executive Branch operations.

(g) AGENCY AND PROGRAM INVENTORY. –

(1) PREPARATION- Within 6 months following the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Congressional Research Service, with the assistance of the Comptroller General, shall prepare an inventory of all Executive Branch agencies and programs. Six months prior to the time that the Sunset Commission is scheduled to begin its review of an agency or program, the Director of the Congressional Research Service, with the assistance of the Comptroller General, shall update the section of the inventory pertaining to that agency or program.

(2) PURPOSE. – The purpose of this agency and program inventory is to advise and assist the Sunset Commission, the President, and the Congress in carrying out the requirements of this Act. Such inventory shall not in any way bind the Congress or the President with respect to their responsibilities under this Act.

(3) INVENTORY CONTENT. – The agency and program inventory shall include for each agency and program a list of citations of all authorizing statutes of the agency or program.

(h) EXEMPTION. –

(1) REGULATIONS. – No regulations to protect the environment, health, safety, or civil rights shall sunset under this Act.

(2) ENFORCEMENT. – No program related to enforcing regulations referred to in paragraph (1) shall sunset unless provision is made for the continued enforcement of those regulations.

SECTION-BY-SECTION

Section 1. Short title

The Act may be cited as the ‘Government Reorganization and Program Performance Improvement Act of 2005.’

Section 2. Purpose

The purpose of the Act is “to improve the performance of the Executive branch of the Federal government by ascertaining whether programs work or not and addressing deficiencies in existing programs, eliminating duplication of effort, and abolishing agencies and programs that do not work.”

Section 3. Results Commissions

Paragraph (a)(1) gives the President the authority to propose legislation to Congress to create Results Commissions that would evaluate proposals to improve the overall effectiveness, efficiency, or accountability of Executive Branch operations through reorganization.

Paragraph (a)(2) requires the President to include in each proposal for a Results Commission the reasons for creating it, including the specific programs the Results Commission would study, which must have similar, related, or overlapping responsibilities under the jurisdiction of multiple Executive Branch agencies and Committees of the Congress and where reorganization may improve their overall effectiveness, efficiency, or accountability.

Subsection (b) of section 3 provides that for each Results Commission:

(1) The President may submit to each Results Commission one or more proposals to improve Executive Branch performance by reorganizing the agencies or programs a Results Commission has been authorized to study.

(2) A Results Commission shall evaluate the President’s proposal; provide the President a response with recommended changes or additions to the proposal as long as such recommendations are necessary to better accomplish the stated purpose of the proposal.

(3) The Results Commission is to explain and justify any recommended changes or additions that differ from the President’s proposal.

(4) The President may transmit to the Results Commission the President’s justification for disapproving any of the Results Commission’s recommendations. The Commission shall then transmit to the President a report responding to his concerns and any changes in its recommendations made to respond to the President’s concerns with the Results Commission’s original recommendations.

(5) If the President chooses, the President may transmit to Congress the Results Commission’s final recommendations and legislation to accomplish them.

Subsection (c) of section 3 provides that:

(1) Seven members are to be appointed by the President within 60 days of enactment of the Act authorizing the Commission.

(2) With respect to the appointment of four of Commission members, the President shall consult with the Majority Leader of the Senate regarding one member, the Minority Leader of the Senate regarding one member, the Speaker of the House of Representatives regarding one member, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives regarding one member.

(3) The President shall designate a commission chair and vice-chair from among the commission members.

(4) Each Results Commission is to terminate within nine months from the date it commences operations unless provided otherwise in law.

(5) Each Results Commission shall evaluate the merits of proposals presented the President to reorganize programs in the government and provide the President with its views and any recommended changes to the proposal.

(6) Each Results Commission may secure directly from any executive department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the United States Government, information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics necessary to perform its function. Each department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Commission, upon request made by the chairman or any other member designated by a majority of the Commission. Information shall only be received, handled, stored, and disseminated by members of the Commission and its staff consistent with all applicable statutes, regulations, and Executive orders.

(7) Each Results Commission may hold hearings, take testimony and receive evidence. Each Results Commission may administer oaths to witnesses appearing before it. Each Results Commission will hold public hearings. The Federal Advisory Committee Act will not apply to any Results Commission.

(8) The Commission commences operations within 6 months of enactment of legislation authorizing the commission and meets at the call of the chair. Four Commission members constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.

(9) Each Results Commission member is to receive travel expenses and per diem. The Chair of the Results Commission may appoint and terminate a Director for the commission who shall be paid at a rate not to exceed level II of the Executive Schedule. The Director may appoint and compensate staff in accordance with section 3161 of title 5, United States Code. The Chair

of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services of experts and consultants under section 3109 of title 5, United States Code.

(10) Each Results Commission may use the US mails and obtain printing and binding as other Federal agencies do and utilize GSA’s administrative support on a reimbursable basis. The appropriations of such funds as are necessary to carry out the duties of each commission is authorized.

Subsection (d) provides that Congress, when considering legislative proposals produced consistent with this section, shall follow the expedited procedures set forth in section 5 of the Act.

Section 4. Sunset Commission to review and maximize the performance of all federal agencies and programs.

Subsection (a) authorizes the President to propose the enactment in law of a ten year schedule by which the Sunset Commission will review the performance of, and need for, Executive Branch agencies and programs. Congress shall, when considering the schedule, follow the expedited procedures set in sections 5 of this Act.

Subsection (b) establishes a Sunset Commission.

Subsection (c) provides:

(1) Agencies and programs shall be reviewed by the Sunset Commission according to the schedule enacted pursuant to subsection 4(a) of this Act. An agency would be abolished two years after the date the President submits recommendations along with the report of the Sunset Commission on the agency or program to Congress unless the agency or program is subsequently reauthorized by law.

(2) The deadline for abolishment of an agency or program may be extended in law for up to two years.

Subsection (d) provides:

(1) Seven members are to be appointed by the President within 180 days of enactment of the Act authorizing the Commission. With respect to the appointment of 4 of the Commission members, the President shall consult with the Majority Leader of the Senate regarding one member, the Minority Leader of the Senate regarding one member, the Speaker of the House of Representatives regarding one member, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives regarding one member. The President shall designate a commission chair and vice-chair from among the commission members. Sunset Commission members serve at the pleasure of the President and shall serve for a term not to exceed three years, unless reappointed by the President.

(2) The Sunset Commission is authorized to secure directly from any executive

department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the United States Government, information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics needed to perform its function. Each department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Commission, upon a request made by the chairman or any other member designated by a majority of the Commission. Information shall only be received, handled, stored, and disseminated by members of the Commission and its staff consistent with all applicable statutes, regulations, and Executive orders.

(3) The Sunset Commission may hold hearings, take testimony and receive evidence. The Sunset Commission may administer oaths to witnesses appearing before it. The Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the Sunset Commission.

(4) The Commission meets at the call of the chair. Four Commission members constitute a quorum.

(5) Sunset Commission members shall receive travel expenses and per diem. The Chair of the Commission may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations appoint and terminate a Director for the Sunset Commission. The Director shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the rate for level II of the Executive Schedule. The Director may appoint and set the pay for additional personnel without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code. Any Federal employee may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement. The Commission may procure the services of experts and consultants as authorized by 3109(b) of title 5, U.S. Code.

(6) The Sunset Commission may use the US mails and obtain printing and binding as other Federal agencies do and utilize GSA’s administrative support on a reimbursable basis. The appropriation of such funds as are necessary to carry out the duties of the commission is authorized.

(7) The Sunset Commission terminates on December 31, 2026.

Subsection (e) provides:

(1) The Sunset Commission shall review agencies and programs in accordance with criteria established in Section 4(f) of this Act and, when doing so, shall consider the President’s recommendations for improving the performance of programs and agencies being considered.

(2) The Sunset Commission may consider any publicly available assessments of agencies and programs, including those performed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in consultation with affected agencies. OMB's assessments shall evaluate the purpose, design, strategic planning, management, and results of each program or agency, as well as other factors, and make recommendations to improve each program’s or agency’s efficiency and effectiveness.

(3) Not later than August 1 of each year, the Sunset Commission shall submit to the President its assessment of each agency and program reviewed during the preceding year and recommendations on how to improve the results of that agency and whether to abolish any agency or program.

(4) The Sunset Commission shall submit to the President, with the report referenced in Section 4, paragraph (e)(3), draft legislation needed to carry out its recommendations. The President may submit the draft legislation to Congress with any revisions the President believes are necessary to improve the performance of the affected agencies and programs.

(5) Prior to recommending the abolishment of an agency or program, the Sunset Commission shall conduct public hearings, provide opportunity for public comment, provide the affected agency an opportunity to comment and provide information supporting its views and review the assessment described in Section 4, paragraph (e)(2) and may consult with the Government Accountability Office, with agency Inspectors General and the relevant committees of Congress.

Subsection (f) requires the Sunset Commission to evaluate each agency or program according to the following criteria:

(1) Whether the program as carried out by the agency is cost-effective and achieves its goals.

(2) The extent to which any trends, developments, or emerging conditions affect the need to change the mission of the agency or program or the way that the mission is being carried out by the agency.

(3) The extent to which the agency or program duplicates or conflicts with the agencies or programs of other Federal agencies, State and local governments, or the private sector.

(4) The extent to which the agency or program coordinates effectively with State and local governments in performing the functions of the program.

(5) The extent to which changes in the authorizing statutes of the program would improve the performance of the agency or program.

Subsection (g) requires the Congressional Research Service, with the assistance of the Comptroller General, to prepare an inventory of Executive Branch agencies and programs, including authorizing statute citations, and to update the inventory six weeks prior to the Sunset Commission’s review of an agency and programs. The inventory does not bind the Congress or President with respect to their responsibilities under this Act.

Subsection (h) ensures that no regulations that are designed to protect the environment, health, safety or civil rights shall sunset under this Act and that no programs with the responsibility for enforcing such regulations be abolished unless provision is made for continued enforcement of those regulations.

Section 5. Expedited Congressional Review Procedures

Subsection (a) defines:

(1) a resolution of approval as a joint resolution introduced within 10 legislative days beginning on the date on which the President transmits a proposal to Congress under this Act, and, which does not have a preamble; the title of which is as follows: `Joint resolution approving the reorganization proposals of the President under the ‘The Government Reorganization and Program Performance Improvement Act of 2005.’; the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: `That Congress approves the reorganization proposals of the President, as follows, that were transmitted on XXXX under the Government Reorganization and Program Performance Improvement Act of 2005:', the blank space being filled in with the appropriate date; and the remaining text which consists of the complete text of the President's legislative proposals submitted.

(2) a legislative day as any day on which either House of Congress is in session.

Subsection (b) provides that in order for the resolution to be considered under the procedures set forth in this section, the resolution must be consistent with this Act and must be introduced no later than 10 legislative days after the President transmits his legislative proposals under this Act.

Subsection (c) provides that resolutions of approval for the President's legislative proposals transmitted under this Act be referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs in the Senate and the Committee on Government Reform in the House of Representatives.

Subsection (d) provides that:

(1) The Committee on Government Reform shall report the resolution without amendment, and with or without recommendation, not later than the 30th legislative day after the date of its introduction. If the committee fails to report the resolution within that period, it is thereafter in order for a Member to move that the House discharge the committee from further consideration of the resolution. A motion to discharge may be made only by a Member favoring the resolution (but only at a time or place designated by the Speaker in the legislative schedule of the day after the calendar day on which the Member offering the motion announces to the House their intention to do so and the form of the motion). The motion is privileged. Debate thereon shall be limited to not more than one hour, the time to be divided in the House equally between a proponent and an opponent. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to its adoption without intervening motion. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order.

(2) After the approval resolution is reported or the committee has been discharged from further consideration, it shall be in order to consider the resolution in the House. If the resolution is reported and the report has been available for at least one calendar day, all points of order against the resolution and against consideration of the resolution are waived. If the committee has been discharged from further consideration of the resolution, all points of order against the resolution and against consideration of the resolution are waived. The motion is privileged. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order. During consideration of the resolution in the House, the first reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. Debate on the resolution shall be confined to the resolution, and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by a proponent and an opponent of the resolution. Amendments to the resolution are not in order. Only one motion to rise shall be in order, except if offered by the manager. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the resolution without intervening motion. A motion to reconsider the vote on passage of the resolution shall not be in order.

(3) Appeals from decisions of the Chair regarding application of the rules of the House of Representatives to the procedure relating to the approval resolution shall be decided without debate.

(4) CONSIDERATION OF SENATE MESSAGE- Consideration in the House of all motions or appeals necessary to dispose of a message from the Senate on the resolution shall be limited to not more than one hour. Debate on each motion shall be limited to 20 minutes. Debate on any appeal or point of order that is submitted in connection with the disposition of the Senate message shall be limited to 10 minutes. Any time for debate shall be equally divided and controlled by the proponent and the majority manager, unless the majority manager is a proponent of the motion, appeal, or point of order, in which case the minority manager shall be in control of the time in opposition.

Subsection (e) provides that:

(1) The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs shall report the resolution not later than the 30th legislative day following the date of introduction of the resolution. If the committee fails to report the resolution within that period, the committee shall be automatically discharged from further consideration of the resolution and the resolution shall be placed on the Calendar.

(2) RESOLUTION OF APPROVAL FROM HOUSE- When the Senate receives from the House of Representatives the approval resolution, such resolution shall not be referred to committee and shall be placed on the Calendar.

(3) MOTION NONDEBATABLE- A motion to proceed to consideration of the resolution under this subsection shall not be debatable. It shall not be in order to move to reconsider the vote by which the motion to proceed was adopted or rejected, although subsequent motions to proceed may be made under this paragraph.

(4) Amendments to the resolution are not in order; after no more than 10 hours of consideration of the resolution, the Senate shall proceed, without intervening action or debate, to vote on the final disposition thereof to the exclusion of all motions, except a motion to reconsider or to table; a single motion to extend the time for consideration under subparagraph (B) for no more than an additional five hours is in order prior to the expiration of such time and shall be decided without debate; and the time for debate on the resolution shall be equally divided between the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader or their designees.

(5) A motion to recommit the resolution shall not be in order.

(6) Consideration in the Senate of all motions or appeals necessary to dispose of a message from the House of Representatives on the resolution shall be limited to not more than four hours. Debate on each motion shall be limited to 30 minutes. Debate on any appeal or point of order that is submitted in connection with the disposition of the House message shall be limited to 20 minutes. Any time for debate shall be equally divided and controlled by the proponent and the majority manager, unless the majority manager is a proponent of the motion, appeal, or point of order, in which case the minority manager shall be in control of the time in opposition.

Subsection (f) provides that this section is enacted by Congress:

(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, and as such it is deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in that House in the case of a resolution described in subsection (a), and it supersedes other rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent with such rules; and

(2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that House.

Appendix B:
Community Member Questionnaire

Community Member Questionnaire

INTRODUCTION and INFORMED CONSENT

Researchers from ACKCO, Inc., and Abt Associates, Inc. are conducting a study of housing in Indian Country for the Office of Native American Programs at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The purpose of the study is to learn more about housing provided through [local IHBG grantee]. As part of this study, we would like you to complete this questionnaire. We are asking people all over the country who live in Indian Country to answer these same questions. Some of the questions ask you about the condition of your housing and how happy you are with your housing. The answers we receive from you and other people who complete the questionnaire will be reported only as a group and used only for research purposes.

Your participation in this survey is voluntary, which means you do not have to answer these questions. However, we want you to know that your opinions are very important to improving housing programs. If you fill out this questionnaire, you will help us to learn more about housing in Indian Country. Completing this questionnaire will in no way affect any housing benefits you receive or may be applying for.

The questionnaire takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Information you provide will remain anonymous. Your answers will never be linked with your name or anything that could identify you.

Now I’d like to review some statements that indicate you understand what this study is about, that you agree to take part in the study, and get your signature.

I (PRINT NAME:________________________________________________________) understand that by agreeing to complete this survey, I understand the following statements:

This study is being done by ACKCO, Inc. and Abt Associates, Inc. for the Office of Native American Programs at HUD.
This survey will ask questions about my housing.
My participation in this survey is voluntary and I can choose not to answer any questions I am uncomfortable with.
All of my responses will be kept private, and no one will be able to see my name and answers together.
Approximately 650 people in Indian Country will be asked to answer these questions.
In no way does my participation in this survey affect any housing assistance I may or may not receive now, and
My responses will be used for research purposes only.

Yes, I understand the above statements and agree to complete this survey.
No, I do not agree to complete this survey.

__________________ ____________________________________

SIGNATURE DATE

If I have any questions about this study, you may contact Dan Van Otten, the ACKCO Study Director at 1-800-525-2859, extension 156. You may also contact Marianne Beauregard at Abt Associates, 617-349-2852 (a toll call), if you have questions or concerns about your rights as a study participant.

COMMUNITY MEMBER QUESTIONNAIRE

Please check the box next to the response that best reflects your answer. For the questions on the number of people in your household, just put the number in the space provided.

Please check the box below that best describes the kind of housing are you currently living in.

Rental housing unit

House that I or my partner owns

Living with family or friends
Homeless (e.g., living in a homeless shelter, on the streets, or in a car)
Other housing situation (specify):_____________________________________________

Please check the box below that indicates the type of help you currently receive with your housing expenses from [tribal housing agency name]. If you do not receive any help with your housing expenses from [tribal housing agency name], please check that box.

I live in a house that is owned or managed by [tribal housing name]
I receive a monthly rental subsidy from [tribal housing name]
I get help with my utilities from [tribal housing name]
I purchased my house from [tribal housing name]
I receive another type housing assistance to pay my rent or utilities (specify):____________________________________
I do not receive any help with my housing expenses from [tribal housing agency]

Overall, how would you describe the condition of your current house or apartment? Please check just one box.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Not including bathrooms and hallways, how many rooms are there in your house/apartment?

Where you live now, how much of a problem is…

Interior walls with peeling paint or broken plaster?

Big problem

Small problem

No problem at all

Plumbing that doesn’t work?

Big problem

Small problem

No problem at all

Rats or mice?

Big problem

Small problem

No problem at all

A heating system that doesn’t work?

Big problem

Small problem

No problem at all

A stove or refrigerator that doesn’t work?

Big problem

Small problem

No problem at all

Exposed wire or electrical problems?

Big problem

Small problem

No problem at all

Too little space?

Big problem

Small problem

No problem at all

Thinking about the exterior of your house, do you have any of the following issues:

A roof that leaks?

Sloping, leaning, or buckling exterior walls?
Yes
No
Missing or broken windows?

On the grounds around your housing unit, do large puddles of water remain for several days after it rains?

How safe is the area outside your home at night? Please check the box that describes how safe you think the area is.

Very safe

Safe

Unsafe

Very unsafe

Overall, how satisfied are you with your current apartment or house?

Very satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

Somewhat dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

Not including you, how many people aged 18 or over currently live with you?

Number of people aged 18 and over:______________

How many children under the age of 18 currently live with you?

Number of children under the age of 18:_____________

Does anyone in the household regularly sleep in a room other than a bedroom because there are not enough bedrooms?

Do household members sometimes go elsewhere to sleep because there is not enough space in your house/apartment?

About what share of your family income is used for housing expenses? (For example, if your family has about $800 each month in income and your rent and utilities are approximately $200 per month, then you spend about one-fourth--25%--of your income on housing expenses. You would check one-third or less.)

One-third or less (i.e., 33% or less)

One-third to one-half (i.e., 34 to 50%)

One-half to two-thirds (i.e., 51 to 66%)

Over two-thirds (i.e., more than 66%)

Where is your home located?

Within the Reservation

Outside Reservation but in the Tribal Service Area

Outside the Tribal Service Area

Is your home on Trust Land?

Thank you for completing this Questionnaire. Please return this form to the registration desk.

Appendix C:
Map of Research Questions and Sources

NAHASDA IHBG Program Evaluation: Source for Addressing Research Questions

Research Question	How Being Addressed	Comparison Group (Waiting List Households)
Does the IHBG program increase the availability of safe, decent, affordable housing?
Have net housing inventories grown since the implementation of IHBG?	Analyze APR data on: Total # of new units built using IHBG funds since 1998 (separately for rental and homeownership)
To what degree, if any, has overcrowding in Indian Country been reduced since the implementation of IHBG?	Use household Quex responses on # of people and rooms to quantitatively determine share of IHBG households in overcrowded housing. Use other Household Quex responses to determine whether respondents overcrowded (using non-bedrooms for sleeping, household members sleeping elsewhere) Review tribal housing policies to determine if priority for serving overcrowded households and whether have policies for avoiding overcrowding (e.g., occupancy policies and whether post-occupancy inspections look for overcrowding)	Compare overcrowding of current recipients to overcrowding of comparison group (people on the waiting list).
If overcrowding has not been reduced what are the mitigating factors that have worked against the provision of an adequate supply?	Discuss barriers, mitigating factors, difficulties in reducing overcrowding with tribal housing staff. Also discuss whether any of these barriers could be alleviated by adjustments to IHBG program? If so, what adjustments?
Are the rents/mortgages paid by IHBG households affordable?	From household Quex, determine whether rent/mortgage affordable (<33% of income), moderate burden (33 to 50%), or severe burden (> 50%) For each tribal housing program, review the rent and subsidy determination policies.	Compare burden to waiting list households.
Is IHBG housing in safe, decent condition?	Analyze Household Quex responses to interior housing condition questions (e.g., plumbing that doesn’t work, peeling paint) and respondent perception of overall condition of housing. Analyze Household Quex responses to exterior housing condition questions (e.g., roof that leaks, broken or missing windows) Drainage issues from Household Quex on standing water. Site visitor tour of IHBG housing to obtain site visitor input on exterior housing and property conditions	Compare housing conditions to waiting list households.
Do IHBG households live in safe areas?	Household Quex on safety of area near home at night.	Compare perceptions of safety to waiting list households.
In communities that have used IHBG funding since the program’s inception, how has the general welfare been affected?	Review Indian Housing Plans to identify all project funded by IHBG in most recently completed fiscal year and obtain tribal information on actual number of people served by each program and any available outcomes. Community member input from community meeting on how IHBG affected the community.
Has the average time been reduced that applicants must spend on waiting lists for affordable housing?	Obtain waiting list information (e.g., average waiting time now versus 2 years and 5 years ago) What is driving changes of time on waiting list (or why is time not changing)
Does the IHBG program efficiently provide safe, decent, affordable housing?
Are tribes and TDHEs using IHBG funds efficiently to maximize their impact?	Analyze APR data on IHBG and total cost trends in cost-per-unit acquired and built, for both homeownership and rental units. Discuss trends with tribe to understand reasons for trends. Calculate admin costs as percentage of IHBG budget to determine whether tribes using the maximum (20%) or lower amount so more available for providing housing. Analyze APR data to determine time it takes tribes to obligate and expend IHBG funds. Determine unit vacancy rate, turnaround time for vacant units, turnaround time for repairs, rent collections procedures, and inspection procedures to ascertain whether tribes are fully utilizing and taking care of their IHBG housing assets.
Is the IHBG program addressing the primary housing needs in Indian Country?
Is there a shortage of decent, safe, affordable housing that is being addressed by the program?	Review literature on housing needs in Indian Country. From community meeting attendees, obtain the primary housing issues in their community. Review of Indian Housing Plans and APR on housing needs in tribal area.
Is the IHBG program appropriate for meeting Tribes’ housing needs?	Comparison of identified housing needs with eligible activities that can be funded by IHBG. Comparison of identified housing needs with actual IHBG housing activities. Discuss with tribal housing staff whether any barriers to using IHBG funding to meet their housing needs.

Appendix D:
Federal Register Notice

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR–xxx–X–xx]

Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Public Comment;

AGENCY: Office of Public and Indian Housing; Office of Native American Programs, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described below will be 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.

DATES: Comments due: xxxx, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB Control Number and should be sent to: Aneita Waites, Reports Liaison Officer, Public and Indian Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., Room 4116, Washington, DC FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aneita Waites, (202) 708–0713, extension 4114, (this is not a toll free number) for copies of the proposed forms and other available documents.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department will submit the proposed information collection to OMB for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended). This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affecting agencies concerning the proposed collection of information to: (1)Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including if the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of proposed collection of information; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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.

This Notice also lists the following information:

Title of Proposal: Evaluation of the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG).

Description of the need for information and proposed use: The Department is conducting, under contract to ACKCO Inc and its subcontractor, Abt Associates Inc., an evaluation of the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG). This evaluation will provide HUD with information it needs to help determine the performance of the IHBG program for policy and program management purposes. It will also provide information that HUD can submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as part of the Performance and Assessment Rating Tool (PART) process. Key issues to be addressed through the data collection are: housing conditions for IHBG beneficiaries, rent burden, and whether overcrowding has been reduced.

Agency form number, if applicable:

Members of the affected public: Residents sampled in 30 Native American communities that are selected for the study.

Estimation of the total number of hours needed to prepare the information collection including number of respondents, frequency of response, and hours of response: The researchers will administer a one-time questionnaire to 650 residents. The interviews are expected to last 10 minutes for a total burden hour estimate of 108 hours.

Estimate Burden of Hours of the Proposed Information Collection Respondent Burden:

Type of Respondent	Number of Respondents	# of Responses per Respondent	Average Burden (in minutes)	Total Burden Hours
IHBG Recipient	650	1	10 minutes	108.3 Hours (6,500 minutes)

Status of the proposed information collection: New collection. Pending OMB approval.

Authority: Section 350 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended.

Dated: ___________________________________

_______________________________________________

Rodger J.Boyd, Deputy Assistant Secretary

Office of Native American Programs

[FR Doc. ]

BILLING CODE

1 We calculated standard errors based on a sample percentage estimate of 20 percent because that is the approximate percentage of households in Indian Country that were either overcrowded or lacked plumbing or kitchen facilities.

OMB 83-I 10/95

File Type	application/msword
File Title	Paperwork Reduction Act Submission
Author	WAYNE EDDINS
Last Modified By	Preferred User
File Modified	2008-07-22
File Created	2008-07-17