The U.S. Department of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is beginning an important national study of Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) families transitioning from stepped-up rents (i.e., Phase I) and $0 rent (i.e., Phase II/Phase III) to market rate or assisted housing and measure outcomes over time.
Ms. Kimberly P. Nelson
OMB Desk Officer
Office of Management and Budget
New Executive Office Building
Washington, DC 20503
Dear Ms. Nelson:
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is seeking an emergency review of the Paperwork Reduction Act requirements for the DHAP Incremental Rent Transition Study. The Notice of Paperwork Submission (copy enclosed), proposed for immediate publication in the Federal Register, explains the burden of the collection requirements and invites public comments. This is a new information collection.
In compliance with the requirements of 5 CFR 1320.13, this letter requests emergency processing within 14 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register. This emergency processing is essential to conduct this study because the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is expiring on February 28, 2009 and the Department must obtain study participant consent and baseline questionnaires in January and February 2009 before DHAP terminates. Without this emergency request, HUD will not be able to conduct the important DHAP Incremental Rent Transition Study. This study will compare families transitioning from stepped-up rents (i.e., Phase I families) and $0 rent (i.e., Phase II/Phase III families) to market rate or assisted housing and measure their outcomes over time. This Information Collection would enable the Department to answer the question of how do you transition people most effectively from rental assistance to market rate housing after a disaster. Additionally, since DHAP differs from the regular Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, this study will enable HUD to see if DHAP vouchers and their differential rents are having a different effect on housing, employment, education, health, and other outcomes after DHAP ends February 28, 2009.
Thank you for your consideration and assistance.
Sincerely,
Darlene F. Williams
Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy Development and Research
Enclosures
The DHAP program presents a unique opportunity to track families transitioning from stepped-up rents (i.e., Phase I) and $0 rent (i.e., Phase II/Phase III) to market rate or assisted housing and to measure outcomes over time. Both Phase I and Phase II/Phase III of DHAP are time-limited, ending in March 2009.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
DHAP Study OMB 83-I (12.19.08).DOC
Data Collection for the DHAP Incremental Rent Transition Study