The 2009 AHS is a longitudinal study that provides a periodic measure on the quality, availability, and cost of housing. This New Orleans Metropolitan sample study will provide information on demographic and other characteristics of the occupants and gather additional information on pre and post Hurricane Katrina conditions in the metro area. Federal and local agencies use AHS data to evaluate housing issues.
OMB Desk Officer
Office of Management and Budget
New Executive Office Building
Washington, DC 20503
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is seeking an emergency review of the Paperwork Reduction Act requirements for the American Housing Survey metropolitan survey of New Orleans. 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 request is necessary because it is essential to provide a periodic measure of the size and composition of the housing inventory for the select New Orleans metropolitan area. In addition, the New Orleans sample will provide information about people who rebuilt or rehabilitated their homes as a result of Hurricane Katrina, or are still in the process of renovating their homes; people who were living in New Orleans pre-Katrina, but who have moved to a different address in the New Orleans metro; and property that existed pre-Katrina, but has not been restored or where a person is living in a trailer on a lot. Because the Census Bureau restricts new data collections in 2010, if this emergency request is not approved, the New Orleans survey would have to be pushed back to 2011. This delay would interfere with our ability to gather accurate data on the experience of New Orleans residents in adjusting to the damage and displacement caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Thank you for your consideration and assistance.
Sincerely,
Jean Lin Pao
General Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy Development and Research
Enclosures
US Code:
12 USC 1701z-1
Name of Law: Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970
This emergency request is necessary at this time because it is essential to provide a
periodic measure of the size and composition of the housing inventory for the select New Orleans metropolitan area. In addition, the New Orleans sample will provide information about people who rebuilt or rehabilitated their homes as a result of Hurricane Katrina, or are still in the process of renovating their homes; people who were living in New Orleans pre-Katrina, but who have moved to a different address in the New Orleans metro; and property that existed pre-Katrina, but has not been restored or where a person is living in a trailer on a lot.
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.