Emergency Justification

: This information describes the availability and usage of broadband internet services in HUD-assisted housing
and at Neighborhood Networks Centers. The data identifies opportunities for HUD to invest in providing
broadband service for residents. The respondents are Public Housing Authorities, Tribes and managers of
multi-family and HOME Investment Partnerships Program properties as well as managers of Neighborhood
Networks Centers. HUD will survey all PHAs, Indian Tribes and managers of Neighborhood Networks Centers.
We will also survey a 500-respondent universe of Multi-Family managers with e-mail addresses available, a
500-respondent universe of Multi-Family managers without e-mail addresses and a 500-respondent universe of
HOME managers.
Emergency Justification: August 18, 2009 Mr. Ross Rutledge OMB Desk Officer Office of Management and
Budget New Executive Office Building Washington, DC 20503 Dear Mr. Rutledge: The Department is seeking
emergency review of the Paperwork Reduction Act requirements contained in the “HUD Broadband Project”
Paperwork Reduction Act Submission. The Notice of Paperwork Submission (copy enclosed) explains the
burden of the collection requirements. This is a new information collection. The American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) invests $7.2 billion in the expansion of access and quality of broadband
services in unserved and underserved areas while creating jobs and economic opportunity and requires the
development of a National Broadband Plan by February 2010. Given the growing importance of broadband
access in a wide range of contexts, HUD needs to immediately develop broadband policies and participate in
ARRA’s planning and grant-making process. Unfortunately, the near total lack of data on the availability and
usage of broadband internet services in public and assisted housing severely hampers HUD’s ability to do this.
Because of this and given the short timeline established by ARRA, HUD seeks to undertake this data collection
as soon as possible. These facts drive this emergency request. In compliance with the requirements of 5 CFR
1320.13, by this letter I request that emergency processing be completed within 7 days. Please feel free to
contact me or Rebecca Parks if you have any questions regarding this request. Thank you for your
consideration and assistance. Sincerely, Raphael W. Bostic, Ph. D. Assistant Secretary Enclosures

Authorizing Statute(s):