On January 25, 2010 the Department of Energy (DOE) implemented a new rule for its Weatherization Assistance Program (71 CFR 3847). Under the new rule, if a public housing, assisted multifamily or Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) building is identified by HUD and included on a list published by DOE, that building meets DOE's weatherization program income requirements without the need for further evaluation or verification, and may meet certain other program requirements. This information collection will enable HUD to gather additional information from a small number of property owners whose properties were not included on the initial list posted by DOE. This information will allow HUD to verify if these properties also qualify for DOE weatherization assistance.
On March 3, 2010, DOE published a list of eligible multifamily public and assisted housing properties for DOEÂs Weatherization Assistance Programs. Due to certain data limitations, not all eligible properties were posted. Since that date, HUD has received numerous requests from public housing authorities and owners of multifamily assisted housing for HUD to check to see whether additional properties may qualify for weatherization assistance.
We are anxious to fulfill these requests so that these individuals may apply for DOE weatherization assistance funds, should they qualify based on HUDÂs determination. The funds involved are subject to expenditure and obligation deadlines established by the Recovery Act, and are therefore extremely time sensitive.
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.