Emergency Justification Letter

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

WASHINGTON, DC 20410-8000

OFFICE OF HOUSING

Ross A. 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 “Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Notice of Home Energy Retrofit Loan Pilot Program: Request for Comments and Expressions of Interest.” The Notice of Paperwork Submission (copy enclosed), proposed for immediate Federal Register publication, explains the burden of the collection requirements and invites public comments on them. 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. This emergency processing is essential for the immediate implementation of the FHA Energy Retrofit Loan Pilot Program, which HUD was directed to establish by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010.

The emergency review is necessary to enable HUD to solicit expressions of interest from qualified lenders who wish to participate in the pilot program. This solicitation is an essential first step in developing the pilot program. Emergency approval is consistent with Congressional intent to encourage development of an energy efficient mortgage program during a time in which credit for energy improvements is unavailable due to the credit crisis and the lack of a secondary market. The emergency review will enable HUD to make funding for energy improvements available to homeowners as quickly as possible. The pilot program is of limited duration, which supports the need for prompt implementation of the program.

Thank you for your consideration and assistance.

Sincerely,

Ronald Y. Spraker,

Associate General Deputy Assistant Secretary for

Housing

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