Prior to the
commencement of the Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and
Completions forms distribution, the Census Bureau shall provide on
its Internet site prominent links to a set of finalized survey
forms, including instructions and cover letters, comparable to
those provided for the 2012 Economic Census report forms. The final
forms and letters shall reflect any changes in the survey year, OMB
number expiration date, and Census leadership from those submitted
for review.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
03/31/2015
04/30/2015
158,244
0
0
13,187
0
0
0
0
0
The information collected is needed to
determine the number and type of new residential buildings being
built and or sold. Housing starts and sales data, in particular,
are important economic indicators used by businesses and government
agencies. The data are collected from individual or households,
business or other for-profit institutions.
With regard to the
circumstances necessitating an emergency clearance, on mid-July
2014, we submitted a request for extension of a currently approved
collection. However, on November 18, 2014, after the current
information approved collection, expired, we were informed by
Commerce that the package had not fully made it through the
approval process. Given the timing of this determination a separate
emergency OMB clearance package is needed. The choice is either to
delay the highly sensitive economic indicator for a month or pursue
an emergency clearance.
Adjustments to the burden have
gone downwards by 1,443 hours due to recent decreases in the
overall amount of residential construction that affect the number
of cases sampled and number of interviews needed.
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.