In Fiscal Year 2018, Congress enacted H.R. 1625- Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141)
(Effective: 3/23/18) that appropriated $99,000,000 for competitive grants under NAHASDA. The Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive (IHBG Competitive) program will give priority to projects that will spur construction and rehabilitation from NAHASDA-eligible recipients while considering need and administrative capacity. Additionally, applicants may apply for other eligible activities under Section 202 of NAHASDA.
HUD believes that the funding for IHBG Competitive meets the emergency processing criteria of 5 CFR § 1320.13. The appropriations language meets the âunanticipated eventâ criteria of 5 CFR §1320.13 because this additional funding creates an entirely new competitive grant program to supplement the traditional formula-based block grant program of NAHASDA. Furthermore, the Department believes that the information collection associated with this competitive grant warrants emergency processing because following the regular PRA schedule would impede both the intent of this additional appropriation and HUDâs goal to award funding to Native American communities in an expedited manner.
On or about July 7, 2018, OMBâs Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs approved the submission of this request for emergency PRA processing and review. At the time, the program was referred to as the Native American Housing Block Grant program. Subsequent to OMBâs approval, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for HUDâs Office of Native American Programs decided to change the programâs name to the IHBG Competitive program to more accurately reflect the competitive nature of the new program. The rational for the emergency request, as described below, has not changed, only the program name has changed.
HUD believes that the funding for IHBG Competitive meets the emergency processing criteria of 5 CFR § 1320.13. The appropriations language meets the âunanticipated eventâ criteria of 5 CFR §1320.13 because this additional funding creates an entirely new competitive grant program to supplement the traditional formula-based block grant program of NAHASDA. Furthermore, the Department believes that the information collection associated with this competitive grant warrants emergency processing because following the regular PRA schedule would impede both the intent of this additional appropriation and HUDâs goal to award funding to Native American communities in an expedited manner. The âConsolidated Appropriations Act of 2018â also directs the Department to give priority to projects that will âspur construction and rehabilitation for granteesâ and the additional amount would âremain available until September 30, 2022.â For example, construction projects in Indian County can take three to five years from start to completion due to remote locations and complex land issues. Following an expedited emergency processing time frame would maximize the limited period of availability given by Congress for recipients to plan and implement projects as soon as possible.
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.