2502-0582 - Supporting Statement A (10-31-19)

Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions

Multifamily Housing Procedures for Projects Affected by Presidentially-Declared Disasters

OMB Control Number 2502-0582

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information. Include a statement regarding the changes for this submission. (Example: The changes for this submittal is as follows or the difference between this submission and the last is as follows....)

Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288) as amended (42 USC 5121 et seq. DISASTER RELIEF) is intended to provide an orderly and continuing means of assistance by the Federal Government to State and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities to alleviate the suffering and damage which result from such disasters by

1. revising and broadening the scope of existing disaster relief programs;

2. encouraging the development of comprehensive disaster preparedness and assistance plans, programs, capabilities, and organizations by the States and by local governments;

3. achieving greater coordination and responsiveness of disaster preparedness and relief programs;

4. encouraging individuals, States, and local governments to protect themselves by obtaining insurance coverage to supplement or replace governmental assistance;

5. encouraging hazard mitigation measures to reduce losses from disasters, including development of land use and construction regulations; and

6. providing Federal assistance programs for both public and private losses sustained in disasters.

It is the intent of the Congress, by this Act, to provide an orderly and continuing means of assistance by the Federal Government to State and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities to alleviate the suffering and damage which result from such disasters by providing Federal assistance programs for both public and private losses sustained in disasters.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

This information is used to ensure that owners follow HUD procedures regarding recovery efforts after a Presidentially declared disaster. These procedures minimize disruption to HUD’s normal business requirements by owners and set guidelines for owner/tenant responsibilities under these circumstances. Affected owners are provided instruction and assistance to respond with disaster management.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

This collection requires ad hoc information to be gathered and reported by owners and tenants.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

There is no duplication of other sources for this information. Each declared disaster is unique and requires unique responses.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize burden.

Small businesses are impacted to the extent they serve areas impacted by Presidentially declared disasters and become subject to the same requirements as other entities serving the impacted area.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

Without the information gathered through this collection, HUD would risk improper or inadequate subsidy assistance payments and may be unable to assist owners and tenants during Presidentially declared disasters.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner: (PLEASE ANSWER EACH BULLET SEPARATELY)

* requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

Information is collected on an ad hoc basis, only following a Presidentially declared disaster.

* requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

No information is required to be written in response to a collection of information at any time

* requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

No information is required to be written in response to a collection of information at any time.

* requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;

No records retention is required by HUD in conjunction with this collection, other than normal tenant retention records relative to doing business with HUD.

* in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

No information gathered in conjunction with this collection is used in a statistical survey.

* requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

No information gathered in conjunction with this collection is used in a statistical survey.

* that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use;

No pledge of confidentiality not supported by disclosure and data security policies is required as part of this collection.

or

* requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

Respondents are not required to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden. Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported. Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years - even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

In accordance with 5CFR 1320.8(d), this information collection soliciting public comments was announced in the Federal Register on July 19, 2019, Volume 84, No. 139, Pages 34922. No Comments received.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

Housing assistance payments to respondents pursuant to the business agreements in place prior to the Presidentially-declared disaster. There are no gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

No assurance of confidentiality, statute, regulation, or agency policy is provided.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

There are no questions of a sensitive nature included with this collection.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should: * Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices. * If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I. * Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included in Item 13.
Information Collection	Number1 of Respondents	Frequency of Response	Responses Per Year	Average Burden Hours Per Response	Annual Burden Hours	Hourly Cost2 per Response	Total Annual Cost
Preliminary Disaster Assessment	5,367	1	5,367	0.25	1,342	$35.53	$47,681
Total	5,367		5,367		1,342		$47,681

¹ Number of respondents is based on the current inventory of projects that are HUD-insured and HUD-Held.

² Hourly cost is based on an estimate of the potential owner’s staff to gather, complete, and submit the required documents to HUD for review and approval. Hourly estimated costs estimate obtained from payscale.com.

13. Provide an estimate for the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14).

* The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

* If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collections services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

* Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There are no additional costs to respondents.

14. Provide estimates of annualized costs to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies may also aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.
Information Collection	Number of Respondents	Frequency of Response	Responses Per Year	Burden Hours Per Response	Annual Burden Hours	Hourly1 Cost per Response	Total Annual Cost
Preliminary disaster assessment	5,367	1	5,367	1	5,367	$39.96	$214,465
TOTALS

¹ Estimated cost per hour for HUD staff (GS-12) to review and process the documents for this collection. Data was obtained from www.opm.gov for the 2019 general scale/hourly rates.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-I.

This is a revision of a currently approved collection. Preliminary disaster numbers reflect data received from FEMA sources, matched with project counts of properties located in the declared disaster areas. The burden hours reflect time that may be required for owners impacted by a potential disaster to report damage to HUD. Owners are then directed to EPA for assistance from the state.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

The results of this collection of information will not be published.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

HUD is not seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions," of OMB Form 83-I.

There are no exceptions to the certification statement identified in Item #19 on form OMB 83i, “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

The agency should be prepared to justify its decision not to use statistical methods in any case where such methods might reduce burden or improve accuracy of results. When Item 17 on the Form OMB 83-I is checked, "Yes," the following documentation should be included in the Supporting Statement to the extend that it applies to the methods proposed:

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection methods to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

* Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,

* Estimation procedure,

* Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,

* Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and

* Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of test may be submitted for approval separately or in combination with the main collection of information.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

This information collection does not employ statistical methods.

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