On March 11, 2021, the President
signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “Act”), Pub. L.
No. 117-2. Title III, Subtitle B, Section 3206 of the Act
established the Homeowner Assistance Fund and provides $9.961
billion for the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) to make
payments to States (defined to include the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands,
and American Samoa), Indian tribes or tribally designated housing
entities, as applicable, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
(collectively the “eligible entities”) to mitigate financial
hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic, including for
the purposes of preventing homeowner mortgage delinquencies,
defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services,
and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship
after January 21, 2020, through qualified expenses related to
mortgages and housing. Section 3206(c)(1) requires the eligible
entities to use the funds for the purpose of preventing homeowner
mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities
or home energy services, and displacements of homeowners
experiencing financial hardship after January 21, 2020, through
qualified expenses related to mortgages and housing. Section
3206(e)(1) provides that not later than 45 days after March 11,
2021, the Secretary shall pay each eligible entity. Treasury
intends to begin making payments as soon as possible given the
urgent need for the funds being disbursed.
See Emergency
Justification title "1505-0269_HAF Emergency Justifcation
Memo_0422222_signed" in the ROCIS supplemental documents
section
The changes since the previous
approval include the burden increases of 908 hours associated with
performing compliance reporting, including the Quarterly Report and
Annual Performance Report. Please note, the Interim Report hours
have been corrected from the previous submission since not all HAF
participants needed to submit an Interim Report.
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.