Housing Counseling Program - Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling Agency
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
Approved without change
07/18/2024
04/29/2024
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
07/31/2027
36 Months From Approved
07/31/2024
973
0
700
7,946
0
5,717
0
0
0
National, regional, Multi-State intermediaries and Local public and private nonprofit agencies that provide housing counseling services directly or through their affiliates or branches regarding home buying, homeownership and rental housing programs submit an application for designation as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. HUD uses the information to evaluate the agency and to populate Agency profile data in the Housing Counseling System (HCS) database. This data populates HUD's website and automated 1-800 Hotline.
US Code:
12 USC 1701x
Name of Law: Housing and Urban Development Act
US Code:
12 USC 1701w
Name of Law: Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968
This is a request for a revision of a currently approved collection. The numbers of respondents, responses, and associated burden for the application to become a HUD-approved HCA have changed since the last OMB approval due to the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Pub. L. No. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, approved July 21, 2010) (Dodd-Frank) and the subsequent Housing Counseling: New Certification Requirements Final Rule released on December 14, 2016. Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x) (Section 106) was amended by Subtitle D of title XIV of Dodd-Frank to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of housing counseling that is required under or provided in connection with HUD programs (Section 106 amendments).
The revised form HUD-9900 and form HUD-9900a, address and fulfill the mandated programmatical and eligibility requirement changes in accordance with the Dodd-Frank certification requirements for HUD HCAs and HUD Housing Counselor Certification. This revision of the form encompasses the new language required to reflect the programmatical changes that have come into effect post-certification, 1 August 2021. Minor changes were made to the Advisory Statement on both forms. HUDâs authority to collect social security numbers was added to the Authorities section. The form HUD-9900a was added to the Principal Purpose, and Disclosure sections. The change was necessary, as it was approved in the 2021 revision. Additionally, under Disclosure, the conditions to collect the social security number were addressed. The reference to, 1 August 2021, Certification date was removed and now reflects the correct guidance. The request for the DUNS number has been removed. Agencies are now required to have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Clarity was provided for State Housing Finance Agency participation requirements. Additionally, Type(s) of Housing Counseling Services was updated to ensure program congruency between the form HUD-9902, Quarterly Activity Report, and this form. Disaster Relief and HECM Default Counseling were added to One-on-one services. Disaster Relief Workshop was added under Group Education. Lastly, the self-certification regarding Staff and counselor certification was updated as counselor certification is now effective. The application is a fillable PDF form and does not place any additional burden on eligible applicants.
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.