The 2021 Consolidated Appropriations
Act, Div. L, Title II - HUD Appropriations Act, 2021, provided
$20,000,000 for competitive grants to nonprofit or governmental
entities to provide legal assistance (including assistance related
to pretrial activities, trial activities, post-trial activities and
alternative dispute resolution) at no cost to eligible low-income
tenants at risk of or subject to eviction. The collection of
information in association with the Notice of Funding Opportunity
(NOFO) will be used by the Office of Policy Development and
Research to evaluate the NOFO applicant and determine eligibility
to receive award funds. The collection of information will also
enable HUD to meet its program monitoring obligations under the
Act, including ensuring that eligible tenants living in rural areas
are served. The House of Representatives Explanatory Statement of
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Congressional Record 166,
no. 218, book IV, at H8828, December 21, 2020, further emphasized
the importance of implementing and overseeing this grant as a
“demonstration program.” Accordingly, the collection of information
will enable HUD to meet its research and demonstration obligations
under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970, section 501
(12 U.S.C. § 1701z-1) for this new program.
US Code:
12
USC 1701z-1 Name of Law: Research and Demonstrations
Changes are now required
because EPGP was instituted as a new program during the COVID-19
pandemic. Ongoing program execution has revealed grantee reporting
questions and challenges, and the need for additional
standardization, fillable formats, and data point clarifications
and revisions. The forms are also revised to integrate the new
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) race and ethnicity data
standards. This supporting statement addresses a revised version of
HUD 52698 and three additional forms. While these forms will
require additional time to complete, they are expected to reduce
confusion and corrections of administrative requirements,
benefitting both HUD and grantees.
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.