New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)
No
Regular
10/03/2024
table that charts list comparision
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
2,164
0
859
0
0
0
This new collection, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), seeks to examine the implementation and outcomes associated with the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program, which was created under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The EHV program awarded roughly 70,000 new Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) to 611 public housing agencies (PHA) that were targeted to households experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness. The collection aims to explore the structure of the EHV program compared to its analogous program, the Housing Choice Voucher program (HCV). Additionally, the evaluation will examine unique features of the EHV program, e.g., the partnerships formed between Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and Continuums of Care (CoCs), and program features such as the use of administrative fees and waivers to assist program beneficiaries.
In this context, HUD contracted with Social Policy Research Associates (SPR) and its subcontractor, Abt Global (Abt) (âthe research teamâ), to evaluate the EHV program and collect data from three sources: 1) administrative data, 2) a national web survey of PHAs and CoCs, and 3) follow-up telephone interviews with a selected sample of PHAs, CoCs, and other PHA partner organizations in 25 communities. The evaluation will use a mixed-methods approach with administrative data and web survey data to measure outcomes in key interest areas. The follow-up telephone interviews will collect information on the experiences of program staff in implementing the EHV program.
Data from this evaluation will help guide any future emergency housing voucher programs and could also inform possible changes to the HCV program to serve households who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The authority to collect this information is in Sections 501 and 502 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-609) (12 USC §§ 1701z-1; 1701z-2(d) and (g)).
US Code:
12 USC 1701z-1
Name of Law: Research and Demonstrations
This is a new information collection. HUD will use the information collected to understand how communities implemented the EHV Program and the outcomes of the program. The evaluation of the EHV program will use qualitative and quantitative methods to address the following research objectives:
A. Document how PHAs and CoCs structured and implemented their EHV programs, including the extent to which each of the four populations eligible for EHVs were served by the program and how the CoC prioritized EHV receipt among people currently or recently experiencing homelessness;
B. Learn how PHAs applied administrative fees and chose among and implemented alternative program features and gaining the perspective of PHAs regarding their value;
C. Detail the extent to which PHAs and CoCs considered and incorporated equity principles and approaches into their EHV programs, including the prioritization of households who most needed housing and incorporating people with lived experience of homelessness to inform the CoCâs prioritization strategy; and
D. Describe the households that were referred to the PHAs and issued EHVs and their success rates and compare them and their success rates to households using HCVs.
The research study intends to explore the following research questions in detail:
1) Partnerships Established Between PHAs and CoCs: One of the primary objectives of the study is to examine the partnerships established between PHAs and CoCs as a result of the EHV program. This will include analyzing the nature of these partnerships, the level of collaboration between the two organizations, and how they worked together to meet the housing needs of the program's primary audience.
2) Referrals and Eligibility Assessments Administered by Partners: The study will also examine the referral and eligibility assessment processes that partners involved in the EHV program followed. This will involve analyzing the criteria used to determine eligibility, the referral process, and how these processes were streamlined to ensure that households in need could access the program's benefits as quickly as possible.
3) Practices in Helping Households During the Lease-Up Process: Another key area of inquiry will be to identify the best practices for helping households during the lease-up process and in securing a housing unit. This will include analyzing the types of support provided to households during this process, the challenges faced by households during this process, and how these challenges were addressed.
4) Administrative Fee Waiver and Its Role in the Program: Finally, the study will seek to understand administrative fee waivers and their role in the program. This will involve analyzing the criteria used to determine eligibility for the fee waiver, the benefits it provided to households, and how it has helped to make the EHV program more accessible to those in need.
The collection will also gather information to guide future efforts developed by HUD. The following questions will be used to collect this information:
a. What aspects of EHV should be carried over to the regular HCV program or future allocations of emergency vouchers?
b. What strategies were adopted by communities to monitor program implementation?
c. Are there any ongoing local evaluations of the EHV program that the community is aware of?
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.
30-Day Notice Evaluation of Emergency Housing Voucher Program.pdf
Final - Appendix A_HUD's Statutory Authority to Collect Information.docx
Outreach materials for phone/virtual interviews with CoCs and non-CoC partner organization staff