60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Debt Resolution Program

AGENCY:

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing Commissioner, HUD.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

HUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is requesting comment from all interested parties on the proposed collection of information. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment.

DATES:

Comments Due Date: January 5, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB Control Number and should be sent to: Colette Pollard, Reports Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 4176, Washington, DC 20410-5000; telephone 202-402-3400 (this is not a toll-free number) or email at Colette.Pollard@hud.gov for a copy of the proposed forms or other available information. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael Demarco, Director, Financial Operations Center, U.S. Department of HUD, 52 Corporate Circle, Albany, NY 12203, email at Michael.C.DeMarco@hud.gov, 1-800-669-5152 extension 2859. This is not a toll-free number. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Ms. Pollard.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice informs the public that HUD is seeking approval from OMB for the information collection described in Section A.

A. Overview of Information Collection

Title of Information Collection: Debt Resolution Program.

OMB Approval Number: 2502-0483.

Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection.

Form Number: HUD-56141, HUD-56142 and HUD-56146.

Description of the need for the information and proposed use: HUD is required to collect debt owed to the agency. As part of the collection process, demand for repayment is made on the debtor(s). In response, debtors opt to ignore the debt, pay the debt or dispute the debt. Disputes and offers to repay the debt result in information collections. Borrowers who wish to pay the debt in installments must sign a written Repayment Agreement (HUD-56146). Borrowers who wish to pay less than the full amount due must submit a Personal Financial Statement (HUD-56142) and Settlement Offer (HUD-56141). HUD uses the information to analyze debtors' financial positions and then approve settlements and repayment agreements. Borrowers who wish to dispute must provide information to support their position.

Respondents: Individuals and household.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 650.

Estimated Number of Responses: 2101.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Average Hours per Response: one hour.

Total Estimated Burdens: 641.

B. Solicitation of Public Comment

This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affected parties concerning the collection of information described in Section A on the following:

(1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to these questions.

Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.