Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Proposed collection; comments request.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Housing Service's (RHS) intention to request an extension for the currently approved information collection in support of our program for Complaints and Compensation for Construction Defects.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by May 21, 2019 to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Thomas P. Dickson, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulatory Team 2, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, Room 5164, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-4492. Email Thomas.dickson@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS is submitting to OMB for extension.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Thomas P. Dickson, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulatory Team 2, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, Room 5164, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-4492. Email Thomas.dickson@usda.gov.

Title: RD Instruction 1924-F, “Complaints and Compensation for Construction Defects.”

OMB Number: 0575-0082.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The Complaints and Compensation for Construction Defects program under Section 509C of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, provides funding to eligible persons who have structural defects with their Agency financed homes to correct these problems. Structural defects are defects in the dwelling, installation of a manufactured home, or a related facility or a deficiency in the site or site development which directly and significantly reduces the useful life, habitability, or integrity of the dwelling or unit. The defect may be due to faulty material, poor workmanship, or latent causes that existed when the dwelling or unit was constructed. The period in which to place a claim for a defect is within 18 months after the date that financial assistance was granted. If the defect is determined to be structural and is covered by the builder's/dealer's-contractor's warranty, the contractor is expected to correct the defect. If the contractor cannot or will not correct the defect, the borrower may be compensated for having the defect corrected, under the Complaints and Compensation for Construction Defects program. Provisions of this subpart do not apply to dwellings financed with Section 502 Guaranteed loans.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average .32 hours per response.

Respondents: Individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.25.

Estimated Number of Responses: 125.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 40 hours.

Copies of this information collections can be obtained from Diane M. Berger, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulatory Team; phone (715) 619-3124; or email diane.berger@usda.gov.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.