[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19234-19235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07665]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR-5916-N-05]
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Energy and
Performance Information Center (EPIC)
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian
Housing, HUD.
ACTION: Notice.
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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.
[[Page 19235]]
DATES: Comments Due Date: June 3, 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
[email protected] 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: Arlette Mussington, Office of Policy,
Programs and Legislative Initiatives, PIH, Department of Housing and
Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., (L'Enfant Plaza, Room 2206),
Washington, DC 20410; telephone 202-402-4109, (this is not a toll-free
number). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this
number via TTY by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at
(800) 877-8339. Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be
obtained from Ms. Mussington.
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: Energy and Performance Information
Center (EPIC).
OMB Approval Number: 2577-0274.
Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Form Numbers: N/A--all information collected electronically.
Description of the need for the information and proposed use: The
Department has recognized the need for improving energy efficiency in
affordable housing and has prioritized this in Agency Priority Goal #
4, Measure # 13. The energy efficiency data collected through EPIC
gives the Department a more comprehensive dataset regarding energy
efficiency. The EPIC data system will gradually automate the collection
of the five year plan and annual statement forms from grantees. These
are required forms presently collected in hard copy on Forms HUD
50075.1 and HUD 50075.2 under collection OMB control number 2577-0226.
These forms also collect data on the eventual, actual use of funds;
this data will be gradually collected electronically through the EPIC
data system as well. Electronic collection will enable the Department
to aggregate information about the way grantees are using Federal
funding. Additionally, PHA grantees will be able to submit Replacement
Housing Factor fund plans, the mechanism by which PHAs are allowed to
accumulate special funds received based on units removed from the
inventory from year to year. This information is presently collected in
hard copy at the field office level; the EPIC data system will automate
and centralize this collection in order to streamline the process and
improve transparency. Furthermore, the EPIC data system will be loaded
with Physical Needs Assessment (``PNA'') data. This data being in the
system coupled with the electronic planning process will streamline
grantee planning. The EPIC data system will collect information about
the Energy Performance Contract (``EPC'') process, including the energy
efficiency improvements. As the Department moves to shrink its energy
footprint in spite of rising energy costs, clear and comprehensive data
on this process will be crucial to its success. Finally, the Department
has prioritized in Agency Performance Goal # 2, Measure # 5 making
housing more available for more families. In the light of the recent
housing crisis, this goal has become simultaneously more challenging
and more important. Tracking of the use of Federal funds paid through
the Public Housing Capital Fund, the only Federal funding stream
dedicated to the capital needs of the nation's last resort housing
option, is crucial to understanding how the Department can properly and
efficiently assist grantees in meeting this goal as well as assessing
the Department's own progress. The EPIC data system will track
development of public housing with Federal funds and through other
means, including mixed-finance development.
Respondents (i.e. affected public): Members of Affected Public:
State, Local or Local Governments and Non-profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,150.
Estimated Number of Responses: 31,800 annual responses .
Frequency of Response: 1.
Average Hours per Response: 2.19 .
Total Estimated Burdens: 69,645 hours.
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 as amended.
Dated: March 26, 2016.
Merrie Nichols-Dixon,
Deputy Director, Office of Policy, Programs and Legislative
Initiatives.
[FR Doc. 2016-07665 Filed 4-1-16; 8:45 am]
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