Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Housing Service (RHS) invites comments on this information collection for which approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested. The intention is to request a revision for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for 7 CFR Part 1927-B, Real Estate Title Clearance and Loan Closing.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by November 12, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Shantelle C. Gordon, Program Analyst, USDA Rural Housing Service, Single Family Housing, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 0783, Washington, DC 20250-0783, Telephone: (202) 205-9567. Fax: (202) 720-2232. Email: shantelle.gordon@wdc.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) required 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 RHS is submitting to OMB for approval. Comments are invited on: (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 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 those who are to respond, 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:

Title: Real Estate Title Clearance and Loan Closing.

OMB Number: 0575-0147.

Expiration Date: December 31, 2013.

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

Abstract: Section 501 of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to extend financial assistance to construct, improve, alter, repair, replace or rehabilitate dwellings, farm buildings, and/or related facilities to provide decent, safe, and sanitary living conditions and adequate farm buildings and other structures in rural areas. Title clearance is required to assure the Agency (s) that the loan is legally secured and has the required lien priority.

RHS will be collecting information to assure that those participating in this program remain eligible to proceed with loan closing and to ensure that loans are made with Federal funds are legally secured. The respondents are individuals or households, businesses and non-profit institutions. The information required is used by the USDA personnel to verify that the required lien position has been obtained. The information is collected at the field office responsible for processing a loan application through loan closing. The information is also used to ensure the program is administered in manner consistent with legislative and administrative requirements. If not collected, the Agency would be unable to determine if the loan is adequately and legally secure. RHS continually strives to ensure that information collection burden is kept to a minimum.

Estimate of Burden: Public burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.25 hours per response.

Respondents: Individuals or households, businesses, closing agents/attorneys and the field office staff.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,280.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimate Number of Responses: 31,484.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 9,353 hours.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of RHS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the RHS' estimate of the burden of the proposed 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 those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Jeanne Jacobs, Regulation and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, Washington, DC 20250-0742. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.