View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package

OMB Control No: 2502-0573	ICR Reference No: 202010-2502-003
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201802-2502-003
Agency/Subagency: HUD/OH	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Housing Counseling Program- Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling Agency
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 04/28/2021
	Date Received in OIRA: 01/26/2021
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	04/30/2024	36 Months From Approved	04/30/2021
Responses	700	0	800
Time Burden (Hours)	5,717	0	6,400
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

Abstract: National, regional, Multi-State intermediaries and Local public and private nonprofit agencies that provide housing counseling services directly or through their affiliates or branches regarding home buying, homeownership and rental housing programs submit an application for designation as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. HUD uses the information to evaluate the agency and to populate Agency profile data in the Housing Counseling System (HCS) database. This data populates HUD's website and automated 1-800 Hotline.

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 12 USC 1701w Name of Law: Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968
US Code: 12 USC 1701x Name of Law: Housing and Urban Development Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	85 FR 74369	11/20/2020
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 6911	01/25/2021
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Application for Housing Counseling Agency	HUD-9900, HUD-9900A	,

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to Agency Discretion
Annual Number of Responses	700	800	-100
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	5,717	6,400	-683
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: This is a request for a revision of a currently approved collection. The numbers of respondents, responses, and associated burden hours for the application to become a HUD-approved HCA have changed since the last OMB approval due to the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Pub. L. No. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376, approved July 21, 2010) (Dodd-Frank) and the subsequent Housing Counseling: New Certification Requirements Final Rule released on December 14, 2016. Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x) (Section 106) was amended by Subtitle D of title XIV of Dodd-Frank to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of housing counseling that is required under or provided in connection with HUD programs (Section 106 amendments). There have been changes in program eligibility requirements. The revised Form HUD-9900 addresses and fulfills the mandated programmatical and eligibility requirement changes in accordance with the Dodd-Frank certification requirements for HUD HCAs and HUD Housing Counselor Certification. A Privacy Act Statement has been added to the form. The revised form combines the “Assurances and Certifications” section of the application and retitled the section as “Certifications.” The “Certifications” section clearly defines the program policies that an agency is responsible for as a program participant and reduces the need for additional paperwork. Additionally, the form strengthens the language for the “Screening of Ineligible Participants” section by using the same criteria for all eligible entity types in reference to “Ineligible Participants.” Attachment A, Form HUD-9900A, will standardize the “Board and Housing Counseling Staff” submission requirement and ensure that HUD is disclosing how it will use Personally Identifiable Information collected during the application process. Lastly, the revised form clarifies the definition of an Intermediary organization. The definition revision for Intermediaries, which removes the number of qualifying states, brings the form in-line with 24 CFR Part 214 and HUD Handbook 7610.1 REV-5. It also removes the barrier to qualification for more agencies. The application is a fillable PDF form and does not place any additional burden on eligible applicants.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $637,513

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Adrenace “Shae” Williams 601 299-2430 adrenace.v.williams@hud.gov

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