View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package

OMB Control No: 2502-0573	ICR Reference No: 202309-2502-001
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 202010-2502-003
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: 07/18/2024
	Date Received in OIRA: 04/29/2024
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	07/31/2027	36 Months From Approved	07/31/2024
Responses	973	0	700
Time Burden (Hours)	7,946	0	5,717
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 1701x Name of Law: Housing and Urban Development Act
US Code: 12 USC 1701w Name of Law: Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968

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:
	88 FR 87452	12/18/2023
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 26180	04/15/2024
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	973	700	273
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	7,946	5,717	2,229
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a request for a revision of a currently approved collection. The numbers of respondents, responses, and associated burden 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). The revised form HUD-9900 and form HUD-9900a, address and fulfill the mandated programmatical and eligibility requirement changes in accordance with the Dodd-Frank certification requirements for HUD HCAs and HUD Housing Counselor Certification. This revision of the form encompasses the new language required to reflect the programmatical changes that have come into effect post-certification, 1 August 2021. Minor changes were made to the Advisory Statement on both forms. HUD’s authority to collect social security numbers was added to the Authorities section. The form HUD-9900a was added to the Principal Purpose, and Disclosure sections. The change was necessary, as it was approved in the 2021 revision. Additionally, under Disclosure, the conditions to collect the social security number were addressed. The reference to, 1 August 2021, Certification date was removed and now reflects the correct guidance. The request for the DUNS number has been removed. Agencies are now required to have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Clarity was provided for State Housing Finance Agency participation requirements. Additionally, Type(s) of Housing Counseling Services was updated to ensure program congruency between the form HUD-9902, Quarterly Activity Report, and this form. Disaster Relief and HECM Default Counseling were added to One-on-one services. Disaster Relief Workshop was added under Group Education. Lastly, the self-certification regarding Staff and counselor certification was updated as counselor certification is now effective. The application is a fillable PDF form and does not place any additional burden on eligible applicants.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $567,089

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: Rhonda Rivera 714 955-0813 rhonda.j.rivera@hud.gov

View ICR - OIRA Conclusion