Overview
Title
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Application for the Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages; OMB Control No.: 2577-0191
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to make sure it's doing a good job asking Native American tribes and Alaska Native communities questions about how they can help with housing and other things. They want people to tell them how they can do this better.
Summary AI
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for collecting information for the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program. This program aims to aid Native American tribes and Alaska Native communities by developing housing, public facilities, and economic opportunities. HUD invites public comments on the necessity, accuracy, and ways to minimize the burden of this information collection. Responses can be submitted through the specified online portal or by contacting HUD directly.
Abstract
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 an additional 30 days of public comment.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document under discussion is a notice from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) seeking public feedback on a proposed information collection related to the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program. This program is designed to bolster the development of Native American tribes and Alaska Native communities by supporting housing projects, public facilities, and economic ventures. The notice primarily aims to extend the timeframe for public commentary, thereby facilitating more comprehensive community involvement in the program's processes.
General Summary
The HUD notice is a procedural document published to inform the public and relevant stakeholders about its intention to gather necessary data through the ICDBG program. It outlines objectives such as ensuring decent housing, improving living environments, and providing economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons within indigenous communities. The notice also details how interested parties can submit their comments via an online portal or direct contact.
Significant Issues or Concerns
One notable concern is the document's lack of clarity about how the collected information will be utilized by HUD. This omission could raise questions around transparency and appropriate allocation of resources. Additionally, the notice refers to "eligible categories of funding" and other technical terms without providing detailed explanations, potentially leading to confusion or misinterpretation among those unfamiliar with the specifics of such programs.
Furthermore, the section soliciting public comments seems to contain redundant points, which may confuse those attempting to provide feedback. Redundancies can dilute the clarity of what HUD hopes to achieve from the public's input.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this document represents an opportunity to engage with the development processes affecting Native American and Alaska Native communities. It encourages civic participation by soliciting feedback on data collection methodologies, which supports government accountability and responsiveness to community needs.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For Native American tribes and Alaska Native communities, the potential impact is more direct. Proper feedback could influence how future grants are allocated or ensure that funds meet the actual needs of these communities. Conversely, insufficient or unclear responses to the solicitation for comments could result in less effective or less targeted use of resources.
Stakeholders directly involved in the ICDBG, such as tribal organizations, may find the lack of detailed guidance challenging. Clearer instructions would aid in preparing submissions that align with HUD's expectations and maximize the likelihood of successful project funding.
In summary, while the document opens pathways for public engagement in a crucial government program, it could benefit from clearer, more detailed explanations. This would not only enhance understanding but also improve the quality of feedback, ultimately benefiting both HUD and the communities it aims to serve.
Issues
• The document does not provide specific details on how the information collected will be used by HUD, which may lead to concerns about transparency and the potential for wasteful spending.
• The description of 'eligible categories of funding' could be more detailed to ensure clear understanding of what specific activities qualify under each category, potentially preventing misuse or favoritism in funding allocation.
• The language used in the summary and supplementary information sections, such as terms like 'tribally authorized tribal organizations' and 'microenterprise programs,' may be unclear or require clarification for a general audience.
• There is a repeat of the solicitation for public comment section (point 4 and point 5 in section B), which suggests possible redundancy and may confuse readers about the distinct requests for feedback.
• The absence of specific examples or case studies of past implementations of the ICDBG Program may limit the understanding of its practical impact and effectiveness, which could lead to questions about the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection.
• The document assumes a level of familiarity with acronyms and form numbers (e.g., SF-425, HUD-2516) without providing explanations, which could make it difficult for those unfamiliar with these terms to follow the content.