FR 2025-00077

The document from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) relates to the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Homeless Assistance Grant Application and is part of HUD's information collection process. HUD is seeking public feedback over the next 60 days to extend its current method of collecting information needed for evaluating grant applications under the CoC Program. The feedback is intended to help improve and possibly expand how information is gathered and used in this program.

Summary and Role of the Document

This document serves as a notice to invite public comments on HUD's information collection activities for the CoC Program. It outlines HUD's proposed continuation of existing practices and stipulates how interested individuals should provide feedback. The CoC Program aims to address homelessness and is critical for coordinating local efforts and allocating federal resources effectively.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several issues arise from the notice:

• Costs and Budget Implications: The document does not provide any detail about the potential costs or budgetary implications of this information collection process. It raises concerns about the possibility of inefficient use of funds without clear accountability.

• Complex Language: The language used is filled with administrative jargon, which might be challenging for the general public to comprehend. This could reduce the potential for meaningful public engagement as stakeholders might find it hard to understand the proposals entirely.

• Missing Details: There are references to a chart pertaining to "Average Hours per Response" and "Total Estimated Burdens." However, the chart itself is not included, which affects the transparency and accessibility of the information being presented.

• Public Comment Process: While the document calls for public comments, it lacks specifics on how these comments will be evaluated, considered, or implemented, potentially leading to skepticism about whether the feedback will result in tangible changes.

Impact on the Public

The document has a broad impact on various sectors of the public, especially those with vested interests in addressing homelessness, such as non-profit organizations, local governments, and tribal entities. For the general public, especially those working within these community sectors, the document's opacity and complexity could mean less participation and a missed opportunity to influence a critical program aimed at addressing homelessness.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders closely involved with the CoC Program, such as non-profit organizations and local governments, the notice's complexities and required responses could mean additional administrative headaches. Smaller organizations might find the requirements burdensome and challenging to comply with due to limited resources, making it difficult for them to participate effectively in such federal programs.

In conclusion, while HUD's intent to gather public input is beneficial, the document could better serve its purpose by being more transparent, accessible, and clear regarding potential impacts and processes. Doing so would likely result in more meaningful engagement and collaboration from a wider array of stakeholders, furthering the overarching goal of addressing homelessness efficiently and sustainably.