Overview
Title
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and Annual Performance Report; OMB Control No: 2506-0117
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) wants to gather information to see if projects can get special funding, and they need the public's help to make sure the process is good and not too hard. People can tell HUD their thoughts for 60 days, but the document doesn't clearly say what information they'll collect or how they will use people’s feedback.
Summary AI
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to collect information as part of the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, and Annual Performance Report. This information is essential for assessing the eligibility of projects for grant programs like the Community Development Block Grant Program. The public has 60 days to submit comments on this proposed information collection, focusing on its necessity and ways to enhance quality while minimizing burdens. HUD encourages feedback from states, local governments, and other interested parties to improve the information gathering process.
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 60 days of public comment.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document under review is a notice from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which seeks approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for collecting information related to the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, and Annual Performance Report. This collection effort, which is mandated by various housing and community development acts, aims to evaluate the eligibility of projects for HUD’s grant programs. The public is invited to submit comments on the proposed information collection by May 16, 2025.
General Summary
This notice serves as an invitation for public comment on HUD's proposed information collection requirements. It outlines the need for gathering data from states and local governments participating in several HUD programs, such as the Community Development Block Grant Program and others. The data will help assess the eligibility of proposed projects and inform citizens of how program funds are intended to be used. HUD specifies estimated response times and the number of responses expected, seeking input on whether the information collection is necessary and how it can be improved.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One of the notable issues is the lack of clarity regarding the specific types of data HUD is seeking. This absence of detail could lead to confusion among stakeholders regarding the requirements. Additionally, the estimated hours per response for states and localities appear exceptionally high, suggesting that respondents may experience an excessive or inefficient workload.
The document also provides limited details on the measures for minimizing the burden on respondents, other than mentioning the possibility of electronic submissions. This gap raises concerns about the efficiency of the proposed data collection process. Furthermore, while the notice invites public comments, it does not specify in detail how these comments will be utilized or responded to, which may affect transparency.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the document could affect the public by potentially influencing how efficiently HUD-administered grant programs operate. Successful information collection can lead to better project evaluations and ultimately more effective use of public funds. However, if the data gathering process is seen as cumbersome or poorly defined, it might hinder program implementation and reduce public trust in how these grants are managed.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For states and local governments involved in HUD programs, the significant administrative workload implied by the information collection proposals could detract from their focus on project execution. The lack of clarity around data requirements and expected outcomes might result in inefficiencies or misallocation of resources.
On the positive side, a well-designed information collection process could enhance the quality and effectiveness of community-focused projects under HUD’s grant programs. This improvement could benefit local communities by ensuring funding aligns with the most pressing community development needs. Moreover, streamlined and transparent reporting could bolster stakeholder confidence in HUD’s operations, potentially leading to increased support and engagement in future initiatives.
Overall, while HUD's intention to gather relevant data for grant assessment is crucial, ensuring that the process is clear, efficient, and minimally burdensome is vital to maximizing benefits for all stakeholders involved.
Issues
• The notice does not specify which types of data will be collected, leading to potential ambiguity regarding the specific information HUD is seeking.
• The average hours per response indicated for localities (305 hours) and states (741 hours) appear unusually high, which may suggest a heavy burden on respondents that could be considered excessive or inefficient.
• The document lacks clarity on what specific steps or measures will be taken to minimize the burden on respondents, aside from briefly mentioning electronic submission of responses.
• Language regarding the exact processes for public comments and submission could be more detailed, including clarification on the preferred format of submissions aside from using www.regulations.gov.
• There is no mention of how the comments obtained will be utilized or responded to, causing potential transparency issues.
• The description of the ‘Total Estimated Burdens’ does not explain how these numbers were calculated, potentially leading to confusion about the basis for these figures.