The response
rates and statistical representativeness of the results being
obtained by Federal agencies conducting telephone surveys are a
matter of increasing concern to OMB. Response rates have been
declining due in part to technological changes. This and related
concerns will be studided with consideration to standard-setting
during the coming year. The representative- ness of the results
that HUD is deriving from its RDD rent surveys is of concern
because of reduced response rates. We believe that HUD needs to
institute formal performance standards for their RDD surveys, and
that HUD should strive to attain higher response rates than it has
in the past year. After several discussions with HUD and their
contractor, OMB has agreed to approve these surveys for one year to
allow HUD and its contractor(s) to implement enhanced procedures to
improve response rates subject to the following provisions: (1) HUD
shall report back to OMB ontheir achieved response rates within 6
months if the response rates fall below 65%. (2) These enhancements
will include, but may not be limited to, the following: the number
of call attempts will be increased, enhanced interviewer training
and refusal conversion will be employed, and advance postcards
shall be sent to all housing units for which an address can be
ascertained from the phone interview. (3) HUD will conduct analyses
on nonresponse bias-- comparing early versus late responders and
drawing upon other available information to ascertain the effect of
nonresponse on estimates. (4) HUD will include methodological
studies of nonresponse bias in their next submission of this
ICR.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
10/31/2003
10/31/2003
46,000
0
0
11,454
0
0
0
0
0
Information used to determine Section
8 Fair Market Rents (FMR) in areas not covered by the AHS or the
CPI surveys.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.