Emergency Letter

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

WASHINGTON, DC 20410-8000

OFFICE OF HOUSING

Ross A. Rutledge

OMB Desk Officer

Office of Management and Budget

New Executive Office Building

Washington, DC 20503

Dear Mr. Rutledge:

The Department is seeking emergency review of the Paperwork Reduction Act requirements contained in the “Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program Data Elements”. The Notice of Paperwork Submission (copy enclosed), proposed for immediate Federal Register publication, explains the burden of the collection requirements and invites public comments on them. This is a new information collection.

In compliance with the requirements of 5 CFR 1320.13, this letter requests emergency processing within 30 days from the date of publication. This emergency processing is essential for the immediate implementation of the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP), which HUD was directed to establish by Congress in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, 2010.

The emergency review is necessary to enable to HUD to facilitate the collection of required data from potential program applicants to determine their eligibility to receive mortgage relief assistance through EHLP. The collection of this data is vital to program implementation and evaluation. Without the required data, the Department would be unable to assess applicant eligibility and distribute loan funds to assist borrowers in need. The funding appropriated for EHLP is limited year funding and is scheduled to expire by statute on September 30, 2011. If the Department is required to obtain PRA approval through the traditional process we will be unable to obligate all monies appropriated to support borrowers before the end of the fiscal year.

Emergency approval is consistent with Congressional intent to provide the much needed relief to homeowners facing foreclosure. The Department contends that it is critical to implement this initiative and provide assistance to borrowers who are desperately in need. The emergency review will enable HUD to provide mortgage relief assistance available to homeowners as quickly as possible. The program is of limited duration, which supports the need for prompt implementation of the program.

Thank you for your consideration and assistance.

Sincerely,

Ronald Y. Spraker,

Associate General Deputy Assistant Secretary for

Housing