3.8.6: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program

Proactively make documents available to the public and reduce our FOIA backlog.

Other Information:

HUD has been proactive in making documents available to the public and over the past several years has succeeded in reducing its FOIA backlog. At HUD, the median processing time for simple FOIA requests is 30 days, the mode is closer to 20, while the median is 45 days for more complex requests. At the end of HUD's 2009 Fiscal Year, there was a backlog of 192 FOIA requests. This was a 48% reduction from the previous year, and an 85% reduction from two years ago. Pursuant to FOIA, 5 USC 552(a)(6)(A)(i), once HUD receives a FOIA request, the Department has 20 working days within which to make a determination on the request unless unusual circumstances exist. Under unusual circumstances, such as an Agency's backlog, or the need to examine a voluminous amount of records required by the request, HUD can extend the 20-day time limit. HUD's policy is to process FOIA requests using "multi-track processing," which allows the Department to process FOIA requests on a first-in/first-out basis within each track. HUD places FOIA requests in its routine or complex track based on the amount of work and time involved in processing the request. The criteria for assignment to a specific track are found in HUD's FOIA regulations, 24 CFR 15.105(a), which were published in the Federal Register on January 22, 2001, at 66 FR 6964. The Office currently utilizes a Frequently Requested Materials section of its website to point users to the most frequent FOIA requests. The minimum threshold for a request to be put into this URL is 3 requests in the last 6 months. The Office has also designated one of its FOIA Specialists to work closely with program staff to identify additional records that can be made available to the public. The office will explore how to make this process more consumer-friendly. This will include identifying ways that the FOIA office and program areas can better communicate to exchange information and data. More information can be found at: http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/program_offices/administration/foia

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

Content