On October 8, HUD published a notice in the Federal Register seeking comment on proposed revisions to an information collection titled “FHA Catalyst: Multifamily Applications, and Portal + Loan Underwriting System (PLUS).” FHA Catalyst (Catalyst) is an existing web-based portal that lenders use to submit applications for FHA multifamily mortgage insurance. PLUS is a new web-based application that will allow FHA multifamily and healthcare lenders to request FHA project numbers and view the status of their applications in real time. HUD said it will add lender portal functionalities to PLUS in future phases and that PLUS will replace Catalyst’s multifamily lender portal functions, likely in 2027.

HUD estimated a total annual burden of 590 hours and $26,550, covering 833 project number requests through PLUS, 739 application submissions through Catalyst, and 47 Catalyst access requests. The notice seeks comment on: (i) whether the collection is necessary; (ii) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the associated burden; (iii) ways to improve the quality and clarity of the information collected; and (iv) ways to minimize the burden on respondents, including through automated collection or electronic submission. Comments on the proposal are due by December 7.