Friday, June 7, 2023
Executive Summary:
- HUD has the authority to start inspecting public housing under NSPIRE Rule as of July 1, 2023.
- Inspections aim to ensure compliance with public safety and health standards.
- HUD Secretary Fudge asserts that the new standards will improve the quality of rental properties.
- NSPIRE aims to align and consolidate inspection regulations across multiple programs.
- NSPIRE strengthens physical condition standards, previously known as UPCS and HQS.
- Final NSPIRE rule was published on May 11, 2023, followed by further publications in June.
Unedited Press Release Text:
Public Housing Inspections to Begin Under New Rule to Strengthen Inspection Standards in HUD-Assisted and Insured Housing
NSPIRE Final Rule Effective July 1 for Public Housing, October 1 for remaining HUD Rental Assistance Program
WASHINGTON – As of July 1, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has the authority to begin inspecting public housing under the Final Rule for the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) after July 1, 2023. The inspections of Public and Multifamily housing properties are a matter of complying with the Department’s public safety and health standards to ensure safe and decent living conditions for families and individuals.
“Resident health and safety are HUD’s top priorities. We are demonstrating how vital this is by undertaking this momentous step by strengthening inspection standards with NSPIRE to solidifies our commitment to those we serve,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “The purpose of the new standards and inspections are to address the issue of substandard rental properties, promote greater compliance with health and safety standards, and preserve the quality of our country’s neighborhoods and available housing.”
“These improvements should serve as a tool for public housing authorities and cities to help them better serve their residents and their families,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Richard J. Monocchio. “That’s the foundation of our all of our work and NSPIRE gives us a shared playbook for measuring housing quality for our residents and addressing problems.”
NSPIRE improves HUD’s oversight by aligning and consolidating inspection regulations used to evaluate HUD housing across multiple programs. NSPIRE strengthens HUD’s physical condition standards, formerly known as the Uniform Physical Condition Standard (UPCS) and the Housing Quality Standards (HQS). HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) conducts the inspections of HUD-assisted properties in the Public and Multifamily Housing programs.
HUD published the final NSPIRE rule on May 11, 2023, that made changes to inspections for the Public Housing and Multifamily Housing programs. That was followed by the NSPIRE companion publications of the final Standards Notice on June 22, 2023, the Administrative notice on June 30, 2023, and today’s publication of the final Scoring Notice.
For more information on NSPIRE, visit the NSPIRE homepage and view videos on the NSPIRE playlist. Questions about NSPIRE can be sent to NSPIRE@hud.gov.
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SOURCE: https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_23_135