NAHMA Winter Conference March 9th, 2021 - Deputy Assistant Secretary Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC)

NAHMA Winter Conference
      March 9th, 2021
      Deputy Assistant Secretary
Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC)
           Mr. David Vargas

Agenda

•    Opening Comments
•    Reminder: NSPIRE Proposed Rule
•    REAC Current Operations
•    Remote Video Inspections (RVI‐HCV)
•    NSPIRE Demonstrations
•    NSPIRE Proposed Rule
•    Questions
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Opening Comments

       Deputy Assistant Secretary
 Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC)
            Mr. David Vargas

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Reminder: NSPIRE Proposed Rule
 National Standards for the Physical
  Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE)
  proposed rule published in the Federal
  Register on January 13, 2021
 60‐day public comment period is currently
  open
   o We will not be taking questions on
     NSPIRE
   o We respectfully ask that you submit
     any comments or questions on the
     proposed rule in accordance with the
     Federal Register Notice.
                                              4

REAC Current Operations
 MF priority over the next 6 months due to PHAS deferral
   o Potentially longer depending on any changes to existing waivers in
      the PH portfolio
 REAC resumed inspections in October 2020
   o Safety concerns have limited inspection activities
   o Fewer than 100 inspections since October 2020
 REAC continues to follow public health protocols to identify available
  properties
 Inspectors follow a defined COVID protocol to help drive safety (PPE,
  testing, property coordination, etc.)
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REAC Current Operations

 COVID advancement across the US over the fall into the winter
  has again limited the properties available to inspect
 We are tracking the changing COVID new case metrics and are
  tracking the CDC guidelines that inform us when it will be safe for
  inspectors
 Risk model already developed based on last inspection score,
  timing since last inspection and other information to prioritize
  risk
 REAC is also exploring the use of Remote Video Inspection (RVI)
  approach to conduct UPCS inspections
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Remote Video Inspections (RVI ‐ HCV)
 RVI Notice for Housing Choice Voucher Program issued November 12,
  2020
   Notice provides best practices and considerations for PHAs to use
    technology to conduct HQS inspections
   It’s still an HQS inspection, conducted by the HQS inspector, using a
    proxy at the property to live stream the property condition back to
    the inspector
   If conducted properly, the RVI HQS inspection should produce
    similar results to an in person HQS inspection

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Remote Video Inspections (RVI)
 Best practices and guidance material on RVI will be posted on the REAC
  website
 REAC contractors are reaching out to PHAs for input on additional
  guidance material
 RVI is an added tool for PHAs in addressing inspection needs during the
  COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond
 REAC is exploring RVI opportunities in other federal inspection areas as
  well.
 Send RVI questions or comments to RVI@hud.gov

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NSPIRE Demonstrations
• Two concurrent demonstrations underway
  • NSPIRE for Public Housing and Multifamily
  • NSPIRE for Vouchers (NSPIRE V)
• What’s happening behind the scenes?
  • Aligning how REAC manages the two demonstrations
  • Looking at ways to bring in more data, safely
  • Preparing the next version of the NSPIRE inspection
    standards
  • Planning for restart of workshops and focus groups

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The NSPIRE Proposed Rule

 Describes the regulatory framework and authority for NSPIRE
 Aligns all HUD programs to a singular set of physical
  inspection standards
   o Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
   o Public Housing
   o Multifamily
   o Community Planning and Development (CPD)
   o Office of Healthcare Programs (OHP)

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The Proposed Rule

 Applies a “safe, habitable dwellings” standard and creates a unified
  assessment of housing quality regardless of the program in which the
  resident participates
 Establishes an administrative process for the treatment of health and
  safety (H&S) deficiencies
 Establishes the method for the implementation of specific NSPIRE
  standards, scoring, and processes
   o Publication of notices within the Federal Register with an additional
       opportunity for public comment

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The Proposed Rule

 Implements a new annual self‐inspection and reporting
  requirement for certain HUD housing
   o Public Housing and Multifamily submit results
     electronically to HUD
 Incorporates provisions of the Economic Growth and
  Recovery, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act to
  reduce administrative burden on small rural PHAs
   o PHAS score based on physical score only
   o Inspected every three years unless troubled

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Stay Up to Date on NSPIRE
Visit the HUD NSPIRE website:
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/reac/nspire

Subscribe to our Newsletter at:
https://www.hud.gov/subscribe/signup?listname=National%20Standards%20for%20Physical%20Inspecti
on%20of%20Real%20Estate&list=REAC‐NSPIRE‐L

Follow us on Twitter: @HUDREAC

Email us at: NSPIRE@hud.gov

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Questions
 Reminder that we cannot take
  questions on NSPIRE at this time while
  the public comment window is open

 We respectfully ask that you submit
  any comments or questions on the
  proposed rule in accordance with the
  Federal Register Notice.

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