Presented by Wayne Pollard

Tremendous Value If Carefully Planned and Executed ADVANTAGES: Increased access to documents Fewer lost documents Ability to review a file when it is not physically present

Great for Audits Physical security of mail/files Save on office space (1 Filing Cabinet = 600 MB of disk space)

Historically, HUD had not provided guidance. Recently, Nicole Faison, HUD's Director of Public Housing Programs, issued new guidance encouraging the use of electronic files: "It is the position of HUD Headquarters that the PHAs record keeping obligations are outlined in its Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) and various HUD regulations, which do not prohibit the electronic retention of documents. We are not aware of any HUD statutes or regulations that specify the format in which documents are retained. In short, PHAs may maintain electronic records/files.

It should be noted that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) encourages Federal agencies and its business partner to maintain electronic files versus paper files. With the publishing of the Refinement of Income and Rent Rule, OMB encouraged HUD to include the language that electronic retention of the form HUD fulfills the record retention requirement."

How efficient is our Workflow? Are you having Storage Issues? Are you spending a lot of time Searching for Case Files? Do you have issues with staff filing documents timely? How much do you spend on Paper, Postage, Etc.? What is your staff comfort level with technology?

Traditional Files: Electronic Files:

Shop Around Talk with other PHAs who have progressed to the paperless society Look at demos Have the vendor come to your PHA for a presentation Look at Current Cost vs. Future Cost Appoint a Committee to look at our current workflow and see how a paperless system would enhance our daily performance

COST OF EMPLOYEE COST OF SCANNING SYSTEM Equipment/SoftwareCost Imaging Software Heavy Duty Scanner$6,500 Medium Duty Scanner$3,500 Light Duty Scanner$ PositionSalary/Benefits Clerk$35K Counselor$52k Inspector$48K

SCANNERS Production style scanner that can handle pages per minute Duplexing recommended If multiple offices – each office will need a scanner DISK SPACE 1 filing cabinet = 600 MB of disk space Cabinets * 600 * 2 (backup) = disk space required MONITORS Dual monitors for Housing Counselors allow easy viewing of documents and data entry screens at same time

DECIDE IF YOU ARE GOING TO BACK FILE Identify which documents will be converted and which will not. RETENTION REQUIREMENTS Look into HUD regulatory requirements for retaining records, they vary by program. CONSIDERATION Scan the entire contents of all active tenant files. Leave inactive files until they can be safely destroyed. Look into outsourcing options for scanning of old files.

IN-HOUSE vs. OUT SOURCED BACK FILE CONVERSION One-time process: Outsourcing might be better option OUT SOURCING CONSIDERATIONS: Type of equipment and technical experience Project turnaround time Security Quality control procedures Cost Access to files (if needed) File names and indexing

Loose Mail New Admission Files Interims Annual Re-Certification

KEEP STAFF INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS LET STAFF VENT THEIR CONCERNS LET STAFF KNOW ITS OK TO LET GO OF THE PAPER.

Mobile Inspection IPAD Increased Daily Inspection Take photos upload to the software inspect results to owner Efax/ /Web Sites We require owners to obtain address Send notifications to owner via Request to send information to our office via EFAX