REAC UPDATE & STATUS OF HCV QA/QC INSPECTIONS

FIRST: REAC - UPCS INSPECTION SOFTWARE CHANGE

 In use by REAC since 2000  Limits the recording of any single deficiency to the highest level for that defect.  Does not include Berger report recommended changes. 3

Let’s take a look at the 2.3 software and how it is limited when recording multiple levels of the same defect. I.e. Doors – Inoperable Hardware – L1, L2, L3. Then you will be shown the same defect, Doors - Inoperable Hardware, using the 4.0 software and how it is recorded. 4

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The Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) inspection software has been phased out and the new 4.0 UPCS software has taken it’s place. 11

The New 4.0 Software incorporates several major changes. 12

Such As:  Revised PASS Scoring Notice - Published Thursday, August 9, 2012; 77 FR  Adds an equity principle: scoring “point loss cap”.  Implements 47definition changes from the Berger Report.  Implements DCD 4.0 software changes that include:  “Decision Tree” for recording deficiencies  Recording multiple deficiencies of the same item  Recording location of each deficiencies  New Inspection Report format with detailed/descriptive information for scored and non- scored deficiencies 13

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Second: The 4.0 Online Software Training REAC now has free online UPCS training available for all Multi-family and Public Housing Authority Staff. The website explaining all the details can be accessed at: program_offices/public_indian_housing/reac /products/pass/pass_trng

Background info: A Congressionally mandated HUD audit, issued in 2008, found that HUD lacked adequate controls over the physical condition of its Section 8 housing stock. The remedy provides for the REAC to perform quality control inspections of up to 10,000 recently completed Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections at up to 100 of the largest Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), collect the inspection data, and provide results to the PHAs, field offices, and program offices. This will be accomplished in two phases.

Phase I will begin in FY2013 with REAC’s Physical Assessment Subsystem (PASS) Quality Assurance (QA) inspectors conducting a minimum of 1,000 inspections of existing Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) units at 22 PHAs out of the top 100 agencies with the largest number of HCV units.

Phase II will provide for contract inspectors to conduct approximately 9,000 additional HQS inspections at 40 additional PHAs that were not included as part of Phase I. REAC PASS QA inspectors will simultaneously conduct quality assurance on a select number of the contactor’s inspections.

REAC recently completed the inspection of 1,007 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) units at 22 of the top 100 PHA’s based on the number of voucher units. The inspection process consisted of one PHA Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspector and one REAC Quality Assurance (QA) staff conducting the inspection of the HCV unit simultaneously.

The PHA HQS inspector followed the HQS guidelines, most incorporated local code exceptions that were adopted by the PHA, and some added their own PHA requirements that are over and above the basic federal HQS requirements. The REAC QA staff followed the federal HQS guidelines only and did not apply any local code exceptions or PHA requirements. The cumulative results for the initial 1007 inspections are currently being analyzed and the results will be provided to the HUD Office of Field operations, the HCV Program Office and each individual PHA involved.

For more information: Terry Holcombe Construction Analyst / Instructor PIH/REAC/Quality Assurance U.S. department of housing and Urban Development th street, Suite 200 Washington DC Cell: