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NSPIRE Severity Ratings
Using This Manual » NSPIRE Severity Ratings
Each inspection standard and deficiency in NSPIRE includes a “Rating,” which determines two factors – 1) The issue’s possible impact on safety, and 2) whether or not the issue creates a life-threatening condition. Additionally, the ratings are used to…
NSPIRE Inspectable Areas
Using This Manual » NSPIRE Inspectable Areas
On HUD NSPIRE Inspections, all findings are organized into three “Areas” – Inside, Outside, and Units. The “Outside” areas include components on the grounds, parking areas, exterior amenities, and structural components such as walls, foundations, and…
NSPIRE Fundamental Differences
Using This Manual » NSPIRE Fundamental Differences
There are numerous differences between NSPIRE and the predecessor inspection protocols – UPCS and HQS. Housing Quality Standards (HQS) were used for “Results Based” Inspections and UPCS Inspections were “Risk Based” inspections. A risk-based inspection…
NSPIRE Scoring Process
Using This Manual » REAC Scoring with NSPIRE » NSPIRE Scoring Process
There are four severity ratings and three inspectable areas, which results in twelve different values: For each of the 12 sections above, the score is arrived at with the following equation: (Total Number of Deficiencies) * (Area Severity Rating Value) ÷ (Unit…
REAC Scoring with NSPIRE
Using This Manual » REAC Scoring with NSPIRE
There are four severity ratings and three inspectable areas, which results in twelve different values: For each of the 12 sections above, the score is arrived at with the following equation: (Total Number of Deficiencies) * (Area Severity Rating Value) ÷ (Unit…
NSPIRE ACE Certification Course Description
Using This Manual » NSPIRE ACE Certification Course Description
US Housing Consultant’s Understanding NSPIRE Accredited Compliance Expert (ACE) Course Description US Housing Consultants full-day NSPIRE course covers this entire manual following the chapter outline and the live session includes additional resources and…
NSPIRE Implementation for CPD Programs
Using This Manual » Applicability » NSPIRE Implementation for CPD Programs
A notice Docket No. FR-6086-N-07 in the Federal Register announced the extension of the date for Community Planning and Development (CPD) programs to comply with NSPIRE. HOME, HTF, HOPWA, ESG, and CoC programs have until October 1, 2024, to comply with the new…
Extension of NSPIRE Compliance Date for HCV Programs
Using This Manual » Voucher Programs » Extension of NSPIRE Compliance Date for HCV Programs
HUD today extended the compliance date for National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) final rule for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project Based Voucher (PBV) programs until October 1, 2024. NSPIRE was scheduled to go into effect October…
Using This Manual
Using This Manual
This manual is being offered at no cost by US Housing Consultants, but it may not be redistributed without the written consent of US Housing Consultants. It may not be copied without consent and attribution. This manual has reworded some NSPIRE standards to conform…
Windows
Windows and Doors » Windows
Windows are inspected on the interior of the building in both the units and common areas. The standards for windows in the dwelling units and in non-dwelling unit areas (e.g., “Common Areas”) are the same for each part of the windows. However, the severity…
Unit Sampling
Using This Manual » Unit Sampling
The unit sampling methodology differentiates by funding program. NSPIRE does not designate unit sampling other than for inspections conducted by REAC. Properties inspected for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME, Housing Trust Fund, and other programs will follow the…
Non-Scoring Items
Using This Manual » REAC Scoring with NSPIRE » Non-Scoring Items
Smoke Detectors and CO Alarm issues will continue to be non-scoring in keeping with the longstanding practice of not scoring smoke detector defects under the UPCS scoring methodology. HUD will not score smoke detector defects but will continue to use an asterisk (*) to…
Delayed Scoring Deficiencies
Using This Manual » REAC Scoring with NSPIRE » Non-Scoring Items » Delayed Scoring Deficiencies
The NSPIRE standards include a number of new design requirements. These items will not be scored for the first year of NSPIRE (expiring 10/1/2024). Repairs will be required if cited on an inspection, so the delay in scoring should not be perceived as a delay in the…
Duplicate Defects
Using This Manual » REAC Scoring with NSPIRE » Non-Scoring Items » Duplicate Defects
In the NSPIRE Scoring Notice dated 7/7/23, HUD clarified that multiple deficiencies in the same location, cited in the same category/standard/deficiency will be recorded individually but will be scored one time per location. HUD will continue citing a deficiency…
Annual Self-Inspections
Using This Manual » Annual Self-Inspections
As part of the NSPIRE update, HUD Multifamily Programs will now be subject to the same requirements as Public Housing, which requires that all units be subject to annual inspection. Per the final NSPIRE notice. Section 5.707 Uniform self-inspection requirement and…
Retaining Walls
Site and Grounds » Retaining Walls
Under the NSPIRE standards, retaining walls are only inspected if they are more than 24 inches in height. A retaining wall is designed to retain soil, rock, and gravel at various grades and heights. The wall should be inspected to ensure it is not leaning away from the…
Walkways and Ramps
Site and Grounds » Walkways and Ramps
This standard for walkways, sidewalks, and ramps specifically addresses walking surfaces that are blocked or obstructed. “Blocked and obstructed” has two definitions: first, large fixed objects prevent access to a walkway or ramp. Secondly, where the width…
Entry Door Surface
Windows and Doors » Entry Doors » Entry Door Surface
This standard refers to doors used for entry into units, common area rooms, and other locations where there is a presumption of privacy or security between locations (e.g., from the hallway into a unit but not within a unit). This standard refers to the physical…
Pass or Fail Ratings
Using This Manual » Voucher Programs » Pass or Fail Ratings
NSPIRE also defines whether or not a unit “passes” or “fails” for inspections on voucher programs and any application of NSPIRE where a pass or fail designation is required. In any unit, if there is one deficiency with a “Fail” designation, the entire unit…
Applicability
Using This Manual » Applicability
In January 2021, HUD released an administrative notice which indicated which programs were changing to NSPIRE after the demonstration program had ended. Below is a chart of HUD Housing programs in Community Planning and Development, Multifamily Housing, and Public and…
HOTMA LT Deficiencies
Using This Manual » Voucher Programs » HOTMA LT Deficiencies
As described in the notice, HUD proposes to update the list of life-threatening conditions included on the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 Life-Threatening List (“HOTMA LT”) for the HCV and PBV programs. All of the items below are designated…
Implementation Dates
Using This Manual » Applicability » Implementation Dates
NSPIRE is to be implemented in two groups – one for Public and Indian Housing programs as of July 1, 2023, and the remaining programs will be effective as of 10/1/2023. The following is a citation from the final notice published on 5/11/2023: This rule has…
Failing Unit Score Adjustment
Using This Manual » REAC Scoring with NSPIRE » Failing Unit Score Adjustment
As part of the NSPIRE changes, if more than 30 total points are lost in dwelling units, the score will automatically receive a failing score of the lesser of the actual score or 59. In the example below, this adjustment can be seen. *if a property loses more than…
Smoke Alarms
Fire and Life Safety » Smoke Alarms
This inspection protocol specifies where smoke detectors should be located in dwelling units. Smoke detectors/alarms are required in dwelling units in the following locations: Inside each sleeping room (e.g., bedroom); and, Outside each sleeping room; and, Within…
Mold-Like Substances
Hazardous Conditions » Mold-Like Substances
This standard refers to moisture damage to interior surfaces. Under the NSPIRE standards, HUD refers to this as a “mold-like substance.” A “mold-like substance” can include regular or irregular patches or spots on surfaces that may be colored…
REAC Sampling
Using This Manual » Unit Sampling » REAC Sampling
Under NSPIRE, the unit sampling guidelines for HUD REAC Inspections. The sampling is based on a scale: Units In Property Sample Units In Property Sample 1 1 28-30 16 2 2 31-35…
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Fire and Life Safety » Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Carbon monoxide (chemical formula CO) is a poisonous, colorless, odorless, tasteless, flammable gas that is slightly less dense than air. Carbon monoxide is harmful when breathed because it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain, and other vital…
Unit Windows
Windows and Doors » Windows » Unit Windows
The windows in the units are inspected to determine if they function as intended, which relates to their ability to open, close, and lock. Additionally, the window’s elements relate to the physical structure, including the frame, sill, seal, weather stripping,…
LIHTC Unit Sampling
Using This Manual » Unit Sampling » LIHTC Unit Sampling
For compliance reviews for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program, unit sampling is governed by – Treas. Reg. 1.42-5. (B) Number of low-income units. The Agency must conduct on-site inspections and low-income certification reviews of not fewer than…
Grab Bars
Bathroom/Laundry » Grab Bars
This standard refers to grab bars installed in bathrooms or restrooms, which are safety devices designed to be grasped and enable a person to maintain balance or utilize restroom fixtures. This can include wall-mounted grab bars at toilets or showers. There is no…
Showers/Bathtubs
Bathroom/Laundry » Showers/Bathtubs
Showers and Bathtubs have the same standards in dwelling units and public/common facilities. This section handles the bathtub or shower basin and the associated hardware, such as faucets, stoppers, drains, valves, and shower heads or sprayers. This also includes a…
Auxiliary Lights
Fire and Life Safety » Auxiliary Lights
Some buildings are equipped with emergency power lighting, also known as auxiliary lighting. There is no requirement for these fixtures to be installed under this inspection protocol; however, if they are installed, they must meet the following standards: The…
Ceiling Covering and Finishes
Finishes & Railings » Ceiling Covering and Finishes
Ceilings enclose a room, protect shaft or circulation space, create an enclosure of and separation between spaces, and control the diffusion of light and sound around a room. They have fire-resistant properties and may also accommodate building services such as vents,…
Exterior Wall Coverings
Structural » Exterior Wall Coverings
The building’s wall covering refers to any material on the building envelope regardless of age, type of construction, or use and purpose of the structure. The standards for building wall coverings relate to the essential function of exterior walls: to provide…
Exit Signs
Fire and Life Safety » Exit Signs
Under these standards, exit signs are not required to be installed in a building based on its design, location, age, or other characteristics. Additionally, there are no requirements for what type of sign is used, where they are installed, and the consistency of use in…
Fire Labeled Doors
Windows and Doors » Fire Labeled Doors
This standard relates to all doors with a fire-resistant rating, which is part of a passive fire protection system. The existence, or lack thereof, of a fire label on a fire-rated door, does not affect these standards. If the label on the fire-rated door is missing,…
Light Fixtures (Exterior)
Lighting and Electrical » Light Fixtures (Exterior)
This standard refers to permanently installed light fixtures on the exterior of the building or the site/grounds (e.g., walkway lighting, pole lighting, wall packs, and canopy lights) that illuminate exterior areas (e.g., entryways, parking lots, and exterior…
Wall Covering and Finishes
Finishes & Railings » Wall Covering and Finishes
A wall covering is a vertical surface that may define an area and provide security, shelter, or soundproofing. The surface provides a vertical separation between rooms or spaces and may provide security or privacy, soundproofing, climate control, and fire protection.…
Bathroom & Laundry Cabinets
Bathroom/Laundry » Bathroom & Laundry Cabinets
There is no requirement to have cabinetry in laundry rooms or restrooms in dwelling units or common areas. The standards outlined for cabinetry and countertops are included under the same section as kitchen cabinetry; the exception is that there is no standard for…
Foundations
Structural » Foundations
The foundation of a building is the lowest structural floor or wall, which may be visible on the inside or outside of the building. The standard for foundation maintains the same deficiencies for all locations on the inspection. The inspection standards include an…
Kitchen Cabinetry
Kitchens » Kitchen Cabinetry
Dwelling units must contain an area to store, prepare, and cook food. Kitchen cabinetry should be inspected by opening each door and drawer and checking inside the cabinets and drawers with a flashlight for water stains, loose materials, and deterioration. Check the…
Fences and Gates
Site and Grounds » Fences and Gates
Fences are only inspected if the fence, upright structure (e.g., solid wall), form a security perimeter. The type of fence does not impact the standards in any way. All security fences should be inspected to determine if the fence is leaning, components are missing and…
Conductors, Outlets, Switches
Lighting and Electrical » Conductors, Outlets, Switches
This standard relates to any exposed electrical conductor that presents a hazard. This includes an electrical conductor that is not enclosed or properly insulated (e.g., damaged sheathing, open port, missing knockout, missing outlet or switch cover, missing breaker or…
Call for Aid System
Fire and Life Safety » Call for Aid System
A resident uses a call-for-aid system to summon aid during a medical emergency. They can come in the form of a system that alerts an external emergency response source, or an internal notification system, typically with alarms and lights. These systems are not…