HUD Inspection AI

Documentation

HUD Inspection Return to Operations & NSPIRE Program Presentation

Date: September 2020 (estimated, based on timeline references)
Speakers: Ash (REAC, standing in for David Vargas) and Dan (NSPIRE Program Lead)
Source: YouTube video transcript

Executive Summary

This presentation covers HUD's Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) Return to Operations (RTO) plan for resuming physical inspections of HUD-subsidized properties during the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides updates on the NSPIRE (National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate) demonstration program.

Key Highlights:
  • REAC's highest priority is the health, safety, and welfare of all parties involved in inspections (residents, PHA/POA staff, inspectors, HUD employees)
  • Target inspection resumption: Fall 2020 (conditional on public health conditions)
  • Focus on high-risk properties in low-risk (green) counties
  • NSPIRE demonstration program has over 4,000 approved properties with ~450 spots remaining
  • Version 1.3 of NSPIRE standards published with HCV applicability and new template

Important Areas to Note

🚨 Critical Safety Protocols

1. Health Risk Assessment
  • Counties must be rated "green" (low-risk) for 6 consecutive weeks before inspections can proceed
  • Health risk scoring uses Johns Hopkins University data and Harvard Global Health Institute methodology
  • Weekly updates posted to HUD website with county-level heat maps
2. Property Priority Criteria
  • Only Criticality Level 5 properties are being considered initially
  • High-risk properties in safe (green) counties
  • Focus primarily on multi-family housing portfolio
3. Inspection Cancellation Protocols
  • Inspections can be cancelled even on the day of inspection
  • Re-validation occurs 2 days before and on the day of inspection
  • PHAs/POAs must communicate local restrictions and outbreaks

📋 Inspection Process Requirements

Three-Step Process:
  1. Property Priority: Is the property high-risk?
  2. Property Availability: Is it in a safe (green) county for 6 consecutive weeks?
  3. Inspector Availability: Can an inspector safely reach the property?
Timeline:
  • August 7, 2020: Notification to industry about limited resumption
  • September 1, 2020: 14-day notices could be issued for eligible properties
  • October 5, 2020: First inspections could begin (if conditions permit)

🔧 NSPIRE Program Updates

Demonstration Participation:
  • 4,500 property cap
  • Over 4,000 volunteers approved
  • ~450 spots remaining
  • UPCS inspections stop once approved for demonstration
Standards Version 1.3:
  • First version with HCV (Housing Choice Voucher) applicability
  • New template format (easier to read)
  • Pass/fail and timer repair fields included
  • Aligned standards for all programs
Remote Video Inspections (RVI):
  • Being explored to minimize direct contact
  • Testing for both NSPIRE inspections and self-inspections
  • Early stages, seeking property participation

Detailed Transcript

Part 1: Return to Operations Plan (Ash)

Introduction and Priorities

Ash introduces himself as standing in for David Vargas (who had a family emergency) and explains that REAC's highest priority is the health, safety, and welfare of all parties involved in inspections:

  • Residents
  • PHA and POA staff
  • Inspectors (both federal and contract)
  • Other HUD employees

This represents an unprecedented situation where HUD must balance:

  • Traditional mission: Ensuring health and safety of HUD-subsidized rental housing units
  • New priority: Public health component during COVID-19

Purpose and Objectives of RTO Plan

The Return to Operations plan is a living document designed to:

  1. Detail necessary activities for safe resumption of inspections
  2. Provide a framework and set of actions to maximize safety
  3. Identify risks and constraints of safely conducting inspections

Objectives:

  • Safely resume inspections (primarily multi-family housing portfolio initially)
  • Target and prioritize properties most in need using risk-based criteria
  • Focus on high-risk properties in low-risk (green) counties
  • Demonstrate continued importance of physical inspections
  • Identify and implement strategies to keep all parties safe
  • Reduce backlog of physical inspections for high-risk properties
  • Create innovative inspection types (e.g., remote video inspections)

Health Risk Scoring Methodology

Data Sources:

  • Johns Hopkins University (confirmed case data)
  • Harvard Global Health Institute methodology
  • Weekly updates posted to HUD website

Risk Categories:

  • Green (Low): Less than 1 daily new case per 100,000 people
  • Yellow: 1-9 daily new cases per 100,000 people
  • Orange: 10-24 daily new cases per 100,000 people
  • Red (High): 24 or more daily new cases per 100,000 people

Requirements:

  • County must be green for 6 consecutive weeks before 14-day notice can be issued
  • If county dips from green to yellow during those 6 weeks, clock resets
  • Analysis updated weekly
  • County-level data posted to HUD website

Part 2: NSPIRE Program Updates (Dan)

Program Status

Demonstration Participation:

  • 4,500 property cap on participation
  • Over 4,000 volunteers approved and accepted
  • ~450 spots remaining (per property, not per PHA/entity)
  • Still time to sign up

Standards Version 1.3

Major Updates:

  • First version with HCV applicability - shows how results vary between project-based and tenant-based HCV programs
  • New template - easier to read (based on feedback)
  • Pass/fail and timer repair fields included
  • Aligned standards for all programs

Benefits of Participation (SPIRE Acronym)

S - Standards Feedback:

  • Opportunity to provide feedback on standards
  • Collaborative dialogue during demonstration
  • More collaborative event than typical UPCS inspections
  • Direct line to HUD on standards

P - Pause UPCS:

  • UPCS inspections stop once approved for demonstration
  • Last UPCS score carries forward for duration in demonstration
  • No scores issued during demonstration
  • Any NSPIRE score would be advisory

I - Inform:

  • Stay informed about NSPIRE
  • Check website regularly
  • Sign up for newsletter

R - Review:

  • Advisory scores provide sneak peek of what score would look like
  • Get preview of future scoring

E - Engage:

  • Self-inspection requirement (at least once a year)
  • Identify maintenance and modernization needs
  • Encourages year-round property maintenance
  • Training for the future through collaborative dialogue

Part 3: Q&A Session

Question 1: Energy Efficiency Measures

Question: Are energy efficiency measures included in the inspection process?

Answer: Not directly. NSPIRE standards focus on "Critical to Quality" (CTQ) indicators that identify substandard properties. It's a much more focused inspection looking for highest impact challenges. Some deficiencies may have energy efficiency effects as a side effect (described where relevant), but no direct efficiency measures. Focus is on health, safety, and habitability.

Question 2: NSPIRE Appeal Process

Question: Will NSPIRE have a new appeal process or will it still be DBA or technical review?

Answer: Both concepts will remain. HUD is trying to enhance systems and processes that support appeals. Short answer: Yes, still have ability to request DBA (for things you don't own/control or unusual circumstances) or technical review (for things essentially in error). Process should be better with better customer experience.

Question 3: Remote Video Inspections

Question: Can you provide information on remote video inspections?

Answer: Generally yes, at high level. Use of remote technology (Zoom, FaceTime, etc.) between inspector in location other than where inspection is occurring. Still in early stages for NSPIRE demo. If interested in testing or working with HUD to explore, email inspire@hud.gov.

Key Topics Covered

1. Health and Safety Priority

2. Risk-Based Approach

3. Iterative and Living Documents

4. Transparency and Communication

5. Innovation

6. Program Alignment

7. Demonstration Benefits

Action Items and Next Steps

For Property Owners/PHAs/POAs

  1. Monitor HUD Website Weekly - Check heat maps for county risk levels, review updated protocols and guidance
  2. Communicate with REAC - Notify about local restrictions, report outbreaks or health issues
  3. Consider NSPIRE Demonstration - ~450 spots remaining, benefits include UPCS inspections stop, advisory scores, collaborative dialogue
  4. Explore Remote Video Inspections - Contact inspire@hud.gov if interested in testing technology
  5. Provide Feedback - Standards feedback through website, participate in workshops and webinars

Important Resources

  • HUD Website: Weekly updates, heat maps, county-level data
  • REAC Website: Inspection protocols, guidance, RTO information
  • NSPIRE Website: Standards, revisions, demonstration information, signup
  • Email: inspire@hud.gov (for NSPIRE questions and feedback)
  • Newsletter: Sign up on NSPIRE website listserve

Conclusion

This presentation provides comprehensive information about HUD's approach to resuming physical inspections during the COVID-19 pandemic and updates on the NSPIRE demonstration program. The emphasis throughout is on safety, transparency, and collaboration.

The iterative nature of both the RTO plan and NSPIRE standards reflects HUD's commitment to learning and adapting based on real-world conditions and stakeholder feedback. The focus on high-risk properties in low-risk areas demonstrates a careful, data-driven approach to balancing the need for inspections with public health concerns.

Document converted from YouTube video transcript and structured for readability and reference.