New Hud Guidelines, better or worse?

[Milan Herskovich]

I own a duplex in Cincinnati, rented out to section 8 tenants. I received the following email today.

Good Afternoon,

Be prepared! HUD is changing its inspection criteria from Housing Quality Standards (HQS) to National Standards of Inspections and Real Estate (NSPIRE). HUD has published notification that the new standards will be effective for the Housing Choice Voucher Program starting October, 2023. The HCV Department will keep you updated as HUD releases information. The Inspection Standards will be based on receiving a passing score. Points will be deducted for deficiencies and remove subjectivity in the inspection process. NSPIRE will be used for all HUD funded housing programs.

With NSPIRE, inspectors for HUD-assisted and HUD-insured housing will be able to conduct objective, defensible, and consistent assessments to evaluate housing conditions. This will result in inspection results that more accurately indicate property conditions and promote better living conditions for residents. NSPIRE inspections will more accurately reflect the true physical conditions of properties and ensure that property owners adopt sound maintenance practices to eliminate health and safety hazards that may pose a threat to residents. By placing more emphasis on the condition of residents' dwellings, the new inspection model aligns more closely with stakeholder expectations regarding housing quality.

Kind regards,

Lisa Isham

Vice President of Housing Choice Voucher Program Services

Anyone have more info on this? Will it now be easier to pass inspections, or harder?