Former Quadel Consultant, Crystal Wojciechowski, is a housing professional who works to improve affordable housing nationwide.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently extended the compliance date of the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) to October 1, 2025, for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, Project Based Voucher (PBV) program, and others. The extended compliance deadline will allow public housing authorities (PHAs), jurisdictions, participants, recipients, and grantees additional time to implement NSPIRE standards in their programs to ensure the rollout goes smoothly.
While this additional time is helpful, preparing for NSPIRE-V sooner rather than later is important to avoid unintended adverse program impacts. In this week’s blog, former Quadel consultant and current PHADA Deputy Director, Crystal Wojciechowski, discusses three (3) action items PHA leadership can start doing now to ensure the NSPIRE-V rollout goes as planned.
Prepare Now for Affirmatives
NSPIRE-V is replacing Housing Quality Standards for HCV and PBV programs. While the changes will take full effect no later than October 1, 2025, it is important to note some inspection standards have already taken effect or will take in 2024, including Carbon Monoxide Alarm and Smoke Detector Standards.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards
The 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act included a statutory requirement for installing carbon monoxide alarms in compliance with the 2018 International Fire Code. This requirement took effect in public housing, HCV, and other HUD-assisted programs in December 2022.
“PHA executive leadership and managers should review PIH Notice 2022-01 which identifies resources for the types of devices to install, ideal placement, maintenance, and monitoring,” Wojciechowski said.
Smoke Alarm Standards
The 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act included a statutory requirement for smoke alarm standards to ensure conformity with 2019 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The standards require at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of the property, outside every sleeping area, and inside each sleeping area.
“The NSPIRE-V Standard for smoke alarms will be updated for the new smoke alarm requirements before the statutory compliance date of December 23, 2024, and additional guidance from HUD is expected prior to this date” Wojciechowski. “If PHA housing unit smoke alarms are not complaint, PHAs will have to mitigate the issues within 24 hours which may cause strain on staff and program operations.”
Train Staff
Wojciechowski noted it is never too soon to train your staff on the changes to the inspection standards under NSPIRE-V. She recommends any administrative or technical staff in the inspection process be fully trained in NSPIRE-V regulations, standards, and administration.
“PHAs should train inspectors and maintenance workers, but there are other staff members to consider. This includes janitorial staff who regularly access common areas space and administrative staff who may communicate with residents or be onsite routinely,” Wojciechowski said.
Educate Landlords & Residents
Wojciechowski recommends that PHAs communicate with residents and landlords early and often through informational flyers and sessions. These can be done virtually and in person to ensure increased participation.
“Through NSPIRE-V, HUD seeks to maintain a resident-focused approach that prioritizes resident health and safety. Since it’s focused on areas where residents spend the most time, the standards reflect that,” Wojciechowski said. “As a result, it is extremely important that all staff communicate these key changes to residents and landlords as soon as possible.”
It is important to note that while PHAs have until October 2025 to implement all NSPIRE-V changes, Wojciechowski encourages PHAs not to wait. Quadel staff work with PHAs to update policies and procedures for and train on regulation changes, including NSPIRE-V. To learn how Quadel can assist your PHA with NSPIRE-V changes, request a quote today.