At Nixon Peabody, our affordable housing team helps developers and owners build and preserve affordable housing across the country. We regularly work with our clients to understand physical inspection protocols and, when necessary, appeal inspection results.
To shed more light on these protocols, I’m excited to be joined by Scott Precourt, the managing partner and founder of US Housing Consultants. US Housing Consultants helps clients navigate the HUD’s physical inspection protocols for multifamily properties, known as the HUD NSPIRE program.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Scott over the years and have seen firsthand how his guidance helps owners and property managers navigate this ever-changing inspection landscape.
I look forward to interviewing Scott today about the NSPIRE program, discussing compliance challenges, lessons learned, and insights from the first year.
Can you give a brief overview of what the NSPIRE program is and what HUD is trying to accomplish?
The NSPIRE inspection protocols aim to streamline inspections with a greater focus on building code and safety standards rather than subjective standards like operational quality. Previous inspections emphasized condition and appearance, which were subjective. NSPIRE focuses on safety standards aligned with building protocols, life safety standards, electrical codes, and building codes to create a centralized standard across all assisted housing.
What are some highlights and updates from the past year of NSPIRE inspections?
The main issues with NSPIRE relate to the new standards and the execution of inspections by REAC. The standards can be confusing, and there’s general confusion about preparation and management. Additionally, the execution of inspections has been uneven, with some inspectors poorly trained and not following the new standards, leading to uneven results and confusion in the industry.
How is HUD adapting to differences between NSPIRE protocols and local code enforcement?
HUD REAC says they are paying attention to local code variances, but we have seen a lack of standard documentation required in appeals to prove compliance with local codes. This lack of specificity makes it unclear when variances will be accepted. HUD generally seems to expect properties to meet NSPIRE standards regardless of local codes.
Where is HUD’s focus this year, and how can people best prepare for these inspections?
HUD is focusing on improving the execution of inspections by providing more training and resources to inspectors. They are working on a certification standard for inspectors to ensure inspection uniformity. This will help owners know what to expect and make inspections more challenging. Inspectors are now better trained and more familiar with the new standards, leading to more thorough inspections.
