HUD Assist Newsletters

April 2026: The Triple I Rule: Inaccessible Inspectable Items Click here to check out free, downloadable REAC Resources including the new NSPIRE Self-Inspection Checklist! New Training Dates TBD due to NSPIRE Standard Updates this Summer!   In this April Newsletter, I need to explain what I like to call “The Triple I Rule”: Inaccessible Inspectable Items. Under the UPCS protocol, if inspectors could not physically test an inspectable item –...

March 2026: “Loose” Outlet Receptacles? Click here to check out free, downloadable REAC Resources In this March Newsletter, I am going to show you when a “loose” outlet receptacle is or isn’t a deficiency as well as specifically which deficiency as defined by the NSPIRE Standards. There has been a marked increase in citations of “loose” outlet receptacles which, by that description, is difficult to appeal. There is a huge...

In honor of a short month, this will be a short Newsletter! HUD created a checklist for the Voucher program, but it neglected to include the parameters that must be met in order for a deficiency to be cited! Short of working with NSPIRE Standards daily, it is very difficult to remember the minimum measurements, percentages, and additional conditions that must exist to qualify as a deficiency under NSPIRE. NSPIRE...

Electric Heater Clearance…the Truth 2026 NSPIRE WEBINAR TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT! HUD-NSPIRE Demystified: A Deep Dive into the New Inspection Process 4-Part Series starts February 4th, 2026 Last chance to register – Click here: C4N6 Webinar Training Click here to check out free, downloadable REAC Resources   I have to start the year by correcting the misinformation on a video that has been circulating alleging that HUD claims electric heaters are exempt...

I am combining November and December into one long Newsletter because it focuses on a topic that needs a lot of discussion – the Egress Standard. In 2022, a terrible tragedy occurred at a rowhouse in the Fairmount neighborhood of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.  12 people perished (9 of them children) when a Christmas tree caught fire.  Of the 7 smoke alarms present, only 1 worked…in the basement.  Fire safety...

October 2025 HUD Officially Extends Non-Scoring Deficiencies for another Year! Still on vacation (Japan is amazing – cruise was extended 2 days due to a typhoon)! This October Newsletter will also be short and straight to the point! HUD has officially postponed the scoring of the current, temporarily non-scoring deficiencies (certain Affirmative Habitability Requirements) for another year – until October 1, 2026! You can read the official notice and the...