{"id":6155,"date":"2023-06-20T22:22:01","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T22:22:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/?post_type=blog_post&#038;p=6155"},"modified":"2023-06-21T21:55:53","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T21:55:53","slug":"june-hud-reac-nspire-newsletter-hud-publishes-nspire-final-rule-inspection-standards","status":"publish","type":"blog_post","link":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/blog-post\/june-hud-reac-nspire-newsletter-hud-publishes-nspire-final-rule-inspection-standards\/","title":{"rendered":"June HUD REAC\/NSPIRE Newsletter: HUD Publishes NSPIRE Final Rule \u2013 Inspection Standards"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><u>ANNOUNCEMENTS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Last chance to register for:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>\u2018NSPIRE: What We Know So Far!\u2019 &#8211; 2.5-hour <u>live<\/u> webinar training. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Wednesday, June 21<sup>st<\/sup> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>10 am \u2013 12 pm PST (1 pm \u2013 3 pm EST) <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Register here: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/hud-pre-reac-inspections\/hudreacwebinars\/\"><strong>NSPIRE Training &#8211; hosted by C4N6<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In this June (Part 1) 2023 issue of our HUD-REAC\/UPCS\/NSPIRE Monthly Newsletter, I am happy to tell you that HUD finally posted the first of the 3 last Final Rules we have been waiting on \u2013 Version 3.0 Inspection Standards.\u00a0 I expect the Final Rule \u2013 Administrative Notice and Final Rule \u2013 Scoring Notice to be published before July 1<sup>st<\/sup>.<\/p>\n<p>NSPIRE Final Rule \u2013 Inspection Standards (35 pages): <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/6086-N-05%20NSPIRE%20Standards%20Notice%206-8-23.pdf\">NSPIRE Final Rule &#8211; Standards<\/a><\/p>\n<p>NSPIRE Final Rule \u2013 Version 3.0 Inspection Standards (295 pages): <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/6092-N-05nspire_final_standards.pdf\">NSPIRE &#8211; 3.0 Standards<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>As this published document is considered \u201cFinal,\u201d it is<\/strong> <strong>not open to public comment\/feedback.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Full Analysis of the Changes between v2.2 and v3.0 of the Standards:<\/strong><br \/>\nHUD now has 63 Standards.\u00a0 This does <u>not<\/u> mean they just added 1 (Version 2.2 had 62 Standards).\u00a0 Within each Standard are numerous deficiencies. <u>MANY<\/u> things were changed:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Adding new deficiencies<\/li>\n<li>Removing, relocating or consolidating deficiencies<\/li>\n<li>Adding, removing or renaming many Standards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To make things easier on you, <strong>I have already conducted a full analysis of the changes in both the Standards and every deficiency within them between Versions 2.2 and 3.0! <\/strong>\u00a0I divided them into separate charts based on the 3 Inspection Locations:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Unit<\/li>\n<li>Inside<\/li>\n<li>Outside<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>I also included the Health and Safety determinations for EVERY deficiency within each Standard:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>LT<\/strong> \u2013 Life-Threatening (24-hour repair requirement)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Severe<\/strong> \u2013 Non-Life-Threatening (24-hour repair requirement)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Moderate<\/strong> (30-day repair requirement)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Low<\/strong> \u2013 formerly known as \u201cAdvisory\u201d (60-day repair requirement)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>You can find the 3 PDFs on our Resource page here: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/hud-pre-reac-inspections\/reac-resources\/\"><strong>C4N6 &#8211; HUD Resources<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Key Takeaways from the Final Rule Notice (35-page document)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>HUD has decided to include the HOTMA (Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act) LT (Life-Threatening) List in the NSPIRE Standards and not in the CFR.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li>The HOTMA LT List applies for <strong><u>ALL<\/u><\/strong> PHAs in the HCV and PBV programs \u2013 not only those choosing to implement the Non-Life-Threatening provision offered under HOTMA and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/PIH-2017-20.pdf\">PIH Notice 2017-20<\/a><\/li>\n<li>You can find the updated HOTMA LT List here: <a href=\"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/hud-pre-reac-inspections\/reac-resources\/\"><strong>C4N6 &#8211; HUD Resources<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li value=\"2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Smoke-Alarm_20230620.pdf\">Smoke Alarms<\/a> (link to HUD Standard) will be required to be located:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li>Inside the bedroom<\/li>\n<li>Outside the bedroom<\/li>\n<li>On each living level<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li value=\"3\">On December 29, 2024, HUD will require the <a href=\"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/blog-post\/hud-reac-february-newsletter-breaking-news-nspire-updates\/\">Smoke Alarms<\/a> (link is to C4N6 Newsletter) to be 10-year, sealed, and tamperproof.<\/li>\n<li value=\"4\">Classrooms (HUD previously considered them Community Rooms) will <u>NOT<\/u> be required to have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Carbon-Monoxide-Alarm_20230620.pdf\">Carbon Monoxide Alarms<\/a> (see link for the Standard, Deficiency #1, Criteria #4 if you have fuel-burning appliances in the building but NOT in the Units).<\/li>\n<li value=\"5\">\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Infestation_20230620.pdf\">Infestation<\/a> is a complete disaster<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li>The definition states \u201cThe presence of <u>animals<\/u> with potential impacts on resident health and safety\u201d \u2013 What about insects? Reptiles?<\/li>\n<li>They added 3 new deficiencies \u2013 Extensive Bedbug, Extensive Mouse, and Extensive Rat infestations<\/li>\n<li>The Unit deficiency criteria is <u>grossly inaccurate<\/u> where it appears that <strong>ALL THE UNITS will be penalized for infestation if you have 2 or more Units with an infestation!<\/strong>\u00a0 Here is the verbiage under \u201cUnit &#8211; Extensive Cockroach Infestation:\u201d\n<ul>\n<li>Sighting of at least one live cockroach in <strong><u>two or more Units<\/u><\/strong> during a daytime surface visual assessment<br \/>\nOR<\/li>\n<li>Sighting of at least one cockroach in two or more rooms in a Unit during a daytime surface visual assessment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li value=\"4\">The first page states there should be an Outside deficiency for \u201cEvidence of mice,\u201d but there isn\u2019t one listed nor is it remarked upon in the Final Rule.<\/li>\n<li value=\"5\">(The only good news) Although all the \u201cExtensive\u201d infestations are listed as a 24-hour Severe H&amp;S, HUD clarifies on page 15 in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/6086-N-05%20NSPIRE%20Standards%20Notice%206-8-23.pdf\">NSPIRE Final Rule &#8211; Standards<\/a>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u201cWithin the correction timeframe, documentation must be provided for the pest management plan, and this documentation must include: start date of the plan; servicing schedule, methods of pest monitoring, managing and treatment; and other factors as determined by HUD, the PHA and\/or other relevant authority.\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is strongly encouraged<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li value=\"6\">On page 33 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/6086-N-05%20NSPIRE%20Standards%20Notice%206-8-23.pdf\">NSPIRE Final Rule &#8211; Standards<\/a>, it states: <strong>\u201cThe Infestation, Mold-Like Substance, and Potential Lead Based Paint Hazards will include Deficiencies that are <u>SCORED at the Life-Threatening (LT) level point deduction DESPITE being defined in the Severe H&amp;S category.\u201d!!!<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<li value=\"7\">The severity level for <u>only<\/u> the deficiencies: <strong>Unit Entry and Fire-Labeled Door <u>Missing<\/u><\/strong> both changed from a Severe to LT Health &amp; Safety classification\u2026but the Door-Entry Standard is incorrect on HUD\u2019s NSPIRE Standard page.\u00a0 You can see the change here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/6092-N-05nspire_final_standards.pdf\">NSPIRE &#8211; 3.0 Standards<\/a><\/li>\n<li value=\"8\">Many positive changes were made to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Egress_20230620.pdf\">Egress Standard<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li><strong>\u201cResident-owned property should <u>NOT<\/u> be evaluated as an obstruction to the rescue opening or to the fire escape access.\u201d <\/strong><\/li>\n<li>\u201cPermanently installed\u201d window-mounted air conditioners are still listed as an obstruction \u2013 will get clarification from HUD if they are exempt when the A\/C units are resident-owned<\/li>\n<li>Clarified that <strong><u>ONLY<\/u> bedroom windows<\/strong> are considered Rescue Openings \u2013 <strong><u>NOT<\/u> living room windows<\/strong> (unless there is a fire escape)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li value=\"9\">Tenant-owned <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Fire-Extinguisher_20230620.pdf\">Fire Extinguishers<\/a> and extinguishers that are not in service (i.e. in storage or awaiting service) will <u>NOT<\/u> be inspected under NSPIRE<\/li>\n<li value=\"10\">A missing lightbulb from a fixture will <u>NOT<\/u> be recorded as an exposed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Electrical-Conductor-Outlet-and-Switch_20230620.pdf\">Electrical Conductor<\/a>, as specified in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/6086-N-05%20NSPIRE%20Standards%20Notice%206-8-23.pdf\">NSPIRE Final Rule &#8211; Standards<\/a>, but the following will still be recorded:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li>Hardwired smoke alarm with an exposed conductor (white terminal connector missing)<\/li>\n<li>Lighting fixtures (I am assuming this is an error because the Final Rule clearly states otherwise)<\/li>\n<li>Wiring that is insulated but not protected by sheathing or conduit<\/li>\n<li>Visible wire nuts on electrical conductors<\/li>\n<li>Wall-mounted light fixture with a damaged or missing cover<\/li>\n<li>Device cover plates missing\/damaged<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li value=\"11\"><strong>All Outside electrical outlets must be GFCI-protected \u2013 Deficiency 3: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Electrical-GFCI-AFCI-Outlet-or-Breaker_20230620.pdf\"><strong>Electrical &#8211; GFCI or AFCI &#8211; Outet or Breaker Standard<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li value=\"12\">\u00a0Under the new deficiency #5 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Electrical-Conductor-Outlet-and-Switch_20230620.pdf\">Electrical &#8211; Conductor, Outlet and Switch<\/a>: \u201cWater is currently in contact with an electrical conductor,\u201d HUD clarified:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li><u>ONLY<\/u> active leaks are to be cited<\/li>\n<li>Leaks near a component confirmed to be waterproof would <u>NOT<\/u> be cited<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li value=\"13\">Under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Sprinkler-Assembly_20230620.pdf\">Sprinkler Assembly Standard<\/a>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li>Paint or foreign material (like dust) must cover <strong>75% or more of the sprinkler assembly OR 75% or more of the glass bulb.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Corrosion was added as a new deficiency<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li value=\"14\">Fire doors themselves will not be required as a new affirmative requirement, however if they are present \u2013 there should be no deficiencies to the entire assembly.<\/li>\n<li value=\"15\"><strong>The Graffiti Standard has been <u>REMOVED<\/u>!<\/strong><\/li>\n<li value=\"16\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Guardrail_20230620.pdf\">Guardrails<\/a> have been made a new Affirmative Habitability Requirement if the vertical distance measures more than 30 inches above the \u201cfloor or grade below.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li>Under More Information it states, \u201cThis deficiency should <strong>only be evaluated in areas that are accessible to the resident<\/strong>.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>This could potentially be a costly impact on many properties without guardrails on their retaining walls, for example.<\/li>\n<li>I am hoping for further clarification on this \u2013 but HUD is adamant this be a deficiency<\/li>\n<li>Local code exceptions could also possibly be honored.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li value=\"17\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Handrail_20230620.pdf\">Handrails<\/a> has a new deficiency #4 \u201cNo handrail is present and there is no evidence of previous installation.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li>Although listed as N\/A under Unit, and the Final Rule states \u201c<strong>This deficiency will not be scored and there is no requirement for a correction<\/strong>,\u201d it <u>IS<\/u> listed as a \u201cLow\u201d H&amp;S for Inside and Outside areas\u2026thus will be scored (unless HUD manually turns off the scoring on their end somehow).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li value=\"18\">Window screens have been specifically called out under Deficiency #4 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Window_20230620.pdf\">Window Standard<\/a> to be a Moderate H&amp;S if they are damaged or missing (if there is evidence they were previously installed).<\/li>\n<li value=\"19\">Under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Mold-like-Substance_20230620.pdf\">Mold-Like Substance Standard<\/a>, the \u201cPresence of mold-like substances at very low levels\u201d has been removed.<\/li>\n<li value=\"20\">HUD states on page 20 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/6086-N-05%20NSPIRE%20Standards%20Notice%206-8-23.pdf\">NSPIRE Final Rule &#8211; Standards<\/a> that \u201cNSPIRE Inspectors will not be making structural stability assessments\u2026.\u201d However inspectors absolutely <u>WILL<\/u> be doing just that because they kept the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Structural-System_20230620.pdf\">Structural System Standard<\/a> deficiency, \u201cStructural system exhibits signs of serious failure.\u201d<\/li>\n<li value=\"21\">Although not listed as an Affirmative Standard, HUD states that, \u201cadequate signage is critical to the NSPIRE inspection process.\u201d\u00a0 Fortunately, there is no direction yet to <u>REQUIRE<\/u> signage under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Address-and-Signage_20230620.pdf\">Address and Signage Standard<\/a> \u2013 it just cannot be broken, illegible, or not visible (i.e. there is no mention of \u201cmissing\u201d in the deficiency).<\/li>\n<li value=\"22\"><strong>NIS (Not Industry Standard) will definitely NOT be included in NSPIRE. <\/strong>Although HUD added a few deficiencies indicating that \u201cunsuitable material\u201d will be recorded in places like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Clothes-Dryer-Exhaust-Vent_20230620.pdf\">Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation<\/a> and\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Water-Heater_20230620.pdf\">Water Heater Standard<\/a><\/li>\n<li value=\"23\">HUD will require permanent heating sources in all locales except for Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of Norther Mariana Islands.<\/li>\n<li value=\"24\">\u00a0Unbelievably, HUD will require that \u201cpermanent heating sources\u201d be tested no matter what time of year under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-HVAC_20230620.pdf\">HVAC Standard<\/a>.\u00a0 Additionally, the deficiencies got a bit crazy, for instance, \u201cThe inspection date is on or between October 1 and March 31 and the permanently installed heating source is not working <strong>or the permanently installed heating source is working and the interior temperature is below 64 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/strong>\u201d This will be clarified in the Administrative Notice.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>To subscribe to this free monthly newsletter and read newsletters you may have missed, click here: <a href=\"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/hud-pre-reac-inspections\/hud-assist-blog\/\">C4N6 Newsletter Subscription and Archive<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ANNOUNCEMENTS Last chance to register for: \u2018NSPIRE: What We Know So Far!\u2019 &#8211; 2.5-hour live webinar training. Wednesday, June 21st 10 am \u2013 12 pm PST (1 pm \u2013 3 pm EST) Register here: NSPIRE Training &#8211; hosted by C4N6 In this June (Part 1) 2023 issue of our HUD-REAC\/UPCS\/NSPIRE Monthly Newsletter, I am happy [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6158,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[],"blog-category":[130],"class_list":["post-6155","blog_post","type-blog_post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog-category-hud-assist"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog_post\/6155","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog_post"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog_post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6155"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6158"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6155"},{"taxonomy":"blog-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog-category?post=6155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}