Public housing property owners and agencies will be required to conduct self-inspections of all units at least annually and correct all identified deficiencies within a certain timeframe under a final rule published Wednesday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
HUD said that the rule strengthens the standards and aligns inspection regulations for evaluating conditions in HUD-assisted affordable housing properties. Its publication follows 16 listening sessions in 15 states with more than 3,330 attendees, the agency noted.
Public housing inspections will begin July 1 under the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate, which changes physical condition standards, formerly known as the Uniform Physical Condition Standard and the Housing Quality Standards.
“HUD is transforming how the department manages the quality of affordable housing units with NSPIRE. We are raising the bar because everyone deserves to live in safe and decent living conditions,” HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge said Wednesday in a statement. “Stronger standards, better inspections and greater insights about living conditions will result in healthier and safer homes for residents. That’s a win for everyone.”
Among changes made by NSPIRE, the rule clarifies the timeline that public housing property owners and agencies have to correct health and safety deficiencies. Life-threatening and severe deficiencies must be corrected within 24 hours after the inspection report is received, and evidence of the correction must be uploaded to HUD within 72 hours.
Additionally under the final rule, HUD developed new “affirmative standards” that, in addition to basic requirements that units must have kitchens and flushable toilets, include addressing safety concerns such as ground fault circuit interrupter outlets, a permanent heating source and safe drinking water.
Tenants also can recommend that certain units be inspected.
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