The 2013 HOME Final Rule establishes Uniform Physical Conditions Standards (UPCS) as the inspection standard for the HUD HOME Program.

This applies to the acquisition of standard housing (down-payment assistance) along with ongoing rental housing.

UPCS Standards

Property standards for the HOME Program were established in CFR Title 24 / Subtitle A / Part 92 / Subpart F / 92.251 Property Standards.

Specific language from the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations), along with direct links to these passages, are below.

(c) Acquisition of standard housing

(3) “Existing housing that is acquired for homeownership (e.g., down-payment assistance)… At minimum, the standards must provide that the housing meets all applicable State and local housing quality standards and code requirements and the housing does not contain the specific deficiencies proscribed by HUD based on the applicable inspectable items and inspected areas in HUD-prescribed physical inspection procedures (Uniform Physical Condition Standards).”

(f) Ongoing property conditions standards: Rental Housing

(1)(i) “At a minimum, the participating jurisdiction’s ongoing property standards must include all inspectable items and inspectable areas specified by HUD based on the HUD physical inspection procedures (Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS))”.

How We Can Help

Our company, UPCS Inspectors LLC, provides in-person and online UPCS training specifically tailored for the HOME Program.

We have provided training for various planning and development departments in city governments across the United States.

In addition, we perform annual UPCS inspections of various HOME rental projects, along with file audits for rental calculation, median family income, and max rent compliance.

Please contact us if your organization requires any assistance with inspections, file audits, or training for the HOME program.