HOME Program Archives - UPCS Inspectors LLC

Breaking News 2/3/25: HOME Final Rule Delayed

February 3, 2025 by Alejandro Dominguez

HUD’s new final rule for the HOME Program was delayed to April 2025.

What You Need to Know

The “HOME Investment Partnerships Program: Program Updates and Streamlining” Final Rule, published by HUD on 1/6/25, was set to become effective on 2/5/25.

However, on 2/3/25, HUD announced the rule would be delayed till 4/20/25.

The delay complies with a presidential memo that pauses pending rules in the Federal Register by at least 60 days.

What is in the Final Rule?

“This final rule revises the current HOME regulations to update, simplify, or streamline requirements, better align the program with other Federal housing programs, and implement recent amendments to the HOME statute.”

This notice also makes changes for the implementation of NSPIRE.

All CPD programs must switch to NSPIRE property standard for inspections by 10/1/25.

For the HOME Program, this means UPCS will be replaced by NSPIRE as the new inspection standard.

How Should We Switch to NSPIRE?

NSPIRE has been effective since 2023 for several programs, such as Housing Choice Voucher, Project-Based Multi-Family, and Public Housing.

As such, UPCS Inspectors LLC has already trained hundreds of students on NSPIRE!

Once the final rule becomes effective, we will announce the dates of our NSPIRE for the HOME program class.

This class will replace our UPCS for the HOME program class some of you have taken.

It will educate you on the NSPIRE inspection, the HOME Final Rule, and Participating Jurisdiction’s responsibilities.

All CPD Programs Must Switch to NSPIRE by 10/1/25

Please stay tuned for the announcement of the NSPIRE for the HOME Program Class.

You can visit our website at any time to look at class schedules for other programs.

Questions? Contact us at education@upcsinspectors.com or 512-653-6999.

UPCS Inspectors LLC celebrates its 10-Year Anniversary in 2025.

Thank you for your support.

NSPIRE News: Extension for CPD Till 10/1/24

September 18, 2023 by Alejandro Dominguez

Today HUD posted in the Federal Register an extension for Community and Planning Development (CPD) programs on NSPIRE compliance.

NSPIRE Extended to 10/1/24

This notice will allow Community Planning and Development programs to switch from Housing Quality Standards (HQS) or Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) to NSPIRE anytime between 10/1/23 and 10/1/24.

What Programs Does This Apply To?

HUD is extending the compliance date for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA), Emergency Solution Grants (ESG) and Continuum of Care (COC) programs (“CPD programs”) until October 1, 2024.

When Should I Switch to NSPIRE?

Today’s notice allows you to wait to take NSPIRE training and transition to NSPIRE inspections.

Per the notice, HUD still plans to post additional guidance for CPD, especially the HOME program, sometime in the future.

At the same time, the participating jurisdictions are allowed to switch to NSPIRE whenever they choose after 10/1/23.

For now, we recommend the HOME program wait to transition from UPCS to NSPIRE, but that CoC can begin to covert to NSPIRE from HQS whenever convenient.

Source: Federal Register Notice Date Published: 9/18/23

NPSIRE Training Online

Don’t miss your chance to take our new NSPIRE training online!

This class is designed specifically for the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) and Continuum of Care programs to help you succeed on future inspections!

We have classes in November, December, and January for your convenience!

Visit our NSPIRE for HCV Training Online page to find out more.

2013 HOME Final Rule

August 26, 2021 by Alejandro Dominguez

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.