UPCS Inspectors LLC

NSPIRE Inspection Services

Breaking News: Five REAC NSPIRE Updates

by

NSPIRE-Training-Online

NSPIRE first became effective for REAC inspections in 2023, but just in the last six months HUD has made several updates and announcements.

Five REAC NSPIRE Updates You Need to Know

  1. CBS42.com (2/20/25): “A single contract with a (REAC) vendor PSI was cancelled. This does not apply to other vendors who have been assigned REAC NSPIRE inspections.”
  2. Scoring Notice Correction (Effective 1/17/25): Changes the sample size for properties between 111-133 units and 134-166 units.
  3. Fire Safety Act of 2022 (Effective 12/29/24): The use of 10-year sealed batteries or hard-wired smoke alarms is now mandatory. 
  4. Revised New Affirmative Requirements (Effective 12/14/24): Fifteen deficiencies that were not scored in the first year of NSPIRE have been extended until 10/1/25.
  5. NSPIRE Inspection Protocol and Guidance Version 1.0 (August 2024):  Overall, this guidance is an absolute must read and is covered in our NSPIRE for REAC Training.

NSPIRE REAC Preparation Training Online

After all the latest news, do you want to keep up with all the recent changes?

Take part in our next NSPIRE for REAC Preparation training online!

This one-day course will prepare you for REAC inspections and help you succeed!

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

We Are Here to Help!

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.

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

by

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: HCV, CoC, CPD Extension Till 10/1/2025

by

NSPIRE Deadlines for HCV

Today HUD posted a Federal Register update on NSPIRE compliance for HCV and CPD Programs (such as Continuum of Care).

NSPIRE Extension to 10/1/2025

HCV and CPD can elect to start NSPIRE between now and 10/1/25.  If you already changed to NSPIRE, no further action is needed.  You are good to go.

Smoke Detector Standard Is Changing!

After 12/29/24, Smoke Detectors need to be hard wired or have a 10-year sealed battery.  HUD will update the NSPIRE Smoke Detector standard later this year.

CPD Will Get New Notices

Community Planning Development programs will get further updates in the future. However, per HUD, nothing prevents you from switching to NSPIRE now.

Source: Federal Register Notice Date Published: 7/5/24

We Will Keep You Updated on NSPIRE!

We will provide further details on all the NSPIRE requirements discussed in this email in all future classes.

Even if you already took our NSPIRE class, we will continue to update former students on major changes to the protocol. If you received this update, you will receive all our updates.

Above all, you don’t have to worry about new changes after you take our NSPIRE training.  We have you covered!

NSPIRE Training Online

Don’t miss your chance to take our highly-rated 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!

Click here to learn more.

We Are Here to Help

Questions? Contact us at education@upcsinspectors.com.

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

by

NSPIRE Deadlines for HCV

Today HUD posted in the Federal Register an extension for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs on NSPIRE compliance.

NSPIRE Extended to 10/1/24

This notice will allow Housing Choice Voucher programs to switch from Housing Quality Standards (HQS) to NSPIRE anytime between 10/1/23 and 10/1/24.

What is Missing?

Per the notice, HUD still plans to post an Administrative Notice sometime in the future. It appears this will take place after the original 10/1/23 deadline.

This is one of the reasons why Housing Choice Voucher programs will want to wait to switch NSPIRE.

Today’s notice allows you to wait to take NSPIRE training and transition to NSPIRE inspections once everything is officially posted for Housing Choice Voucher.

You Must Contact HUD

Please review the notice because there are procedures to follow with an email to your HUD field office.

Source: Federal Register Notice Date Published: 9/28/23

Pre-Register for NSPIRE Training

Join the wait list for the first NSPIRE for HCV Online training.

Be the first to find out when all notices have been published and the class date has been announced.

Above all, this class is being developed specifically for Section 8 staff and stakeholders to help you succeed.

Click here to learn more.

Back By Demand! HQS Training Online

With the extension, we have received multiple requests for immediate HQS training for new inspectors from multiple clients.

Until NSPIRE is complete, you must continue to perform HQS inspections until you transition to NSPIRE is complete.

After all NSPIRE HCV documents are published, we will begin to host that class on a monthly basis, so your team can take that class any time before the 10/1/24 extension deadline.

Visit our HQS Training Online page to find out more.

We Are Here to Help

Questions? Contact us at education@upcsinspectors.com.

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

by

NSPIRE-Training-Online

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.

Meet Our Founder

Founded in 2015 by owner Alejandro Dominguez, UPCS Inspectors LLC is a full service inspection company that specializes in annual inspections, NSPIRE training, and REAC consultation for the housing industry. In addition, UPCS Inspectors LLC is a contract vendor for the US … Read More

Updates

Connect With Us

UPCS Inspectors LLC
2027 Coats Circle
Austin, TX 78748

P: 512-653-6999
E: alejandro@upcsinspectors.com