UPCS Inspectors LLC

NSPIRE Inspection Services

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

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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

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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.

REAC News: NSPIRE Scoring Finalized

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NSPIRE-Training-Online

On 7/7/23, HUD published the final NSPIRE Scoring Notice in the Federal Register.

The notice addresses:

  • Explanation of the new REAC scoring model
  • Public comments from the March 2023 proposed notice
  • Comparisons between NSPIRE and UPCS scoring
  • The “Unit Threshold of Performance” that will cause an automatic fail
  • The new unit sample size
  • Duplicate defects inside the units
  • Which of the NSPIRE deficiencies will have zero point values
  • NSPIRE deficiencies that will have a grace period till 10/1/24

You can read the notice in the Federal Register.

Learn NSPIRE Scoring

Don’t let the new score changes catch you by surprise on your next REAC!

The new scoring system will be covered in our new NSPIRE for REAC Online Training.

This two-day course will teach you all the NSPIRE deficiencies and help you succeed on future NSPIRE inspections!

Anybody who is involved in Public Housing and Multi-Family Housing should take this class.

We Will Prepare You For NSPIRE

UPCS Inspectors LLC is a REAC RAP Contractor and we have stayed up to date on all the latest changes.

Above all, we strive to support our clients with the transition to NSPIRE and to be successful in this industry.

Visit our NSPIRE Online Training page for more information.

Questions? Contact us at education@upcsinspectors.com.

Breaking News: NSPIRE for HCV Deadlines

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On February 28, 2023 HUD hosted their last NSPIRE “Get Ready” Session in San Antonio, TX.

In this session, HUD stated they will soon finalize NSPIRE as the new inspection for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) units.

NSPIRE for HCV inspections are expected to begin on 10/1/23 and will replace HQS.

The NSPIRE inspection will be conducted on an updated HUD-52580, the same form used for HQS inspections now.

Inspectors can use the paper HUD-52580 form or software on a tablet.

Housing authorities can elect to start NSPIRE on 10/1/24 and keep HQS for another year (this choice must be reported to the field office).

HUD must publish the administrative rules for a 90-day comment period before all these changes can be finalized.

We Will Prepare You For NSPIRE

UPCS Inspectors LLC will continue to teach the entire HUD-52580 inspection form in all HQS classes, the same form that will be used for NSPIRE.

We will provide further details on all the NSPIRE requirements discussed in this article in all HQS classes.

Last, we will provide a “NSPIRE for HQS Inspectors” class this fall for experienced HQS inspectors that want to learn the new inspection standards.

HQS Training Online

Don’t miss your chance to take our highly-rated HQS Training online.

This two-day course will increase your knowledge of the inspection protocol and help you succeed on future HQS and NSPIRE inspections!

The next class is on 5/10-5/11/23.

Click here to learn more.

Questions? Contact us at education@upcsinspectors.com.

UPCS Training Online

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UPCS Training Online

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

This two-day course will prepare you for UPCS inspections and help you succeed!

Webinar Schedule

Day 1 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM CST)

  • UPCS History and Background (why a good inspection matters)
  • Explanation of UPCS Scoring
  • Overview of Inspector Tasks and Conduct (how to maintain control of the inspection)
  • UPCS with NSPIRE definitions and the five areas (site, units, exteriors, common areas, and systems)

Day 2 (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM CST)

  • UPCS definitions continued
  • Notice of Industry Standard Repairs (with examples of what is no longer acceptable)
  • Health and Safety deficiencies
  • New Updates & NSPIRE (all the latest changes)
  • Summary of the Inspection Process
  • UPCS Exam (Online on your own)

This class is designed for housing professionals that want to be successful in this industry.

What is Included?

This live webinar will feature PowerPoint, mock exercises, group discussion, and our spiral two-day UPCS workbook (which includes photographs of all deficiencies and checklists).

In addition, the class is taught by Alejandro Dominguez, a REAC certified UPCS contractor and experienced UPCS trainer and inspector.

Testimonials

We don’t just think of ourselves as trainers. 

Above all, we strive to support our clients with their goals, help solve their problems, and get them where they want to be.

  • “We should have taken your class from the start!” – Texas
  • “Awesome class and we learned so much! Very fun and educational!” – Washington
  • “We received so much more information than any other classes we’ve taken!” – Arizona
  • “This is the most thorough UPCS class I have ever taken!” – Arkansas
  • “The training course was great! All questions are addressed perfectly!” – Louisiana

Online Exam

UPCS Inspectors LLC ensures the quality of the course provided.

There is no additional charge for the comprehension exam at the end of the course.

After the class, all registered attendees will be provided an online link to take the exam.

Students that pass the exam will be able to download and print a course certificate.

Registration

$395 for registration and exam. $325 per attendee for group of five or more.

Please register a week before the class date to receive your materials on time.

Any late registrants will be emailed digital copies of the PowerPoint, but we cannot guarantee the course binder will arrive on time.

After you indicate your preferred payment option you will be emailed a separate online invoice.

Download Paper Registration Form Here

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

    Cancellation Policy: If you are not able to attend this UPCS training, you must notify UPCS Inspectors LLC via email a week before the class date to receive full refund.

    Substitutions are accepted.

    Cancellations less than seven days from the class date will be billed for any course materials that were shipped and processed.

    UPCS Inspectors LLC reserves the right to cancel the webinar at any time.

    If a webinar is cancelled, registration fees will be refunded in full.

    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