In a move to streamline and enhance housing quality, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the final rule of the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) protocol, marking a significant shift from previous inspection models. As you know, The Inspection Group has been following and documenting the development and release of these new inspection standards for the past year and is pleased to relay what appears to be the final tweaks to HUD’s final NSPIRE rule update.
The NSPIRE rule, published on May 11, 2023, in the Federal Register (88 FR 30442), supersedes the previous Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS), which applied to different housing programs. This change heralds a consolidation of housing inspection standards across all HUD programs, which we hope will streamline and simplify the inspection process for all parties.
Updates to NSPIRE Standards
The NSPIRE Standards, with a three-year review cycle, will be updated based on public comments and the adoption of industry best practices. This model aligns with the cycles used by standards development organizations (SDOs) in the building codes and life safety industries, fostering responsiveness to the evolving needs and research findings in public and assisted housing.
Three overarching programs will be governed by the NSPIRE standards:
- Public Housing
- Programs under the HQS regulations at 24 CFR 982.401
- Programs under 24 CFR part 5, subpart G (“Multifamily housing”)
The only exception to this comprehensive application is for Community Planning and Development (CPD) programs, which will receive program-specific NSPIRE Standards notices. However, the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program will be subject to NSPIRE’s carbon monoxide detection requirements.
The NEW HUD approach and the Final NSPIRE Rule
HUD’s new approach to Standards development is defined by principles such as a people-centered design, science-based rationales, continuous collaborative improvement, and streamlined operations. HUD’s standards are expected to enhance the resident’s safety, the property’s functionality, and promote efficient inspection processes across programs.
The NSPIRE Standards also incorporate the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) Life Threatening List, which dictates that life-threatening deficiencies be addressed within 24 hours, and all other deficiencies within 30 days. The inclusion of the HOTMA LT list aligns with HUD’s mission to consolidate standards and ensure expedited response to life-threatening conditions in housing units.
The NSPIRE Standards emphasize local discretion in designating life-threatening (LT) conditions, with PHA approval. However, LT conditions established by HUD cannot be removed at the local level.
HUD has chosen not to codify the HOTMA LT list in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Instead, updates to the Standards, including the HOTMA LT list, will be published in the Federal Register at least once every three years. This approach is intended to increase the transparency of decision-making and provide opportunities for public input.
The implementation of NSPIRE marks a new era in housing quality, with its standards designed to enhance the safety and functionality of HUD-assisted housing. The program’s emphasis on public input, periodic review, and adaptability to evolving needs underscores HUD’s commitment to continuously improving the quality and safety of housing for millions of Americans.
For guidance and assistance with the NSPIRE protocol, speak with an agent at The Inspection Group.
