Day: April 27, 2017

HUD REAC OED Publishes First Newsletter – Gives UPCS-V Update

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

HUD REAC’s Oversight and Evaluation Division (OED) published its first newsletter earlier today. The newsletter, which is distributed by email, offers program updates and statistics on the UPCS-V Demonstration.

Here are a few points stressed in the newsletter:

  • HUD anticipates UPCS-V version 3 to be published by the end of Summer 2017.
  • HUD is interested in learning about landlord events from PHAs. OED staff will do their best to attend these events (in-person or via a conference call) to learn more about landlord concerns.
  • HUD has reformatted decision trees and is making several updates to the inspection software, which it is currently being tested in HUD’s control environment. HUD anticipates a release of the update during the first part of May.
  • OED staff has trained housing authority staff through in-person and virtual trainings.
  • The Powerpoint and a recording of the third conference call can be found on the OED website. [At the time of this posting, NAHRO staff were unable to locate the link to the 2/28/17 conference call PowerPoint.]
  • Current UPCS-V statistics:
    • 237 Demonstration volunteers (13 spots open);
    • 24 PHAs trained; and
    • 683 UPCS-V inspections completed by PHAs.

HUD Releases Smoke-Free Fact Sheets

~ Eric Oberdorfer ~ Leave a comment

Recently, HUD released five new fact sheets relating to the “Instituting Smoke-Free Public Housing” Final Rule. The fact sheets include:

PHAs have until July 30, 2018 to implement smoke-free policies for their public housing properties. Policies must prohibit smoking within all public housing units and common spaces. Smoking must also be prohibited within 25 feet of all public housing buildings, including administration buildings.

HUD released additional guidance on instituting and enforcing smoke-free public housing policies in February.