UPCS-V

UPCS-V Update Call to be Hosted by HUD

~ Georgi Banna ~ Leave a comment

On October 31st from 2pm to 4pm eastern time, HUD will host a UPCS-V quarterly update call. During the call, two broad topics will be discussed:

  1. The UPCS-V Test Plan – looking at the potential burdens and barriers to UPCS-V implementation.
  2. Immediate Next Steps – How UPCS-V demonstration PHAs can use UPCS-V as their inspection of record.

The conference call may be connected to at: http://ems7.intellor.com/login/707781, up to 10 minutes prior to the conference start time, 2pm eastern time on October 31, 2016. Feel free to contact HUD UPCS-V staff at OED@hud.gov with any questions, thoughts or suggestions.

UPCS-V Version 1.5 Released

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

 

upcs-vver1-5logo

HUD REAC’s Oversight and Evaluation Division (OED) has released Version 1.5 of the UPCS-V protocol. NAHRO is still in the process of reading through it, but will continue to provide our membership with additional information and updates on both the UPCS-V protocol and the Demonstration testing the inspection protocol. HUD is seeking feedback at OED@hud.gov.

The protocol can be found on OED’s homepage or can be directly accessed here.

Our prior coverage of the UPCS-V protocol Version 1.0 can be found here. (Members only.)

UPCS-V Version 1.0 Protocol Posted

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

HUD REAC has publicly posted Version 1.0 of the UPCS-V protocol. NAHRO is currently in the process of reading through the protocol, but here is a quote and chart from page 8 of the document about the UPCS-V inspection structure.

UPCS-V contains five inspectable areas: building exterior, unit, building systems, common areas, and site. UPCS-V is primarily centered on the unit, but includes items within the other four areas that negatively affect the habitability of the unit or the health and safety of its tenants.

Each inspectable area has one or more  inspectable items. An inspectable item is a component of an inspectable area that is to be evaluated under the UPCS-V protocol (see Figure 1 for the association of inspectable areas and items.) During an inspection, an inspector must evaluate all applicable inspectable items within each inspectable area for defects.

UPCS-V-Inspection-Structure

Read the entire 1.0 version of the protocol here.

UPCS-V Update and Timeline

~ Tushar Gurjal ~ Leave a comment

Earlier today, HUD REAC had a conference call with PHAs that volunteered to be a part of the UPCS-V Demonstration. In the conference call, HUD shared additional information on the Demonstration including a timeline moving forward. The Demonstration has 173 agencies from 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (31% of vouchers are represented in the Demonstration). HUD took NAHRO’s suggestion in its comment letter and has accepted small and very small agencies, but is still looking for additional agencies to apply.

If your agency is still interested in applying, please provide the following information to UPCSV@hud.gov:

  • Name of PHA;
  • PHA Address;
  • Name of Point of Contact (POC);
  • Phone Number of POC; and
  • Email Address of POC.

Here is the tentative timeline for the demonstration moving forward.

Currently

  • Prepare for PHAs starting August 1st;
  • Release the software;
  • Update the decision trees; and
  • Protocol Document release [should be in the next week or two].

August

  • OED to shadow HQS inspections [for first wave of 13 or 14 chosen PHAs; PHAs that are chosen for this wave should already be informed];
  • Start training PHAs on UPCS-V August 29th to September 31st;
  • PIH Listening Sessions for PHAs only, scheduled at various locations around the country; and
  • Public outreach presentation on UPCS-V.

September – December

  • Train PHAs [HUD will train PHA inspectors who will start performing inspections at this time];
  • Completion of online training tool;
  • PIH Listening Sessions; and
  • Other presentations on UPCS-V.

January – Summer 2017

  • Continue training PHAs.

Additional questions about the demonstration can be mailed to OED@hud.gov.

As noted in the timeline, a revised version of the UPCS-V protocol will be published in the next week or two at the REAC OED website. The slides from today’s call will also be made available on the OED website.

NAHRO is following the Demonstration very closely and will continue to bring you the latest updates.

 

NAHRO Submits Comments on HUD’s UPCS-V Demonstration

~ Tushar Gurjal

On Friday, June 17, NAHRO submitted to HUD its comment letter on HUD’s UPCS-V Demonstration. NAHRO encourages all interested parties to provide their comments to HUD and comments may be submitted until July 5, 2016. NAHRO’s comments are split into four primary sections. They discuss concerns about the costs of transitioning to the UPCS-V protocol; concerns about the UPCS-V Demonstration; concerns about the protocol itself; and feedback on specific inquiries about the protocol. NAHRO hopes that HUD will carefully consider these comments as it moves forward with the UPCS-V Demonstration.

Members can read NAHRO’s full comments here.