Overview of Upgrade Release 4.0 to the PIC System

Release 4.0 adds a new submodule to PIC and addresses a number of problems that users have identified with how several modules operate. Release 4.0 also signals a change in PIH's approach to making upgrades to PIC.

The new release adds a submodule to track the demolition and disposition of public housing units. Once fully activated, the submodule will permit PHAs to submit demolition/disposition applications on-line, permit HUD staff at the Special Applications Center (SAC) to review and approve applications on-line, permit PHAs to update the status of demolition/disposition projects on-line and ultimately permit HUD staff to track the status of demolition projects with the purpose of maintaining a current inventory of all of the units in public housing.

The release also addresses the following outstanding maintenance issues:

	It moves toward consistency in terms of report timeframes at 16 months [change to the Resident Characteristics Report (RCR), the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) summarization report, the 50058 SEMAP report as well as other reports];
	It makes changes in the display and labeling in some of the reports to make them easier to understand;
	It displays the unit address for public housing in the Ad Hoc viewer (facilitates ensuring accurate addresses for RASS purposes).
	Corrects an error in the on-line end of participation function so that it properly vacates units in the Development submodule.
	Fixes problems with the overlapping date functionality for Form 50058.
	Corrects a display issue for Form 50058 summary reports to require display of data for all reporting levels where there are at least ten households reported
	Clarifies the language concerning troubled agencies and display rules for the red asterisk symbol in the Housing Authority submodule.

In an effort to improve the reliability of PIC, beginning with Release 4.0 PIH has required the contractors that were developing the upgrade to apply more rigorous testing and higher standards of quality assurance than was the case in previous releases. PIH also delayed the release to allow for more time for users to test the upgrade. Future releases will be scheduled less frequently to allow more time for testing.

In addition, PIH is implementing a phased release of the demolition/disposition upgrade: initially only SAC staff will have access to the PIC demolition/disposition submodule. After it is confirmed that the submodule is functioning properly and the SAC has completed the data transition, housing authorities will also be given access to it (in approximately 6-8 weeks).

If you experience any difficulties with the upgrade or with any part of PIC, you should call the PIC Helpline (1-800-366-6827) or e-mail (PICHelp@hud.gov) PICHelp with the details of your problem so that PIH can track to closure any issues associated with the upgrade. It is our hope that PIC users see release 4.0 as an improvement to PIC not only through the problems resolved and the new functionality installed but also in the way that PIH maintains PIC in the future.