To meet a Congressional directive in FY 2014, HUD performed independent physical inspections of a subset of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) units. The purpose of the inspections was to gather data for comparative analysis of HCV inspections completed by public housing agencies (PHAs) or PHA contractors, as well as to gather data on the application of the Housing Quality Standards (HQS). The results of HUD’s final analyses indicate the need for a consistent, well-defined inspection standard with clear guidance, definitional boundaries and procedures.  This supports the use of HUD’s Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS), a standard used across Federal housing assistance programs, as a basis for the development of a modernized and well-defined HCV physical inspection standard and protocol.

Summary of Results:

HQS is not being applied consistently. Inherent weaknesses in HQS’ design have resulted in inadequate knowledge of and controls over the physical condition of units in the HCV program. Other weaknesses in HQS that pose barriers to success include:

• Lack of objective, well-defined deficiency descriptions for line items;
• Inability to capture granular unit condition data;
• Absence of modern health and safety provisions;
• Lack of HQS inspector training requirements;
• Absence of universal list of life threatening/emergency (LTE) deficiencies; and
• Lack of PHA requirement to submit inspection data to HUD.

A copy of the report is available at the link below: