Region IV Hosts NSPIRE Get Ready Session

From left to right, Marcel M. Jemio NSPIRE, Shea Johnson HUD, DAS Ash Sheriff REAC, RA Alvarez HUD, DRA Tiffany Cobb HUD, Cliff Kornegay HUD, Tara Radosevich HUD, Marta Juaniza HUD

Region IV Hosts NSPIRE Get Ready Session

On November 16, the Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) joined the Atlanta Regional Office to introduce the new physical inspection standards for HUD-assisted properties called NSPIRE, or the National Standards for Physical Inspection of Real Estate. Over 100 stakeholders came together to understand the new metrics of NSPIRE and how the recent changes will help align the way that public housing and private units with project-based assistance and those permitting tenant vouchers are assessed by inspectors.

NSPIRE Program Manager Marcel Jemio kicked off the event with a warm introduction of the Georgia Field Office Director, Shea Johnson, who provided welcome remarks before Regional Administrator Alvarez provided a brief update of Region IV activities and an overview of Secretarial initiatives.

Starting with the general informational session was REAC Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) Ash Sheriff, who spoke and answered in-depth questions about some of the new physical inspection standards for HUD-assisted properties. Next, Tara Radosevich provided the policy overview before HUD REAC Senior Advisor Cliff Kornegay gave an extensive overview of new standards and what to expect once these new standards roll out.

More about NSPIRE

The new NSPIRE model prioritizes health, safety, and functional defects over appearance. It implements inspections that better reflect the true physical conditions of the property. In addition, the NSPIRE model supports the adoption of sound, year-round maintenance practices.

In late 2019, REAC began a two-year voluntary demonstration (www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-08-21/pdf/2019-17910.pdf) to better identify potential adjustments to standards, protocols, and processes before nationwide implementation. This demonstration involves a diverse, representative group of stakeholders, including other HUD offices, public housing authorities (PHAs), and property owners and agents (POAs). During the demonstration, volunteer properties around the United States participated in inspections using the new protocol and provided feedback.

HUD published the proposed NSPIRE standards in the Federal Register on June 16, 2022. The public comment period closed on August 1, 2022. The final standards will be published in the Federal Register following HUD's review and adjudication of public comments.

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