HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) recently posted Notice PIH 2024-26, REV1, further extending the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) compliance date to October 1, 2025, for Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) and Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs). NSPIRE physical inspection requirements are intended to replace Housing Quality Standards (HQS). Public housing agencies (PHAs) that have taken advantage of previous extensions of the compliance date must continue to conduct HQS physical inspections. The guidance provided in Notice PIH 2024-26, REV1 is virtually identical to earlier guidance provided in Notice PIH 2023-28, merely changing the compliance date while emphasizing current requirements regarding carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.
The carbon monoxide detector requirement took effect and became an inspectable item on December 27, 2022. PHAs may directly follow the NSPIRE Carbon Monoxide Standard or use Notice PIH 2022-01 for additional guidance. PHAs are already required to comply with the “Fire Safety Act of 1992” and keep their HQS inspections current with the National Fire Safety Protection Association (NFPA) Standards. All smoke alarms will be required to be either hard-wired or sealed 10-year battery devices by December 29, 2024.
Some PHAs started implementing the HCV/PBV NSPIRE standards as originally planned by October 1, 2023. Other PHAs took advantage of a Federal Register notice published on September 28, 2023, allowing them to postpone implementation until October 1, 2024. Another Federal Register notice published on July 5, 2024, announced an additional extension to October 1, 2025 (see Memo, 7/15).
Read Notice PIH 2024-26, REV1 at: https://tinyurl.com/2nfdsd6y
More information about NSPIRE is on page 4-107 of NLIHC’s 2024 Advocates’ Guide.
More information about Housing Choice Vouchers is on page 4-1 of NLIHC’s 2024 Advocates’ Guide.
More information about Project-Based Vouchers is on page 4-11 of NLIHC’s 2024 Advocates’ Guide.