HCV Programs and Procedures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspection Excellence Program

 

The Inspection Excellence Program (IEP) that offers benefits to more units. Benefits will be in two types and will apply to units, not owners.

 

Type 1

 

• Requirement: unit must pass two inspections in a row (initial and/or annual) on the first try.

• Benefits: biennial inspections (every two years rather than every year), self-certification by owner and tenant for minor fails, and a Home Depot discount card.

 

Type 2

 

• Requirements: unit must qualify for Type 1 and pass an enhanced inspection with revised criteria.

• Benefits: biennial inspections, self-certification by owner and tenant for minor fails, vacancy payments and Home Depot discount card for owner.

 
Note: current UEP units will automatically qualify for Type 2, but in order to maintain these benefits the unit must past its next annual or initial inspection on the first try.

 

 

Owner Suspension Guidelines

 

DBHA has and will continue to take steps to ensure that every unit in the HCV Program meets Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and are inspected in a timely manner.  Our guideline that requires owners or their representatives, to be present at their annual inspection appointments. The January 2016 guideline states that any re-inspection for annual inspections, that results in “inconclusive” or no-show” will result in a failed inspection and may cause the unit to go into abatement.

 

These guidelines that will continue to enforce quality inspection results. Under the guidelines, property owners with chronic Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract terminations as a result of HQS violations will be placed on DBHA’s suspension list and will not be able to lease to new tenants for at least one year or three years if it is not their first suspension.

 

The guideline will suspend owners if they have:

 

• Smaller owners (20 units or fewer in HCV) – two more HAP contract terminations due to HQS violations within 12 months.

• Larger owners (21 units or more) – 10% or more of their HAP contracts have been terminated due to HQS violations within 12 months.

 

To avoid HAP contract terminations, property owners should be present at their inspections and should make every effort to pass the inspection on the first attempt.