The mission of LHC is to ensure residents have an opportunity to obtain safe, affordable, energy-efficient housing. Can you tell us about the work you do around that focus related to UPCS-V?

UPCS-V gives us a clear and consistent minimum standard of habitability, a uniform approach, and gives us consistent inspection results across all HCV units.

Tell us about your experience transitioning from the paper-based inspection form in HQS to UPCS-V’s electronic-based inspection.

Our inspectors like and have transitioned well from the paper-based inspections to UPCS-V’s electronic-based inspection. A key benefit of using an electronic model is having the ability to access real-time information about inspections. Everything from populating the inspection address to creating a report is much more streamlined. Inspection reports are automatically generated and can be emailed to tenants and landlords. Another feature that we like is the ability to capture photos in the UPCS-V software. This gives us the ability to clearly show what deficiencies were identified during an inspection.

Once trained, how did you overcome challenges with transitioning from paper-based inspections to UPCS-V’s electronic-based inspection?

Our inspectors have been conducting electronic inspections for some of their other housing programs, so the technical challenge has been minimal. The bigger challenge has been the behavior change and convincing stakeholders of the need for change.

In your opinion, what’s the most exciting feature or aspect of UPCS-V?

For us, the most exciting feature is the real-time data implementation of inspections. Admin staff receive inspection results almost instantaneously after an inspector performs a UPCS-V inspection. More importantly, we can place HCV participants into housing 7-10 days faster! In fact, there have been several cases where a unit passed an inspection and HCV tenants were able to move in the very same day because of the efficiency of UPCS-V.

Another benefit of UPCS-V inspections is more quality control. For example, locating an old checklist from an HQS inspection is often a time consuming and difficult task, but with UPCS-V everything is stored electronically and can be easily retrieved.

Any feedback from landlords or tenants on UPCS-V?

Using the software is much more professional and provides our landlords and tenants with objective results. With UPCS-V, we can easily show landlords clearly defined and objective deficiencies in their units by simply showing them the software and inspection report.

How long does it take your inspectors to conduct UPCS-V inspections?

For LHC inspectors, using UPCS-V has saved them time conducting inspections, but also processing time back at the office! Typically, an inspector may take about 10 minutes to conduct a UPCS-V inspection. LHC inspectors believe UPCS-V saves them time because they don’t have to do as much paperwork and inspection reports are automated. Also, the UPCS-V Protocol is clearly defined and stored in one place (https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/reac/isdv/protocol) so it is easy to find if you have any questions about the standards.

What’s your advice to a housing authority that has recently been trained on UPCS-V and to PHAs thinking about participating in the Demonstration?

Stop thinking about it and hurry up and participate! Like many other PHAs in the Demonstration, we were originally concerned about changing how we do business, but we are very happy with the results to date. We believe using UPCS-V can save PHAs a lot of time and resources. It is also an opportunity to get training, interact, and collaborate directly with HUD staff.

Are there any improvements that you think would be beneficial to incorporate into UPCS-V?

We would like to see other HUD programs like VASH, that may still be using paper-based models, align with UPCS-V because of its ease of use software and comprehensive protocol.