HUD-Required NSPIRE Inspection Standards for Housing Choice Voucher Tenants

NSPIRE (National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate) is HUD’s new inspection model that replaces UPCS (Uniform Physical Condition Standards) and HQS (Housing Quality Standards). It standardizes inspections across HUD programs.

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) Housing Choice Voucher Department will begin implementing HUD’s NSPIRE Standards on Oct. 1, 2025.

The goals of NSPIRE are as follows:

Improve Resident Health and Safety
Strengthen Physical Standards
Enhance Inspection Efficiency
Promote Year-Round Maintenance
Consolidate the housing standards and inspection processes to ensure HUD-assisted properties are safe, habitable, and well-maintained for all residents
Align all forms of housing programs under one set of standards
- Used for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Project-Based Voucher (PBV), multi-family, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), HOME, Rural Development, and Low-Income Public Housing (LIPH)
- Implement inspections that better reflect the true physical conditions of the property
- Streamline protocol to focus on welfare of resident
- Prioritize health, safety, and functional defects over appearance

What does NSPIRE prioritize?

NSPIRE prioritizes deficiencies that directly impact residents’ health and safety.

Examples:

Mold
Pests
Broken smoke detectors
Exposed wiring
Non-working plumbing

What damages can tenants be held responsible for?

Some damages tenants may be held responsible for include:

Intentional or negligent damage, such as holes punched in walls, broken windows or doors, and damaged appliances through misuse
Fire or water damage, such as overflowing a bathtub or sink, leaving a stove unattended resulting in fire, and blocking ventilation
Pest infestations caused by unsanitary conditions
Litter/Garbage
Obstructing or tampering with safety systems
Lost or damaged locks or keys

Prior to inspections

Before the inspector arrives:

Know your inspection date
Be present if possible
Do a quick clean-up and walkthrough
Report any problems in writing to management before and after the inspection

HUD Emphasizes

The property owner/manager is responsible for maintaining units in good repair — regardless of who caused the issue. They are not responsible for repairing tenant damages

Tenants may be billed or held accountable for damages they caused, but landlords cannot use that as an excuse to delay repairs.

If repairs are needed, they must still be made promptly, and disputes over responsibility can be settled separately.

Virtual Tenant NSPIRE Workshop Presentation

Below is the recording of the virtual Tenant NSPIRE Presentation from Aug. 27, 2025: