[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 66882]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21141]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-6086-N-08]
RIN 2577-AD05


Economic Growth Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act: 
Implementation of National Standards for the Physical Inspection of 
Real Estate (NSPIRE); Extension of NSPIRE Compliance Date for HCV 
Programs

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice extends the compliance date for HUD's National 
Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) final 
rule for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project Based Voucher (PBV) 
programs until October 1, 2024. HUD is taking this action to allow 
Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) additional time to implement HUD's 
NSPIRE standards.

DATES: Compliance Date: Jurisdictions, participants, and grantees 
subject to 24 CFR parts 882, 982, and 983 are not required to comply 
with the changes to these parts in the NSPIRE final rule until October 
1, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dana M. Kitchen, Real Estate 
Assessment Center, Office of Public and Indian Housing, Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, 550 12th Street SW, Suite 100, 
Washington, DC 20410-4000; telephone 202-708-1112 (this is not a toll-
free number), [email protected]. HUD welcomes and is 
prepared to receive calls from individuals who are deaf or hard of 
hearing, as well as individuals with speech or communication 
disabilities. To learn more about how to make an accessible telephone 
call, please visit: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    PHAs subject to the HCV and PBV programs currently use the Housing 
Quality Standards (HQS) for inspections, which are defined at 24 CFR 
982.401. The Economic Growth Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection 
Act: Implementation of National Standards for Physical Inspection of 
Real Estate (NSPIRE) final rule (``NSPIRE final rule'') was published 
on May 11, 2023 (88 FR 30442). The NSPIRE final rule includes 
amendments to 24 CFR parts 982 and 983 effective October 1, 2023.

II. Basis for Delay of Compliance Date

    HUD encourages any PHA that is ready to implement NSPIRE at their 
earliest convenience. However, HUD has determined that additional time 
is necessary for some PHAs to implement NSPIRE for HCV, PBV, and 
Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) programs. This will provide PHAs 
with additional time to train staff, communicate with landlords and for 
HUD to provide additional technical resources needed for PHAs and 
agencies to transition to the NSPIRE standards.

III. Instructions

    PHAs who wish to continue using HQS on or after October 1, 2023, 
must notify HUD of their intent to continue using HQS and the date on 
which they plan to transition to NSPIRE. This date may be no later than 
October 1, 2024. This notification must be sent via email to 
[email protected] with a courtesy copy to their Field 
Office representative. The email's subject line must read 
``Notification of Extension of HQS, [PHA code]'' and the body of the 
email should include the PHA name, PHA code, a statement that HQS will 
continue to be used, and what date the PHA tentatively plans to 
implement NSPIRE (which may be no later than October 1, 2024).
    If a PHA implements NSPIRE after October 1, 2023, but before 
October 1, 2024, the PHA must notify HUD via email to 
[email protected] with a courtesy copy to their Field 
Office representative. The email's subject line must read 
``Notification of Implementation of NSPIRE, [PHA code]'' and the body 
of the email should include the PHA name, PHA code, a statement that 
the PHA will be transitioning to NSPIRE, and what date the PHA will 
implement NSPIRE (which may be no later than October 1, 2024).

IV. Conclusion

    Accordingly, HUD revises the October 1, 2023, compliance date for 
the changes made to 24 CFR parts 882, 982, and 983 to October 1, 2024, 
at which time PHAs subject to these parts must comply with the NSPIRE 
final rule. Until October 1, 2024, PHAs subject to these parts may 
instead choose to comply with these parts as they existed prior to 
October 1, 2023.
    Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, 
Richard J. Monocchio, having reviewed and approved this document, is 
delegating the authority to electronically sign this document to 
submitter, Aaron Santa Anna, who is the Federal Register Liaison for 
HUD, for purposes of publication in the Federal Register.

Aaron Santa Anna,
Federal Register Liaison for the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development.
[FR Doc. 2023-21141 Filed 9-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P