I.     STATEMENT OF POLICIES AND OBJECTIVES:

The Section 8 Inspection Policy shall be in compliance with the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Housing Inspection Manual and HUD Handbook 7420.07.  This policy serves to provide the Section 8 owners and owners’ representatives, tenants, and Raleigh Housing Authority’s (RHA) staff with guidance in enforcing quality housing standards and accountability.

In the best interest of the Section 8 owners, owner representatives, tenants, and the Raleigh Housing Authority, the Section 8 Inspection Policy has been written to be as flexible as possible.  It requires the cooperation between all three parties.  It is expected that the owner or the owner’s representative have the unit ready for the scheduled inspection according to RHA’s policy and to meet the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) implemented by HUD.  When an inspection is requested and the unit is not ready, this action only increases cost to the Section 8 Program and decreases efficiency. 

The elements of a successful inspection process are rapid responses by the Raleigh Housing Authority, units that are ready for an inspection, and some means of access to the units.

Overall, this Policy shall provide an incentive to owners and their representatives to have their units ready for an inspection so that they will not lose rental funds because of a delayed inspection.