NSPIRE & HOTMA Trainings

Travois periodically hosts National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) inspection trainings – formerly known as Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS). The course prepares housing organizations for significant changes that affect the day-to-day operations. Travois also hosts Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) compliance trainings. HOTMA trainings help prepare employees for significant changes that directly affect Tribal housing organizations.

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UPCOMING NSPIRE & HOTMA TRAININGS

Our next NSPIRE and HOTMA trainings are March 5-6, 2025, at our Kansas City office.

Registration fees start at $450. Attend both NSPIRE and HOTMA and receive a 50% discount on the second training — $675.

Additional NSPIRE and HOTMA training dates in 2025:

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More information on NSPIRE:

Effective Oct. 1, 2023, the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) replaced HUD’s previous protocols (HQS, UPCS and REAC) for inspecting housing safety. Intended to align and consolidate the prior physical inspection regulations, NSPIRE focuses on three areas:

  • Housing units where HUD-assisted residents live
  • Elements of their building’s non-residential interiors
  • Exteriors of buildings

NSPIRE trainings are led by Crystal Banks-Mann, client engagement manager at Travois. This training benefits those employed in the following housing fields: executive staff, occupancy specialists, resident services, maintenance and any other staff involved in the day-today management of rental housing projects, especially those working with the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program.

The NSPIRE scoring is focused on the health and safety of the housing units where residents live, as well as on the functional defects of buildings, and deemphasizes scoring based on the appearance of building exteriors. Knowledge of these new standards is essential for TDHEs to pass state and federal physical inspections.

Topics covered:

  • Changes to inspection protocols — we will dive into the reasons for the changes and the goals for the new standards.
  • Scoring and self-monitoring — how best to score using HUD’s adjusted scoring methodology and the new self-monitoring requirements.
  • Deficiency examples — in-depth analysis of each NSPIRE deficiency.
  • Exam — optional exam to earn NSPIRE Inspection Specialist (NIS) designation.

Each attendee will receive:

  • Digital training manual
  • Certificate of completion
  • Continental breakfast

“It was incredibly informative, and I found myself learning things I didn’t know before. To be honest, I was dreading the training a bit initially. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how engaging and relevant the training was this time around. ​​​​​

I particularly appreciated [Crystal Banks-Mann’s] approach as an instructor with field experience. Your humor and cheerfulness made the class enjoyable and kept everyone at ease. It’s always a bonus to have an instructor who brings real-world expertise to the training room.” — NSPIRE training attendee

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More information on HOTMA:

HOTMA makes numerous amendments to Sections 3, 8 and 16 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, including significant changes to income and rent calculation, net family assets and required deductions. With HUD’s issuance of Notice PIH 2023-34, Tribal Nations and TDHE’s have until Jan. 1, 2025 to implement and become compliant with the new Part 5 definition of “annual income” under the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program. During the session, we’ll discuss what this means to your organization’s policies and procedures.

HOTMA trainings are also led by Crystal Banks-Mann. This training benefits those employed in the following housing fields: executive staff, occupancy specialists, resident services, maintenance and any other staff involved in the day-today management of rental housing projects, especially those working with the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program.

Topics covered:

  • HUD’s final rule implementing sections 102, 103 and 104 of HOTMA
  • Asset limitation
  • Calculating income
  • Effective/compliance dates
  • Household composition
  • Income deduction, expenses and hardships
  • Income inclusion and exclusions
  • Interim reexaminations
  • Net family assets
  • Public housing over-income rules
  • Verification

Each attendee will receive:

  • Digital training manual
  • Certificate of completion
  • Continental breakfast

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Book your stay at these nearby hotels offering the government rate ($126/night):
· Hotel Indigo (0.6 miles, provides a shuttle to Travois)
· Crossroads Hotel (0.3 miles)
· Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City Downtown (0.6 miles)
· Hampton Inn & Suites Kansas City Downtown (0.6 miles)
· Hotel Phillips (1 mile)
· Home2Suites Kansas City Downtown (0.4 miles)

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Schedule conflicts or questions? Contact Crystal Banks-Mann at crystal@travois.com or 816-994-8970 to coordinate a private training for your team that fits in your schedule.

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