What is UPCS-V?
To help improve tenant safety and HUDs’ oversight of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, REAC will introduce a new inspection protocol called UPCS-V; with the “V” signifying “Voucher”. UPCS-V introduces new measures to enhance the consistency and objectivity of the inspection process, and will provide more information about the condition of individual housing units. Congress expressed the need to update the housing quality standards in order to reflect current advances in home inspections and changes to standards of health and safety threats in homes today. Through this initiative, HUD aims to clarify and streamline inspection processes for PHAs and inspectors, while increasing owners' and tenants’ access to detailed information about their homes.
What are some of the changes HUD is considering with the new inspection standard?

One is the integration of IT system. One of the advantages of creating a new inspection standard is the ability to integrate new technology into a prototype system such as UPCS-V. HUD envisions inspectors to conduct inspections on a handheld device in order to capture deficiencies. It would also support the use of photographic evidence and enable real-time recording of inspection findings. HUD would provide a data exchange framework for inspection data (.XML file) that can be integrated to existing systems.