R--HOUSING INSPECTOR/SPECIALIST

STATEMENT OF WORK Housing Specialist (Inspector) The Washington DC VAMC has identified a need to provide assistance to chronically homeless veterans in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The HUD-VASH Program works with the Public Housing Administration (PHA) within the District of Columbia and surrounding counties. At present the Washington DC VAMC has vouchers that are managed by the District of Columbia, Prince George's County, Montgomery County and Northern Virginia. The Housing Inspector will need to become familiar with rental properties located in these areas where the vouchers are located. Mental Health is seeking a contractor to assist with the provision of residential placement and supportive services through the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program. This contract is designed to serve homeless Veterans in need of immediate placement in a safe environment. Many of these veterans have co-morbid conditions that include serious mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders, and other serious medical conditions. VA intends to engage a Contractor to improve the ability to rapidly place veterans in a supportive, residential setting. There is a continuous effort by HUD, the VA and PHA's to provide permanent housing for homeless veterans within the District and the surrounding counties. Once veterans receive the HUD/VASH voucher, they are responsible for locating an appropriate unit to lease. HUD and the local Housing Authority requires that the unit has to be inspected by a company or individual who has the primary Housing Quality Standards (HQS) at 24 CFR 982.401 qualifications. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets standards for housing receiving federal assistance. The primary standards are the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) at 24 CFR 982.401. The HQS were adopted in 1995 and last revised in 1999. All housing funded through HUD's Housing Choice Vouchers (formerly known as Tenant-Based Section 8 Voucher) must comply HQS as a condition of receiving funding. The information about the (HQS) at 24 CFR 982.401can be obtained at http://www.healthyhomestraining.org/ipm/IPM_MFH_Ref_2_HUD_HQS_9-11-08.pdf Duties of the HUD-VASH Housing Inspector 1. The Contractor will work with the HCHV HUD VASH team to assist Veterans in their search to find a house or apartment that will meet the qualifications of a Public Housing Administration (PHA) Inspector. In addition to assisting the veteran in locating a unit, the Housing Inspector will also inspect the unit that the veteran has selected to utilize his/her voucher. 2. The Contractor's background and organizational history, including number of years in operation, total number of employees, a description of services provided (past and present), and types of programs operated (past and present) is required. 3. The Contractor will interact with the HUD-VASH Case Managers, veteran's landlords and PHA staff in order to assist the veteran secure placements expeditiously once the veteran has received a voucher. 4. The Contractor shall provide proof that the Housing Inspector is capable of Performing specialized work of average difficulty involving the inspection of single and multi-family residential dwellings to determine their physical condition, necessary repairs and conformance to applicable housing quality standards (HQS), regulations, codes as well as responsible for the negotiation of reasonable rents as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). 5. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall conduct Annual HQS inspections to determine external and internal conditions of dwellings under the Assisted Housing Programs including the operability of the associated heating, electrical, and plumbing systems and the like to determine livability and conformance with housing quality standards and other applicable regulations. 6. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall perform follow-up inspections to determine completion of repairs indicated on previous inspection and makes recommendations to supervisor for appropriate follow-up action when necessary. 7. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall certify the reasonableness of proposed rents for units by evaluating the condition of the dwelling and comparing the fair market value of the area to the proposed rent. 8. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall assume responsibility for general transportation and maintenance of vehicles and gas cards and well as all other issued equipment that will be used to inspect units. 9. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall responds to the inquiries of veterans, the VA staff and the general public by providing general information about the assisted housing programs. 10. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall perform special or complaint inspections to ensure HQS compliance. 11. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall ensure timely completion of required forms, or reports. 12. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall participate in informal meetings to resolve conflicts between residents and owners and provide recourse for claims made against residents and/or owners. 13. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall research resident files as needed or requested by VA staff to verify information regarding utilities, appliances, or other pertinent information. 14. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall counsel veteran applicants on their eligibility and assists veterans and landlords in the leasing process at the PHA, as well as monitor the units under lease. 15. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall prepare reports, maintain records and data bases as well as perform other related work as required by the HUD-VASH Case Managers and the veterans who are enrolled in the program. 16. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall follow up with all veteran applicants as they search for permanent housing. 17. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall maintain good public relations with landlords and developers in the community that may be willing to rent to a veteran with a HUD-VASH voucher. 18. The contracted Housing Specialist/Inspector shall monitor overall program operations and keep staff informed of any new units that are available. The Housing Specialist should also take veterans out to see units that are available for rent and report the outcome of these visits weekly.