Your May HCV newsletter is here!

Note from the Chief HCV Officer, Cheryl L. Burns

What do you think about Owner News as a monthly e-newsletter? We hope you are enjoying the new format and find the information useful as you navigate the ins and outs of the HCV Program. Each issue includes a short how-to, an answer to a common question and a timely program reminder ... plus links to news you may have missed and helpful resources.

How to Find HAP Statements on the Owner Portal

Did you know you can view and download Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Statements online through the HCV Owner Portal ... at any time?

All you need to do is click on View My HAP Statements under the FINANCE menu. From there, you'll have the option to see your payments by vendor number or voucher number.

Remember: Notify CHA immediately if there are any changes to your bank account information as this can cause interruption to your HAP.

FAQ Corner: HQS Inspections

Property owners often ask ... "Why are there so many types of HQS inspections? What's the difference?"

Housing Quality Standards (HQS) are HUD-mandated regulations used to assess the requirements and acceptability criteria for each federally subsidized unit or building. Therefore, a unit must pass inspection (i.e., be in compliance with HQS) before CHA will enter into a HAP Contract with the property owner and before the HCV participant can move forward with the lease. By conducting HQS inspections, CHA is helping to ensure units that are on the HCV Program are decent, safe, sanitary and in good repair.

There are four types of inspections conducted by CHA, each with a distinct purpose and stage in the leasing process but all following the same set of standards.

Initial Inspections

An initial HQS inspection is scheduled after a Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) Packet is submitted via email to ownerinfo@thecha.org or uploaded to the HCV Owner Portal and the property owner has passed eligibility screening. It is important that the unit is in "rent-ready" condition prior to the initial inspection (see Reminder: Making Your Unit "Rent-Ready" below). All unit deficiencies are the property owner’s responsibility.

Regular Inspections

A regular HQS inspection is conducted at least biennially to determine that the unit remains in compliance with HQS and ensure continued quality living conditions for the participant family. Any deficiencies during a regular HQS inspection will be noted as the responsibility of either the property owner or the participant and will need to be remedied within a specified time frame in order to avoid abatement of HAP (CHA stops payment to the property owner) or termination of assistance (participant is sent an Intent to Terminate (ITT) notice).

Complaint Inspections

A complaint inspection can be requested at any time by the participant or property owner. However, whichever party submits the request must be present for the scheduled date and time of the inspection. If any of the reported items are emergencies as identified by the CHA Administrative Plan, the inspector will conduct the complaint inspection with 24 hours. Otherwise, the inspection will be conducted within 10 business days.

Quality Control Inspections

To ensure that the HQS are being uniformly applied and interpreted by all inspectors, quality control inspections are conducted on random samples of units that have recently passed inspection. Typically, these inspections occur within 30 calendar days of the date the last inspection was conducted.

If a unit fails one of these inspections, a re-inspection must be conducted and the unit must pass before it can be leased (or continue to be leased) on the HCV Program.

For more information on inspection requirements and the effects of non-compliance, see CHA's HQS Inspection Guidebook.

Illinois' COVID Emergency Order Lifted — May 11, 2023

While COVID restrictions are no longer in place, we know that COVID remains a danger, especially to individuals with compromised immune systems.

If you or a member of your household tests positive for, or has symptoms of, an infectious illness such as COVID, in the 5 days before your scheduled inspection, please contact 312-935-2600 to reschedule.

Thank you for helping us keep each other safe.

Upcoming Events

New Owner Bootcamp

Tuesday, June 13, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Register Now

Are you new to the HCV Program? This event is your one-stop shop for everything HCV! Join us in person at the FIC to learn the ins and outs of the Program, including how to get started, the rent determination process, HQS inspections and HCV Program enforcement.

CHA has expanded the Owner Symposium to now include monthly online education opportunities. From June to November 2023, the Symposium Webinar Series will cover six (6) timely and targeted topics you normally expect from the annual event.

Cracking the BRRRR Code

Thursday, June 15, 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. | Register Now

Are you familiar with the Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat method? This session will cover how this popular investment method can help you make smart financial decisions, avoid maintenance pitfalls and set yourself up for successful return on investment.

Building on Good Bones: A Guide to Property Maintenance & Rehab

Thursday, July 20, 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. | Register Now

Do you have a good foundation and want to maintain it? Are you looking to make home renovations? Join us to learn best practices for managing property maintenance and rehab projects, including the responsibilities of a project manager, hiring of construction managers/contractors, and the stages of project planning.

Unit Turnover: Preparing for a Smooth Transition

Thursday, August 17, 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. | Register Now

Preparing for new tenants can be stressful but we're here to help! This session will cover how to create the ultimate unit turnover checklist for a quick and seamless transition. Learn from experts as they discuss best practices for advertising, cleaning, managing pests and avoiding disputes.

Creating Equal Access to Housing

Thursday, September 21, 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. | Register Now

Did you know that housing providers are legally obliged to follow fair housing laws? Join us to learn about the many fair housing protections that are in place to prevent discrimination and ensure everyone has equal access to housing. This session will also cover what you need to do to make sure you’re in accordance with the law.

Evictions ... Finding a Path Forward for Housing Providers

Thursday, October 19, 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. | Register Now

If you’re making the difficult decision to evict your tenant, there are many rules and regulations you have to follow as a property owner in the city of Chicago. Learn from a legal expert about the necessary steps in the evictions process including notices, documentation, court dates and more.

Fostering Relationships to Secure Long-Term Tenancy

Thursday, November 16, 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. | Register Now

Fostering strong relationships with your tenants is an essential component in successful property management. This session will cover starting the relationship off on the right foot, effective communications and proactive problem solving that will make your tenants want to stay for the long haul!

Reminder: Making Your Unit “Rent-Ready"

The following list contains several general criteria to help make sure your unit is what CHA considers "rent-ready" for the HCV Program:

All utilities must be on and operating safely.
The stove and refrigerator must function properly.
Windows and exterior doors must function properly and be weather-tight and lockable.
There must be adequate and properly functioning electrical outlets, switches and fixtures, and all outlets in wet areas must have three-pronged GFCI ground outlets (kitchen, bathroom, utility rooms, etc.).
Stairs, porches and rails must be structurally sound.

For the full list of criteria, see page 28 in CHA's Property Owner Guidebook.

Did You Miss Any of the 2023 CHA Owner Symposium?

Good news! Access to OS23 content, including on-demand session recordings, is now available in the event platform through June 16.

Already registered?

Enter OS23 through your web browser or download the Webex Events app in the App Store or Google Play to join on your smartphone or tablet.

Not registered yet? You can still get in!

In less than 3 minutes, you can register for an Online Only ticket, create an account in Webex Events and set up an interactive profile. Then, take advantage of all OS23 content within the platform — watch the session recordings, connect with other attendees, visit the virtual exhibit hall and request email follow up from speakers and sponsors.

Remember ... you must log in to Webex Events with the same email address you used to register for the Symposium (if you're already registered, you don't need to register again to enter the platform).

Resources for Property Owners

HCV Webinars are available on-demand! Dozens of recorded sessions are available for you to watch anytime, including Getting Started with the HCV Program, How to Complete Common CHA Forms and Packets, Energy Efficiency and Utility Assistance and many, many more!

We want to hear from you! Especially if you’ve never attended one of our educational sessions before ... please take a minute to share what you'd like to see from HCV education and events.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Have leasing-related questions, or want to request a 1:1 consultation? The HCV Owner Outreach team is here to help. Email owneroutreach@thecha.org.

¡También ofrecemos estos servicios en español!