chfa enews - multifamily loan compliance
August 5, 2021

nextgen will replace wcms in september

By late September, users of the Web Compliance Management System (WCMS) will be required to switch over to a new system called NextGen to submit their monthly tenant certification data to CHFA. Owners and management agents currently use WCMS to submit this data to meet certain regulatory and compliance requirements for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and CHFA loan programs. The developer of WCMS, Housing and Development Software (HDS), has updated the framework for their software and, as a result, the NextGen system will be replacing WCMS. Once the switch is made to NextGen, the WCMS system will no longer be available.

What can you do to prepare?

We understand that change is never easy, which is why we want all users to get prepared prior to the switch to NextGen in September. To help with this, here are some steps you can take to make the transition a little easier:

  • Get current on your tenant certification entries while WCMS is still available.
    CHFA requires all properties to enter their tenant certifications on a monthly basis. Getting your entries caught up in WCMS will be much easier than trying to do it in the new system.

  • If your property uses Yardi, RealPage, HAB Inc., or Boston Post and you are not taking advantage of the “Upload Tenant Data” feature in WCMS, get set up now.
    These, and possibly other property software programs, allow for users to create a data file that contains your tenant certification information, which can then be uploaded into WCMS. When using NextGen, it is highly recommended that you upload your tenant data, if you have the ability to do so. Uploading your tenant data vs. manually entering the data into the system saves time, reduces errors, and is more efficient. Please contact Peggy Boyd at pboyd@chfainfo.com to get more information on how to get started.

  • If you already upload your tenant data into WCMS, you may need to talk to your property software company to schedule an update.
    WCMS only accepts the tenant data upload file in versions 3.1 and 4.0, yet the new NextGen system will only accept versions 5.0 and 6.0 of this data file. If the version of your property software does not support the newer 5.0 and 6.0 versions, you will need to ask your software company for an update.

  • Train yourself and your staff.
    CHFA has published a series of training videos and a new external user’s guide for the NextGen system. We highly recommend that all users who will be using the new system take advantage of these resources before NextGen goes live.

    Please note that all training materials are password protected to protect the proprietary software demos shown within. Neither the password nor the training content should be shared with unauthorized personnel.

    To access the training materials, please visit: https://www.chfainfo.com/nextgen 
    Password: CHFANextGenTraining!

  • Please remember, it is required that all tenant data be entered on a monthly basis. The deadline to have all your 2021 tenant certification data submitted to CHFA is January 15, 2022.
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