CMHAs Proposed Unit

Standards

Introduction
Presented by Gregory Johnson, PHM,
EDEP
Executive Director
Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing
Authority

CMHAs Gold
Performance Standard
The CMHA Gold Performance Standard refers to the
principles and values against which the agency
performs.
Its how every CMHA employee will be measured, from the
top down.
Its how our partners, vendors, contractors and consultants
will be measured.
We will conduct our work with integrity, professionalism,
accuracy and exceptional quality. We will take the initiative to
seek creative problem-solving and continuous improvement.
We will hold ourselves and each other accountable. We will
provide timely and accurate communication both internally
and externally. And above all, we will treat one another with
the respect and dignity that each of us deserves.

Unit Standards
Presented by Boubacar Diallo,
Manager of Owner Compliance

PHILOSOPHY
Housing Quality Standards (HQS) are the HUD
minimum quality standards for tenant-based programs.
The objective of the HCV Program is to assist lowincome families in leasing decent, safe and sanitary
housing at an affordable cost and in accordance with
HUD and CMHA guidelines. Efforts will be made at all
times to encourage owners to provide housing that
exceeds HQS minimum standards.
CMHA is
responsible for assuring that each unit occupied by an
HCV Program participant meets HUDs and CMHAs
HQS guidelines.

POLICY
CMHA will inspect each unit under contract at least
annually. CMHA will also have an inspection supervisor
perform quality control inspections on the number of
files required for file sampling by SEMAP annually to
maintain CMHA's required standards and to assure
consistency in CMHA's program.
HQS standards are required both at initial occupancy
and during the term of the lease. HQS standards apply
to the building and premises, as well as the unit. Newly
leased units must pass the HQS inspection before the
beginning date of the assisted lease and HAP Contract.
CMHAs HQS Handbook describes CMHA's guidelines
and procedures for performing HQS inspections.

HQS Handbook
Workmanship will be
evaluated
All design, construction,
replacements, additions
and repairs in
rehabilitation/renovation
construction shall be of
quality conforming to
nationally recognized
standards.

HQS Handbook
Quality of
Workmanship
Inferior workmanship
could be cause for
HQS fail.

HQS Handbook
Interior ceilings, walls,
and floors shall be
maintained free of holes,
cracks, loose or
deteriorated materials, or
any other condition that
constitutes a hazard to
the occupants or is a
harborage for insects or
vermin, or admits water
or dampness to the
interior of the building.

HQS Handbook
Floors; walls, including
windows and doors;
ceiling and other
interior surfaces shall
be maintained in good,
clean and sanitary
condition. Peeling and
cracked or loose plaster,
decayed wood, and other
defective surface
conditions shall be
eliminated. At move in,
carpets must be
cleaned and the unit
freshly painted

HQS Handbook
Carbon monoxide
(CO) alarms must be
installed in all
units/buildings with a
fuel-burning
appliance
system/equipment or
attached garage.

HQS Handbook
Windows
All windows shall be fully
supplied with window glass
(not Plexiglas) that is glazed
and without cracks or holes.
Windows shall have sashes in
good
condition
that
fit
reasonably well within frames
and are capable of being
easily opened and held in
position
by
hardware,
including window locks, on all
floors of the unit. Windows will
be maintained so as to
prevent inclement weather
from entering the structure. All
windows must operate as
designed.
If windows are
designed to be opened, they
must have a functional
locking device.

HQS Handbook
Ceiling condition
The ceiling must be sound
and free from hazardous
defects.
Unsound
or
hazardous
means
the
presence of defects such that
either a potential exists for
structural collapse or cracks
or holes allow drafts to enter
the unit. Unacceptable ceiling
conditions include bulging,
bowing or buckling, holes,
missing parts, and loose
surface materials falling or in
danger of falling.

HQS Handbook

Poor Ceiling Condition

and Poor Quality of
Workmanship

HQS Handbook

Each unit must have individual

meters to measure the familys
consumption if they are to be
responsible for certain utilities.
There cannot be multiple meters
for the same utility if the tenant is
responsible for paying the utility.
The owner will be responsible for
paying utilities for units with
centralized meters.
Complexes that have centralized
meters and have a third-party
calculate actual consumption
for each resident and bill the
residents individually are viewed
as individual meters.
All utilities must be in service at
the time of the inspection.
Utilities must be legally
connected.

HQS Handbook
BATHROOM
There is a permanently installed
washbasin in the unit with running
hot and cold water.
The washbasin is connected to a
water supply and operating drain
and has a gas trap.
The washbasin is in addition to the
kitchen sink.
The floor and wall surface beneath
and around the sink and lavatory
is kept in good order and repair.
There must be no rust, hazardous
cracks or chips.
The fixtures must match.

HQS Handbook
Water heaters fail for the
following reasons:

Gas water heaters located in bedrooms or

other living areas where they may present
a safety hazard. Exceptions may be made
if safety dividers or shields are installed.
Combustible materials near a gas water
heater (approx. 30").
Gas leaks.
Absence of temperature-pressure (T/P)
relief valve
Absence of discharge line to within 6" of
the floor
Flues without adequate clearance from
combustible materials.
Flues that are not tightly sealed at the
chimney.
Any leaks from hot water tank.
Tag by the utility company indicating an
unsafe condition.

HQS Handbook
Certifications
In instances of all inspections
or inspector uncertainty,
certification or documentation
from a professional, licensed
service technician may be
required to verity the proper
operating condition and
soundness of such items as
furnaces, water tanks, electrical
and plumbing systems. This is
to assure that the facility is
functioning adequately and
safely.

HQS Handbook
Pest Control
Pest, insect, rodent or
vermin infestation that
requires a professional
treatment to eliminate or
control may need proper
certification.
Units with bedbug
infestations must be treated
by a licensed exterminator.
CMHA must see a copy of
the results and treatment
plan.

HQS Handbook
Owners will be responsible for
pest control in apartments and
duplexes.
Tenants are responsible for pest
control in Houses and Mobile
Homes if explicitly specified in the
lease agreement.
Exception: If there is no evidence
to suggest that the residents
Housekeeping, Sanitation, and
Trash removal/storage contributed
to the infestation, it will be the
owners responsibility.

HQS Handbook
Any inoperable
appliance/equipment not
required by HQS must be
repaired or replaced. The
appliance cannot simply
be removed unless the
tenant has agreed in
writing. Removal of the
optional equipment may
result in reassessment of
rent reasonableness for
the unit.

HQS Handbook
All accessory structures to the
dwelling including detached
garages (whether or not they
are a part of the rental
agreement), fences (fence,
posts and poles must be
removed if it is determined
they are hazardous), storage
sheds and walls shall be
maintained so they are
structurally sound, in good
repair and free of peeling
paint, or such structures shall
be razed to grade level and
debris
removed
from
premises. The site and
immediate neighborhood must
be free from conditions that
would
seriously
and
continuously endanger the
health or safety of the family.

HQS Handbook
All areas shall be kept
free from weeds or plant
growth that would
constitute an unkempt
appearance. Lawns,
shrubbery and trees shall
be cut and trimmed
during growing seasons
Tree branches shall be
cut back from roofs.

HQS Handbook
Repeated Fail
Status
Units failing for
the same item
on 3 consecutive
occasions will be
terminated from
the program.

HQS Handbook
Initial/Move-in Inspections
If more than 12 HQS violations
(deficiencies) are found during the
initial inspection, the inspection will
terminate and a re-inspection will be
scheduled.

HQS Handbook
Water Bills
When a tenant family gives CMHA notice that they
want to vacate their current unit and the family is
responsible for the water bill, the family must provide
proof of a current, paid water bill prior to their move
into a new unit.
Property owners of units where the tenant will be
responsible for paying the water bill must provide
proof of a current, paid water bill along with the RTA.

HQS Handbook
Fireplaces, and other
construction and devices
intended for use similar to a
fireplace, shall be stable and
structurally safe and connected
to approved chimneys. If
usable, the owner must provide
certification by a licensed
technician documenting that the
fireplace was recently cleaned
(within the last 12 months) and
is fully operational. If the
fireplace is non-usable, the
owner and tenant must provide
CMHA with an affidavit stating
tenant will not use fireplace.

Rent Adjustment Requests

An owner may request an adjustment to their
contract rent, in writing, once every twelve
months within 90-60 days prior to the familys
move-in date.
A copy must be provided to the family at the same
time it is provided to CMHA.
Only one rent adjustment request will be processed
in a 12-month period.
Any rent adjustment request received by CMHA
outside of the 90-60 request period will be rejected
by CMHA. The owner may resubmit the request at
the appropriate time in order for the request to be
considered.

Utility Responsibility Changes

To address concerns when an owner changes utility
types during the initial term of the lease, and
consequently wants to alter responsibility for utility
payments under the HAP contract:
CMHA will not allow for any changes in lease
requirements governing tenant or owner responsibilities
for utilities or appliances during the initial lease term.
After the initial lease term, any change governing tenant
or owner responsibilities for utilities must be preapproved by CMHA. Failure to comply could result in
contract cancellation and possible termination from the
HCV Program.

Abatements /Contract
Termination
A Notice of Abatement will be sent to the
owner, and the abatement will be
effective the day after the due date for
repairs.
Once the contract has been terminated,
the unit will not be eligible for participation
with the program for 90-calendar days
from the date of termination.

HQS Pre-Inspection Checklist

As a fail-safe, CMHA has developed an
HQS Pre-Inspection Checklist
The checklist will be made available on
CMHAs website.
If you check No/Needs Repair for any of
the items on the pre-inspection checklist,
your unit WILL FAIL HQS.

HQS Inspections

HQS Inspections

HQS Inspections

HQS Inspections