HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) is responsible for assuring all affordable housing is safe, decent, and affordable to the public. All units and files are randomly selected. An REAC-certified inspector is responsible to assess the physical condition of units and confirm that they meet the federal Uniform Physical Condition Standard (UPCS). REAC inspections are sometimes called “UPCS inspections” because they follow the UPCS code.

The Uniform Federal Accessibility Standard (UFAS) is a federally mandated standard that outlines development design specifications to meet the housing needs of individuals with disabilities. All new federally assisted housing with five or more units must design and set aside five percent of its units or one unit (the greater of the two options)for tenants with mobility disabilities. An additional two percent of the units or least one unit (the greater of the two) must be designed and set aside for tenants with hearing or visual disabilities. UFAS compliance include parking spaces to unit design.

All LIHTC and other affordable housing buildings are inspected during the second year following the year the last building was placed in service, and then at least every three years thereafter. Inspection frequencies are based a REAC score from the time of the last inspection. A passing score is 60 out of 100, if a score is 79 and below, the property is inspected annually; if a score is between 80-89, the property is inspected every two years; scores of 90 or higher are inspected every three years.

A REAC inspection will assess the overall physical condition of the site, including the fencing, gates, grounds, parking lots, play areas, building exteriors, building systems, property common areas, individual unit conditions, and health and safety concerns.

REAC scores are posted annually by state at: HUD REAC Score