FAQ
HQS and NSPIRE questions for agencies and landlords.
Plain answers for public housing agencies, HCV programs, and landlords in Southwest Ohio — including Dayton and Cincinnati voucher markets. Book by email only.
What is HQS?
HQS means Housing Quality Standards — the longstanding HUD habitability framework many Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs use for unit inspections. ATK performs on-site HQS certified inspections for public housing agencies, housing authorities, and landlords.
What is NSPIRE?
NSPIRE is HUD’s National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate — the standards framework many agencies are moving toward for physical inspections of HUD housing. ATK offers NSPIRE inspections, protocol support, and readiness consulting under applicable PHA / program rules.
What’s the difference between HQS and NSPIRE?
HQS is the longstanding Housing Quality Standards framework used in HCV / PHA inspections. NSPIRE is HUD’s newer National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate. Many programs are moving toward NSPIRE; timing and forms vary by PHA. ATK supports both.
Do you offer NSPIRE inspections, protocol support, or readiness consulting?
Yes — ATK offers NSPIRE inspections, NSPIRE protocol support, and readiness consulting for PHAs, agencies, and landlords, alongside HQS work. NSPIRE work follows current HUD NSPIRE standards and local PHA requirements. Training on NSPIRE is not the same as a HUD inspector certification.
Do you hold a formal NSPIRE certification or license?
We do not advertise a formal NSPIRE certification or NSPIRE license. HUD’s inspector-certification rulemaking is still evolving. We are trained on NSPIRE and perform NSPIRE-protocol inspections and readiness work under applicable PHA / program rules. We list only credentials we can show: HQS certified and Ohio HI OHI.2019006734.
Are you HQS licensed?
No — we say HQS certified, not “HQS license.” Ohio home inspector licensing is separate.
Who should request a housing authority / HQS / NSPIRE inspection?
Public housing agencies, PHAs, and landlords or property managers with Housing Choice Voucher units that need on-site pass/fail documentation or help getting units ready before the official date.
What do I receive after the visit?
A clear pass or fail with reasons you can act on. When required, Form HUD-52580 / 52580-A is completed from what was observed on site. Pass/fail for HCV remains the PHA’s call.
How is consulting different from the official inspection?
Consulting is a readiness walk before the official date. It surfaces likely fails and a fix order. It does not replace the official housing authority inspection on the agency calendar, and it does not guarantee a pass.
How do I contact ATK Inspections? What area do you cover?
Email [email protected] or use the contact form. Replies are by email — there is no public phone number on this site. Primary coverage is Southwest Ohio (Dayton, Cincinnati, and nearby voucher markets). We travel for larger jobs when the schedule allows.