HCV Inspections

The housing unit selected by the family must meet an acceptable level of health and safety before the CHA can approve the unit. When the voucher holder finds a unit that it wishes to occupy and reaches an agreement with the property owner/manager over the lease terms, the CHA must inspect the dwelling and determine that the rent requested is reasonable. CHA will inspect the subsidized unit at least biennially (every two years) to determine that it meets Housing Quality Standards (HQS).

Find out the date and time frame of your next inspection.

HCV participant families and property owners may also get inspection information by calling or sending a text message to 312-544-0302 (inspection ID required). In addition, you can now contact the Inspections Department here.

MOST COMMON HQS FAIL ITEMS

  1. Inoperable light fixtures and improperly wired electrical outlets (reverse polarity, open ground, hot neutral reverse, etc.)
  2. Deteriorated and unstable paint on surfaces (peeling, cracking, chipping, etc.) in units built prior to 1978 where children under the age of six reside or will reside
  3. Missing, inoperable or incorrectly mounted smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
  4. Broken or inoperable windows (cracked glass panes, broken locks, drafty frames, etc.)
  5. Exposed electrical wires/connections (light fixtures missing globes, electrical junction boxes missing cover plates or knockout plugs, breaker boxes with open sockets, etc.)
  6. Broken/faulty door locks and drafty doors
  7. Cutting hazards, including protruding sharp nails pipes/metals objects with jagged edges, deteriorated sheet metal, cracked glass blocks on windows, etc.
  8. Gaps/holes around heating system flue pipes and gas utility not in service
  9. Evidence of rodent and/or bug infestation
  10. Holes and large gaps (more than a quarter inch) on walls/ceilings/floors of living space areas

For additional information about HQS inspections, see the latest edition of the HQS Inspection Guidebook below: