The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) created new Tenant Selection Plan (TSP) guidelines to provide direction for property owners/management agents on what must be included in TSPs. Compliance with mandatory elements of the guidelines is required for all projects funded by OHFA while the Tenant Screening Criteria section contains highly recommended best practices. OHFA will review TSPs during the Compliance Next Steps process and possibly during compliance audits.
OHFA intends to resume physical inspections on projects beginning as early as mid-August. Owners will receive the normal 14-day notice on all upcoming inspections. The compliance staff will adhere to all Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) guidelines when inspecting units and buildings on projects. OHFA staff will wear masks when inspecting units but may not wear a mask when inspecting the exterior of buildings, as long as a safe distance can be kept from the auditor and any other person. These guidelines are subject to change based on circumstances at the time the audit is conducted. All staff will also complete a symptom self-assessment on the morning of the audit to be sure they are symptom free. Auditors will also be asking tenants a series of questions before entering a unit in which the tenants are home. Reminder–The IRS waiver of inspections and income recertifications for LIHTC projects will officially end on September 30, 2021.
