HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER INSPECTIONS
the property owner to install smoke detectors. Not long
The Arlington Housing Authority (AHA) is responsible
after the inspection, the dwelling experienced a fire. The
for conducting thorough inspections of each privately
room where the children had been moved from was the
owned dwelling units it utilized to provide rental
first to burn, no doubt making the tenant shutter at the
housing assistance. Inspections are conducted prior
possibility of events unfolding very differently. Everyone
to the start of assistance, annually and upon request.
made it out of the blaze alive and well, thanks to the good
The AHA’s Inspections Team migrated to paperless,
work and preventative actions taken only days before. The
digital inspections reporting utilizing the Mobile Tablets
tenant felt that without Jeanette’s actions, she and her
and Inspections software in 2010. The Inspectors were
family might not be here today. The tenant said, “Because
more recently equipped with iPads, updated housing
you did your job, you saved us”.
Inspections software, and document imaging software to
further enhance the inspections
operations. Participating
property owners and property
In FY 2014, the Inspections Team
managers utilize the secure
performed 10,165 inspections
landlord portal to obtain
and 2,224 rent reasonable assessments....
information and forms and
and saved lives!
access inspection reports or
to request inspections. The
enhancements have improved accessibility and efficiency
while controling operational costs.
Inspection Highlights – Above and Beyond the
Call to Duty
Aaron Williams, AHA Housing Inspector, accompanied
by the property manager while performing a routine
inspection, rescued an infant found in the assisted
dwelling. The unattended child was the responsibility
of an adult who was not authorized to be residing in
the apartment. Quick thinking, Aaron contacted the
Arlington Police Department and guarded the child until
the authorities arrived. Aaron’s actions not only helped
to safeguard this unattended infant, it also resulted in
the discovery of a serious program violation which lead
to an investigation and termination of rental housing
assistance protecting the program from further abuse by
the participating family.
During a routine inspection, Housing Inspector, Jeanette
Culwell, noticed the rental home was not compliant with
the fire code and insisted that changes be made. The
children’s bedroom had no windows and there was no
smoke detector in or near the room. Jeanette had the
tenant move the children to another room and required
L - R: Seated – Clarence Hursey, Inspector; Vicky
Hernandez, Inspector; Standing – Jessica Parry, Housing
Coordinator; Aaron Williams, Inspector; Jeanette Culwell,
Inspector
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