HUD-9910 Housing Counseling Biennial Performance Review

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Office of Housing – Federal Housing Commissioner

Biennial Performance Review OMB Approval No. 2502-0261

Of a HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency (Exp. 2/28/2009)

Agency Name:__________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Reviewer: ____________________________________ Review Date: _____________

______________________________________________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS TO REVIEWER. See HUD Handbook 7610.1 for instructions regarding the Biennial Performance Review (BPR). Use this form to record the results of the BPR. Circle “Yes” or “No” for each item. Document on separate sheets each of your negative determinations (a negative determination may be a “Yes” as well as a “No”). Before you conduct the Biennial Performance Review, monitor the agency by means of a desk audit in accordance with paragraph 5-2 of Handbook 7610. 1. Prepare a list of items for your special attention during the BPR.____________________________________________________

It is important throughout the review that the reviewer determines whether the agency has fully implemented the housing counseling plan HUD approved as part of the agency’s application. The reviewer must also make a judgment as to whether the plan is appropriate to current housing market conditions. See paragraph 5-3 E 1.b of

Handbook 7610.1 ________________________________________________________________________

Basic Program Requirements

1. Has the agency changed its name, address, or telephone number? Yes No

2. Have the zip code areas served by the agency changed? Yes No

If “Yes”, did the agency submit the changes to the Department of Housing

and Urban Development Yes No

If “No”, instruct the agency to provide accurate information immediately.

3. Is the agency still a nonprofit entity? Yes No

4. During the past year, did the agency counsel at least 50 clients as defined in

paragraph 1-3C? Yes No

If no, obtain documentation from the agency.

5. Does the agency conform to the assurances it signed as part of its

Application for Approval? Yes No

6. Is the agency still in compliance with local and state requirements, if any,

that relate to its counseling program? Yes No

Reviewers Comments:

Skills and Experience

1. Is staff trained and experienced in housing counseling? Yes No

2. Did the agency change personnel responsible for the counseling program? Yes No

3. Did the agency report these changes to HUD? Yes No

4. Does the agency counsel clients whose native language is not English

using interpreters or bi-lingual or multi-lingual counselors? Yes No

If yes, [Explain]

If “No” does the agency refer clients to other local housing counseling

agencies Yes No

5. Does staff possess a working knowledge of HUD housing programs? Yes No

6. Does staff possess a working knowledge of non-HUD housing programs

available and applicable to the targeted population? Yes No

7. Has the staff received any training or education in the last two years? Yes No

Reviewers Comments:

Financial Capacity

1. Does the agency have sufficient funds to carry out its counseling plan

for the next year? Yes No

2. Did the agency receive $300,000 in federal funds during the past year? Yes No

If yes, has the agency had an independent audit of its financial records

Completed? Yes No

Does the audit comply with OMB Circular A-110 Yes No

3. Does the agency charge fees for its counseling services? Yes No

If “Yes,” answer the following:

a. Does the agency provide counseling without charge to clients

who cannot afford the fees? Yes No

b. Are the fees in keeping with those of similar agencies in the

targeted area? Yes No

c. Does the agency use a scaled fee structure? Yes No

d. Are the fees based on a sliding scale in relation to the income of

the client? Yes No

e. Does the agency charge a fee for clients for whom it

also bills HUD under a grant agreement? Yes No

Reviewers Comments:

Administrative Capacity / Program Practices

1. Does the counseling activity of the agency conform to the counseling plan

on file with HUD? Yes No

2. Is the plan still appropriate in relation to current housing market

conditions in the Agency’s targeted area? Yes No

3. Does the agency possess HUD housing program handbooks and are these

used by the counseling staff? Yes No

4. Does the agency maintain complete and accurate records of its client roll

and related counseling activities? Yes No

5. Did the counselor design a counseling plan with each client? Yes No

6. Do the counseling plans include a goal/outcome? Do the plans address

problems and meet the unique needs of the client? Yes No

7. Did the counselor monitor the client’s progress in meeting the housing

need or correcting the housing problem? Yes No

8. Does the agency use credit reports as a tool for counseling? Yes No

If “Yes,” does the agency maintain the confidentiality of the reports? Yes No

Reviewers Comments:

Facilities

1. Is the agency easily identified by signage on the building/ or office door? Yes No

2. Are the agency’s counseling facilities located within the area of the targeted

population? Yes No

3. Does the agency function during hours that are conducive to working clients? Yes No

Days and hours of operation:

4. Is the facility accessible to the handicapped? Yes No

5. Do the facilities provide privacy for one-to-one counseling? Yes No

Reviewers Comments:

Conflict of Interest

1. Does the agency provide any services besides housing counseling? Yes No

2. Does the agency partner with other organizations, or enter into sub-

agreements, to meet client needs? Yes No

3. Are all services provided and partnerships or sub-agreements disclosed? Yes No

4. Do separate staffs provide distinct services? Yes No

If No, how does the agency prevent the appearance of a conflict of interest?

Reviewers Comments:

RECOMMENDATION

( ) Unconditional Re-approval

( ) Conditional Re-approval: Attach a sheet that sets forth the conditions of the re-approval.

( ) Disapproval: Attach a sheet that sets forth the reasons

for disapproval.

_____________________________________________ ___________

Signature of Reviewer Date

form HUD-9910 (03/03)