BLENDED OCCUPANCY SPECIALIST

An advanced certification course that addresses the compliance challenges of 'blended' sites

Ensuring compliance at properties that receive both HUD subsidies and Section 42 tax credits can get very complicated. It’s not often clear at these 'blended' sites which regulations apply when HUD Handbook 4350.3, Rev. 1, HOME, and LIHTC rules overlap.

Recognizing the depth of confusion that surrounds the issue of compliance at such properties, the National Center for Housing Management has developed Blended Occupancy Specialist (BOS), an advanced course that teaches housing professionals the skills and specialized understanding required to manage effectively at blended sites.

Avoid the risks of non-compliance at blended sites

The most significant challenge that confronts an owner or agent of a blended site is the management of compliance. While there are areas where the HUD, Tax Credit and HOME rules are identical or complement each other, there are also instances of conflict. These include:

• Annual recertification requirements
• Enterprise Income Verification (EIV)
• Tenant Income Certifications (TICs)
• Record retention requirements
• Student eligibility restrictions
• Section 504
• Americans with Disabilities Act

It is conflicting areas such as these that threaten to create compliance gaps. And regardless of the program type, being out of compliance can cost time and money!

BOS provides a comprehensive understanding of where the compliance rules for these programs overlap and where they differ. More importantly, the course provides all the tools you’ll need to develop a personal compliance and management matrix in order to establish good compliance strategies and maintain compliance at your blended sites.

Format and prerequisites

BOS is structured like other NCHM certification courses, with two and a half days of instruction followed by a certification exam. Please note that this course is geared to those with some level of understanding of HUD Handbook 4350.3 and the LIHTC program. Consequently, registrants must have previously taken COS, TCS, or the equivalent. "BOS will not replicate the training provided in either COS or TCS," Mark Alper notes, "but it will be advanced training focused primarily on those issues unique to a blended site."

For a printable description of Blended Occupancy Specialist, including a detailed agenda, please click here. For a complete schedule of BOS training events, please visit our schedule page.