A 32-page report was jointly released from the Urban Institute and the Bipartisan Policy Center a few days ago. In the summary, the Urban Institute writes:

We conclude that the current inspection regime that demands every single HCV unit be inspected in person before a lease can be executed and payments begin flowing is akin to using a bazooka to kill a gnat, as just 4 out of every 100 very low–income central city renters and fewer than 2 out of every 100 very low–income suburban renters live in severely inadequate units.

Although a strong argument can be made that inspections are an anachronism, we provide a fuller set of policy options short of doing away with inspections entirely as ways to streamline operations, expand landlord participation, and promote greater voucher use, particularly in high-opportunity communities.

Download the full PDF here