Landlord Corner

06/18/2025	Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms	Effective Immediately: Life-threatening deficiencies identified in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms during HQS inspections must be addressed within 24 hours of Opportunity Home’s notification. Failure to address these deficiencies within the required 24-hour timeframe may result in the abatement of Housing Assistance Payments. Life-threatening deficiencies may include: A carbon monoxide alarm and/or a smoke alarm are missing, not installed, or not installed where required. The carbon monoxide alarm and/or smoke alarm is obstructed The carbon monoxide alarm and/or smoke alarm does not produce an audio or visual alarm when tested. Click below to view NSPIRE standards for carbon monoxide and smoke alarms. Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standard // Smoke Alarm Standard
06/16/2025	NEW! Rent Reasonableness Process for Tax Credit Properties	NEW! Rent Reasonableness Process for Tax Credit Properties Tax Credit properties requesting tax credit rents can submit a copy of their current rent chart along with their Request for Rent Change form to Opportunity Home (please do not submit the property rent roll). If the rent chart demonstrates that the rent to the owner does not exceed the rent charged for families not participating in the voucher program, the Tax Credit property can skip the Rent Reasonableness process for that particular unit. However, Tax Credit properties that do not provide their current rent chart with the Request for Rent Change will continue to go through the Rent Reasonableness process as usual. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this change, please contact the Participant's assigned Housing Assistance Specialist (HAS). Click here to find a copy of the Request for Rent Change form..
06/02/2025	CPS Energy Multifamily Program	CPS Energy Multifamily Program // Energy Efficiency for Apartment Living The Multifamily Program offers incentives and resources to make it easier than ever to install energy-efficient upgrades at multifamily properties at no or little cost to you. Call 210-353-2SAV (2728) or email CPSEnergyMultifamily@clearesult.com to learn more and apply. Upgrades may include water-saving showerheads, faucet aerators, WiFi thermostats, attic insulation, and more. Click here to learn more.
03/07/2025	FY 25-26 Proposed MTW Plan and Administrative Plan Revision Summary	FY25-26 Proposed MTW Plan and Administrative Plan Revision Summary Please click the links below to learn more about proposed changes to the MTW Plan and the Administrative Plan. Proposed MTW Plan / Administrative Plan Revision Summary Video
02/18/2025	Potential Impact of Recent Federal Guidance on the Housing Choice Voucher Program	Potential Impact of Recent Federal Guidance on the Housing Choice Voucher Program In response to the recent guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued on Jan. 27, 2025, regarding a temporary pause in certain federal program assistance, Opportunity Home San Antonio has received many inquiries about housing assistance payments and continued support for participating private landlords and residents in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, commonly known as Section 8. The OMB has released a Frequently Asked Questions document indicating that "rental assistance" programs will not be affected. However, further clarification has been requested to confirm that programs like the HCV program will not be included in the federal pause. At this time, we anticipate that funding will be received on schedule, though there is a possibility of a minor temporary delay. Opportunity Home remains committed to supporting our participating private landlords and residents receiving the HCV subsidy. February housing payments will be issued as soon as we receive the funding, which is expected between the first and third business day of February. Historically, we have paid landlords monthly housing assistance in advance of receiving federal subsidies, based on the understanding that federal funds would be readily available. In light of this recent guidance and the direction of the new U.S. administration, we will be aligning our payment schedule with the receipt of funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Moving forward, all monthly payments to program private landlords will be issued between the 1st and 3rd of each month. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during these uncertain times. We value your participation in the HCV Program and your commitment in providing affordable housing for San Antonians.
09/04/2024	NSPIRE	Important Update: NSPIRE / HUD NOTICE PIH 2024-26 On August 9, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released PIH Notice 2024-26, which provides implementation guidance for the new National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) inspection standards. While compliance for most NSPIRE regulations has been extended to October 1, 2025, standards regarding smoke alarms will go into effect on December 29, 2024. Updated smoke alarm standards include requiring smoke alarms to be hard-wired or sealed with 10-year batteries. Please click the links below for more information on updated HUD guidelines, including NSPIRE smoke alarm standards. PIH Notice 2024-26 // Smoke Alarm Standards
04/19/2024	Electronic Change of Ownership / Payee	NEW! Electronic Change of Ownership / Payee Packet The Electronic Change of Ownership / Payee Packet is now available! To submit your change, click the link below or on the Information Bar to the left of the screen. Change of Ownership /Payee Packet
01/04/2024	2024 SAFMR Payment Standards	NEW! New Payment Standards Released: Please see the link below to access the 2024 SAFMR Payment Standards and the breakdown by zip code groups and bedroom sizes. The link will take you to the Opportunity Home webpage, once there, click "SAFMR Payment Standards." Payment Standards
12/20/2023	HQS Final Fail Abatement Period	Effective February 1, 2024, the allowable abatement period for Landlord caused Housing Quality Standards (HQS) final failures has been updated from 30 to 60 days. Landlords will continue to have the option to pay a reinspection fee after a final fail rating. For questions about this change, please email landlords@homesa.org or call 210-477-6000.
11/07/2023	Housing Assistance Payments	As of November 2023, Opportunity Home will continue making Housing Assistance Payments for a two-month grace period while staff process Resident recertifications. Please note that in the event of a Resident's termination from the program, Opportunity Home will recoup these payments made on their behalf. In an effort to provide better service, our staff continues to work on decreasing processing time for Resident accounts. For questions regarding this update, please email the Landlord Liaison at landlords@homesa.org.
06/02/2023	MTW Activity 2019-2	In order to reduce tenant burden, Opportunity Home will apply increased payment standards between a family's recertification when a request for rental increase is approved. Please visit Moving to Work for more information on MTW Activity 2019-2: Alternate Recertification Process (PH and HCV). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Customer Service at (210) 477-6000.
05/16/2023	Request For Tenancy Approval (RTA)	Visit the Opportunity Home Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) page to learn the ins and outs of submitting an RTA via DocuSign, there you will find step-by-step video tutorials to avoid any difficulties or delays in the process. If you have any questions, please contact Opportunity Home’s Landlord Liaison at Landlords@homesa.org or 210-477-6033.
05/16/2023	Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection	Pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection the first time, every time! Visit the Opportunity Home San Antonio Landlords or Voucher Resources page to watch the new “Tips For Passing An Inspection” video. In addition, access the HQS Commonly Failed Items Inspection Checklist for a list of items to look out for before an inspection.