Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Housing Compliance Services?

Housing Compliance Services provides a network of public benefit products and services focused on assisting state and local governments and affordable housing developers. Housing Compliance Services helps organizations develop policies and procedures to meet affordable housing compliance requirements. Our services include consulting, file cleanup, compliance training, and a web-based compliance monitoring and reporting system called FOCUS®.

What consulting services are offered?

Our consulting team assists organizations in developing policies and procedures to meet affordable housing requirements. The consultants provide an organized and systematic approach to managing affordable housing properties and maintaining compliance, with expertise in lease-up, policy and procedure review, best practice implementation, file audits and ongoing compliance management.

What does FOCUS do?

Our web-based housing compliance monitoring and reporting system enables developers and public agencies to manage their affordable housing records easily and efficiently. Users enter data online and the software runs a series of checks to ensure both the property and individual units are in compliance with federal, state and local income and rent restrictions. Simple graphical icons indicate the compliance status of a property and overall portfolio at a glance. The software also automates complex calculations and agency reports, eliminating time-consuming and error-prone compliance reports. In addition, Housing Compliance Services provides ongoing IT support. Because FOCUS is a web-based software, there is no software to install on your desktop computer. As long as you have internet access and a web browser, you can access FOCUS.

What are the benefits of using FOCUS?

The software automates a series of complex and time-consuming income and rent calculations that must be performed for every tenant. It ensures compliance with required reporting and reduces costs associated with compliance reviews, reports, site visits and technical compliance training. Sharing records and information is quick and easy with this web-based system, and the centralized database provides a single source for real-time affordable housing reports. Reports, site visits and correspondence are all automated via the software.

How much does it cost?

The software licensing fee is priced competitively and is based on the number and size of the affordable housing properties. Typically, a fee applies for loading the data and any custom coding that is required. Licenses are renewed annually.

How do I find out more information?

Click "Contact Us" at the top of this screen or simply click here to request more information.

How can I acquire a User Name?

You may request an account by clicking "Request Account" on the top of this screen. Once you have submitted the form, one of our Compliance Managers will contact you and setup your account. Authorized users like Property Owners can also create accounts for their respective properties.

Why doesn't my password work?

Your password is case sensitive. Is the "Caps Lock" or "A" in your keyboard ON? This makes a password in capital letter mode. Make sure not to misspell your password. Now try again, and if that doesn't work, reset your password.

I forgot my password, how do I reset/change it?

You may reset your password by clicking "Password Recovery" on the login screen. Once you've completed the instructions, the system will send your new password to the e-mail address we have on file.

What will happen if I try to guess my password and fail?

After several failed login attempts, the system will lock your account. If your account has been locked, please send an email to the Housing Compliance Services Team at hcs@housingcompliance.org with your User Name.

Help

Property Manager User Guide

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