East Haven housing director details HUD inspection changes and proposed Section 8 time limit

Housing Authority Director Rich Coppola updated the East Haven Housing Authority on federal changes that will affect local operations, including the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act and the new NSPIRE inspection standards, and discussed a March proposal from HUD on Section 8 work requirements and a possible two'year time limit.

Coppola presented the director's report at the board's July 13 meeting. "When HUD comes out with the Fair Market Rent they allow Housing Authorities to do anywhere from 90% of the Fair Market Rent up to 110%," Coppola said, and the authority currently calculates payment standards at 110% for each bedroom size. He advised commissioners that municipalities and housing authorities have had to react to several HUD changes in 2026.

Commissioner Mirabel Aguilar, who also serves in Housing Choice Voucher administration in New Britain, described expected changes to inspections under NSPIRE and the difference from the older REAC regime. Aguilar said NSPIRE is scheduled to start in 2027 and that it will require reporting on all inspection failures. "Under NSPIRE we'll be required to report on all of them. Every failure, which wasn't required in the past," Aguilar said, noting the point system differs from REAC and that past reporting practices affected how agencies recovered inspection points.

Aguilar also summarized a March proposal from HUD that would create a work requirement for able'bodied Section 8 participants and include a time limit. She said HUD's proposal would allow housing authorities to set longer time limits if they choose, but that HUD has suggested a two'year term. "As for the term limit, HUD is saying 2 years," Aguilar said; she told the board she agrees with a term limit.

Commissioner Anthony Moscato said the programs have been abused in the past, and Commissioner David Sagnella asked whether a term limit exists now; Aguilar replied there is none at present.

No old business was recorded and there were no members of the public in attendance. The board approved the minutes from April 13, 2026 (motion by Commissioner Anthony Moscato; second by Commissioner Mirabel Aguilar; Commissioner David Sagnella abstained because he was not present on April 13). A motion to adjourn by Commissioner Moscato, seconded by Commissioner Mirabel Aguilar, carried and the meeting ended at 7:33 p.m.

The director's written minutes were signed and submitted by Rich Coppola, Director of Administration & Management and Housing Authority Director.