Safeguard Properties

<- Return To Featured Resources

VA Circular 26-15-4 Policy Changes for Specially Adapted Housing Compliance Inspector Exam and Compliance Inspector Qualifications

On April 9, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued Circular 26-15-4, subtitled Policy Changes for Specially Adapted Housing Compliance Inspector Exam and Compliance Inspector Qualifications.

Veterans Benefits Administration Circular 26-15-4
Department of Veterans Affairs
Washington, DC 20420

Policy Changes for Specially Adapted Housing Compliance Inspector Exam and Compliance Inspector Qualifications

1. Purpose. The purpose of this Circular is to update certain policies related to the Compliance Inspector (CI) exam and qualifications outlined in VA Manual M26-12, Revised, Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant Processing Procedures, Loan Guaranty Operations for Regional Offices.

2. Background. Prior to the release of VA Manual M26-12, Revised, in February 2014, an exam was administered by Regional Loan Centers (RLCs) to test potential CIs on their knowledge of building codes and practices. In completing the revised manual, SAH policy staff determined that the exam was ineffective because building codes and practices vary significantly by state and region. Moreover, the exam did not address SAH-specific building practices, procedures, and minimum property requirements (MPRs). Upon release of VA Manual M26-12, Revised, SAH policy staff instructed RLCs to discontinue use of the existing CI exam until a replacement was provided.

a. The SAH policy staff created a new CI exam that focuses on SAH-specific building practices, procedures, and MPRs. This “open book” exam is designed to be used both as a training tool and a means of measuring a potential CI’s knowledge of relevant SAH material prior to being admitted to the CI panel.

3. Action. Effective immediately, the following policies are in effect regarding the CI exam and CI qualifications:

a. RLCs will begin administering the new CI exam to ALL new, potential CIs. This is an open book exam that must be passed with a score of 70 percent or greater. If the potential CI fails to achieve a score of 70 percent or greater on the first attempt, the test may be retaken after a waiting period of 10-business days. If the potential CI fails to achieve a score of 70 percent or greater on the second or future attempts, the waiting period between retakes is 6months.
b. CI applicants that possess the International Code Council (ICC) Certification or local/state licenses are no longer exempt from the testing requirement.
c. Current CI panel members are exempt from the testing requirement.
d. RLCs must record the CI’s application material in the Stakeholder Information Management (SIM) system prior to assigning any work to the CI. These documents include:
(1) VA Form 26-6681, Application for Fee or Roster Personnel Designation
(2) The Compliance Inspector Exam(s)
(3) Satisfactory Credit Alert Interactive Voice Response System (CAIVRS) screening results.
(4) An active inspector license, if required by the state. The RLC of jurisdiction is responsible for monitoring all CI licenses and ensuring that they are renewed/updated no later than the date of expiration.

(LOCAL REPRODUCTION AUTHORIZED)

4. Questions. If you have any questions regarding the implementation of these procedures, please contact Betty Rhoades at (202) 632-8801 or betty.rhoades@va.gov.

5. Rescission: This Circular is rescinded January 1, 2018.

By Direction of the Under Secretary for Benefits

Michael J. Frueh
Director, Loan Guaranty Service

Please click here to view the online circular.

About Safeguard 
Safeguard Properties is the mortgage field services industry leader, preserving vacant and foreclosed properties across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Guam. Founded in 1990 by Robert Klein and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Safeguard provides the highest quality service to our clients by leveraging innovative technologies and proactively developing industry best practices and quality control procedures. Consistent with Safeguard’s values and mission, we are an active supporter of hundreds of charitable efforts across the country. Annually, Safeguard gives back to communities in partnership with our employees, vendors and clients. We also are dedicated to working with community leaders and officials to eliminate blight and stabilize neighborhoods. Safeguard is dedicated to preserving today and protecting tomorrow.  Website: www.safeguardproperties.com.

Related Posts

HUD Allocates More than $2 Billion to Advance Equitable Disaster Recovery, Build Climate Change Resilience

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced the allocation of more than $2 billion ($2,040,617,000) in CDBG-Disaster Recovery and CDBG-Mitigation funds appropriated in the continuing resolution, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act, signed into law on September 30, 2021.

Read More

HUD Employees Receive Management Excellence Award

A group of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development employees on Thursday were awarded the 2021 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals.

Read More

<- Back To Newsroom Next Article ->

Cookies enable us to provide the best experience possible and help us understand how visitors use our website. By browsing our website, you agree to our use of cookies.

x

CEO

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the Chief Executive Officer for Safeguard Properties, steering the company as the mortgage field services industry leader. He also serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Alan joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2002, and was named CEO in May 2010. His hands-on experience has given him unique insights as a leader to innovate, improve and strengthen Safeguard’s processes to assure that the company adheres to the highest standards of quality and customer service.

Under Alan’s leadership, Safeguard has grown significantly with strategies that have included new and expanded services, technology investments that deliver higher quality and greater efficiency to clients, and strategic acquisitions. He takes a team approach to process improvement, involving staff at all levels of the organization to address issues, brainstorm solutions, and identify new and better ways to serve clients.

In 2008, Alan was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business in its annual “40-Under-40” profile of young leaders. He also was named a NEO Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award finalist in 2013.

x

Esq., General Counsel and EVP

Linda Erkkila

Linda Erkkila is the General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Safeguard Properties, with oversight of legal, human resources, training, and compliance. Linda’s broad scope of oversight covers regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, insurance, litigation and claims management, and counsel related to mergers, acquisition and joint ventures.

Linda assures that Safeguard’s strategic initiatives align with its resources, leverage opportunities across the company, and contemplate compliance mandates. She has practiced law for 25 years and her experience, both as outside and in-house counsel, covers a wide range of corporate matters, including regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, compensation and benefits, litigation management, and mergers and acquisitions.

Linda earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. Linda was previously named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

x

COO

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the Chief Operating Officer of Safeguard Properties, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company in July 2010. Initially brought on as Vice President of REO, Mike’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision quickly propelled him to Vice President of Operations in 2013, and ultimately to COO in 2015. Over his 14-year tenure at Safeguard, Mike has been instrumental in driving change and fostering innovation within the Property Preservation sector, consistently delivering excellence and becoming a trusted partner to clients and investors.

A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mike earned a degree in Quantitative Economics. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Branch, where he specialized in supply chain management. Before his tenure at Safeguard, Mike honed his expertise by managing global supply chains for 13 years, leveraging his military and civilian experience to lead with precision and efficacy.

x

CFO

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard Properties. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Marketing, Accounting, and Information Security departments. At the core of his responsibilities is the drive to ensure that Safeguard’s focus remains rooted in Customer Service = Resolution. Through his executive leadership role, he actively supports SGPNOW.com, an on-demand service geared towards real estate and property management professionals as well as individual home owners in need of inspection and property preservation services. Joe is also an integral force behind Compliance Connections, a branch of Safeguard Properties that allows code enforcement professionals to report violations at properties that can then be addressed by the Safeguard vendor network. Compliance Connections also researches and shares vacant property ordinance information with Safeguard clients.

Joe has an MBA from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University’s Honors Accounting program.

x

Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties