Butler VCA Services

Butler Metropolitan Housing Authority (BMHA) entered into a seven-year Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) with the HUD office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) in 2009.  Per the agreement, BMHA was required to provide fifty-eight (58) to meet the requirements for mobility disabilities.  These units could be provided by either correcting deficiencies in existing designated accessible unit or converting previously non-accessible units.  BMHA was also required to provide twenty-four (24) units meeting the requirements for sight and hearing disabilities.

CHS was contracted by BMHA to provide third-party services during the VCA period.  While the VCA only required the units are Certified (post construction) to meet the requirements of UFAS, It is the philosophy of CHS that early identification of issues results in less impact to budget and schedule.  CHS provided a review of each phase of the Architect’s drawings prior to bidding to identify deficiencies.  This allowed the Architect of Record to clarify their design intent or redesign elements prior to BMHA receiving the contractor’s bids, reducing the need for costly change orders during construction.  CHS also provided an inspection of the rough framing, electrical, and plumbing.  This allowed the contractors and sub-contractors to correct deficiencies in their work before it is concealed behind finish materials, saving time and money for the contractors.  It also provided an opportunity for the contractors, Architect, and CHS to review the installation requirements for the equipment.  Finally, CHS provided a final inspection of all work in place to verify all UFAS requirements are met.