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CASA (Computer Automation of SAA Activities)

CASA

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has provided the 38 State Administrative Agencies (SAAs) with computer hardware and CASA (Computer Automation of SAA Activities) software to facilitate the collection and use of data during their monitoring tasks. CASA allows SAA staffs to enter and electronically store information that had historically been filed and stored as hard copy. This includes numerous reference lists, Subpart I reporting filing formats, collection from manufacturer monitoring, dealer monitoring and site investigation visits, and form and letter writing features. The EDM Contractor supports the SAAs in their use of CASA and the computer hardware.

Release 3 of CASA provides a national database collection and distribution capability. CASA requires the transmission of data from the 38 SAAs to the EDM Contractor on a regular basis, and the coordination and analysis of that data for reporting and recommendations to HUD. Release 3.2 occurred in July 2001 and supplied the SAAs the ability to access this national data. The EDM Contractor distributes quarterly national data CDs to the SAAs that include state-specific home inspections, installation inspections, retailer audits, manufacturer reviews, and label shipments.

Equipment for SAAs

HUD has agreed in its SAA State Cooperative Agreements to provide hardware and software that will create a common "platform" from which all SAAs can store the information HUD requires them to collect and report. This permits the the SAAs to send the information to HUD on a regular basis using the same software and provided in a similar format. With these commonly used formats, HUD is able to store and analyze the information effectively.

CASA stands for the Computer Automation of SAA Activities. State Administrative Agencies (SAAs) use this menu-driven, Windows-compatible software to facilitate field and headquarters record keeping. This state-of-the-art database also merges a mature database with many customized end-user functions. CASA allows the user to enter detailed records, search for records using many different parameters, and, finally, to share those records with others.