Audit 20168

FY End
2022-09-30
Total Expended
$1.22M
Findings
10
Programs
3
Organization: Iron County Housing Commission (MI)
Year: 2022 Accepted: 2023-06-19

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
22397 2022-002 Significant Deficiency Yes E
22398 2022-003 Material Weakness - E
22399 2022-004 Material Weakness - N
22400 2022-005 Material Weakness - N
22401 2022-006 Material Weakness - N
598839 2022-002 Significant Deficiency Yes E
598840 2022-003 Material Weakness - E
598841 2022-004 Material Weakness - N
598842 2022-005 Material Weakness - N
598843 2022-006 Material Weakness - N

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $669,558 Yes 4
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $434,310 - 1
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $113,744 - 0

Contacts

Name Title Type
ZJ22T393P7E4 Victoria Webb Auditee
9068756060 Lynn Mott Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Basis of Presentation Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in 200 CFR Part 200, Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The auditee did not use the de minimis cost rate. The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards includes the federal grant activity of Iron County Housing Commission and is presented on the accrual basis of accounting. The information in this schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of Iron County Housing Commission, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net position, or cash flows of Iron County Housing Commission.

Finding Details

Statement of Condition: During the review of low rent tenant files, it was noted there was insufficient documentation of a second party review on all files, one tenant file could not be located, 2 out of 10 files selected for testing lacked the signature of the head of household, 2 out of 10 files selected for testing lacked sufficient support for a zero income individual, 2 out of 10 files selected for testing did not report state amounts for SSI. Criteria: 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F requires the Commission to determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant?s rent payment using the documentation from third party verification. 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F requires the Commission to have effective internal controls and accountability must be maintained for all funds. Perspective Information: Asset accounts, sources of income, and medical expenses are required to be verified with the third party annually. Additionally, the Commission did not have adequate policies and procedures in place for accountability of its tenant files. Questioned Costs: Projection of net errors identified in sample: $2,043. Effect: Tenant annual certifications and interim re-examinations may be calculated incorrectly. Cause: Ineffective review process over the certification of tenant files and/or lack of knowledge of HUD regulation regarding rent certifications. Recommendation: The Commission should consider reviewing its current policy regarding rent certifications. The Commission should ensure all persons involved in the certification process are properly trained and understand regulations in order to accurately identify errors. The Commission should adopt policies and procedures that would require a second person to be involved in the certification process to ensure the accountability of tenant files. The reviewer should sign and date the verification form, evidencing the control is being performed. Management?s Response: New management has taken over the Commission subsequent to the period under audit and will ensure all staff members involved in the annual recertification and interim examinations are properly trained with respect to the rules and regulations pertaining to this process. Management will also implement stronger internal controls and policies regarding rent certifications.
Statement of Condition: During the review of tenant files it was noted there was insufficient documentation of a second party review on all files, 2 out of 25 files selected for testing did not report State of Michigan amounts for SSI, 2 out of 25 files selected for testing reported family contributions that were not taken into consideration when HAP was calculated, 1 out of 25 files selected for testing showed employment amounts were taken from EIV rather than from third party support resulting in the wrong employer and wages being reported, and it was noted there was a lack sufficient support for zero income individuals. Criteria: E. ELIGIBILITY: 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F requires a PHA to have an eligible operating fund expenditure that is due and payable within 3 days of disbursing funds from the capital fund. Perspective Information: The Commission did not have effective internal controls over eligibility for the federal program. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Effect: The Commission is not in compliance with the requirements as outlined in the eligibility section above. Cause: Lack of controls over grant requirements. Recommendation: The Commission should implement policies and procedures to ensure all federal compliances are followed pertaining to eligibility. Management?s Response: New management has taken over the Commission subsequent to the period under audit and will ensure all staff members involved in the annual recertification and interim examinations are properly trained with respect to the rules and regulations pertaining to this process. Management will also implement stronger internal controls and policies regarding rent certifications.
Finding 2022-004 Statement of Condition: During the review of tenant files it was noted 8 out of 11 new move-ins did not have support of being selected from the waiting list prior to entry into the program. Upon discussion with client it was noted the Commission does not routinely maintain such support. Criteria: N. SPECIAL TESTS AND PROVISIONS ITEM 1. SELECTION FROM THE WAITING LIST: 24 CFR Section 5.410 requires a PHA to ensure all families admitted to the program must be selected from the waiting list. Perspective Information: The Commission did not have effective internal controls over selection from the waiting list for the federal program. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Effect: The Commission is not in compliance with the requirements as outlined in the special tests and provisions, selection from the waiting list section above. Cause: Lack of controls over grant requirements. Recommendation: The Commission should implement policies and procedures to ensure all federal compliances are followed pertaining to selection from the waiting list. Management?s Response: New management has taken over the Commission subsequent to the period under audit and will implement stronger internal controls over ensuring support of selection from the waiting list is maintained in the tenant files.
Finding 2022-005 Statement of Condition: During the review of tenant files it was noted 1 out of 25 annual inspections could not be located, noted 2 out of 25 annual inspections had failed and were not reinspected within the appropriate timeframe, including one that was considered life threatening. Criteria: N. SPECIAL TESTS AND PROVISIONS ITEM 4. HOUSING QUALITY INSPECTIONS AND ITEM 5. HQS ENFORCEMENT: 24 CFR Section 982.158(d) requires a PHA to perform a quality inspection yearly and reinspect any failed inspections with 24 hours for life threatening items or 30 days for non-life threatening items. Perspective Information: The Commission did not have effective internal controls over HQS inspections. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Effect: The Commission is not in compliance with the requirements as outlined in the special tests and provisions, housing quality inspections and HQS enforcement sections above. Cause: Lack of controls over grant requirements. Recommendation: The Commission should implement policies and procedures to ensure all federal compliances are followed pertaining to housing quality inspections and HQS enforcement. Management?s Response: New management has taken over the Commission subsequent to the period under audit and will implement stronger internal controls over housing quality inspections.
Finding 2022-006 Statement of Condition: It was noted the Commission has not updated its utility allowance schedule since 2013. Criteria: N. SPECIAL TESTS AND PROVISIONS ITEM 3. UTILITY ALLOWANCE SCHEDULE: 24 CFR Section 982.517 requires a PHA to maintain an up to date utility allowance schedule. Perspective Information: The Commission did not have effective internal controls over the utility allowance schedule. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Effect: The Commission is not in compliance with the requirements as outlined in the special tests and provisions, utility allowance schedule section above. Cause: Lack of controls over grant requirements. Recommendation: The Commission should implement policies and procedures to ensure the utility allowance schedule is updated yearly. Management?s Response: New management has taken over the Commission subsequent to the period under audit and will implement stronger internal controls over the utility allowance schedule.
Statement of Condition: During the review of low rent tenant files, it was noted there was insufficient documentation of a second party review on all files, one tenant file could not be located, 2 out of 10 files selected for testing lacked the signature of the head of household, 2 out of 10 files selected for testing lacked sufficient support for a zero income individual, 2 out of 10 files selected for testing did not report state amounts for SSI. Criteria: 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F requires the Commission to determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant?s rent payment using the documentation from third party verification. 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F requires the Commission to have effective internal controls and accountability must be maintained for all funds. Perspective Information: Asset accounts, sources of income, and medical expenses are required to be verified with the third party annually. Additionally, the Commission did not have adequate policies and procedures in place for accountability of its tenant files. Questioned Costs: Projection of net errors identified in sample: $2,043. Effect: Tenant annual certifications and interim re-examinations may be calculated incorrectly. Cause: Ineffective review process over the certification of tenant files and/or lack of knowledge of HUD regulation regarding rent certifications. Recommendation: The Commission should consider reviewing its current policy regarding rent certifications. The Commission should ensure all persons involved in the certification process are properly trained and understand regulations in order to accurately identify errors. The Commission should adopt policies and procedures that would require a second person to be involved in the certification process to ensure the accountability of tenant files. The reviewer should sign and date the verification form, evidencing the control is being performed. Management?s Response: New management has taken over the Commission subsequent to the period under audit and will ensure all staff members involved in the annual recertification and interim examinations are properly trained with respect to the rules and regulations pertaining to this process. Management will also implement stronger internal controls and policies regarding rent certifications.
Statement of Condition: During the review of tenant files it was noted there was insufficient documentation of a second party review on all files, 2 out of 25 files selected for testing did not report State of Michigan amounts for SSI, 2 out of 25 files selected for testing reported family contributions that were not taken into consideration when HAP was calculated, 1 out of 25 files selected for testing showed employment amounts were taken from EIV rather than from third party support resulting in the wrong employer and wages being reported, and it was noted there was a lack sufficient support for zero income individuals. Criteria: E. ELIGIBILITY: 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F requires a PHA to have an eligible operating fund expenditure that is due and payable within 3 days of disbursing funds from the capital fund. Perspective Information: The Commission did not have effective internal controls over eligibility for the federal program. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Effect: The Commission is not in compliance with the requirements as outlined in the eligibility section above. Cause: Lack of controls over grant requirements. Recommendation: The Commission should implement policies and procedures to ensure all federal compliances are followed pertaining to eligibility. Management?s Response: New management has taken over the Commission subsequent to the period under audit and will ensure all staff members involved in the annual recertification and interim examinations are properly trained with respect to the rules and regulations pertaining to this process. Management will also implement stronger internal controls and policies regarding rent certifications.
Finding 2022-004 Statement of Condition: During the review of tenant files it was noted 8 out of 11 new move-ins did not have support of being selected from the waiting list prior to entry into the program. Upon discussion with client it was noted the Commission does not routinely maintain such support. Criteria: N. SPECIAL TESTS AND PROVISIONS ITEM 1. SELECTION FROM THE WAITING LIST: 24 CFR Section 5.410 requires a PHA to ensure all families admitted to the program must be selected from the waiting list. Perspective Information: The Commission did not have effective internal controls over selection from the waiting list for the federal program. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Effect: The Commission is not in compliance with the requirements as outlined in the special tests and provisions, selection from the waiting list section above. Cause: Lack of controls over grant requirements. Recommendation: The Commission should implement policies and procedures to ensure all federal compliances are followed pertaining to selection from the waiting list. Management?s Response: New management has taken over the Commission subsequent to the period under audit and will implement stronger internal controls over ensuring support of selection from the waiting list is maintained in the tenant files.
Finding 2022-005 Statement of Condition: During the review of tenant files it was noted 1 out of 25 annual inspections could not be located, noted 2 out of 25 annual inspections had failed and were not reinspected within the appropriate timeframe, including one that was considered life threatening. Criteria: N. SPECIAL TESTS AND PROVISIONS ITEM 4. HOUSING QUALITY INSPECTIONS AND ITEM 5. HQS ENFORCEMENT: 24 CFR Section 982.158(d) requires a PHA to perform a quality inspection yearly and reinspect any failed inspections with 24 hours for life threatening items or 30 days for non-life threatening items. Perspective Information: The Commission did not have effective internal controls over HQS inspections. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Effect: The Commission is not in compliance with the requirements as outlined in the special tests and provisions, housing quality inspections and HQS enforcement sections above. Cause: Lack of controls over grant requirements. Recommendation: The Commission should implement policies and procedures to ensure all federal compliances are followed pertaining to housing quality inspections and HQS enforcement. Management?s Response: New management has taken over the Commission subsequent to the period under audit and will implement stronger internal controls over housing quality inspections.
Finding 2022-006 Statement of Condition: It was noted the Commission has not updated its utility allowance schedule since 2013. Criteria: N. SPECIAL TESTS AND PROVISIONS ITEM 3. UTILITY ALLOWANCE SCHEDULE: 24 CFR Section 982.517 requires a PHA to maintain an up to date utility allowance schedule. Perspective Information: The Commission did not have effective internal controls over the utility allowance schedule. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Effect: The Commission is not in compliance with the requirements as outlined in the special tests and provisions, utility allowance schedule section above. Cause: Lack of controls over grant requirements. Recommendation: The Commission should implement policies and procedures to ensure the utility allowance schedule is updated yearly. Management?s Response: New management has taken over the Commission subsequent to the period under audit and will implement stronger internal controls over the utility allowance schedule.