Audit 295068

2023-001 Eligibility – Tenant Files Program: U.S. Department of HUD: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (CFDA 14.871) Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Other Matter to be Reported Under the Uniform Guidance This is a repeat finding of 2022-001 from June 30, 2022 (initially reported June 30, 2021) Statement of Condition Out of a total tenant population of approximately 194 vouchers, 20 files were selected for testing. Exceptions were noted as follows: • 1 file where a math error on zero-income calculation resulted in an increase in HAP rent from $709 to $712. • 1 file where a math error on zero-income calculation resulted in a decrease in HAP rent from $961 to $912. • 1 file where social security income was calculated using 2022 amounts despite move-in date in February 2023. As a result, HAP rent decreased from $561 to $546. • 1 file where social security income was calculated using 2022 amounts despite annual re-exam in February 2023. As a result, HAP rent decreased from $709 to $687. In addition to the above, during our new admissions testing (5 tested out of 44 new admissions) we noted the following: • 1 file that did not contain a signed lease agreement. Criteria 24 CFR 982.516 requires internal controls to be in place to ensure compliance with HUD requirements, as well as complete and accurate tenant files. In addition, the Authority’s administrative plan also requires following proper procedures for determination of HAP and documentation in the tenant files. Questioned Costs: None. Effect The Authority is not in compliance with all of the HUD requirements regarding eligibility and tenant recertification, which could result in incorrect total tenant payments for rent and HAP payments to landlords. Cause Procedures to ensure compliance with all of the HUD requirements were not being carefully followed. Recommendation The Authority should correct the deficiencies noted in the tested files and utilize an ongoing quality control review process on the entire tenant population to ensure proper compliance with the requirements related to tenant eligibility. Ongoing staff training and timely management reviews should be utilized to ensure staff is aware of acceptable procedures. In addition, the Authority should review staffing levels, skill sets and case load. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee We concur with the recommendation and have implemented various controls. A tenant file and unit quality control procedure has been developed and implemented. See corrective action plan.

2023-002 Special Tests and Provisions – Income Targeting Program: U.S. Department of HUD: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (CFDA 14.871) Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Other Matter to be Reported Under the Uniform Guidance This is a repeat finding of 2022-002 from June 30, 2022 (initially reported June 30, 2021) Statement of Condition The Authority did not have adequate controls over income targeting to assure that the Authority is in compliance with this requirement. During our testing, we noted that tenants with incomes that were extremely low accounted for approximately 70% of new admissions during the fiscal year, which is below the minimum required percentage of 75%. Criteria During each fiscal year, at least 75% of the Authority’s new admissions in the Housing Choice Voucher Program must have incomes that do not exceed 30% of the area median income (“extremely low”) as published by HUD. Questioned Costs None. Effect The Authority does not appear to be in compliance with Section 8 income targeting requirements. Cause The Authority did not have sufficient internal controls in place to track income targeting. Recommendation We recommend the Authority assure that at least 75% of new admissions be in the extremely low-income bracket. This should be monitored throughout the year. The Authority can also select applicants on the waiting list who are extremely low income by bypassing others on the list that don’t meet the requirement and documenting that the person was selected ahead of others to be able to meet the requirement. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: We concur with the recommendation. We will closely monitor new admissions and focus on applicants on the waiting list who meet the criteria as extremely low income so that the 75% requirement is met.

2023-001 Eligibility – Tenant Files Program: U.S. Department of HUD: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (CFDA 14.871) Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Other Matter to be Reported Under the Uniform Guidance This is a repeat finding of 2022-001 from June 30, 2022 (initially reported June 30, 2021) Statement of Condition Out of a total tenant population of approximately 194 vouchers, 20 files were selected for testing. Exceptions were noted as follows: • 1 file where a math error on zero-income calculation resulted in an increase in HAP rent from $709 to $712. • 1 file where a math error on zero-income calculation resulted in a decrease in HAP rent from $961 to $912. • 1 file where social security income was calculated using 2022 amounts despite move-in date in February 2023. As a result, HAP rent decreased from $561 to $546. • 1 file where social security income was calculated using 2022 amounts despite annual re-exam in February 2023. As a result, HAP rent decreased from $709 to $687. In addition to the above, during our new admissions testing (5 tested out of 44 new admissions) we noted the following: • 1 file that did not contain a signed lease agreement. Criteria 24 CFR 982.516 requires internal controls to be in place to ensure compliance with HUD requirements, as well as complete and accurate tenant files. In addition, the Authority’s administrative plan also requires following proper procedures for determination of HAP and documentation in the tenant files. Questioned Costs: None. Effect The Authority is not in compliance with all of the HUD requirements regarding eligibility and tenant recertification, which could result in incorrect total tenant payments for rent and HAP payments to landlords. Cause Procedures to ensure compliance with all of the HUD requirements were not being carefully followed. Recommendation The Authority should correct the deficiencies noted in the tested files and utilize an ongoing quality control review process on the entire tenant population to ensure proper compliance with the requirements related to tenant eligibility. Ongoing staff training and timely management reviews should be utilized to ensure staff is aware of acceptable procedures. In addition, the Authority should review staffing levels, skill sets and case load. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee We concur with the recommendation and have implemented various controls. A tenant file and unit quality control procedure has been developed and implemented. See corrective action plan.

2023-002 Special Tests and Provisions – Income Targeting Program: U.S. Department of HUD: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (CFDA 14.871) Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control and Other Matter to be Reported Under the Uniform Guidance This is a repeat finding of 2022-002 from June 30, 2022 (initially reported June 30, 2021) Statement of Condition The Authority did not have adequate controls over income targeting to assure that the Authority is in compliance with this requirement. During our testing, we noted that tenants with incomes that were extremely low accounted for approximately 70% of new admissions during the fiscal year, which is below the minimum required percentage of 75%. Criteria During each fiscal year, at least 75% of the Authority’s new admissions in the Housing Choice Voucher Program must have incomes that do not exceed 30% of the area median income (“extremely low”) as published by HUD. Questioned Costs None. Effect The Authority does not appear to be in compliance with Section 8 income targeting requirements. Cause The Authority did not have sufficient internal controls in place to track income targeting. Recommendation We recommend the Authority assure that at least 75% of new admissions be in the extremely low-income bracket. This should be monitored throughout the year. The Authority can also select applicants on the waiting list who are extremely low income by bypassing others on the list that don’t meet the requirement and documenting that the person was selected ahead of others to be able to meet the requirement. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: We concur with the recommendation. We will closely monitor new admissions and focus on applicants on the waiting list who meet the criteria as extremely low income so that the 75% requirement is met.