Audit 297688

FY End
2023-06-30
Total Expended
$3.23M
Findings
2
Programs
6
Organization: Mercer County Housing Authority (PA)
Year: 2023 Accepted: 2024-03-26

Organization Exclusion Status:

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Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
384609 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - N
961051 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - N

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $1.94M Yes 1
14.182 Section 8 New Construction and Substantial Rehabilitation $501,931 - 0
14.195 Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program $447,875 - 0
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $198,514 - 0
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $133,471 - 0
21.023 Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program $12,001 - 0

Contacts

Name Title Type
NH9HEJVBNMB1 Holly Nogay Auditee
7243424009 Brian T. McCall 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 the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Authority has elected to not use the 10-percent de minimis cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (Schedule) includes the federal award activity of the Mercer County Housing Authority (Authority) under programs of the federal government for the year ended June 30, 2023. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 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 the Authority, it is not intended to and does not present the net position, changes in net position, or cash flows of the Authority. Component Unit The Authority’s financial statements include operations of Mercer County Housing Associates LLC (MCHA LLC), a non-profit organization, which reported $10,893,607 on their schedule of federal awards that are not included in the accompanying Schedule for the year ended June 30, 2023. The expenses of MCHA LLC are excluded because MCHA LLC completed a separate audit in accordance with the Uniform Guidance.

Finding Details

Finding 2023-001 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Voucher Cluster/Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher – ALN 14.871 Special Tests and Provisions Condition: During our review of failed housing quality inspections completed by the Authority, we noted a lack of functioning internal controls with regards to the rent abatement process. Criteria: The Authority is required to follow up on all failed inspections within 30 days, or 24 hours for life threatening deficiencies. For any units who do not subsequently pass an inspection after the required time frame, the Authority is required to abate rent payments to the landlord in accordance with 24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.404. Cause: The Authority’s internal controls and procedures in place did not ensure that the procedures were followed as required by HUD and the Uniform Guidance. A tenant was scheduled to port out and therefore no more rent was to be paid to the landlord. However, the tenant did not end up actually porting out, leading to a unique situation that was not addressed by the internal controls of the Authority. Effect: Rent was not abated for one unit whose deficiencies were not corrected in the required timeframe, which could result in unsafe housing for tenants. Failure to comply with grant requirements could jeopardize future funding. Questioned Costs: Unknown Recommendation: We recommend that the Authority implement procedures to ensure that the appropriate procedures are followed when housing quality inspection deficiencies are not resolved in the required timeframe, as required by HUD. View of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding, see separate corrective action plan.
Finding 2023-001 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Voucher Cluster/Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher – ALN 14.871 Special Tests and Provisions Condition: During our review of failed housing quality inspections completed by the Authority, we noted a lack of functioning internal controls with regards to the rent abatement process. Criteria: The Authority is required to follow up on all failed inspections within 30 days, or 24 hours for life threatening deficiencies. For any units who do not subsequently pass an inspection after the required time frame, the Authority is required to abate rent payments to the landlord in accordance with 24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.404. Cause: The Authority’s internal controls and procedures in place did not ensure that the procedures were followed as required by HUD and the Uniform Guidance. A tenant was scheduled to port out and therefore no more rent was to be paid to the landlord. However, the tenant did not end up actually porting out, leading to a unique situation that was not addressed by the internal controls of the Authority. Effect: Rent was not abated for one unit whose deficiencies were not corrected in the required timeframe, which could result in unsafe housing for tenants. Failure to comply with grant requirements could jeopardize future funding. Questioned Costs: Unknown Recommendation: We recommend that the Authority implement procedures to ensure that the appropriate procedures are followed when housing quality inspection deficiencies are not resolved in the required timeframe, as required by HUD. View of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding, see separate corrective action plan.