Finding 2023-001
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers Programs Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871 and 14.879
Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – HQS Enforcement
Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes
Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions for the Mainstream Vouchers Program
Criteria: HQS Enforcement. For units under HAP contract that fail to meet HQS, the PHA must require the owner to correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours after the inspections and all other deficiencies within 30 days or within a specified PHA-approved extension.
Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management, there were failed inspections that did not pass reinspection within 30 days without penalty.
Context: There were approximately one hundred and thirty-eight (138) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers' units and seven (7) Mainstream Vouchers' units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of fourteen (14) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers' and one (1) Mainstream Vouchers' failed inspections, two (2) and one (1) failed inspections, respectively, did not pass reinspection within 30 days. Housing assistance payments were not abated nor was the tenant relocated. Known Questioned Costs: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Mainstream Vouchers; $814 and $1,608. Cause: There is a significant deficiency for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and a material weakness for the Mainstream Vouchers Program in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that assures programs are in compliance.
Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance and the Mainstream Vouchers Program is in material non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS enforcement.
Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.
Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Authority will increase oversight in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers Programs to ensure that established internal control policies related to HQS inspections are being followed on a timely basis.
Finding 2023-002
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871
Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – Selections from the Waiting List
Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions
Criteria: Selections from the Waiting List. The PHA must have written policies in its HCVP administrative plan for selecting applicants from the waiting list and PHA documentation must show that the PHA follows these policies when selecting applicants from the waiting list. Except for as provided in 24 CFR section 982.203(Special admission (non-waiting list)), all families admitted to the program must be selected from the waiting list. “Selection” from the waiting list generally occurs when the PHA notifies a family whose name reaches the top of the waiting list to come in to verify eligibility for admission (24CFR sections 5.410, 982.54(d), and 982.201 through 982.207).
Condition: Based upon inspection of the waiting list provided to us during the time of audit, the new move-in list and discussions with management, it could not be determined with any certainty that new move-ins were selected from the wait list in an order that is in accordance with the Authority’s policy.
Context: Of a sample size of fifteen (15) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers' new move-ins, one (1) could not be traced to the Authority's waiting list.
Known Questioned Costs: $4,336
Cause: There is a material weakness in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to selections from the waiting list. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in material non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to selections from the waiting list.
Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.
Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority agrees with the finding and will increase oversight on the maintenance of the waiting list and process of housing applicants to better monitor compliance requirements.
Finding 2023-003
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program
Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871
Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions - Reasonable Rent
Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions
Criteria: Reasonable Rent. The PHA must do the following: The PHA must determine that the rent to owner is reasonable at the time of initial leasing. Also, the PHA must determine reasonable rent during the term of the contract (a) before any increase in the rent to owner, and (b) at the HAP contract anniversary if there is a 5 percent decrease in the published Fair Market Rent in effect 60 days before the HAP contract anniversary. The PHA must maintain records to document the basis for the determination that rent to owner is a reasonable rent (initially and during the term of the HAP contract) (24 CFR sections 982.4, 982.54(d)(15), 982.158(f)(7), and 982.507).
Condition: There were approximately one hundred and sixty-three (163) newly leased units. Of a sample size of sixteen (16) newly leased units, documentation of reasonable rent for three (3) units did not include the minimum required number of comparable units of three (3), as stated in the Authority's Section 8 Administrative Policy.
Known Questioned Costs: $21,531
Cause: There is a material weakness in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to reasonable rent. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that reasonably assures the program is in compliance.
Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in material non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to reasonable rent.
Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.
Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Authority will increase oversight in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program to ensure that established internal control policies are being followed on a timely basis.
Finding 2023-001
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers Programs Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871 and 14.879
Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – HQS Enforcement
Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes
Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions for the Mainstream Vouchers Program
Criteria: HQS Enforcement. For units under HAP contract that fail to meet HQS, the PHA must require the owner to correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours after the inspections and all other deficiencies within 30 days or within a specified PHA-approved extension.
Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management, there were failed inspections that did not pass reinspection within 30 days without penalty.
Context: There were approximately one hundred and thirty-eight (138) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers' units and seven (7) Mainstream Vouchers' units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of fourteen (14) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers' and one (1) Mainstream Vouchers' failed inspections, two (2) and one (1) failed inspections, respectively, did not pass reinspection within 30 days. Housing assistance payments were not abated nor was the tenant relocated. Known Questioned Costs: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Mainstream Vouchers; $814 and $1,608. Cause: There is a significant deficiency for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and a material weakness for the Mainstream Vouchers Program in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that assures programs are in compliance.
Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance and the Mainstream Vouchers Program is in material non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS enforcement.
Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.
Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Authority will increase oversight in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers Programs to ensure that established internal control policies related to HQS inspections are being followed on a timely basis.
Finding 2023-001
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers Programs Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871 and 14.879
Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – HQS Enforcement
Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes
Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions for the Mainstream Vouchers Program
Criteria: HQS Enforcement. For units under HAP contract that fail to meet HQS, the PHA must require the owner to correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours after the inspections and all other deficiencies within 30 days or within a specified PHA-approved extension.
Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management, there were failed inspections that did not pass reinspection within 30 days without penalty.
Context: There were approximately one hundred and thirty-eight (138) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers' units and seven (7) Mainstream Vouchers' units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of fourteen (14) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers' and one (1) Mainstream Vouchers' failed inspections, two (2) and one (1) failed inspections, respectively, did not pass reinspection within 30 days. Housing assistance payments were not abated nor was the tenant relocated. Known Questioned Costs: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Mainstream Vouchers; $814 and $1,608. Cause: There is a significant deficiency for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and a material weakness for the Mainstream Vouchers Program in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that assures programs are in compliance.
Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance and the Mainstream Vouchers Program is in material non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS enforcement.
Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.
Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Authority will increase oversight in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers Programs to ensure that established internal control policies related to HQS inspections are being followed on a timely basis.
Finding 2023-002
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871
Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – Selections from the Waiting List
Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions
Criteria: Selections from the Waiting List. The PHA must have written policies in its HCVP administrative plan for selecting applicants from the waiting list and PHA documentation must show that the PHA follows these policies when selecting applicants from the waiting list. Except for as provided in 24 CFR section 982.203(Special admission (non-waiting list)), all families admitted to the program must be selected from the waiting list. “Selection” from the waiting list generally occurs when the PHA notifies a family whose name reaches the top of the waiting list to come in to verify eligibility for admission (24CFR sections 5.410, 982.54(d), and 982.201 through 982.207).
Condition: Based upon inspection of the waiting list provided to us during the time of audit, the new move-in list and discussions with management, it could not be determined with any certainty that new move-ins were selected from the wait list in an order that is in accordance with the Authority’s policy.
Context: Of a sample size of fifteen (15) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers' new move-ins, one (1) could not be traced to the Authority's waiting list.
Known Questioned Costs: $4,336
Cause: There is a material weakness in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to selections from the waiting list. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in material non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to selections from the waiting list.
Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.
Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority agrees with the finding and will increase oversight on the maintenance of the waiting list and process of housing applicants to better monitor compliance requirements.
Finding 2023-003
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program
Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871
Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions - Reasonable Rent
Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions
Criteria: Reasonable Rent. The PHA must do the following: The PHA must determine that the rent to owner is reasonable at the time of initial leasing. Also, the PHA must determine reasonable rent during the term of the contract (a) before any increase in the rent to owner, and (b) at the HAP contract anniversary if there is a 5 percent decrease in the published Fair Market Rent in effect 60 days before the HAP contract anniversary. The PHA must maintain records to document the basis for the determination that rent to owner is a reasonable rent (initially and during the term of the HAP contract) (24 CFR sections 982.4, 982.54(d)(15), 982.158(f)(7), and 982.507).
Condition: There were approximately one hundred and sixty-three (163) newly leased units. Of a sample size of sixteen (16) newly leased units, documentation of reasonable rent for three (3) units did not include the minimum required number of comparable units of three (3), as stated in the Authority's Section 8 Administrative Policy.
Known Questioned Costs: $21,531
Cause: There is a material weakness in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to reasonable rent. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that reasonably assures the program is in compliance.
Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in material non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to reasonable rent.
Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.
Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Authority will increase oversight in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program to ensure that established internal control policies are being followed on a timely basis.
Finding 2023-001
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers Programs Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871 and 14.879
Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – HQS Enforcement
Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes
Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions for the Mainstream Vouchers Program
Criteria: HQS Enforcement. For units under HAP contract that fail to meet HQS, the PHA must require the owner to correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours after the inspections and all other deficiencies within 30 days or within a specified PHA-approved extension.
Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management, there were failed inspections that did not pass reinspection within 30 days without penalty.
Context: There were approximately one hundred and thirty-eight (138) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers' units and seven (7) Mainstream Vouchers' units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of fourteen (14) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers' and one (1) Mainstream Vouchers' failed inspections, two (2) and one (1) failed inspections, respectively, did not pass reinspection within 30 days. Housing assistance payments were not abated nor was the tenant relocated. Known Questioned Costs: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Mainstream Vouchers; $814 and $1,608. Cause: There is a significant deficiency for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and a material weakness for the Mainstream Vouchers Program in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that assures programs are in compliance.
Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance and the Mainstream Vouchers Program is in material non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS enforcement.
Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.
Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Authority will increase oversight in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers Programs to ensure that established internal control policies related to HQS inspections are being followed on a timely basis.