Audit 340568

FY End
2022-12-31
Total Expended
$3.77M
Findings
20
Programs
4
Year: 2022 Accepted: 2025-01-30

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
520766 2022-005 Material Weakness - ABELN
520767 2022-006 Significant Deficiency - E
520768 2022-007 Significant Deficiency Yes E
520769 2022-008 Significant Deficiency Yes L
520770 2022-009 Significant Deficiency Yes N
520771 2022-005 Material Weakness - ABELN
520772 2022-006 Significant Deficiency - E
520773 2022-007 Significant Deficiency Yes E
520774 2022-008 Significant Deficiency Yes L
520775 2022-009 Significant Deficiency Yes N
1097208 2022-005 Material Weakness - ABELN
1097209 2022-006 Significant Deficiency - E
1097210 2022-007 Significant Deficiency Yes E
1097211 2022-008 Significant Deficiency Yes L
1097212 2022-009 Significant Deficiency Yes N
1097213 2022-005 Material Weakness - ABELN
1097214 2022-006 Significant Deficiency - E
1097215 2022-007 Significant Deficiency Yes E
1097216 2022-008 Significant Deficiency Yes L
1097217 2022-009 Significant Deficiency Yes N

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $2.77M Yes 5
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $516,168 - 0
14.879 Mainstream Vouchers $296,608 Yes 5
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $182,158 - 0

Contacts

Name Title Type
CLJ6QZYTU5W3 Derek Johnson Auditee
7012823443 Brian Opsahl Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Note 3 - Basis of Presentation Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (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. Negative amounts shown on the Schedule represent adjustments or credits made in the normal course of business to amounts reported as expenditures in prior years. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Housing Authority of Cass County has not elected to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The Schedule includes the federal award activity of the Housing Authority of Cass County under programs of the federal government for the year ended December 31, 2022. 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. Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of the Authority, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net position, or cash flows of the Authority.

Finding Details

Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Material Weakness. Criteria: The Authority is required to have procedures in place to ensure that federal awards are in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200. Appendix XI. 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Condition: The Authority was unable to provide one of the 40 selected tenant files for testing of compliance. As a result, we were unable to perform compliance testing to ensure the entity was in compliance for all compliance categories mentioned above. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We are unable to test one of the 40 selected tenant files. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Cause: The Authority suffered flooding, which resulted in tenant files becoming damaged and thrown out. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that management stores tenant files in a safe location, in storage that will protect it from flood, fire, or other damage. Views of Responsible Officials: Management recognizes the deficiency and has made modifications to the storage area for tenant files to ensure safe storage protected from fire, flood, or other damage.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: Per the Authority's policy, all tenant files are required to have a quality control worksheet included, which functions as the Authority's primary internal review process to ensure an annual certification, at minimum, was performed and appropriate tenant information is documented. Condition: Of the 40 tenant files selected for testing, we noted four files in which the quality control worksheet was never completed. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We reviewed a sample of 40 of the Authority's 472 tenant files for eligibility requirements. Effect: Tenants may not be provided the proper housing assistance in accordance with their income and eligibility factors. Cause: Lack of controls and oversight during the year. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority follow its policy and emphasize performing a quality review over its tenant files to ensure all income and eligibility factors are properly determined. Views of Responsible Officials: Management has implemented a process for file review and quality control independent of a quality control worksheet. We are confident that all files are being reviewed, regardless of the presence of the worksheet. We have reiterated the importance of completing the worksheet when QC reviews are completed.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: Determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant's rent payment using the documentation from third party verification in accordance with 24 CFR Part 5 Subpart F (24 CFR section 5.601 et seq.) (24 CFR sections 982.201, 982.515, and 982.516). Additionally, as a condition of admission or continued occupancy, the Authority must require the tenant and other family members to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility (24 CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516). Condition: We tested compliance with the Authority's eligibility in 40 tenant files and found that one tenant's housing assistance payment was understated due to the Authority using an incorrect rent payment. Additionally, we noted one tenant file in which the tenant's Social Security Number was not documented. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We reviewed a sample of 40 of the Authority's 472 tenant files for eligibility requirements. Effect: During our review of tenant files, one tenant's verified income was incorrectly calculated and entered into the rent determination worksheet, resulting in the tenant's rent and HAP portion to be miscalculated. The error noted remained undetected after completion of a quality control worksheet, which functions as the Authority's primary internal review process to ensure an annual certification, at minimum, was performed and appropriate tenant information is documented. Additionally, HAP payments could have been paid to a tenant who was not eligible to receive the payments. Cause: Lack of controls and oversight during the year. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend there be a second party review of the file to ensure all calculations are correct and appropriate documents are included. Views of Responsible Officials: Management recognizes the deficiency and plans to implement the auditor's recommendation.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires all entities that expend in excess of $750,000 to file audited financial statements and a Data Collection Form within 9 months of year-end. Condition: The Authority's December 31, 2022 audited financial statements and associated Data Collection Form were not filed with the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within 9 months of the Authority's year-end. Questioned Costs: None. Context: N/A. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Cause: The financial statements were not completed within the 9-month window which delayed the submissions to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. Repeat Finding: See 2021-007. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority ensures reconciliations are prepared in a timely manner to allow for an efficient audit process. Views of Responsible Officials: Management recognizes the deficiency and plans to implement the auditor's recommendation.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: The Authority must maintain records to document the basis for the determination that rent to owner is 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: We tested compliance with the Authority's rent reasonableness forms in 40 tenant files and found that two tenants did not have a rent reasonableness form for the current cost of rent. The rent was deemed reasonable by the Authority once noted by the auditors. The error noted remained undetected after completion of a quality control worksheet, which functions as the Authority's primary internal review process to ensure an annual certification, at minimum, was performed and appropriate tenant information is documented. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We reviewed a sample of 40 of the Authority's 472 tenant files for rent reasonableness requirements. Effect: HAP payments could have been paid to a tenant where rent was not considered reasonable. Cause: Upon change in rent or move-in to a new property during the term of the HAP contracts, the tenant files did not contain forms comparing the rent of like-kind units. Repeat Finding: See 2021-008. Recommendation: We recommend there be a second party review of the file to ensure all appropriate documents are included. Views of Responsible Officials: The Authority will have a checklist on annual certifications to ensure all appropriate documents are included in the file.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Material Weakness. Criteria: The Authority is required to have procedures in place to ensure that federal awards are in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200. Appendix XI. 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Condition: The Authority was unable to provide one of the 40 selected tenant files for testing of compliance. As a result, we were unable to perform compliance testing to ensure the entity was in compliance for all compliance categories mentioned above. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We are unable to test one of the 40 selected tenant files. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Cause: The Authority suffered flooding, which resulted in tenant files becoming damaged and thrown out. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that management stores tenant files in a safe location, in storage that will protect it from flood, fire, or other damage. Views of Responsible Officials: Management recognizes the deficiency and has made modifications to the storage area for tenant files to ensure safe storage protected from fire, flood, or other damage.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: Per the Authority's policy, all tenant files are required to have a quality control worksheet included, which functions as the Authority's primary internal review process to ensure an annual certification, at minimum, was performed and appropriate tenant information is documented. Condition: Of the 40 tenant files selected for testing, we noted four files in which the quality control worksheet was never completed. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We reviewed a sample of 40 of the Authority's 472 tenant files for eligibility requirements. Effect: Tenants may not be provided the proper housing assistance in accordance with their income and eligibility factors. Cause: Lack of controls and oversight during the year. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority follow its policy and emphasize performing a quality review over its tenant files to ensure all income and eligibility factors are properly determined. Views of Responsible Officials: Management has implemented a process for file review and quality control independent of a quality control worksheet. We are confident that all files are being reviewed, regardless of the presence of the worksheet. We have reiterated the importance of completing the worksheet when QC reviews are completed.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: Determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant's rent payment using the documentation from third party verification in accordance with 24 CFR Part 5 Subpart F (24 CFR section 5.601 et seq.) (24 CFR sections 982.201, 982.515, and 982.516). Additionally, as a condition of admission or continued occupancy, the Authority must require the tenant and other family members to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility (24 CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516). Condition: We tested compliance with the Authority's eligibility in 40 tenant files and found that one tenant's housing assistance payment was understated due to the Authority using an incorrect rent payment. Additionally, we noted one tenant file in which the tenant's Social Security Number was not documented. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We reviewed a sample of 40 of the Authority's 472 tenant files for eligibility requirements. Effect: During our review of tenant files, one tenant's verified income was incorrectly calculated and entered into the rent determination worksheet, resulting in the tenant's rent and HAP portion to be miscalculated. The error noted remained undetected after completion of a quality control worksheet, which functions as the Authority's primary internal review process to ensure an annual certification, at minimum, was performed and appropriate tenant information is documented. Additionally, HAP payments could have been paid to a tenant who was not eligible to receive the payments. Cause: Lack of controls and oversight during the year. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend there be a second party review of the file to ensure all calculations are correct and appropriate documents are included. Views of Responsible Officials: Management recognizes the deficiency and plans to implement the auditor's recommendation.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires all entities that expend in excess of $750,000 to file audited financial statements and a Data Collection Form within 9 months of year-end. Condition: The Authority's December 31, 2022 audited financial statements and associated Data Collection Form were not filed with the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within 9 months of the Authority's year-end. Questioned Costs: None. Context: N/A. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Cause: The financial statements were not completed within the 9-month window which delayed the submissions to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. Repeat Finding: See 2021-007. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority ensures reconciliations are prepared in a timely manner to allow for an efficient audit process. Views of Responsible Officials: Management recognizes the deficiency and plans to implement the auditor's recommendation.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: The Authority must maintain records to document the basis for the determination that rent to owner is 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: We tested compliance with the Authority's rent reasonableness forms in 40 tenant files and found that two tenants did not have a rent reasonableness form for the current cost of rent. The rent was deemed reasonable by the Authority once noted by the auditors. The error noted remained undetected after completion of a quality control worksheet, which functions as the Authority's primary internal review process to ensure an annual certification, at minimum, was performed and appropriate tenant information is documented. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We reviewed a sample of 40 of the Authority's 472 tenant files for rent reasonableness requirements. Effect: HAP payments could have been paid to a tenant where rent was not considered reasonable. Cause: Upon change in rent or move-in to a new property during the term of the HAP contracts, the tenant files did not contain forms comparing the rent of like-kind units. Repeat Finding: See 2021-008. Recommendation: We recommend there be a second party review of the file to ensure all appropriate documents are included. Views of Responsible Officials: The Authority will have a checklist on annual certifications to ensure all appropriate documents are included in the file.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Material Weakness. Criteria: The Authority is required to have procedures in place to ensure that federal awards are in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200. Appendix XI. 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Condition: The Authority was unable to provide one of the 40 selected tenant files for testing of compliance. As a result, we were unable to perform compliance testing to ensure the entity was in compliance for all compliance categories mentioned above. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We are unable to test one of the 40 selected tenant files. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Cause: The Authority suffered flooding, which resulted in tenant files becoming damaged and thrown out. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that management stores tenant files in a safe location, in storage that will protect it from flood, fire, or other damage. Views of Responsible Officials: Management recognizes the deficiency and has made modifications to the storage area for tenant files to ensure safe storage protected from fire, flood, or other damage.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: Per the Authority's policy, all tenant files are required to have a quality control worksheet included, which functions as the Authority's primary internal review process to ensure an annual certification, at minimum, was performed and appropriate tenant information is documented. Condition: Of the 40 tenant files selected for testing, we noted four files in which the quality control worksheet was never completed. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We reviewed a sample of 40 of the Authority's 472 tenant files for eligibility requirements. Effect: Tenants may not be provided the proper housing assistance in accordance with their income and eligibility factors. Cause: Lack of controls and oversight during the year. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority follow its policy and emphasize performing a quality review over its tenant files to ensure all income and eligibility factors are properly determined. Views of Responsible Officials: Management has implemented a process for file review and quality control independent of a quality control worksheet. We are confident that all files are being reviewed, regardless of the presence of the worksheet. We have reiterated the importance of completing the worksheet when QC reviews are completed.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: Determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant's rent payment using the documentation from third party verification in accordance with 24 CFR Part 5 Subpart F (24 CFR section 5.601 et seq.) (24 CFR sections 982.201, 982.515, and 982.516). Additionally, as a condition of admission or continued occupancy, the Authority must require the tenant and other family members to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility (24 CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516). Condition: We tested compliance with the Authority's eligibility in 40 tenant files and found that one tenant's housing assistance payment was understated due to the Authority using an incorrect rent payment. Additionally, we noted one tenant file in which the tenant's Social Security Number was not documented. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We reviewed a sample of 40 of the Authority's 472 tenant files for eligibility requirements. Effect: During our review of tenant files, one tenant's verified income was incorrectly calculated and entered into the rent determination worksheet, resulting in the tenant's rent and HAP portion to be miscalculated. The error noted remained undetected after completion of a quality control worksheet, which functions as the Authority's primary internal review process to ensure an annual certification, at minimum, was performed and appropriate tenant information is documented. Additionally, HAP payments could have been paid to a tenant who was not eligible to receive the payments. Cause: Lack of controls and oversight during the year. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend there be a second party review of the file to ensure all calculations are correct and appropriate documents are included. Views of Responsible Officials: Management recognizes the deficiency and plans to implement the auditor's recommendation.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires all entities that expend in excess of $750,000 to file audited financial statements and a Data Collection Form within 9 months of year-end. Condition: The Authority's December 31, 2022 audited financial statements and associated Data Collection Form were not filed with the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within 9 months of the Authority's year-end. Questioned Costs: None. Context: N/A. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Cause: The financial statements were not completed within the 9-month window which delayed the submissions to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. Repeat Finding: See 2021-007. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority ensures reconciliations are prepared in a timely manner to allow for an efficient audit process. Views of Responsible Officials: Management recognizes the deficiency and plans to implement the auditor's recommendation.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: The Authority must maintain records to document the basis for the determination that rent to owner is 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: We tested compliance with the Authority's rent reasonableness forms in 40 tenant files and found that two tenants did not have a rent reasonableness form for the current cost of rent. The rent was deemed reasonable by the Authority once noted by the auditors. The error noted remained undetected after completion of a quality control worksheet, which functions as the Authority's primary internal review process to ensure an annual certification, at minimum, was performed and appropriate tenant information is documented. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We reviewed a sample of 40 of the Authority's 472 tenant files for rent reasonableness requirements. Effect: HAP payments could have been paid to a tenant where rent was not considered reasonable. Cause: Upon change in rent or move-in to a new property during the term of the HAP contracts, the tenant files did not contain forms comparing the rent of like-kind units. Repeat Finding: See 2021-008. Recommendation: We recommend there be a second party review of the file to ensure all appropriate documents are included. Views of Responsible Officials: The Authority will have a checklist on annual certifications to ensure all appropriate documents are included in the file.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Material Weakness. Criteria: The Authority is required to have procedures in place to ensure that federal awards are in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200. Appendix XI. 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. Condition: The Authority was unable to provide one of the 40 selected tenant files for testing of compliance. As a result, we were unable to perform compliance testing to ensure the entity was in compliance for all compliance categories mentioned above. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We are unable to test one of the 40 selected tenant files. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Cause: The Authority suffered flooding, which resulted in tenant files becoming damaged and thrown out. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that management stores tenant files in a safe location, in storage that will protect it from flood, fire, or other damage. Views of Responsible Officials: Management recognizes the deficiency and has made modifications to the storage area for tenant files to ensure safe storage protected from fire, flood, or other damage.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: Per the Authority's policy, all tenant files are required to have a quality control worksheet included, which functions as the Authority's primary internal review process to ensure an annual certification, at minimum, was performed and appropriate tenant information is documented. Condition: Of the 40 tenant files selected for testing, we noted four files in which the quality control worksheet was never completed. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We reviewed a sample of 40 of the Authority's 472 tenant files for eligibility requirements. Effect: Tenants may not be provided the proper housing assistance in accordance with their income and eligibility factors. Cause: Lack of controls and oversight during the year. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority follow its policy and emphasize performing a quality review over its tenant files to ensure all income and eligibility factors are properly determined. Views of Responsible Officials: Management has implemented a process for file review and quality control independent of a quality control worksheet. We are confident that all files are being reviewed, regardless of the presence of the worksheet. We have reiterated the importance of completing the worksheet when QC reviews are completed.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: Determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant's rent payment using the documentation from third party verification in accordance with 24 CFR Part 5 Subpart F (24 CFR section 5.601 et seq.) (24 CFR sections 982.201, 982.515, and 982.516). Additionally, as a condition of admission or continued occupancy, the Authority must require the tenant and other family members to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility (24 CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516). Condition: We tested compliance with the Authority's eligibility in 40 tenant files and found that one tenant's housing assistance payment was understated due to the Authority using an incorrect rent payment. Additionally, we noted one tenant file in which the tenant's Social Security Number was not documented. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We reviewed a sample of 40 of the Authority's 472 tenant files for eligibility requirements. Effect: During our review of tenant files, one tenant's verified income was incorrectly calculated and entered into the rent determination worksheet, resulting in the tenant's rent and HAP portion to be miscalculated. The error noted remained undetected after completion of a quality control worksheet, which functions as the Authority's primary internal review process to ensure an annual certification, at minimum, was performed and appropriate tenant information is documented. Additionally, HAP payments could have been paid to a tenant who was not eligible to receive the payments. Cause: Lack of controls and oversight during the year. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend there be a second party review of the file to ensure all calculations are correct and appropriate documents are included. Views of Responsible Officials: Management recognizes the deficiency and plans to implement the auditor's recommendation.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: The Uniform Guidance requires all entities that expend in excess of $750,000 to file audited financial statements and a Data Collection Form within 9 months of year-end. Condition: The Authority's December 31, 2022 audited financial statements and associated Data Collection Form were not filed with the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within 9 months of the Authority's year-end. Questioned Costs: None. Context: N/A. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with Uniform Guidance requirements. Cause: The financial statements were not completed within the 9-month window which delayed the submissions to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. Repeat Finding: See 2021-007. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority ensures reconciliations are prepared in a timely manner to allow for an efficient audit process. Views of Responsible Officials: Management recognizes the deficiency and plans to implement the auditor's recommendation.
Federal Program: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 - Significant Deficiency. Criteria: The Authority must maintain records to document the basis for the determination that rent to owner is 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: We tested compliance with the Authority's rent reasonableness forms in 40 tenant files and found that two tenants did not have a rent reasonableness form for the current cost of rent. The rent was deemed reasonable by the Authority once noted by the auditors. The error noted remained undetected after completion of a quality control worksheet, which functions as the Authority's primary internal review process to ensure an annual certification, at minimum, was performed and appropriate tenant information is documented. Questioned Costs: None. Context: We reviewed a sample of 40 of the Authority's 472 tenant files for rent reasonableness requirements. Effect: HAP payments could have been paid to a tenant where rent was not considered reasonable. Cause: Upon change in rent or move-in to a new property during the term of the HAP contracts, the tenant files did not contain forms comparing the rent of like-kind units. Repeat Finding: See 2021-008. Recommendation: We recommend there be a second party review of the file to ensure all appropriate documents are included. Views of Responsible Officials: The Authority will have a checklist on annual certifications to ensure all appropriate documents are included in the file.