Audit 342837

FY End
2024-06-30
Total Expended
$11.47M
Findings
2
Programs
6
Year: 2024 Accepted: 2025-02-18
Auditor: Smco

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
523545 2024-001 Material Weakness - N
1099987 2024-001 Material Weakness - N

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $9.14M Yes 1
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $803,647 - 0
14.850 Public Housing Operating Fund $654,846 - 0
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $414,812 - 0
14.879 Mainstream Vouchers $390,895 Yes 0
14.896 Family Self-Sufficiency Program $57,137 - 0

Contacts

Name Title Type
WF6YK942FVJ3 Hermelinda Sierra Auditee
5095868576 Cole Monroe Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: NOTE 1: SCOPE OF PRESENTATION Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule presents the expenditures incurred (and related awards received) by the Kennewick Housing Authority (Authority) that are reimbursable under federal programs of federal agencies providing financial assistance awards. For the purpose of this schedule, only the portion of the program expenditures reimbursable with such federal funds is reported in the accompanying schedule. Program expenditures in excess of the maximum federal reimbursement authorized or the portion of the program expenditures that were funded with local or other nonfederal funds are excluded from the accompanying schedule. This schedule also only includes the amounts expended by the Authority, none of the amount expended, if any, by the blended or discretely present component units have been included. The expenditures included in the accompanying schedule were reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Expenditures are recognized in the accounting period in which the related liability is incurred. Expenditures reported included any property or equipment acquisitions incurred under the federal program. Therefore, some amounts presented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation of the basic financial statements. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Authority has not elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed in the Uniform Guidance, section 414. The accompanying schedule presents the expenditures incurred (and related awards received) by the Kennewick Housing Authority (Authority) that are reimbursable under federal programs of federal agencies providing financial assistance awards. For the purpose of this schedule, only the portion of the program expenditures reimbursable with such federal funds is reported in the accompanying schedule. Program expenditures in excess of the maximum federal reimbursement authorized or the portion of the program expenditures that were funded with local or other nonfederal funds are excluded from the accompanying schedule. This schedule also only includes the amounts expended by the Authority, none of the amount expended, if any, by the blended or discretely present component units have been included.
Title: NOTE 2: BASIS OF ACCOUNTING Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule presents the expenditures incurred (and related awards received) by the Kennewick Housing Authority (Authority) that are reimbursable under federal programs of federal agencies providing financial assistance awards. For the purpose of this schedule, only the portion of the program expenditures reimbursable with such federal funds is reported in the accompanying schedule. Program expenditures in excess of the maximum federal reimbursement authorized or the portion of the program expenditures that were funded with local or other nonfederal funds are excluded from the accompanying schedule. This schedule also only includes the amounts expended by the Authority, none of the amount expended, if any, by the blended or discretely present component units have been included. The expenditures included in the accompanying schedule were reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Expenditures are recognized in the accounting period in which the related liability is incurred. Expenditures reported included any property or equipment acquisitions incurred under the federal program. Therefore, some amounts presented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation of the basic financial statements. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Authority has not elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed in the Uniform Guidance, section 414. The expenditures included in the accompanying schedule were reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Expenditures are recognized in the accounting period in which the related liability is incurred. Expenditures reported included any property or equipment acquisitions incurred under the federal program. Therefore, some amounts presented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation of the basic financial statements.
Title: NOTE 3: 10% DE MINIMIS INDIRECT COST RATE Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule presents the expenditures incurred (and related awards received) by the Kennewick Housing Authority (Authority) that are reimbursable under federal programs of federal agencies providing financial assistance awards. For the purpose of this schedule, only the portion of the program expenditures reimbursable with such federal funds is reported in the accompanying schedule. Program expenditures in excess of the maximum federal reimbursement authorized or the portion of the program expenditures that were funded with local or other nonfederal funds are excluded from the accompanying schedule. This schedule also only includes the amounts expended by the Authority, none of the amount expended, if any, by the blended or discretely present component units have been included. The expenditures included in the accompanying schedule were reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Expenditures are recognized in the accounting period in which the related liability is incurred. Expenditures reported included any property or equipment acquisitions incurred under the federal program. Therefore, some amounts presented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation of the basic financial statements. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Authority has not elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed in the Uniform Guidance, section 414. The Authority has not elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed in the Uniform Guidance, section 414.
Title: NOTE 4: Federal Loans Balances Accounting Policies: The accompanying schedule presents the expenditures incurred (and related awards received) by the Kennewick Housing Authority (Authority) that are reimbursable under federal programs of federal agencies providing financial assistance awards. For the purpose of this schedule, only the portion of the program expenditures reimbursable with such federal funds is reported in the accompanying schedule. Program expenditures in excess of the maximum federal reimbursement authorized or the portion of the program expenditures that were funded with local or other nonfederal funds are excluded from the accompanying schedule. This schedule also only includes the amounts expended by the Authority, none of the amount expended, if any, by the blended or discretely present component units have been included. The expenditures included in the accompanying schedule were reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Expenditures are recognized in the accounting period in which the related liability is incurred. Expenditures reported included any property or equipment acquisitions incurred under the federal program. Therefore, some amounts presented in this schedule may differ from amounts presented in, or used in the preparation of the basic financial statements. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The Authority has not elected to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed in the Uniform Guidance, section 414. Beginning Balance $803,647 Payments - Advances - Ending Balance $803,647

Finding Details

According to 24 CFR 982.503(d) (3), "A PHA may establish exception payment standard amounts between 110 percent and 120 percent of the applicable FMR for such duration as HUD specifies by notice upon notification to HUD that the PHA meets at least one of the following criteria: (i) Fewer than 75 percent of the families to whom the PHA issued tenant-based rental vouchers during the most recent 12-month period for which there is success rate data available have become participants in the voucher program; (ii) More than 40 percent of families with tenant-based rental assistance administered by the agency pay more than 30 percent of adjusted income as the family share; or (iii) Such other criteria as the Secretary establishes by notice." Additionally, The PHA must determine that the rent to the 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 10 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). For 2023, the Housing Authority was approved by HUD to use 120% FMRs. During the audit, we found that the housing authority's approved a payment stndards for 2023 was 144% of the HUD's FMR standard. They were using this without approval from HUD. During the audit, the auditor selected 40 tenants to test for eligibility and special tests. Out of the 40, 32 tenants on the 50058 used the 144% payment standard. Based on an error rate of 80%, the client's total HAP expense was 139.2% on the FMR. Total question costs due to the delta between the HUD approved 120% FMR and the error is $1,142,146. Management incorrectly multiplied the 120% FMR twice to obtain the 2023 FMR used by the Housing Authority. The Housing Authority used incorrect FMRs for the entire 2023 FMR year. This resulted in more HAP expense and revenue because tenants were housed in housing over the HUD approved 120% FMR rate. The auditor has calculated in question costs $1,142,146 of excess Housing Assistance Payments The auditor reconments multiple levels of review before approving the incorrect payment standard. The 8 tenants tested who did not have errors were from 2024. The 2024 FMR is correct, so the housing authority is using the correct payment standards. The issues appears to be a one time mathmatical mistake. Management Agrees, See Corrective Action Plan
According to 24 CFR 982.503(d) (3), "A PHA may establish exception payment standard amounts between 110 percent and 120 percent of the applicable FMR for such duration as HUD specifies by notice upon notification to HUD that the PHA meets at least one of the following criteria: (i) Fewer than 75 percent of the families to whom the PHA issued tenant-based rental vouchers during the most recent 12-month period for which there is success rate data available have become participants in the voucher program; (ii) More than 40 percent of families with tenant-based rental assistance administered by the agency pay more than 30 percent of adjusted income as the family share; or (iii) Such other criteria as the Secretary establishes by notice." Additionally, The PHA must determine that the rent to the 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 10 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). For 2023, the Housing Authority was approved by HUD to use 120% FMRs. During the audit, we found that the housing authority's approved a payment stndards for 2023 was 144% of the HUD's FMR standard. They were using this without approval from HUD. During the audit, the auditor selected 40 tenants to test for eligibility and special tests. Out of the 40, 32 tenants on the 50058 used the 144% payment standard. Based on an error rate of 80%, the client's total HAP expense was 139.2% on the FMR. Total question costs due to the delta between the HUD approved 120% FMR and the error is $1,142,146. Management incorrectly multiplied the 120% FMR twice to obtain the 2023 FMR used by the Housing Authority. The Housing Authority used incorrect FMRs for the entire 2023 FMR year. This resulted in more HAP expense and revenue because tenants were housed in housing over the HUD approved 120% FMR rate. The auditor has calculated in question costs $1,142,146 of excess Housing Assistance Payments The auditor reconments multiple levels of review before approving the incorrect payment standard. The 8 tenants tested who did not have errors were from 2024. The 2024 FMR is correct, so the housing authority is using the correct payment standards. The issues appears to be a one time mathmatical mistake. Management Agrees, See Corrective Action Plan