Audit 369232

Finding 2024-001: Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Housing Voucher Cluster Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871, 14.879, & 14.EHV Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions - Housing Quality Standards Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: Housing Quality Standards Inspections. The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least annually to determine if the unit meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the PHA must conduct quality control re-inspections. The PHA must prepare a unit inspection report (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b)). For units that fail inspection the PHA must correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours and all other deficiencies within 30 days. 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 are approximately 405 units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of twenty-five (25) failed inspections, two (2) failed inspections did not pass reinspection within 30 days. HAP was not abated nor was the tenant evicted. Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $330 Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. The Authority has not properly performed HQS inspections in compliance with program requirements following the expiration of HUD waivers as a result of insufficient staffing . Effect: The Housing Voucher Cluster programs are in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement a corrective action plan that will 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, and will design and implement internal controls over compliance in order to ensure all necessary failed HQS inspections with life threatening deficiencies are addressed within 24 hours and all other deficiencies are addressed within 30 days.

Finding 2024-002: Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Housing Voucher Cluster Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871, 14.879 & 14.EHV Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – Selections from the Waiting List Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant deficiency 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: Twenty-five (25) names were selected from the new move-in list and those names were to be traced to the waiting list to verify new move-ins were chosen in an order that was in accordance with the Authority’s policy. It was determined that one (1) out of twenty-five (25) new move-ins selected could not be traced with any certainty back to the Authority's waiting list. Known Questioned Costs: $9,231 Cause: There is a significant deficiency 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 Housing Voucher Cluster programs are in 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 has recognized the significant deficiency in the Housing Voucher Cluster programs and will implement internal control procedures that will ensure compliance with federal regulations.