2025-001 Eligibility – Tenant Files Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program – CFDA Number 14.871 Mainstream – Vouchers CFDA Number 14.879 Material Weakness in Internal Control and Material Noncompliance This is a repeat finding of 2024-001 from March 31, 2024 (initially occurred as Finding 2021-003, Significant Deficiency) Condition: Out of a total tenant population of approximately 1,849 tenants, 25 files were selected for testing. Exceptions were noted as follows: • 3 tenant file errors where there was no EIV form for the recertification period. • 1 tenant file error where the Form 50058 reported an incorrect utility allowance, and correcting the allowance would decrease the HAP rent from $1,179 to $1,174. • 1 tenant file error where the authority stated they did not have the lease on file. • 1 tenant file error where the Form 50058 reported an incorrect utility allowance, and correcting the allowance would increase the HAP rent from $731 to $751. • 1 tenant file had the following errors and correcting the errors would increase the HAP rent from $740 to $820: o An incorrect utility allowance was reported on the Form 50058. o Tenant’s social security income was miscalculated and reported incorrectly on the Form 50058. • 1 tenant file error where the Form 50058 reported an incorrect utility allowance, and correcting the allowance would decrease the HAP rent from $851 to $789. • 1 tenant file error where the Form 50058 reported an incorrect utility allowance, and correcting the allowance would increase the HAP rent from $986 to $1,016. • 1 tenant file had the following errors: o No EIV form on file for the recertification period. o Income support was not obtained by the Authority. • 1 tenant file error where tenant wage income was calculated incorrectly. Correcting the income issue would increase the HAP rent from $1,604 to $1,625. Criteria: 24 CFR 982.516 requires internal controls to be in place to ensure compliance with HUD requirements, as well as maintain complete and accurate tenant files. In addition, the Authority’s administrative plan also requires following proper procedures for determination of HAP and documentation in the tenant files. Questioned Costs: None. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with all of the HUD requirements regarding eligibility and tenant recertifications, which could result in incorrect total tenant payments for rent and HAP payments to landlords. Cause: Established procedures to ensure compliance with HUD requirements were not being followed. Procedures were not being followed due to employee turnover and other barriers caused by transitioning the Authority’s core management software from Tenmast to Yardi during the fiscal year. Recommendation: The Authority should correct the deficiencies noted in the tested files and utilize an ongoing quality control review process on the entire tenant population to ensure proper compliance with the requirements related to tenant eligibility. Ongoing staff training and timely management reviews should be utilized to ensure staff is aware of acceptable procedures. In addition, the Authority should review staffing levels, skill sets and case load. Views of Responsible Officials of the Auditee: The Authority concurs with this finding and will implement review procedures and provide ongoing training to staff.