Audit 399759

Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program – Federal Assistance Listing Number 14.195 a. Condition: During our testing of tenant files, it was noted in 3 of 7 files tested that there were discrepancies between tenant rent per the monthly HAP vouchers and the respective HUD Form 50059 for the same period. This led to discrepancies between the approved rent schedule and the rents reported and charged in the system. b. Criteria: HUD regulations require property management to implement rent adjustments in accordance with HUD approved amount and to ensure that tenant certifications (Form HUD-50059) accurately reflect current rent amounts. Timely and accurate updates are necessary to ensure proper subsidy calculations and compliance with program requirements c. Effect: The cost of the assistance may be disallowed. d. Cause: Due to the prior year turnover in the property manager role there were delays in recertifying tenants and updating HUD approved rent changes in the rental software used for tenant certification. e. Recommendation: Syracuse YMCA Senior Citizen Housing Development Fund Corporation (Syracuse YMCA Apartments) should establish a mechanism for approved rent changes and effective dates assigning responsibility for timely updates to tenant records and certifications. Procedures for implementing timely rent increases across all software platforms should be reviewed. f. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Syracuse YMCA Apartments agrees with the finding and the auditors’ recommendations have been adopted.