Audit 403900

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871 Noncompliance - N. Special Tests and Provisions - Selection 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 Section 8 Administrative Plan (the "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). In accordance with the Authority's board approved Plan, the Authority's method for selecting applicants from a preference category must leave a clear audit trail that can be used to verify that each applicant has been selected in accordance with the method specified in the Plan. Condition: Based upon inspection of the waiting list and the new move-in list provided to us during the time of audit, and discussions with management, it could not be determined that new move-ins in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program were selected from the waiting list in an order that is in accordance with the Plan. Context: Of a sample size of three (3) new move-ins, two (2) could not be determined to be housed in proper order from the Authority's waiting list in accordance with the Plan. Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $7,510 Known questioned costs were calculated by determining the amount of HAP received during the year under audit by move-ins tested that could not be determined to be housed in proper order from the Authority's waiting list. Cause: Prior to the year ended June 30, 2025, the prior Executive Director determined it necessary to purge the waiting list. The Authority had sent a letter to all applicants included on the waiting list requesting confirmation of continued interest. As applicants responded to the letter, the Authority interviewed and determined eligibility. If determined eligible the Authority issued the applicant a voucher for housing. The procedures followed by the Authority did not coincide with the procedures approved in the Authority's Plan. Per the Plan, the Authority was to provide all applicants with twenty one (21) days to respond to the letter prior to removal. Subsequent to the response period, the Authority should have then grouped the applicants by preference points and held a lottery for housing. There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to selection from the waiting list. The Authority has not properly housed applicants in compliance with program requirements.Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to selection from the waiting list. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Plan, Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Authority's Response: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Authority will increase oversight in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program to ensure that established internal control policies included within the Plan are being followed. Daniel Lyons, Executive Director, is responsible for implementing this corrective action by June 30, 2026.