The Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) acknowledges the deficiencies identified in the audit related to tenant eligibility documentation, Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) calculations, and file accessibility during the transition to digital records. HANO will correct the deficiencies noted in t...
The Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) acknowledges the deficiencies identified in the audit related to tenant eligibility documentation, Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) calculations, and file accessibility during the transition to digital records. HANO will correct the deficiencies noted in the sampled files, including completing overdue recertifications, obtaining required HUD forms and identification documentation, securing proper third-party income verification, and recalculating HAP amounts where necessary. The Authority will also conduct an expanded internal review of additional tenant files to determine whether similar issues exist and will correct any deficiencies identified. To prevent recurrence, HANO has initiated formal staff training to reinforce compliance with HUD eligibility requirements, documentation standards, and proper HAP calculation procedures. Training began on March 19, 2026, and is being conducted by Circular Consulting LLC, a thirdparty firm with expertise in Housing Choice Voucher program compliance and operations. This training will continue through September 2026 to ensure staff receive comprehensive instruction and reinforcement of HUD program requirements. In addition, HANO will strengthen internal controls by implementing additional quality control (QC) reviews of tenant files and recertifications, including supervisory review of eligibility documentation and HAP calculations to ensure accuracy and completeness. These enhanced QC monitoring procedures will begin on April 20, 2026, and will be conducted on an ongoing basis to ensure errors are identified and corrected promptly. The Authority will also reconcile physical and digital tenant records to ensure that all files are properly digitized, complete, and accessible following the transition to electronic records. Responsible Party: Sonja Young, Director Implementation Timeline: Start Date: March 30, 2026 Completion Date: May 18, 2026