Finding ref number:
2022-002
Finding caption:
The Housing Authority had inadequate internal controls for ensuring
compliance with the Housing Quality Standards inspection
requirements of its Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program.
Name, address, and telephone of Authority contact person:
Joan...
Finding ref number:
2022-002
Finding caption:
The Housing Authority had inadequate internal controls for ensuring
compliance with the Housing Quality Standards inspection
requirements of its Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program.
Name, address, and telephone of Authority contact person:
Joanna Tepley, Finance Director
1555 S. Methow Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Corrective action the auditee plans to take in response to the finding:
For 2022, CCWHA resumed annual inspections of leased units assigning an inspection month
to each property. We acknowledge that in this transition some units, due to tenant refusal and
rescheduling were not inspected within the annual timeline as understood by the State Auditor’s
Office. CCWHA has taken the following actions:
1) Timely Inspections: We have reviewed and revised our inspection scheduling
procedures to ensure timely inspections for all leased units. This includes implementing
a system to track and manage inspection deadlines and notifying tenants in advance to
facilitate the process.
2) Documentation Enhancement: Our documentation procedures have been enhanced to
maintain a comprehensive record of all inspections. This includes creating a centralized
database to store digital inspection reports, dates, and any necessary follow-up actions,
ensuring that we can readily demonstrate compliance with HQS requirements.
3) Staff Training: Housing Authority staff responsible for conducting inspections have
undergone additional training to reinforce the importance of timely and thorough
assessments. This training emphasizes the significance of complying with federal HQS
standards and maintaining accurate records.
4) Quality Assurance Reviews: We have established a quality assurance review process to
periodically assess our inspection procedures. This will involve internal reviews and,
where appropriate, seeking external input to ensure the effectiveness and accuracy of
our inspection processes.
We understand the critical nature of complying with HQS requirements to maintain a safe and
healthy living environment for our tenants. We are committed to continuously improving our
inspection processes.
Anticipated date to complete the corrective action: Complete and on-going