Finding 2022-001 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Moving to Work Demonstration Program - ALN 14.881 Eligibility and Reporting Repeat Finding from 2021 Maher Duessel Finding Condition: During our review of 60 tenant files prepared by the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (...
Finding 2022-001 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Moving to Work Demonstration Program - ALN 14.881 Eligibility and Reporting Repeat Finding from 2021 Maher Duessel Finding Condition: During our review of 60 tenant files prepared by the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (Authority) as part of the biennial reexamination process, we noted a lack of functioning internal controls which led to the below exceptions in our testing. We noted two (2) tenant files (which provide eligibility and reporting information) were unable to be provided. Additionally, we noted four (4) tenants for which the most recent recertification was not completed on a timely basis. Also noted was one (1) tenant file that did not contain the required income verification support. In all cases previously described the HUD-50058 Family Report (OMB No. 2577-0083) (HUD-50058) forms prepared by the HACP were not completed and/or did not contain support for the calculations. All instances related to the MTW ? Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. In addition, we noted the following exceptions related to the tenant recertification process: We noted two (2) instances where the application was missing or not signed, three (3) instances where the tenant files was missing a social security card or driver's license, two (2) instances where a signed lease agreement was missing and two (2) instances where a signed HAP contract was missing. HACP Management Response/Action Taken: Action Taken: The HACP will continue to monitor and train staff regarding processes and procedures, to include and not limited to the HUD's hierarchy of income verification. In fiscal year (FY) 2022 the HCV Department had a significant turnover in line and managerial staff. The HACP promoted an aggressive hiring plan to attract new talent to fill vacant positions due to the great resignation that the HACP along with other national Agencies continue to experience. In addition, the HACP retained the services of CVR and Associates to train newly hired staff on all aspects of the HCV Program, to include and not limited to recertifications, contracts, interims, and rent increases. The HACP will continue managerial and internal audits by the HACP Internal Compliance Department to reduce the necessity of corrections subsequent to the initial submission. The HACP continues to: ? Send notices regarding re-certifications 120 days in advance of the due date, ? Require Managers to review reports to assure timely submission of re-certifications, ? Utilize the Internal Compliance (IC) Department to review and sample files from the Occupancy and the HCV portfolio, ? Make corrections when discovered, ? Make payment adjustments to participant accounts when errors are discovered and corrected. ? The HACP will offer periodic staff training on re-certification, ? The HACP offers participants the use of technology to complete paperwork. During FY 2022, the HACP was closed to the public. In July of 2023, the HACP opened a "One Stop Shop" that is open to the public from 8 a.m. to - 4:30 p.m. daily. The One Stop Shop has is staffed with four (4) full-time staff members to receive information from participants and landlords to provide timely customer service. The opening of the One Stop Shop has been successful in receiving the public and responding to concerns.