November 23, 2022 U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Public Housing 400 West Bay Street, Suite 1015 Jacksonville, FL 32202 The Palatka Housing Authority respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended March 31, 2022. Berman Hopkins Wright & LaHam, ...
November 23, 2022 U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Public Housing 400 West Bay Street, Suite 1015 Jacksonville, FL 32202 The Palatka Housing Authority respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended March 31, 2022. Berman Hopkins Wright & LaHam, CPAs and Associates, LLP 8035 Spyglass Hill Road Melbourne, Fl 32940 Audit period: April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022 Findings - Federal Award Programs Audit 2022-001 Eligibility U.S Department of HUD - Public and Indian housing AL 14.850 Significant Deficiencies in Internal Controls Condition: Out of a total applicant population of approximately 420 tenant, 40 applicants were tested and the following deficiencies were noted: 1. 1 file has a late annual recertification 2. 2 files had missing or incorrect 214 declaration documents, 3. 1 file was missing a permanent historical document, 4. 1 file was missing a signed flat rent option sheet, 5. 2 files had missing or unsigned 9886 release of information forms, and 6. 1 file had incorrectly calculated tenant income. Auditor recommendations: The Authority should continue to train staff on the established procedures and controls in places to ensure fill compliance in regards to eligibility. The Authority needs to correct the deficiencies notes in the tested files and consider the impact to the rest of the population of tenant files that were not selected as part of the auditor's sample. Action Taken by PHA per deficiency: 1. Household transferred to different affordable housing unit and the new move-in date was assumed instead of maintaining the original move-in date. As a result, the recertification occurred within 14 calendar months instead of 12. The PHA will ensure that future transfers maintain their original recertification date. 2. In two instances, the HOH executed her name where the minor childrens's' names should have been written. The forms have been corrected to reflect the names of the minors and the HOH signed each form correctly. The corrected forms have been added to the tenant's file. 3. The PHA is working with the elderly resident in obtaining a copy of their birth certificate. We are also researching historical records in search of the document. The resident has resided in our affordable housing program for more than thirty years. 4. The flat rent option form has been presented to the HOH, executed, and placed in the tenant's file. 5. The release forms for the 2 resident files have been properly excited and placed in the resident's file. 6. Resident submitted VA Benefit documentation dated, December 9, 2021. The document listed benefits in the amount of $1,357.56; however, the resident recorded VA benefits as $1,437.66 within the recertification packet under total household income. The written figure was utilized for the rent calculation. Should the Department of Housing and Urban Development have any questions regarding this plan, please contract my office Sincerely Dr. Anthony E. Woods President/CEO