Finding Text
Criteria: Requirements of eligibility for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers include certain eligibility criteria that must be met by applicants to the program. The public housing authority (the Parish) verifies a family’s eligibility (including income eligibility) as part of the acceptance process into the program. Condition: Upon review and verification of an applicant’s income eligibility, it was determined by the Parish that the applicant did not meet income eligibility thresholds set by the Parish, which are more restrictive than the federal income eligibility requirements. Upon interviewing staff, it was discovered that the former Housing Coordinator instructed an employee to exclude the applicant’s bonus from consideration when determining the applicant’s income. As a result of this override of controls, the individual received benefits even though they did not meet the Parish’s requirements. The individual did meet the federal requirements. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Cause: A significant deficiency exists in the internal controls over income eligibility determination, including consideration of management override of controls. Effect: While the applicant in this instance met the federal Section 8 program’s eligibility criteria, there is potential that ineligible applicants have and will be approved by the Parish without further action to address this issue. Recommendation: The Parish should review its policies and procedures in place to ensure that appropriate factors are being considered in income eligibility determination. View of Responsible Official: See the corrective action plan provided by the Parish.