Finding Text
Department of Housing and Urban Development Costs
Federal Assistance Listing No. 14.871 – Housing Choice Voucher $ .00
2022-001 Tenant Files
Condition and Criteria: The Authority’s purpose for existence is providing decent, safe and affordable housing to low-income persons. As such the Authority prepares a file for each admitted family, which contains information necessary to determine eligibility for assistance and calculations of rent assistance to be paid on the family’s behalf. HUD regulations prescribe the content of these family files. These requirements consist of the following:
a. As a condition of admission or continue occupancy, require the tenant and other family members to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility.
b. For both family income examinations and reexaminations, obtain and document in the family file third party verification of: (1) reported family annual income; (2) the value of assets; (3) expenses related to deductions from annual income; and (4) other factors that affect the determination of adjusted income or income-based rent.
c. Determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant’s rent payment in accordance with HUD regulations.
d. Select tenants from the public housing waiting list in accordance with the PHA’s tenant selection policies.
e. Reexamine family income and composition at least once ever 12 months and adjust the tenant rent and housing assistance payment as necessary.
Population and Items Tested: Testing of the thirty-seven files revealed the following deficiencies:
a. One file lacked proper utility allowance documentation.
b. One file revealed an incorrect Housing Assistance Payment.
c. One file in which a lease and housing assistance payment contract was not executed.
Auditor’s Recommendation: A thorough review of tenant files should be performed for the purpose of eliminating the deficiencies. This is a repeat finding.
Grantee Response: We will comply with the auditor’s recommendation.