Finding 1076024 (2023-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-09-30
Audit: 322442
Auditor: Marcum LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The PHA failed to properly verify and document tenant income, assets, and deductions, leading to inaccuracies in housing assistance calculations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Annual reexaminations and third-party verifications were not consistently completed as mandated by HUD regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen policies and procedures to ensure all necessary documentation and annual recertifications are properly maintained in tenant files.

Finding Text

2023-002 – ELIGIBILITY – ELIGIBILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS Other Matter/Significant Deficiency U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ALN 14.871 – Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers CRITERIA The PHA must conduct a reexamination of family income and composition at least annually. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the PHA must obtain and document in the tenant file third-party verification of the following factors, or must document in the tenant file why third-party verification was not available: (i) Reported family annual income; (ii) The value of assets; (iii) Expenses related to deductions from annual income; and (iv) Other factors that affect the determination of adjusted income. (2 CFR 982.516 (a)) (1) As a condition of admission to or continued assistance under the program, the PHA shall require the family head, and such other family members as the PHA designates, to execute a HUD-approved release and consent form (2 CFR 982.516(g)) CONDITION As a result of our testing, we identified the following: • Two instances of incorrect or incomplete verifications of income, assets, or deductions. • Two instances of incorrect payment standards used. • Two instances of utility allowance miscalculations. • One certification that was not completed timely. CAUSE The Authority's system of obtaining and documenting third-party verifications of tenant’s income, assets, or deductions was not sufficient. EFFECT The Authority did obtain proper verification and calculation of income, expenses, and deductions are used in calculating annual income, adjusted income, and thereby housing assistance payments. QUESTIONED COSTS None Noted. CONTEXT The Authority leased approximately 320 vouchers through the Housing Choice Voucher Program throughout the year. We selected a sample of 25 participant files. This was not a statistically valid sample. REPEAT FINDING Not a repeat finding. RECOMMENDATION We recommend policies and procedures are strengthened to ensure all proper documentation and annual recertification are maintained in all tenant files to document eligibility. AUDITEE’S RESPONSE AND PLANNED CORRECTIVE ACTION See Corrective Action Plan. SECTION IV – SUMMARY SCHEDULE OF PRIOR AUDIT FINDINGS No prior audit findings.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Eligibility Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 499582 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $3.75M
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $1.17M
14.850 Public Housing Operating Fund $675,879
14.888 Lead-Based Paint Capital Fund Program $2,540