Finding Text
Finding 2023-003
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Program Titles: - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
- Mainstream Vouchers
- Emergency Housing Vouchers Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871, 14.879, and 14.EHV
Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – Housing Quality Standards
Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No
Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions
Criteria: Housing Quality Standards Inspections. The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least biennially to determine if the unit meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the PHA must conduct quality control re-inspections. The PHA must prepare a unit inspection report (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b)). For units that fail inspection the PHA must correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours and all other deficiencies within 30 days.
Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussions with management, the Authority did not properly abate five (5) out of thirty-six (36) annual failed inspections selected for testing.
Context: The Authority did not properly abate five (5) out of thirty-six (36) failed inspections selected for testing. As a result, the Authority was not in compliance with the HQS as required by 24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b). Known Questioned Costs:
- 14.871 - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers - $11,067
- 14.879 - Mainstream Vouchers - $160
- 14.EHV - Emergency Housing Vouchers - $341 Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that assures the program is in compliance.
Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Mainstream Vouchers, and Emergency Housing Vouchers programs are in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections.
Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.
Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority has recognized the significant deficiency in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Mainstream Vouchers, and Emergency Housing Vouchers programs and will implement internal control procedures that will ensure compliance with federal regulations.