Finding Text
Criteria:
The Authority is required to adhere to the Housing Quality Standards related to the Housing Voucher Cluster program. The Housing Quality Standards require that the Authority systematically inspects voucher properties to determine that established housing quality and safety standards are met or if deficiencies are found they are corrected in a timely manner.
Condition:
The Authority systematically inspects voucher properties for compliance with the Housing Quality Standards; however, 3 properties were found to have life threatening issues, and the Authority did not complete the reinspection within the 24-hour period provided by the standards. All 3 properties with life threatening issues were corrected before required voucher abatement.
Effect:
The Authority was not in compliance with the Housing Voucher Cluster Housing Quality Standards.
Questioned Costs:
None.
Context/Sampling:
A sample of 5 of 15 housing quality standard violations were tested. 3 of the 5 sampled contained life threatening violations that were not corrected within the 24-hour period.
Cause:
Limited numebr of staff trained for Housing Quality Standards and a lack of immediate follow-up with landlords and or tenants regarding life threatening violations resulted in the non-compliance.
Recommendation:
We recommend that the Authority develop and implement procedures for the Housing Quality Standards which provide for re-inspections within 24 hours of all life threatening housing quality violations.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions:
The Authority is in agreement with the finding. See separately issued Corrective Action Plan.