Finding 1118252 (2024-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-31
Audit: 350727
Organization: City of Huntington Park (CA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City failed to monitor developers for compliance with eligibility requirements for the HOME Investment Partnership Program.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with occupancy restrictions for low-income households and maintenance of records as mandated by federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish internal controls for monitoring compliance and maintain necessary documentation to ensure adherence to eligibility requirements.

Finding Text

Federal Program Title: HOME Investment Partnership Program Federal Catalog Number: 14.239 Federal Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category of Finding: Eligibility Criteria: The City entered into loan agreements with developers to provide affordable housing within the City using HOME Investment Partnership Program funds. The loan agreements contain continuing compliance requirements to 1) restrict occupancy of the housing units to low-income or very low income households, and 2) to limit the monthly rent to certain amounts, among other requirements. The City should monitor the developer's compliance with these requirements. Pursuant to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 24 CFR. Only low-income or very low-income persons, as defined in 24 CFR section 92.2, can receive housing assistance (24 CFR section 92.1). Therefore, the participating including all persons in the household, as provided for in 24 CFR section 92.203. Participating jurisdictions must maintain records for each family assisted (24 CFR section 92.508). Condition: The City was unable to provide evidence that it has conducted any monitoring activities to determine whether the developers were in compliance with the eligibility requirements. Cause: Lack of internal controls and record maintenance over federal requirement for eligibility. Effect or Potential Effect: Due to the lack of evidence, we were unable to obtain reasonable assurance on the City's compliance with the eligibility requirement. As such, our opinion on this particular compliance requirement is qualified. Questioned Cost: None Context: During the audit, we requested records to prove that individuals were eligible under the HOME program, but the City was unable to provide such records. Statistical Sampling Validity: Not applicable. No sampling was performed Repeat of a Prior-Year Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the City establish and design internal controls over eligibility, which should include monitoring each developer's compliance with HOME requirements and maintaining copies of records and reports submitted for the audit. Management Response and Corrective Action Plan City's Response: The City concurs with the recommendation. Corrective Action Plan: The City will work with vendor to provide hard copies of all work done to assist in compliance. Planned Implementation Date: Implemented during Quarter 1 of Fiscal Year 2025

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Eligibility Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 541810 2024-001
    Material Weakness
  • 541811 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1118253 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $7.18M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $5.02M
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $49,322
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $59