Finding 11258 (2022-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2024-02-01
Audit: 15062
Organization: Pittsfield Housing Authority (RI)
Auditor: Marcum LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Missing third-party income verification for tenant rent calculations led to noncompliance with HUD regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Failure to document family income, assets, and deductions as required by 24 CFR regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Create a recertification checklist to ensure all necessary documentation is collected for tenant files.

Finding Text

2022-001 – ELIGIBILITY: RENT CALCULATION Material Weakness/Material Noncompliance U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ALN #: 14.871– Housing Voucher Cluster CRITERIA For both family income examinations and reexamination, 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 (24 CFR Section 982.516). Determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant’s rent payment using the documentation from third-party verification in accordance with 24 CFR Part 5 subpart F (24 CFR section 5.601 et seq.) (24CFR sections 982.201, 982.515, 982.516). CONDITION As a result of our procedures, we identified five instances of missing income verification. CAUSE The Authority’s system of internal controls over the participant recertification process was not sufficient to meet the requirements established by HUD. EFFECT Redetermination of tenant’s rent and the housing assistance payment was not performed in accordance with HUD regulations. As a result, tenants may have paid more or less in rent than they should have paid. QUESTIONED COSTS None noted. CONTEXT We selected a sample of 25 vouchers from a population of 498. This was not a statistically valid sample. REPEAT FINDING Not a repeat finding. RECOMMENDATION We recommend that the Authority develop and implement a recertification checklist to accompany the tenant file to ensure all required documentation is obtained. AUDITEE’S RESPONSE AND PLANNED CORRECTIVE ACTION See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

2022-001 – Eligibility Rent Calculations –ALN#14.871 – Housing Voucher Cluster The finding of missing income verifications for eligibility and recertification rent calculations is being addressed as part of a holistic review under the Recovery Agreement of Section 8 program compliance, including an update to the Section 8 Administrative Plan, retraining for all Section 8 staff and implementation of initial and recertification checklists as well as regular QC audits. Planned Implementation Date of Corrective Action Reminders to Staff regarding appropriate verification of all income: Completed Updates to Section 8 Administrative Plan and ACOP: 12/31/23 Retraining of staff, checklists and QC audit procedures: 6/30/24 Person(s) Responsible for Corrective Actions: Paul Dettman, PHA Consultant Tracy Pero, Section 8 Staff Leased Housing Program Manager Senior Public Housing Manager

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Eligibility Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 11259 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 11260 2022-003
    Material Weakness
  • 11261 2022-004
    Material Weakness
  • 11262 2022-004
    Material Weakness
  • 587700 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 587701 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 587702 2022-003
    Material Weakness
  • 587703 2022-004
    Material Weakness
  • 587704 2022-004
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $4.45M
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $61,904
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $55,309