Finding Text
Program: Housing Vouchers Cluster
Requirement: Housing Quality Standards Inspections and enforcement must be done in accordance with HUD requirements.
Condition: HQS Inspections were not completed timely and HUD HQS enforcement standards were not followed for tenants that failed HQS re-inspections.
Cause: The Authority does not have the appropriate internal controls in place to ensure that HQS inspection and enforcement requirements are being implemented and followed.
Effect: HQS inspections, tenant enforcement and abatement are not being done in accordance with HUD requirements.
Questioned Cost: Not applicable.
Information: Sampling was statistically valid and a systemic problem.
Prior Year Finding: 2023-001
Recommendation: It is recommended that the Authority implements and applies the appropriate controls to ensure that HQS inspections and re-inspections are completed in accordance with HUD requirements. Furthermore to take prompt action on tenant enforcement and/or landlord abatement for failed re-inspections.
Management’s Response: Monthly reports for failed inspections were set up in May of 2024 in response to the previous year’s finding. While these reports were helpful, they did not fully resolve the issue. Two additional changes have since been implemented: 1) Staffing changes including the removal of one Specialist that had a high frequency of missed follow-ups and the addition of a “Lead” Housing Specialist; 2) The Lead Housing Specialist is now receiving all-staff monthly reports on failed HQS inspections to ensure that follow-up is not only completed by completed timely. We expect a drastic improvement in this category.