Finding Text
Finding 2024-002 - Section 8 HQS Inspection Deficiencies (Significant Deficiency)
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program - Assistance Listing No. 14.871: Grant Period: Fiscal Year-End September 30, 2024.
Criteria: The Code of Federal Regulations and HUD guidelines give the requirements for annual inspections to determine if the units leased to families meet the Housing Quality Standards. Specifically, HUD regulations CFR Parts 982.158 and 982.404 require inspections of units under HAP contract that fail to meet HQS. The PHA must require the owner to correct any life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours after the inspections and all other HQS deficiencies within 30 calendar days or within a specified PHA-approved extension.
Condition: HQS inspections were tested for compliance in the current year. Of the 13 failed HQS inspections selected for review, 2 units were not re-inspected with the 30-day requirement and HAP payments were not properly abated.
Cause: Lack of controls over compliance with HUD regulations and turnover of staff.
Effect: Non-compliance with HUD regulations.
Questioned Costs: None.
Recommendation: We recommend that the Housing Authority should continue to strengthen its internal controls in relation to the HQS inspection and re-inspection process to ensure that they are completed within the required timeframe to meet the HUD compliance requirements.
Management's Response: The Housing Authority is continuing to work on the procedures for failed inspections to ensure that the re-inspections are performed within the 30-day requirement. The Housing Authority is also planning on additional training for employees to make sure they are qualified to meet the HQS re-inspection requirements. Jeff Sklet, Executive Director, has assumed the responsibility of ensuring that the inspections will be performed within the timeframe to meet the HUD compliance requirements and expects the deficiencies which led to this finding to be resolved by September 30, 2025.