Finding Text
Federal Program
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development AL #14.871 & 14.879 – Significant Deficiency
Grant Award No.
MN192-Housing Choice Voucher & MN192-Mainstream Voucher
Federal Award Year
2024
Criteria
The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least biennially to determine if the unit meets
Housing Quality Standards (HQS). For 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
Through a series of samples, it was noted that a bi-annual inspection was not performed on one tested
file. We also noted 3 separate instances in which life-threatening deficiencies did not contain
documentation noting they were corrected within the 24-hour requirement period and an additional 2
instances in which other deficiencies did not contain documentation as to the timing of corrective action.
Questioned Costs
None
Context
We tested HQS Enforcement compliance requirements on 22 of the Authority’s 220 tenant files and
noted that a bi-annual inspection did not occur in one of the files. In a separate sample over failed
inspections, in which 6 of 56 failed inspections were reviewed, we noted 3 contained life-threatening
failures that did not contain documentation to support appropriate follow up and correction within 24
hours. Across both samples, there were also two instances in which supporting documentation lacked
notations of timing to indicate when re-inspections and corrective action took place.
Effect
Tenant may be living in units that do not meet Housing Quality Standards.
Cause
Lack of controls and oversight during the year.
Repeat Finding
Not a repeat finding.
Recommendation
We recommend the Authority review their procedures for performing and documenting HQS inspections
and follow-up on fails to ensure Housing Quality Standards are met.
Views of Responsible Officials
Management recognizes the deficiency and plans to implement the auditor’s recommendation.