The findings from the June 30, 2022 schedule of findings and questioned costs are discussed below. The findings are numbered consistently with the numbers assigned in the schedule.
Findings – Federal Award Program Audit
Finding 2022-001
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Program Titles: Public and Indian Housing
Federal Catalog Numbers: 14.850
Noncompliance – E. Eligibility – Tenant Files
Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Eligibility
Criteria: Tenant Files. The PHA must do the following: As a condition of admission or continued occupancy, require the tenant and other family member to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility (24 CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516). These files are required to be maintained and available for examination at the time of audit.
Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management, there were documents that were unavailable for examination at the time of audit. Context: There are approximately 199 units. Of a sample size of twelve (12) tenant files, the following was noted:
• Declaration of Section 214 Statuses form was missing in 2 files
Our sample size is statistically valid.
Known Questioned Costs: $8,912
Cause: There is a material weakness in internal controls over the compliance for the eligibility type of compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that assures the program is in compliance.
Effect: The Public and Indian Housing Program is in material non-compliance with the eligibility type of compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files.
Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.
Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The affected files relate to clients that have been on the program for decades and as files get large, archiving takes place. To correct this finding, a directive will be issued to staff that will ensure that when files are archived the original application must be placed in the current working file going forward. Yolanda Hart, Public Housing Property Manager, will be responsible to implement this corrective action by June 30, 2023.
If the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has any questions regarding this plan, please call Mary Kuna, Executive Director, at 717-249-0789 ext. 118.