Finding 1156341 (2024-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-29

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority did not keep necessary documentation to show compliance with utility allowance requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: The PHA must review utility rates annually and adjust allowances if rates change by 10% or more.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Authority should improve its internal controls and policies to prevent future noncompliance.

Finding Text

2024 – 003: Utility Allowance Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Name: Housing Choice Voucher Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 14.871, 14.879 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: WI183VO- 2024 Award Period: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024 Type of Finding: - Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance - Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: The PHA must review utility rate data for each utility category each year and must adjust its utility allowance schedule if there has been a rate change of 10 percent or more for a utility category or fuel type since the last time the utility allowance schedule was revised. Condition: During our testing, we noted the Authority failed to maintain documentation of compliance with the requirements as stated in the criteria section of this finding. Questioned Costs: None Context: From a sample of sixty (60) program participant files selected for testing, two (2) tenant files did not include proper documentation of utility allowance. Cause: The Authority's system of internal controls included in the policies and procedures failed to identify the noncompliance as described in the condition section of this finding. Effect: The failure of the internal controls has resulted in noncompliance with the stated criteria. Repeat Finding: 2023-005 Recommendation: We recommend that the Authority review its system of internal control related to the policies and procedures in place to mitigate the risk of noncompliance with the requirements of the stated criteria. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Recommendation: We recommend that the Authority review its system of internal control related to the policies and procedures in place to mitigate the risk of noncompliance with the requirements of the stated criteria. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: PHA identified weaknesses in a new operating model, and has continued to fine-tune tracking and transparencies towards improved compliance. SEMAP reports are pulled monthly, and internal file audits are being conducted. Standard operating procedures have been updated along with file checklists to ensure files are fully compliant. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Katie Kasprzak, Executive Director Planned completion date for corrective action plan: 12/31/2025

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1156339 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156340 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156342 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $11.32M
14.182 Lower Income Housing Assistance Program_section 8 New Construction/substantial Rehabilitation $136,704
14.879 Mainstream Vouchers $101,479
14.896 Family Self-Sufficiency Program $72,000