Finding 1156882 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Public Housing Authority (PHA) failed to conduct timely re-inspections for units that did not meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS), leading to non-compliance.
  • Impacted Requirements: PHA must inspect units annually and address life-threatening deficiencies within 24 hours and other deficiencies within 30 days, as per federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a corrective action plan to enhance internal controls and ensure compliance with HQS inspection requirements.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-001: Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Housing Voucher Cluster Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871, 14.879, & 14.EHV Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions - Housing Quality Standards Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: Housing Quality Standards Inspections. The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least annually to determine if the unit meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the PHA must conduct quality control re-inspections. The PHA must prepare a unit inspection report (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b)). For units that fail inspection the PHA must correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours and all other deficiencies within 30 days. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management, there were failed inspections that did not pass reinspection within 30 days without penalty. Context: There are approximately 405 units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of twenty-five (25) failed inspections, two (2) failed inspections did not pass reinspection within 30 days. HAP was not abated nor was the tenant evicted. Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $330 Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. The Authority has not properly performed HQS inspections in compliance with program requirements following the expiration of HUD waivers as a result of insufficient staffing . Effect: The Housing Voucher Cluster programs are in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement a corrective action plan 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, and will design and implement internal controls over compliance in order to ensure all necessary failed HQS inspections with life threatening deficiencies are addressed within 24 hours and all other deficiencies are addressed within 30 days.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2024-001: Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Housing Voucher Cluster Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871, 14.879, & 14.EHV Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions - Housing Quality Standards Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: Housing Quality Standards Inspections. The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least annually to determine if the unit meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the PHA must conduct quality control re-inspections. The PHA must prepare a unit inspection report (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b)). For units that fail inspection the PHA must correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours and all other deficiencies within 30 days. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management, there were failed inspections that did not pass reinspection within 30 days without penalty. Context: There are approximately 405 units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of twenty-five (25) failed inspections, two (2) failed inspections did not pass reinspection within 30 days. HAP was not abated nor was the tenant evicted. Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $330 Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. The Authority has not properly performed HQS inspections in compliance with program requirements following the expiration of HUD waivers as a result of insufficient staffing. Effect: The Housing Voucher Cluster programs are in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement a corrective action plan 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, and will design and implement internal controls over compliance in order to ensure all necessary failed HQS inspections with life threatening deficiencies are addressed within 24 hours and all other deficiencies are addressed within 30 days. Nicole Alexander, HCV Program Director, is responsible for implementing this corrective action by December 31, 2025.

Categories

Questioned Costs HUD Housing Programs Special Tests & Provisions Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1156880 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156881 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1156883 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $70.66M
14.155 Mortgage Insurance for the Purchase Or Refinancing of Existing Multifamily Housing Projects $2.90M
14.879 Mainstream Vouchers $2.41M
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $1.82M
14.850 Public Housing Operating Fund $1.23M
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $371,550
14.896 Family Self-Sufficiency Program $198,450
14.856 Lower Income Housing Assistance Program Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation $16,659