Finding 1157055 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30
Audit: 369363

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Two required semi-annual performance reports for the Economic Development Initiative were submitted late, violating the grant agreement.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Article VI of the Grant Agreement and 2 CFR 200 regarding timely reporting and internal controls.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance policies to ensure timely filing of reports and verify submission processes to prevent future delays.

Finding Text

Finding No.: 2024 001 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Program Name: Economic Development Initiative, Community Project Funding, and Miscellaneous Grants Assistance Listing No.: 14.251 Federal Award Year: Funding periods between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 Compliance Requirement: Reporting Finding Type: Significant Deficiency Criteria Article VI of the executed Grant Agreement states the following: "The Grantee must submit a performance report in DRGR on a semi annual basis and must include a complete Federal financial report as an attachment to each performance report in DRGR. Performance report shall consist of a narrative of work accomplished during the reporting period. During the Period of Performance, the Grantee must submit these reports in DRGR no later than 30 calendar days after the end of the six month reporting period." Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200 (2 CFR 200), Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements, Section 200.303(a) states that non federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non federal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Condition During reporting testing, the auditors identified that two semi annual required reports for the 14.251 program during the year under audit were not filed within the 30 day calendar period identified in the grant agreement. Effect West End Neighborhood House, Inc. (the Organization) was not in compliance with reporting. Cause Due to lack of internal controls surrounding ensuring that reports were filed timely, both program reports filed during the period were filed outside of the 30 day calendar window. Questioned Costs There are no questioned costs related to the finding. Statistical Sampling The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding This is not identified as a repeat finding. Recommendation We recommend that the Organization enhance its policies and procedures to ensure responsible program personnel timely files all performance reporting. View of Responsible Official Management experienced a miscommunication with its contractor regarding responsibility for preparing and submitting the required program performance report. When management reviewed the HUD reporting website, it appeared the reports were completed. Upon further review, it was identified that the contractor had not completed the filing and that the submit button had not been pushed. Management promptly prepared and submitted the reports. These reports were submitted in August and September 2025. To prevent future delays, management is updating its compliance procedures to include verification of the timely filing of all required reports.

Corrective Action Plan

Management has updated its compliance responsibility procedures to clarify roles and responsibilities and to ensure accountabilities for all federal reporting requirements. Specifically: • A compliance calendar will be established to track all non-standard reporting deadlines (other than monthly or quarterly cost reimbursement grant request). • Responsibility for preparing and submitting DRGR reports has been formally assigned to Finance Department. • Verification procedures have been implemented to confirm that all reports are filed timely. • Periodic internal reviews will be conducted to ensure compliance with reporting requirements.

Categories

Reporting Allowable Costs / Cost Principles HUD Housing Programs Period of Performance Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.251 Economic Development Initiative, Community Project Funding, and Miscellaneous Grants $1.02M
14.267 Continuum of Care Program $531,775
17.259 Wioa Youth Activities $431,913
59.059 Congressional Grants $348,191
84.215 Innovative Approaches to Literacy; Promise Neighborhoods; Full-Service Community Schools; and Congressionally Directed Spending for Elementary and Secondary Education Community Projects $300,000
93.959 Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse $203,095
66.815 Brownfields Job Training Cooperative Agreements $142,575
21.023 Emergency Rental Assistance Program $115,527
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States $98,257
21.029 Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund $87,595
93.674 John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood $70,478
94.006 Americorps State and National 94.006 $59,314
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $25,107
14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program $24,354
16.585 Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program $22,166
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $18,890
93.599 Chafee Education and Training Vouchers Program (etv) $10,104