Finding 1157362 (2024-005)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Commission improperly charged $35.43 in unallowable expenses to the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with HUD regulations regarding allowable expenses for HCVP and MV funds.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review and strengthen internal controls to ensure only allowable expenses are charged to program funding.

Finding Text

2024-005 – Cash Disbursements Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program: Housing Choice Voucher Program FALN: 14.871/14.879 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: MD023, 2024 Award Period: 1/1/2024-12/31/2024 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: PHAs may use HCVP and MV funds only for HAPs to participating owners, and for associated administrative fees (24 CFR sections 982.151 and 982.152). In addition, see expanded authority in the use of administrative fees under PIH Notice 2022-18, Use of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Mainstream Voucher Administrative Fees for Other Expenses to Assist Families to Lease Units. Condition: The Commission did not follow internal controls designed to ensure that expenses charged to HCVP were allowable. Questioned costs: $35.43 Context: During our testing of 40 cash disbursements, we noted the following: • 1 out of 40 samples were unallowable (specifically for an entertainment activity, and the questioned-cost value represents whole of sporting-event-related activity observed within disbursement population). Cause: The Commission did not monitor their internal controls closely which resulted in the allocation of unallowable expenses to the program. Effect: The Commission is not in compliance with HUD requirements. Repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend that the Commission review its policies and procedures in place to ensure that only allowable activities are associated with the usage of program funding allocations. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Housing Voucher Cluster – FALN No. 14.871 & 14.879 – Cash Disbursements Recommendation: We recommend that the Commission review its policies and procedures in place to ensure that only allowable activities are associated with the usage of program funding allocations. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The unallowable cash disbursement of $35.43 was promptly removed from the HCVP program and reallocated to the appropriate account. Additional cash disbursement samples were provided to the auditor for further testing to ensure compliance. Staff received training in allowable and unallowable administrative costs under the HCVP guidelines. To strengthen internal controls and prevent recurrence, a second-level review of accounting codes is now required for disbursements. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Bei Hua, Chief Financial Officer Planned completion date for corrective action plan: October 2025 and ongoing If the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has questions regarding this plan, please call Crystal Gorham at 443-518-7818 and Bei Hua at 443 518-7802 .

Categories

Questioned Costs HUD Housing Programs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1157353 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157354 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157355 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157356 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157357 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157358 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157359 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157360 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157361 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $28.89M
14.879 Mainstream Vouchers $1.83M
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $318,951
14.241 Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids $285,009
14.896 Family Self-Sufficiency Program $90,493
21.023 Emergency Rental Assistance Program $26,146
14.U01 Fss Escrow Forfeiture Account $1,869