Finding 1157568 (2024-001)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The PHA has missing tenant documentation, leading to material non-compliance with eligibility requirements for the Housing Voucher programs.
  • Impacted Requirements: Essential tenant files, including applications and income verification, were not available for audit, violating 24 CFR regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Authority should establish and enforce internal control procedures to ensure all necessary documentation is maintained and compliant with federal guidelines.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Housing Voucher Cluster - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Mainstream Vouchers, and Emergency Housing Vouchers Programs Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871, 14.879, and 14.EHV 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 two thousand two hundred thirty (2,230) Housing Voucher Cluster units. Of a sample size of thirty five (35) tenant files, the following information was unavailable for examination at the time of audit:  Original application was missing in one (1) file  Citizenship declaration forms were missing in six (6) files  Consent to release information form was missing in one (1) file  Lead based paint form was missing in one (1) file  Copy of signed leases were missing in one (1) file  Verification of income and assets were missing in two (2) files Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $108,121 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 reasonably assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Housing Voucher Cluster 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 reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.

Corrective Action Plan

Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Authorty will increase oversight in the Housing Voucher Cluster to ensure that established internal control policies are being followed on a timely basis. Rossaine Ricketts, Comptroller, is responsible for implementing this corrective action by December 31, 2025.

Categories

Questioned Costs HUD Housing Programs

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1157566 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157567 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1157569 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $40.29M
14.850 Public and Indian Housing $2.49M
14.872 Public Housing Capital Fund $1.96M
14.879 Mainstream Vouchers $1.92M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $281,196
14.856 Lower Income Housing Assistance Program_section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation $184,392
14.896 Family Self-Sufficiency Program $100,660
14.870 Resident Opportunity and Supportive Services - Service Coordinators $78,067
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $22,532