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 Number: 14.871, 14.879, and 14.EHV Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – Reasonable Rent Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: Reasonable Rent. The Authority must do the following: The Authority must determine that the rent to owner is reasonable at the time of initial leasing. Also, the Authority must determine reasonable rent during the term of the contract (a) before any increase in the rent to owner, and (b) at the HAP contract anniversary if there is a 5 percent decrease in the published Fair Market Rent in effect 60 days before the HAP contract anniversary. The Authority must maintain records to document the basis for the determination that rent to owner is a reasonable rent (initially and during the term of the HAP contract)(24 CFR sections 982.4, 982.54(d)(15), 982.158(f)(7), and 982.507). Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management, there were newly leased units for which rent reasonableness evaluations were not available at the time of audit. Context: There were approximately two hundred ninety two (292) newly leased Housing Voucher Cluster units. Of a sample size of twenty five (25) newly leased units, rent reasonableness evaluations for three (3) units were not available at the time of audit. Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: Amount is below the threshold of $25,000. Cause: There is a significant deficiency for the Housing Voucher Cluster in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to reasonable rent. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that reasonably assures the programs are in compliance. Effect: The Housing Voucher Cluster is in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to reasonable rent. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.