Finding 1157581 (2024-001)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: One out of 11 tenant files was not recertified on time, violating HUD's annual eligibility requirement.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Rental Assistance Agreements, specifically the timely recertification of tenant eligibility.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a secondary review process for tenant files to ensure timely recertifications and document the review for accountability.

Finding Text

S3800-010 Finding Reference Number: 2024-001 S3800-011 Title and Assistance Listing Number of Federal Program: 14.195 Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program S3800-015 Type of Finding: Federal Award Finding S3800-016 Finding Resolution Status: Resolved S3800-017 Information on Universe and Population Size: 98 tenant files S3800-018 Sample Size Information: 11 tenant files Sample size: 11 Dollar amount: $0 S3800-019 Identification of Repeat Finding and Finding Reference Number: Repeat finding, prior reference number 2021-004, 2022-003, 2023-002 S3800-020 Criteria: In accordance with the Rental Assistance Agreements with HUD, the Organization is required to recertify tenant eligibility on an annual basis. S3800-030 Statement of Condition: There were 1 out of the 11 tenant files which were processed on later than an annual basis and were late to recertify. S3800-032 Cause: After the prior management left, current staffing was not sufficient to ensure all certifications were completed timely. Also, some tenants were not willing to assist with the certification process. S3800-033 Effect or Potential Effect and Perspective: Housing assistance may be over paying for tenant. Tenants may not be eligible as required. S3800-035 Auditor Non-Compliance Code: R - Section 8 program administration S3800-040 Questioned Costs: $0 S3800-045 Reporting Views of Responsible Officials: Management and ownership agreed with the finding and has implemented a corrective action plan. S3800-012 Please identify the property(s) and associated questioned costs this finding applies to: First AME Housing Association S3800-037 FHA/Contract Number: WA19M000137, WA19L000005 and WA19L000004 S3800-050 Context: Management did not timely complete annual recertifications of tenants. S3800-080 Recommendation: Management should ensure annual recertifications of tenant files are being completed on a timely basis by implementing secondary review of tenant files and should document the review to be included in the files. S3800-090 Auditor's Summary of Auditee's Comments on the Findings and Recommendations: Management and ownership agrees with the auditor. S3800-130 Response Indicator: Agree S3800-140 Completion Date: 3/31/2024 S3800-150 Response: Ownership agreed with the finding and has implemented a corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Explanation: We acknowledge the oversight and would like to provide context to better understand the circumstances that led to the delay. We faced internal challenges when our previous management company departed, leaving us with incomplete files and late recertifications or recertifications that never commenced, making it nearly impossible to catch up promptly. Next, staff staffing issues contributed to the delays because staff members were not adequately trained. Despite these challenges, we recognize the importance of adhering to HUD regulations and are committed to taking corrective measures. Corrective Actions Taken: We initiated immediate corrective actions to rectify the situation as stated in our 2023 corrective action plan. Upon discovering the late recertifications, we instituted the following measures to prevent the recurrence of late annual recertifications, 1. Created a recertification schedule and calendar with the annual recertification date, specific dates to notify residents that their annual recertification is due, and dates for submitting the information to CMS and to trac. The schedule and calendar are submitted to the executive director every two weeks to monitor progress. A meeting is also scheduled with staff every two weeks to review recertification issues. 2. We hired a consultant specializing in certification to train the staff and work with the staff daily to answer questions concerning our certification. This is not a one-and-done process; our recertification consultant is available on a permanent basis to address certification issues and provide ongoing staff training. These measures are designed to ensure timely compliance with HUD regulations and to strengthen our internal processes.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Reporting

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.195 Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program $1.69M