Finding 1163580 (2024-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-12-08

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority failed to maintain complete tenant files, leading to material non-compliance with eligibility requirements for federal housing programs.
  • Impacted Requirements: Missing documents included applications, leases, and income verifications, violating 24 CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger internal controls to ensure all necessary tenant documentation is collected and maintained for compliance.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-004: Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Moving to Work Demonstration Program - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers & Housing Voucher Cluster Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.881, 14.871, 14.879, 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: Moving to Work Demonstration Program - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program: There are approximately 2,556 units. Of a sample size of thirty-six (36) tenant files, the following information was unavailable for examination at the time of audit: • Original application was missing in three (3) files • HUD-9887 form was missing in two (2) files • Lead based paint form was missing in one (1) file • Signed lease was missing in four (4) files • Verification of income was missing in two (2) files Context (continued): Housing Voucher Cluster: There are approximately 347 units. Of a sample size of fifteen (15) tenant files, the following information was unavailable for examination at the time of audit: • Citizenship declaration form was missing in one (1) file • Signed lease was missing in one (1) files • Verification of income was missing in two (2) files. Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: Moving to Work Demonstration Program - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program: $21,643 Housing Voucher Cluster: $34,166. Cause: There is a material weakness in internal controls over the compliance in the Moving to Work Demonstration - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and Housing Voucher Cluster 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 assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Moving to Work Demonstration - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and Housing Voucher Cluster are in material non-compliance with the eligibility type of compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files. Auditors' Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement related to eligibility requirements. View of Responsible Officials and Corrective Actions: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor on the inspection of tenant files and has made arrangements to comply with the Moving to Work Demonstration - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and Housing Voucher Cluster.

Corrective Action Plan

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Moving to Work Demonstration Program - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers & Housing Voucher Cluster Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.881, 14.871, 14.879, 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: Moving to Work Demonstration Program - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program: There are approximately 2,556 units. Of a sample size of thirty-six (36) tenant files, the following information was unavailable for examination at the time of audit: • Original application was missing in three (3) files • HUD-9887 form was missing in two (2) files • Lead based paint form was missing in one (1) file • Signed lease was missing in four (4) files • Verification of income was missing in two (2) files Housing Voucher Cluster: There are approximately 347 units. Of a sample size of fifteen (15) tenant files, the following information was unavailable for examination at the time of audit: • Citizenship declaration form was missing in one (1) file • Signed lease was missing in one (1) files • Verification of income was missing in two (2) files Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: Moving to Work Demonstration Program - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program: $21,643 Housing Voucher Cluster: $34,166 Cause: There is a material weakness in internal controls over the compliance in the Moving to Work Demonstration - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and Housing Voucher Cluster 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 assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Moving to Work Demonstration - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and Housing Voucher Cluster are in material non-compliance with the eligibility type of compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files. Auditors' Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement related to eligibility requirements. View of Responsible Officials and Corrective Actions: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor on the inspection of tenant files and has made arrangements to comply with the Moving to Work Demonstration - Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and Housing Voucher Cluster. Noelle Tackett, Director of the Housing Choice Voucher Program, will be responsible to implement this corrective action by December 31, 2025.

Categories

Questioned Costs HUD Housing Programs

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1163571 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1163572 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1163573 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1163574 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1163575 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1163576 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1163577 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1163578 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1163579 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1163581 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.881 MOVING TO WORK DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM $29.54M
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $4.12M
14.879 MAINSTREAM VOUCHERS $328,564
14.896 FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM $191,123