Finding 1166104 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2025-12-22

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that tenant files were missing critical documents, leading to non-compliance with eligibility criteria.
  • Impacted Requirements: The Authority failed to maintain necessary documentation for tenant eligibility, violating regulations outlined in 24 CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Authority should implement stronger internal control procedures to ensure compliance with eligibility requirements and improve oversight of tenant file management.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-001 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Housing Voucher Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 14.871 & 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). 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 and the Authority included income that was miscalculated during the annual recertification. Context: Of a sample size of thirty-seven (37) tenant files, the following information was unavailable for examination at the time of audit: • Original application was missing in one (1) file • Citizenship declaration was missing in one (1) file • Signed lease was missing in one (1) file • Verification of income was missing in four (4) files • HUD form 50058 was not timely filed for one (1) file. In addition, three (3) tenants' annual recertifications (HUD-50058 form) included income that was miscalculated. Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $40,711 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 and designed a system of internal controls that reasonably assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Housing Voucher Cluster program 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 eligibility compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Authority Response: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Authority will increase oversight in the Housing Voucher Cluster Program to ensure that established internal control policies are being followed on a timely basis.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2025-001 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Housing Voucher Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 14.871 & 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). Finding 2025-001 (continued) 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 and the Authority included income that was miscalculated during the annual recertification. Context: Of a sample size of thirty-seven (37) tenant files, the following information was unavailable for examination at the time of audit: • Original application was missing in one (1) file • Citizenship declaration was missing in one (1) file • Signed lease was missing in one (1) file • Verification of income was missing in four (4) files • HUD form 50058 was not timely filed for one (1) file In addition, three (3) tenants' annual recertifications (HUD-50058 form) included income that was miscalculated. Our sample size is statistically valid. 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 and designed a system of internal controls that reasonably assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Housing Voucher Cluster program 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 eligibility compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Authority Response: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Authority will increase oversight in the Housing Voucher Cluster Program to ensure that established internal control policies are being followed on a timely basis. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: Ms. Irma Gorham, Executive Director is responsible to remedy the deficiency by March 31, 2026.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Eligibility Material Weakness Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1166105 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1166106 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $40.83M
14.850 PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND $4.12M
14.872 PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND $4.10M
14.241 HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS $760,088
14.896 FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM $65,928