Finding 1167289 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2025-12-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There are significant deficiencies in tenant file management, including late recertifications and missing documentation.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with HUD regulations and the Authority’s ACOP is not being met, risking incorrect rental assistance amounts.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Train staff on procedures, address the noted deficiencies, and assess the impact on all tenant files.

Finding Text

Eligibility Public and Indian Housing Program - AL No. 14.850 Material Weakness in Internal Control Material Noncompliance Condition: Out of an approximate population of 600 tenants, a total of 6 tenant files were selected for testing and the following deficiencies were noted: • Six files had an annual recertification completed over 12 months after the previous recertification, • One file was missing an annual inspection, and • One file was missing a QC checklist. Criteria: The Authority’s ACOP and 24 CFR 960.259 requires internal controls to be in place to ensure proper procedures are being followed in compliance with HUD requirements regarding complete and accurate tenant files. Context: The auditor haphazardly selected 6 tenant files out of the population, which is considered to be a statistically valid sample. The auditor reviewed the tenant files and support to ensure that proper procedure are being followed and that the Authority is in compliance with HUD requirements regarding timely, complete, and accurate tenant files. Cause: The Authority continued to experience staffing turnover and did not have the available staff to fully implement the established internal controls to ensure proper compliance with regards to timely recertifications and collection of required HUD documentation to complete the tenant files. Effect: The Authority is not in full compliance with HUD requirements regarding eligibility which could result in the incorrect amount of rental assistance provided. Questioned Costs: None. Auditor Recommendations: The Authority should continue to train staff on the established procedures and controls in place to ensure full compliance in regard to eligibility. The Authority needs to correct the deficiencies noted in the tested files and consider the impact to the rest of the population of tenant files that were not selected as part of the auditor’s sample. Management Response: See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Eligibility - Qualified Opinion Public and Indian Housing Program - AL No. 14.850 Material Weakness in Internal Control Material Noncompliance Condition: Out of an approximate population of 600tenants, a total of 25 tenant fi les were selected for testing and the following deficiencies were noted: • Nineteen files did not have an annual recertification completed within the fiscal year, • Six files had an annual recertification completed over 12 months after the previous recertification, • One file was missing an annual inspection, and • One file was missing a QC checklist. Auditor Recommendations: The Authority should continue to train staff on the established procedures and controls in place to ensure full compliance in regard to eligibility. The Authority needs to correct the deficiencies noted in the tested files and consider the impact to the rest of the population of tenant files that were not selected as part of the auditor's sample. Action Taken by: Corrective actions were implemented effective October 1, 2025, with all identified file deficiencies corrected by November 30, 2025. Ongoing monitoring, supervisory review, and internal quality control procedures are in place to ensure continued compliance. Description of Corrective Action: The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers reviewed and corrected deficiencies identified in the auditor's sample files where possible and evaluated the broader tenant population for similar issues. Standard Operating Procedures were reinforced, electronic file requirements were implemented, and mandatory quality control checklists were enforced for all tenant files. Quantitative performance metrics, including error-rate tracking, were added to staff evaluations. Supervisory oversight was strengthened through periodic one-on-one reviews, weekly staff meetings focused on regulatory compliance, and targeted training. Internal QC reviews will be conducted on no less than 10 percent of tenant files annually, with additional review assigned to staff with elevated error rates. Staff will continue to participate in ongoing HUD and programspecific training, including HCV, PBV, HOTMA, and NSPIRE requirements. Public Housing Program Clarification (Finding 2025-002): As part of the Authority's Public Housing conversion activities, all Public Housing residents have been relocated and are being recertified under their applicable new housing assistance programs. Recertifications are being completed in accordance with the requirements of the receiving programs. The staff training, quality control measures, supervisory oversight, and recertification process improvements described under Finding 2025-001 apply equally to the Public Housing recertification corrections and ongoing compliance efforts.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Eligibility Material Weakness

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1167288 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167290 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1167291 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.850 PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND $5.08M
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $3.65M
14.889 CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS $2.95M
14.269 HURRICANE SANDY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY GRANTS (CDBG-DR) $2.76M
14.872 PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND $1.98M
14.879 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $1.95M
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $1.16M
14.895 JOBS-PLUS PILOT INITIATIVE $412,743
14.896 FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM $202,951
14.870 RESIDENT OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES - SERVICE COORDINATORS $80,278