Finding 1173494 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-02-13

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority failed to conduct required Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections for at least one unit annually.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with HQS inspection requirements as outlined in 24 CFR sections 982.405(a) and 982.405(b).
  • Recommended Follow-up: Implement controls to ensure timely completion of all required HQS inspections.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Name: Housing Voucher Cluster Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871/14.879 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: SC911VO - 2025 Award Period: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions – Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspections Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (the Authority) must inspect a unit leased to a family at least annually to determine if the unit meets HQS (24 CFR sections 982.405(a) and 982.405(b)). Condition: The Authority did not perform HQS inspections in accordance with program compliance requirements. Questioned costs: Unable to determine. Context: A sample of 60 units found that 1 unit was not inspected timely. Cause: HQS inspections were not completed within the required timeframe for 1 unit. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with HQS inspection requirements. Repeat Finding: Yes, see finding 2024-002. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority implements controls to ensure that required HQS inspections are completed timely. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

2025-001 Housing Voucher Cluster – Assistance Listing No. 14.871/14.879 Recommendation: We recommend the Authority implements controls to ensure that required HQS are completed timely. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: See narrative below. SC Housing’s inspection team strives to represent both the organization and HUD at the highest level. The HCV inspections team takes pride in being timely, professional, and thorough, as evidenced by the single finding noted in our most recent audit. SC Housing has taken several corrective steps to mitigate and prevent late inspections. First, we implemented modifications to our organizational structure. Late inspections resulted from the previous structure and business practices, which assigned staff to specific families and required them to oversee all HCV-related tasks for those families, including inspections. While this approach promoted continuity, it created challenges when staff were absent for extended periods, as there was no backup capacity to absorb the workload. As a result, SC Housing reorganized the HCV program to significantly reduce the likelihood of late HQS inspections. Inspections are now centralized as a primary function, and the inspection team has been restructured to be smaller, more flexible, and more responsive. Second, SC Housing has enhanced its monitoring processes. In addition to regularly pulling system-generated reports to identify inspections due, staff are now fully utilizing PIC reports to proactively identify families approaching the maximum 24-month inspection timeframe, thereby reducing the risk of late inspections. Lastly, staff leaves and absences are being managed more effectively to ensure adequate coverage at all times. This approach ensures that sufficient staffing is available to complete all inspection types timely and without delay. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Lisa Wilkerson, Director of Rental Assistance and Compliance Lenzy Morris, HCV Inspections Manager Planned completion date for corrective action plan: Immediately and Ongoing If the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has questions regarding this plan, please call Lisa Wilkerson at (803) 896-7030.

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1173493 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.195 PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE (PBRA) $185.61M
14.239 HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM $89.94M
14.275 HOUSING TRUST FUND $4.48M
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $2.67M
14.879 MAINSTREAM VOUCHERS $664,143
14.228 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/STATE'S PROGRAM AND NON-ENTITLEMENT GRANTS IN HAWAII $69,362
21.023 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $57,954
21.026 HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND $35,583