Finding 1205307 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-31
Audit: 397015
Organization: Hra of Bemidji Minnesota (MN)
Auditor: BRADY MARTZ

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority failed to properly verify and document tenant income, leading to calculation errors in housing assistance payments.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal regulations (24 CFR 982.516) regarding third-party verification of income and assets.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement internal controls, including checklists for file reviews, and conduct monthly audits to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Finding Text

Federal Program Section 8 Housing Voucher Cluster 14.871 & 14.879 – Significant Deficiency Criteria The Authority must obtain and document in the family file third party verification of reported family annual income; the value of assets; expenses related to deductions from annual income; and other factors that affect the determination of adjusted income or income-based rent (24 CFR 982.516) Condition During our testing of 40 tenant files, we noted two files with income calculation errors and an additional file with the incorrect payment standard being used. Questioned Costs Undeterminable Context We reviewed a random sample of forty tenant files out of 291 for a tenant’s HAP amount. Effect The income verified was not appropriately used for determining the tenant’s income. Cause Management oversight and lack of internal controls in using checklists in files. Repeat Finding Not a repeat finding. Recommendation We recommend the Authority implement proper internal controls to ensure the Authority’s compliance, which could include the use of checklists in each file. Views of Responsible Officials The Authority is implementing a checklist and will continue random monthly file audits to be completed and documented by the Executive Director.

Corrective Action Plan

Contact Person Stacy Grosse, Executive Director Corrective Action Plan The Authority is implementing a checklist and will continue random monthly file audits to be completed and documented by the Executive Director. Planned Completion Date for CAP Fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties HUD Housing Programs Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1205306 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1205308 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1205309 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.872 PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND $440,359
14.850 PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND $226,876
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $66,336