Finding 1214233 (2025-007)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-05-08

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority failed to provide documentation for two failed inspections and did not abate housing assistance payments, leading to non-compliance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS).
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b) regarding annual inspections and timely correction of deficiencies.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a training process for staff on HQS enforcement to strengthen internal controls and ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Housing Voucher Cluster Federal Catalog Numbers: 14.871 and 14.EHV Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – HQS Enforcement Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: HQS Enforcement. The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least annually to determine if the unit meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the Authority must conduct quality control re-inspections. The PHA must prepare a unit inspection report (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b)). For units that fail inspection the PHA must correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours and all other deficiencies within 30 days. If deficiencies are not corrected in the required time period, the Authority must abate housing assistance payments in accordance with their admin plan. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussions with management, the Authority did not provide support for two (2) failed inspections. Context: Of a sample size of two (2) failed inspections, the Authority did not provide support for two (2) failed inspections selected for testing, and did not abate housing assistance payments for the two (2) units selected. As a result, the Authority was not in compliance with the HQS as required by 24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b). Known Questioned Costs: $31,548 Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS enforcement due to high employee turnover. Effect: The Housing Voucher Cluster programs are in material non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS enforcement. Recommendation: We recommend that the Authority implement a process whereby Authority personnel are hired and trained on HQS enforcement that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority has recognized the deficiencies in the Housing Voucher Cluster programs and has implemented a process to prevent the same issues from occurring. The Authority will also continue to train staff on HQS enforcement and enhance its internal control procedures to ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2025-007: Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Housing Voucher Cluster Federal Catalog Numbers: 14.871 and 14.EHV Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – HQS Enforcement Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: HQS Enforcement. The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least annually to determine if the unit meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the Authority must conduct quality control re-inspections. The PHA must prepare a unit inspection report (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b)). For units that fail inspection the PHA must correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours and all other deficiencies within 30 days. If deficiencies are not correcting in the required time period, the Authority must abate housing assistance payments in accordance with their admin plan. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussions with management, the Authority did not provide support for two (2) failed inspections. Context: Of a sample size of two (2) failed inspections, the Authority did not provide support for two (2) failed inspections selected for testing, and did not abate housing assistance payments for the two (2) units selected. As a result, the Authority was not in compliance with the HQS as required by 24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b). Known Questioned Costs: $31,548 Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS enforcement due to high turnover. Effect: The Housing Voucher Cluster Programs are in material non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS enforcement. Recommendation: We recommend that the Authority implement a process whereby Authority personnel are hired and trained on HQS enforcement that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority has recognized the deficiencies in the Housing Voucher Cluster Programs and has implemented a process to prevent the same issues from occurring. The Authority will also continue to train staff on HQS enforcement and enhance it's internal control procedures that will ensure compliance with federal regulations. Malcom Isler, HCV Program Director/Interim Deputy Executive Director is responsible for ensuring proper internal controls are in place to prevent significant deficiencies and material weaknesses from occurring and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2026.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Special Tests & Provisions Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1214230 2025-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214231 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214232 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214234 2025-009
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $13.56M
14.872 PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND $10.80M
14.850 PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND $8.85M
14.896 FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM $106,918