Finding 1214949 (2020-004)

Finding 2020-004 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Housing Voucher Cluster, Public and Indian Housing Program, and Coronavirus Relief Fund Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871, 14.879, 14.850, and 21.019 Material Noncompliance Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: The Authority must maintain complete and accurate accounts and other records for the program in accordance with HUD compliance requirements. Condition: The Authority did not maintain complete and accurate accounts and other records in accordance with HUD compliance requirements including Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Eligibility, Reporting, and Special Tests and Provisions. Context: The Authority was unable to provide requested documentation at the time of audit to properly test the HUD compliance requirements. Known Questioned Costs: Unknown Cause: There is a material weakness in internal controls over compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files, wait lists, inspection reports and other records. The Authority has not properly considered, designed, implemented, maintained and monitored a system of internal controls that reasonably assures the program is in compliance. Effect: The Housing Voucher Cluster and Public and Indian Housing Program are in material non- compliance with the compliance requirements of the program. Recommendation: We recommend that the Authority implement a process whereby Authority documents are stored and safeguarded to ensure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. View of Responsible Officials and Corrective Actions: The Authority experienced significant turnover in employees during the year and as a result certain source documents were misplaced or destroyed. Management agrees with the Auditors' finding and has hired a new Executive Director who will implement the required safeguards and ensure that the Authority follows its internal control over compliance processes and procedures related to the Housing Voucher Cluster and Public and Indian Housing Programs to remedy the aforementioned deficiencies. Byran McClellan, CFO, will be responsible to implement this corrective action by December 31, 2021.