Finding 1218258 (2024-006)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
EN
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-06-24

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Housing Authority of The City of Columbia lacks proper internal controls, leading to non-compliance with federal eligibility requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Failure to conduct timely electronic income verification and to address failed unit inspections as mandated by federal guidelines.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement improved internal controls to ensure all participant files are complete and accurate, aligning with federal program requirements.

Finding Text

Finding No. 2024-006; Eligibility and Special Tests and Provisions - Material Weakness Name of Federal Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Name: Housing Voucher Cluster (Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program; Emergency Housing Vouchers Program; and Mainstream Vouchers Program) Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871; 14.879 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: SC002 2024 Criteria In accordance with Uniform Guidance, internal controls are required to be in place to ensure compliance with federal requirements and to maintain complete and accurate participant files as noted in 24 CFR 5.233, 982.158(d) and 982.404. Condition and Context Our testing of 40 participant files noted the following:  No electronic income verification (EIV) was done within the required time period for 1 of 40 participant selections.  No abatement of housing assistance payments of failed unit inspections after 30 day maintenance windows was completed for 1 of 25 participant selections. Cause Tenant lease files are required to be maintained, and tenant eligibility determined in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Effect or Potential Effect The Housing Authority of The City of Columbia is not in compliance with federal requirements regarding Eligibility and Special Tests and Provisions. Questioned Costs Unknown Identification as a Repeat Finding This finding is not a repeat finding. Recommendation The Housing Authority of The City of Columbia should maintain complete and accurate participant files to ensure compliance with federal program requirements. Views of Responsible Officials(s) and Planned Corrective Actions The Housing Authority of The City of Columbia will improve internal controls to maintain complete and accurate participant files to ensure compliance with federal requirements.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2024-006: No electronic income verification was done within the required time period for 1 of 40 participant selections. No abatement of housing assistance payments of failed unit inspections after 30 day maintenance windows was completed on 25 participant selections. a. Comments on the Finding We agree with finding 2024-006 b. Action(s) Taken or Planned on the Finding Annual training on program rules has been established for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, to ensure staff are aware of the proper implementation of the program rules. Additionally, a quality control protocol will be established that will require a review of at least 15% of all files. All failed inspection actions will be reviewed to ensure compliance with abatement protocols.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Special Tests & Provisions

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1218254 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1218255 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1218256 2024-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1218257 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1218259 2024-007
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.850 PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND $8.16M
14.872 PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND $5.87M
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $978,593
14.267 CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM $666,939
14.241 HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS $637,593
14.856 LOWER INCOME HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SECTION 8 MODERATE REHABILITATION $222,166
14.879 MAINSTREAM VOUCHERS $217,098
14.896 FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM $136,410
14.870 RESIDENT OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES - SERVICE COORDINATORS $131,730