Finding 1218259 (2024-007)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Unallowable use of Housing Voucher funds for other programs, violating federal regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Funds from the Housing Choice Voucher Program and Emergency Housing Vouchers must only be used for housing assistance and related administrative fees.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Reconcile interfund balances promptly and implement controls to prevent mixing HCVP and EHV funds with other programs.

Finding Text

Finding No. 2024-007; Activities Allowed or Unallowed - 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 Number: 14.871; 14.879 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: SC002 2024 Condition and Context Testing of interfund receivable balances owed to the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) and the Emergency Housing Vouchers Program (EHV) from other programs indicated unallowable uses of grant funds as noted in 24 CFR 982.151 and 982.152. Criteria Public Housing Authorities may use HCVP, EHV and Mainstream Voucher funds only for housing assistance payments to participating owners, and for associated administrative fees. Cause During the year ended June 30, 2024, HCV and EHV funds were advanced to other programs resulting in HCVP and EHV funds being used to cover costs for other federal programs and nonfederal programs. Effect or Potential Effect During the year ended June 30, 2024, the Authority used $168,899 of EHV funds and $403,752 of HCVP funds to make advances for $130,842 to the Mainstream Program, and $441,809 to cover costs of other programs in violation of HCVP and EHV program requirements. Questioned Costs $441,809 Identification as a Repeat Finding This finding is not a repeat finding. Recommendation We recommend that the Authority reconcile and settle interfund balances on a timely basis. In addition, we recommend the Authority establish controls over HCVP and EHV grant revenue to ensure funding does not become intermingled with other programs and the outstanding advances are returned to the HCVP and EHV programs. Views of Responsible Officials(s) and Planned Corrective Actions The Authority concurs with the finding and agrees with the recommendation. The Authority has begun the process of reconciling interfund balances to ensure balances are settled on a timely basis and funds are not intermingled with other federal programs.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2024-007: During the year ended June 30, 2024, Housing Choice Voucher Program funds were used by other federal programs, resulting in Housing Choice Voucher Program funds being used to cover expenses for other federal programs and defederalized funds. a. Comments on the Finding We agree with finding 2024-007 b. Action(s) Taken or Planned on the Finding The Authority has hired a new CFO who will provide the leadership and technical assistance needed to ensure the Finance department operates effectively within regulations. The Authority has created new policies ensuring monthly reconciliations and implemented the process of reconciling interfund balances to ensure balances are settled monthly, to ensure funds are not intermingled with other federal programs. Columbia Housing is also in the process of implementing a new software system that will provide software solutions to ensure accurate financial processing.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs

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
  • 1218258 2024-006
    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