Finding 1218817 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-06-25

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: 28.3% of tenant files reviewed were noncompliant, with significant errors in income verification and calculation.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Title 24 regulations and HUD guidelines for tenant file documentation and income assessment.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen quality control processes to ensure accurate documentation, timely inspections, and proper income calculations.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-001 – Section 8 Tenant Files – Eligibility – Internal Control over Tenant Files – Noncompliance & Material Weakness – Section 8 Housing Assistance Program Cluster – ALNs 14.871, 14.879, & 14.EHV Condition: We reviewed one hundred eighty (180) tenant files for compliance across multiple areas and found fifty-one (51) files to be noncompliant, or 28.3%. Of these, twenty-two (22) files contained errors related to adjusted annual income, or 11.7%. Specifically: • Twelve (12) files – Improper or missing verification of income • Eight (8) files – Identified miscalculations of income • Two (2) files – Unsupported or miscalculated deductions Additional identified discrepancies include units not undergoing a biennial HQS inspection (20), improper or unsupported utility allowances (10), missing EIV reports (5), and an unsigned Continued Occupancy Application and 9886 (1). Error rates declined both compared to the prior year and within the current audit period, indicating improvement in program compliance. The overall file error rate decreased from 32% in 2024 to 28.3% in 2025, and the income-based error rate decreased more substantially, from 21% in 2024 to 11.7% in 2025. Improvement was also evident within the audit period itself — files with discrepancies dropped from 34% in the April 2025 HAP register sample to 23% in the September 2025 HAP register sample. Testing identified instances where tenant income appears to have been underreported, resulting in overstated HAP expense. Known Questioned Costs were identified within the sample and extrapolated to the population to estimate Likely Questioned Costs, as disclosed below. The extrapolated misstatement represents 0.5% of total HAP expense, which has been determined to be material at the financial statement level. Cause: The identified noncompliance is attributable in part to operational challenges the organization faced during the audit period. Management was in the process of transitioning from physical to electronic file management, and the quality control team responsible for reviewing files for compliance was newly established. These concurrent transitions likely contributed to inconsistencies in documentation practices and income calculation procedures during this period. Criteria: Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the Housing Authority’s Administrative Plan, and specific HUD guidelines in documenting and maintaining Housing Choice Voucher tenant files. Effect: Errors in income verification and calculation, compounded by the absence of mandatory EIV reports, increase the risk that unreported or underreported income is going undetected. This may have resulted in overpaid HAP to owners and understated rental charges to assisted families. Units lacking required HQS inspections may have unaddressed health and safety deficiencies. Recommendation: We recommend that the Agency continue strengthening its quality control processes to ensure tenant files contain all required documentation, income is accurately verified and calculated, and units are inspected within required timeframes prior to processing Housing Assistance Payments. Questioned Costs: Approximately $976,652 Repeat Finding: Yes Was sampling statistically valid? Yes Views of responsible officials: The PHA agrees with the results of the audit and recommendations.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2025-001 - Section 8 Tenant Files - Eligibility- Internal Control over Tenant Files - Noncompliance & Material Weakness Management Response and Corrective Action Plan The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) agrees with the audit finding and recommendation. During the audit period, the Agency was finalizing its transition from paper files to electronic records while simultaneously establishing a dedicated Quality Control (QC) Unit. These organizational and process changes contributed to inconsistencies in file documentation, income verification procedures, and compliance monitoring. Management notes that compliance improved during the audit period, with the overall tenant file error rate decreasing from 32% in 2024 to 28.3% in 2025 and income-related errors decreasing from 21% to 11.7%. While these improvements demonstrate significant progress, SNRHA recognizes the need to further strengthen internal controls to ensure full compliance with HUD requirements and reduce the risk of future errors. The Housing Authority respectfully submits this Corrective Action Plan (CAP) in response to Finding 2025-001 concerning deficiencies in Section 8 tenant file eligibility determinations and internal controls over tenant files, identified as both noncompliance and a material weakness. Corrective Action Plan: Staffing Enhancements • One (1) Housing Programs Supervisor (Compliance) to oversee quality control, audit readiness, policy implementation, and compliance monitoring. • Two (2) Senior Occupancy Specialists (SOS) to assist with file reviews, staff mentoring, and compliance guidance. • One (1) Office Assistant (OA) to support administrative processes, document management, and workflow efficiency. These staffing enhancements will improve internal controls through increased supervision, workload distribution, and technical assistance. Target Completion Date: September 30, 2026. Quality Control (QC) Procedures • 100% QC review of all provisional (new-hires) staff files. • 100% QC review of all new admissions, lease-ups, and contract executions. • 25% monthly QC review of files processed by non-provisional staff. • Quarterly SEMAP review for overall key performance indicators • Use standardized QC checklists aligned with HUD regulations, HOTMA requirements, SEMAP indicators, and annual audit standards. • Track eligibility transactions, QC findings, corrective actions, and retraining efforts through a centralized Smartsheet system. • Issue monthly individual and departmental compliance scorecards. • Provide coaching and retraining for staff exceeding a 5% monthly error rate. Target Completion Date: Implemented and ongoing. Training and Professional Development The Authority will strengthen staff competency through structured training initiatives: • Eighteen (18) staff members will complete the Nan McKay HCV Rent Calculation Training with HOTMA requirements in July 2026 • Updated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be finalized and staff trained on: o Annual and interim reexaminations o Portability o Terminations o Moves and contracts • Staff will receive training on: o Accurate system data entry and validation procedures • The entire department will complete monthly assigned ASPIRE trainings, aligned with: o Eligibility requirements o QC findings and trends o SEMAP indicators and audit findings. • Senior Occupancy Specialists (SOS) will provide ongoing one-on-one technical assistance and timely follow-up on error corrections. Internal Controls and Process Improvements The Authority will enhance internal controls through: • Standardized workflows aligned with updated SOPs • Increased supervisory oversight of eligibility determinations • Integration of QC findings into continuous process improvements • Strengthened documentation practices to ensure audit compliance • Improved segregation of duties where applicable • Mandatory verification that EIV reports are generated, reviewed, and retained in tenant files prior to certification completion. • Verification of utility allowance calculations using the Authority's Board-approved Utility Allowance Schedule. • Monitoring inspection due dates through Yardi and management dashboards. • Reestablishment of inspection due dates within Yardi and monthly monitoring of inspection batching reports Target Completion Date: September 30, 2026 Monitoring and Oversight The Compliance Supervisor will oversee the implementation of this plan and: • Monitor QC processes and staff performance. • Analyze trends in error rates and compliance deficiencies. • Report progress to Compliance & Training Administrator. Monthly reviews of QC data will be conducted to identify systemic issues and adjust training and procedures as needed to sustain compliance. Person(s) Responsible: Rosa Elaine Garcia, Director of Housing Programs, in assistance with Compliance & Training Administrator, Housing Programs Supervisor (Compliance) and Training and Development Specialist

Categories

HUD Housing Programs

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1218815 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1218816 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.850 PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND $12.31M
14.872 PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND $9.21M
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $7.61M
14.879 MAINSTREAM VOUCHERS $3.52M
14.892 CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS PLANNING GRANTS $2.29M
14.896 FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM $991,332
14.895 JOBS-PLUS PILOT INITIATIVE $255,393
14.870 RESIDENT OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES - SERVICE COORDINATORS $110,232