Finding 1218821 (2025-003)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority failed to conduct timely re-inspections for units that did not meet Housing Quality Standards, resulting in non-compliance.
  • Impacted Requirements: Biennial inspections and timely corrections of deficiencies are required under Housing Quality Standards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Develop and implement a corrective action plan to ensure compliance with inspection protocols and improve internal controls.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-003 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Housing Voucher Cluster Federal Catalog Numbers: 14.871, 14.EHV, and 14.879 Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions - Housing Quality Standards Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: Housing Quality Standards Inspections. The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least biennially to determine if the unit meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the PHA 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. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management, there were failed inspections that did not pass reinspection within 30 days without penalty. Context: There were approximately seven hundred forty two (742) failed inspections during the audit period. Of a sample size of twenty five (25) failed inspections, two (2) units did not pass reinspection within 30 days. The Authority did not properly abate the HAP to the landlord due to the landlord related issues. Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: Amount is below threshold of $25,000. Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over the compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. The Authority has not properly performed procedures related to failed HQS inspections in compliance with program requirements due to staff turnover. Effect: The Housing Voucher Cluster is in non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS inspections. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement a corrective action plan that will ensure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.

Corrective Action Plan

Authority Response and Planned Corrective Action Plan: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor and has initiated corrective actions to strengthen compliance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection requirements and related abatement procedures. Management identified that staffing turnover and transition-related training gaps contributed to delays in the timely processing and enforcement of failed inspection reinspections and landlord abatements during the audit period. In response, the Authority has implemented enhanced monitoring and supervisory review procedures over failed inspections and reinspection timelines to ensure compliance with HUD requirements. Management has reinforced staff training related to HQS enforcement, reinspection tracking, and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) abatement procedures. In addition, the Authority is utilizing system generated tracking reports and management oversight tools to identify failed inspections approaching required corrective action deadlines and to ensure timely follow-up and enforcement actions are completed. The Authority believes these corrective measures will strengthen internal controls over compliance and help ensure continued adherence to HUD Housing Quality Standards requirements and related special tests and provisions compliance requirements. Isaiah Norris, Vice President of the Housing Choice Vouchers Program, is responsible for ensuring the deficiencies have been rectified by September 30, 2026.

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions HUD Housing Programs Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1218818 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1218819 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1218820 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $37.42M
14.155 MORTGAGE INSURANCE FOR THE PURCHASE OR REFINANCING OF EXISTING MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS $16.54M
14.195 PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE (PBRA) $1.08M
14.879 MAINSTREAM VOUCHERS $755,998