Finding 1219170 (2025-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-06-26

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The PHA failed to conduct timely re-inspections for units that did not meet Housing Quality Standards, leading to non-compliance.
  • Impacted Requirements: Biennial inspections and timely correction of deficiencies as per Housing Quality Standards regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger internal controls to ensure compliance with inspection requirements and timely re-inspections.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-003 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871 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 units that failed inspections that did not pass reinspection within 30 days without penalty. Context: There were approximately eleven (11) Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers units with failed inspections. Of a sample size of two (2) failed inspections, two (2) failed inspections did not pass reinspection within 30 days. Housing assistance payments were not abated nor was the tenant relocated. 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 annual HQS inspections in compliance with program requirements. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers program is in non-compliance with the eligibility type of compliance related to HQS inspections. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority design and implement internal control procedures that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement.

Corrective Action Plan

Authority's Response and Planned Corrective Action: The Authority accepts the recommendation of the auditor. The Authority will increase oversight in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers program to ensure that established internal control policies are being followed on a timely basis. HHA has immediately instituted steps to properly abate rents should a unit fail after the 30-day compliance period. Marc A. Recko, Executive Director was designated to be responsible for implementing this corrective action by September 30, 2026.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Special Tests & Provisions

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1219168 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1219169 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.850 PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND $7.67M
14.872 PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND $6.16M
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $5.55M
14.269 HURRICANE SANDY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY GRANTS (CDBG-DR) $3.04M
14.218 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/ENTITLEMENT GRANTS $319,292
97.036 DISASTER GRANTS - PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTERS) $114,199