Finding 1220643 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-06-29
Audit: 405460
Organization: Winchendon Housing Authority (MA)
Auditor: CBIZ CPAS PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority failed to properly verify tenant income and expenses, leading to incorrect rent calculations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with HUD regulations for income verification and rent determination was not met.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a recertification checklist to ensure all necessary documentation is collected for tenant files.

Finding Text

2025-001 – ELIGIBILITY Material Weakness U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ALN #: 14.871 – Housing Voucher Cluster CRITERIA For both family income examinations and reexamination, obtain and document in the family file third-party verification of (1) reported family annual income (2) the value of assets (3) expenses related to deductions from annual income; and (4) other factors that affect the determination of adjusted income or income-based rent (24 CFR Section 982.516). Determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant’s rent payment using the documentation from third-party verification in accordance with 24 CFR Part 5 subpart F (24 CFR section 5.601 et seq.) (24CFR sections 982.201, 982.515, 982.516). CONDITION As a result of audit procedures, we identified 4 instances of missing income verification, 5 instances of incorrect utility allowance provided and 5 instances of the Authority applying an incorrect payment standard. CAUSE The Authority’s system of internal control over the participant recertification process was not sufficient to meet the requirements established by HUD. EFFECT Redetermination of tenant’s rent and the housing assistance payment was not performed in accordance with HUD regulations. As a result, tenants may have paid more or less in rent than they should have paid. QUESTIONED COSTS Estimated questioned costs are less than $25,000 CONTEXT We selected a sample of 10 participants from a population of 44 participants from the Housing Choice Voucher program. This was not a statistically valid sample. REPEAT FINDING Not a repeat finding. RECOMMENDATION We recommend that the Authority develop and implement a recertification checklist to accompany the tenant file to ensure all required documentation is obtained. AUDITEE’S RESPONSE AND PLANNED CORRECTIVE ACTION See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

2025-001 – ELIGIBILITY Auditee’s Response and Planned Corrective Action > Going forward, utility allowance will not be given for stove or refrigerator unless they are owned by the tenant. > Correct payment standards for the year of the certification will be used. 100% of payment standard only any other amount will require Reasonable Accommodation. > A Certification Checklist has been developed so that these items are addressed at any/all certifications. Planned Implementation Date of Corrective Action: Immediately Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Amanda Phillips, Executive Director

Categories

HUD Housing Programs

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1220644 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.850 PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND $490,197
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $466,768
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $118,996
14.872 PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND $93,074