Finding 1221784 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-06-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Tenant files for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program were missing necessary documents during the audit, leading to potential inaccuracies in income eligibility calculations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with HUD eligibility criteria is at risk due to ineffective internal controls over tenant file maintenance and income verification.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Authority should enhance internal controls and train staff on proper tenant file management to ensure compliance with HUD regulations and accurate income assessments.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-001 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871 Noncompliance - E. Eligibility - Tenant Files Noncompliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Eligibility Criteria: Tenant Files. The PHA must do the following: As a condition of admission or continued occupancy, require the tenant and other family members to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility (24 CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516). These files are required to be maintained and available for examination at the time of audit. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management, there were documents that were unavailable for examination at the time of audit. Context: There are approximately 814 units. Of a sample size of twenty-one (21) tenant files, one (1) tenants' HUD-50058 form contained an income miscalculation during the tenant's annual reexamination process. Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $13,000 Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program over the compliance for the eligibility type of compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files. Controls were not operating effectively to ensure tenant income calculations reported on the HUD-50058 form were properly reviewed for accuracy and compliance with HUD requirements. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in noncompliance with the eligibility requirements of the program. Errors in tenant income calculations and recertification documentation could result in participants being determined eligible based on inaccurate information, which may lead to noncompliance with HUD eligibility requirements and improper housing assistance payments. Recommendation: We recommend that the Authority strengthen and consistently apply internal control procedures over tenant eligibility determinations and HUD-50058 recertification reviews to help ensure compliance with HUD requirements and the Uniform Guidance. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority has recognized the deficiencies in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and will train staff on the proper maintenance of tenant files and implement internal control procedures that will ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2025-001 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Assistance Listing Numbers: 14.871 Non Compliance - E. Eligibility - Tenant Files Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: No Significant deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance for Eligibility Finding 2025-001 (continued) Criteria: Tenant Files. The PHA must do the following: As a condition of admission or continued occupancy, require the tenant and other family members to provide necessary information, documentation, and releases for the PHA to verify income eligibility (24 CFR sections 5.230, 5.609, and 982.516). These files are required to be maintained and available for examination at the time of audit. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussion with management, there were documents that were unavailable for examination at the time of audit. Context: There are approximately 814 units. Of a sample size of twenty-one (21) tenant files, one (1) tenants' HUD-50058 form contained an income miscalculation during the tenant's annual reexamination process. Our sample size is statistically valid. Known Questioned Costs: $13,000 Cause: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls for the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program over the compliance for the eligibility type of compliance related to the maintenance of tenant files. Controls were not operating effectively to ensure tenant income calculations reported on the HUD-50056 form were properly reviewed for accuracy and compliance with HUD requirements. Effect: The Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program is in non-compliance with the eligibility requirements of the program. Errors in tenant income calculations and recertification documentation could result in participants being determined eligible based on inaccurate information, which may lead to noncompliance with HUD eligibility requirements and improper housing assistance payments. Recommendation: We recommend that the Authority strengthen and consistently apply internal control procedures over tenant eligibility determinations and HUD-50058 recertification reviews to help ensure compliance with HUD requirements and the Uniform Guidance. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority has recognized the deficiencies in the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program and will train staff on the proper maintenance of tenant files and implement internal control procedures that will ensure compliance with federal regulations. Tracy Thomas is considered the responsible person and the corrective action will be completed by September 30, 2026.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1221785 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $8.47M
14.850 PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND $1.31M
14.872 PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND $791,737