Finding 1222221 (2025-005)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority has a significant interprogram receivable balance of $807,072, resulting from using restricted public housing funds to support other programs, which violates HUD guidelines.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with 2 CFR 200.403 and HUD's definitions, as funds cannot be freely transferred between programs without pre-approval.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Discontinue using Public Housing Operating Fund for other programs, reconcile interprogram balances, and establish written procedures for cash management and accounting to prevent future issues.

Finding Text

2025-005 Allowability - Interprogram Activity Public Housing Operating Fund ALN 14.850 (non-major program) Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Other matter required to be reported in accordance with Uniform Guidance Condition: The Authority maintains a material interprogram receivable balance in the asset management program (“AMP”), which is due from other programs of the Authority. This interprogram receivable increased by $373,091 from the September 30, 2024 balance of $433,981, for a total receivable balance of $807,072 as of September 30, 2025. Context: The auditor reviewed the interprogram activity for the current year and noted that the Authority continued to fund other programs of the Authority with restricted public housing operating funds. Criteria: Per 2 CFR 200.403 and the line definition guide issued by HUD for the Financial Data Schedule, funds in the AMP can only be transferred to other programs of the Authority for pre-approved HUD exceptions. The Authority is cautioned that funds are normally not fungible between different federal programs regardless of the nature of the transfer or receivable. Inappropriate use of funds, even a temporary loan, are considered ineligible costs resulting in noncompliance. Cause: The Authority experienced staff turnover in the finance department as well as difficulty replacing personnel that were knowledgeable with HUD and grant allowability requirements. Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with HUD requirements regarding eligible and allowable use of federal funds. Questioned Costs: $807,072. Auditor Recommendations: We recommend that the Authority immediately discontinue using Public Housing Operating Fund resources to fund costs or cash shortfalls of other programs or component units. The Authority should prepare a detailed reconciliation of all interprogram receivable and payable balances by program and implement a repayment plan to restore the Public Housing Operating Fund. We further recommend that the Authority implement written cash management and interprogram accounting procedures to prevent future unauthorized advances. These procedures should include monthly reconciliation of all interprogram balances, supervisory review, and approval of interprogram activity. Management Response: See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

2025-005 Allowability – Interprogram Activity Public Housing Operating Fund ALN 14.850 Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Other matter required to be reported in accordance with Uniform Guidance Condition: The Authority maintains a material interprogram receivable balance in the asset management program (“AMP”), which is due from other programs of the Authority. This interprogram receivable increased by $373,091 from the September 30, 2024 balance of $433,981, for a total receivable balance of $807,072 as of September 30, 2025. Auditor Recommendations: We recommend that the Authority immediately discontinue using Public Housing Operating Fund resources to fund costs or cash shortfalls of other programs or component units. The Authority should prepare a detailed reconciliation of all interprogram receivable and payable balances by program and implement a repayment plan to restore the Public Housing Operating Fund. We further recommend that the Authority implement written cash management and interprogram accounting procedures to prevent future unauthorized advances. These procedures should include monthly reconciliation of all interprogram balances, supervisory review, and approval of interprogram activity. Management Response: Management acknowledges and accepts responsibility for the deficiencies in internal control over allowability and eligibility and are committed to implementing corrective actions that address missing documentation and lack of verifiable procurement procedures to ensure compliance. Reconcile intercompany balances • CHA is currently working with its fee accountant to complete this process Cease Additional Borrowing • Effective immediately, CHA will discontinue the practice of increasing interprogram borrowings from AMP 1 except where expressly authorized by HUD regulations. Implementing a Repayment Plan • CHA will implement a repayment plan to prioritize repayment from unrestricted or otherwise eligible funding sources in compliance with HUD requirements. Monthly Interprogram Reconciliation • Finance staff and fee accountant will reconcile all interprogram receivable and payable balances monthly. • Any new interprogram activity will be reviewed by the Executive Director and Fee Accountant to ensure allowability before recording. Strengthen Budget Monitoring • Management will perform monthly budget-to-actual reviews for every program to identify operating deficits before they require interprogram borrowing. • Programs experiencing budget shortfalls will implement corrective spending measures or identify alternative eligible funding sources. Improve Cash Flow Management • With the assistance of the fee accountant, CHA will prepare monthly cash flow projections for each program to monitor liquidity and prevent the use of restricted Public Housing Operating Funds for other programs. Implement Internal Control Procedures • Written procedures governing interprogram transactions will be incorporated into the Authority's financial policies. • All interprogram transactions will require documentation supporting the purpose, funding source, and regulatory allowability. Oversight by Fee Accountant • The Authority's Fee Accountant will review interprogram balances during monthly financial statement preparation and report unusual activity or growing receivable balances to management. Board Oversight • The Board of Commissioners will receive monthly financial reports that include interprogram receivable and payable balances to provide ongoing oversight of repayment progress and compliance. Monitoring • The Executive Director and Finance Department will monitor compliance with this corrective action plan monthly and adjust operating budgets as necessary to eliminate future interprogram borrowing. Name of Responsible Person(s): Jackie Otto, Executive Director, Sherdana Wade, Director of Operations, Michelle Guidry, Finance Director Projected Completion Date: Some of the corrective activities are underway. We anticipate full compliance ahead of the June 30, 2027 audited submission.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles HUD Housing Programs Cash Management Eligibility Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1222212 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1222213 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1222214 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1222215 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1222216 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1222217 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1222218 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1222219 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1222220 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.850 PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND $644,190
14.879 MAINSTREAM VOUCHERS $272,696
14.872 PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND $194,009
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $178,757
14.870 RESIDENT OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES - SERVICE COORDINATORS $32,002