Finding 1224546 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-07-23
Audit: 407798
Organization: The Housing Authority of Cheraw (SC)
Auditor: APRIO LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority improperly drew down $1,891,326 in Capital Fund Program funds ahead of need, violating cash management standards.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR §200.305(b) and MTW cash management rules, leading to unearned federal funds being held.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement written drawdown procedures, conduct regular reconciliations, monitor interest on undisbursed funds, and provide staff training on cash management.

Finding Text

Improper Timing of MTW Capital Fund Program (CFP) Drawdowns (ALN 14.881) Condition: During testing of the Capital Fund Program (CFP) component of the Moving to Work (MTW) Demonstration Program, we determined that the Authority drew down CFP funds in advance of need. As of September 30, 2025, $1,891,326 of CFP funds drawn during the fiscal year remained unearned (undisbursed) and were carried as restricted/unearned amounts at year end. The drawdowns were not aligned with immediate, allowable obligations or expenditures at the time the funds were requested. This condition is a repeat of prior year finding 2024-002. Criteria: Under 2 CFR §200.305(b), non-Federal entities (other than states) must minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds from HUD and their disbursement; funds may be drawn only when needed for immediate disbursement (HUD’s “just-in-time” funding requirement). 2 CFR §200.302(b)(6) requires written procedures for payment consistent with §200.305. Under the MTW Demonstration Program (ALN 14.881), the Authority is subject to the financial management and cash management requirements applicable to non-MTW agencies; the 2025 Compliance Supplement (4- 14.881) states that “No flexibility under the MTW demonstration permits an agency to waive any requirements regarding cash management” and that MTW agencies “are subject to the same cash management requirements as non-MTW agencies.” HUD controlled-disbursement and eLOCCS drawdown requirements apply (Notice PIH 2017-06). Cause: The Authority lacked effective internal controls to ensure CFP drawdowns were tied to immediate, documented, and allowable obligations and expenditures at the time of request, and did not reconcile amounts drawn to amounts earned and expended during the year. Effect: Federal cash was drawn in advance of need, contrary to the cash management standards of 2 CFR §200.305(b), resulting in $1,891,326 of undisbursed federal funds held by the Authority at year end. Holding undisbursed federal funds increases the risk of improper use, may give rise to an interestremittance obligation under 2 CFR §200.305(b)(9) to the extent interest earned exceeds the $500 de minimis, and exposes the Authority to recapture or repayment. Questioned Costs: None. Recommendation: The Authority should (1) implement written drawdown procedures requiring each CFP request to be supported by immediate, documented, and eligible obligations or expenditures in accordance with HUD’s “just-in-time”/eLOCCS requirements; (2) perform periodic reconciliations of amounts drawn to amounts earned and expended, and promptly return or properly apply funds drawn but not needed; (3) monitor and remit any interest earned on undisbursed federal cash above the de minimis; and (4) provide staff training on federal cash management requirements under 2 CFR Part 200 and HUD guidance. Reply and Corrective Action Plan: The Authority concurs with the finding and acknowledges it is a repeat of finding 2024-002 involving cash management and drawdown procedures. Revise cash management procedures; require documented support and approval for drawdowns; perform monthly reconciliations; monitor interest earned on undisbursed federal cash; provide staff training; and report compliance status to the Board of Commissioners.

Corrective Action Plan

Title: Inadequate Tenant File Documentation in MTW Housing Choice Vouchers Program Name: Moving to Work Demonstration Program - Housing Choice Voucher Program ALN: 14.881 Description: During tenant file testing for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) component of the Moving to Work (MTW) Demonstration Program, variances were identified between the amounts reported on HUD Form 50058 and the actual Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)/Utility Allowance Payment (UAP) disbursements for six tenants. The Authority did not maintain sufficient documentation to reconcile the differences. Planned Corrective Action: The Authority will implement a process to reconcile all Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Utility Allowance Payment (UAP) disbursements to the amounts reported on HUD Form 50058. Identified variances for the affected tenants will be researched and corrected, supporting documentation will be retained in each tenant file, and staff will be trained on documentation and reconciliation requirements under the MTW HCV program. Periodic quality-control reviews of tenant files will be performed to ensure ongoing compliance.

Categories

Cash Management

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1224547 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1224548 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1224549 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.881 MOVING TO WORK DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM $1.03M
14.195 PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE (PBRA) $191,639
14.870 RESIDENT OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES - SERVICE COORDINATORS $17,981