Finding Text
Inadequate Tenant File Documentation in MTW Housing Choice Vouchers (ALN 14.881) (Repeat of Finding 2024-005) Condition: During tenant file testing for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) component of the MTW Demonstration Program, we identified the following deficiencies. This condition is a repeat of prior year finding 2024-005: 1. For one port-out tenant, the tenant file did not contain the required HUD Form 50058 or the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) documentation. As a result, the family’s eligibility, income determination, and assistance could not be substantiated from the file. 2. For one tenant, the Authority was unable to provide the HUD Form 50058; the form was not retained in the tenant file and only tenant balances from the Authority’s housing software were available. The data is reportedly retrievable from HUD’s IMS/PIC system but could not be reproduced from the Authority’s records. 3. For one tenant, the income determination was incorrect. Social Security income was not recalculated based on the prior-year recertification; although an updated Social Security benefit letter was received indicating a change in the monthly benefit, the income reported on the HUD Form 50058 was not updated accordingly, resulting in an inaccurate rent and housing assistance payment (HAP) calculation. Criteria: Under 2 CFR §200.302 and §200.303, the Authority must maintain financial management systems and internal controls sufficient to ensure that costs are allowable, supported, and compliant with program requirements. The 2025 Compliance Supplement (4-14.881) identifies Eligibility (Type E) as subject to audit and requires that the HUD Form 50058-MTW key line items be “documented in the recipient’s file.” HUD program rules require PHAs to complete and retain accurate HUD Forms 50058, to verify income through HUD’s EIV system, and to recalculate income upon receipt of updated benefit information. Records supporting federal program compliance must be retained and accessible (2 CFR §200.334). Cause: The Authority lacked effective internal controls over tenant file documentation, income verification (including use of EIV and updated benefit information), HUD Form 50058 completion and retention, and reexamination procedures. Effect: Missing Forms 50058 and EIV documentation leave family eligibility and assistance payments unsupported; the failure to recalculate income based on updated Social Security benefit information resulted in an inaccurate income determination and rent/HAP calculation. These deficiencies increase the risk of over- or under-payment of housing assistance and questioned costs under the MTW program. Questioned Costs: $395,581 Recommendation: The Authority should ensure the executed HUD Form 50058 (and supporting income/EIV documentation) is completed and retained in each tenant file; recalculate income promptly upon receipt of updated benefit information and reflect the change on the Form 50058; perform EIV verification and reconciliation at each admission and reexamination; conduct a file-completeness review before sign-off; provide staff training on income determination, EIV, and federal recordkeeping; and, where forms were not retained, download and refile them from IMS/PIC. Reply and Corrective Action Plan: The Authority concurs with the finding and questioned costs of $395,581 and acknowledges it is a repeat of finding 2024-005. Ensure Forms 50058 and supporting documentation are retained; recalculate household income when required; retrieve or reconstruct missing records; resolve questioned costs with HUD; conduct file reviews; and provide staff training.