Finding 1224568 (2025-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-07-23

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Public Housing funds were improperly used to support the Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) program, violating federal guidelines.
  • Impacted Requirements: Federal regulations prohibit using funds from one program to cover costs of another, risking noncompliance.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Authority should seek non-federal funding sources or cut costs to ensure HCV operations are self-sustaining and repay the Public Housing program.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-004: Public Housing Federal Program Funds Utilized for HCV Federal Program (Significant Deficiency, Material Noncompliance) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Title: Public Housing Operating Fund Federal Assistance Listing Number: 14.850 Compliance Requirement: Allowable Activities Criteria: Federal guidelines, HUD regulations, and specific grant provisions mandate that federal funds are not commingled with other federally funded programs and that the funds for one program not be utilized to pay for the costs of another program. Condition: Based on the balance of the Public Housing interfund receivable, it appears that funds from Public Housing have been used to subsidize the Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) program. Context: As of September 30, 2025, Public Housing had an interfund receivable of $31,186. Cause: The Authority does not have enough non-federal cash on hand to adequately fund the HCV program operations. Questioned Costs: $31,186 Effect: The Authority risks violating federal funding regulations as it is unable to identify a nonfederal source to cover the costs of operations and avoid using other program’s cash flow to cover the costs associated with operating the HCV program. Recommendation: The Authority should locate additional sources of non-federal funds or reduce costs sufficiently so that the HCV program can have enough cash to cover ongoing operations and repay the Public Housing program. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Views of Responsible Officials: The Authority agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan: The NCHA has implemented CFP drawdown procedures to ensure that all eLOCCS requests are supported by eligible expenditures, properly documented, and submitted in accordance with applicable federal cash management requirements and HUD Capital Fund Program regulations. Effective immediately, the Authority has established the following corrective actions:  CFP Drawdown Review and Approval Process  All CFP drawdown requests are now reviewed by Finance staff before submission to verify that requested amounts are supported by eligible CFP expenditures, available obligations, and approved Capital Fund budgets.  A Management approval requirement has been implemented for all eLOCCS draw requests before submission.  Supporting documentation, including invoices, purchase orders, contracts, payroll allocations, and other eligible expenditure support, is maintained with each draw request.  Monthly eLOCCS-to-Expenditure Reconciliation  Finance staff perform a monthly reconciliation of CFP eLOCCS drawdowns to actual expenditures recorded in the accounting system.  The reconciliation process confirms that: o Drawdowns do not exceed eligible costs incurred; o Funds are properly recorded for the appropriate Capital Fund grant year and project; o Outstanding balances and remaining grant funds are accurately monitored; and o Any discrepancies are identified and corrected on time through appropriate accounting adjustments.  Improved Cash Management Controls  NCHA revised its CFP cash management procedures to align drawdown timing with actual cash needs and incurred eligible costs.  Draw requests are limited to amounts necessary to reimburse expenditures and avoid excessive cash balances.  Finance staff have been trained in federal cash management requirements, CFP eligible cost principles, and proper eLOCCS drawdown procedures.  Documentation and Record Retention  NCHA implemented a CFP Drawdown Checklist to document: o Grant availability; o Eligible expenditures supporting the draw; o Required approvals; o Reconciliation completion; and o Supporting documentation retention.  CFP financial records are maintained in accordance with federal record retention requirements and are available for HUD review.  Ongoing Monitoring and Quality Control  The CFO or designee conducts periodic quality control reviews of CFP drawdowns and related reconciliations to ensure continued compliance.  Any identified exceptions are documented, corrected, and incorporated into ongoing staff training and process improvements. Responsible Official: CFO, Sr. Staff Accountant with oversight by Executive Director/CEO Responsible for implementation, monitoring, and continued compliance with CFP drawdown procedures. Expected Completion Date: Implemented July 2026; Ongoing monitoring and monthly reconciliation procedures will continue as part of the Authority’s standard financial management practices

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1224565 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1224566 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1224567 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1224569 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $3.91M
14.850 PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND $527,159
14.872 PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND $157,339