Finding 1225235 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-07-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Significant deficiencies in internal controls were found in the Moving to Work program, affecting eligibility and documentation for tenants.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with HUD regulations regarding timely inspections and accurate tenant file documentation.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Authority should improve procedures and controls to ensure compliance and address the noted deficiencies in tenant files.

Finding Text

Eligibility Moving to Work Demonstration Program AL No. 14.881 Significant deficiency in internal control Other Matter to be Reported Under the Uniform Guidance (Repeated from prior year finding 2024-001) Condition: Out of an approximate population of 2,396 of MTW Vouchers and 170 Low Rent Public Housing tenants the following deficiencies were noted: MTW Housing Choice Voucher (a total of 36 tenants selected for testing): • One file did not use the correct utility allowance, • Five files did not have documentation necessary to verify the reported income, and • One file did not have 9886 release of information from within 15 months of the annual recertification. Low Rent Public Housing (a total of 8 tenants selected for testing): • One file did not contain evidence of timely unit inspection being performed. • Three files did not have documentation necessary to verify the reported income, and • One file did not have 9886 release of information from within 15 months of the annual recertification, • Three files did not have documentation of tenant income-based vs flat-rent selection, and • Two files did not have documentation of other rent adjustments. Criteria: The Authority’s ACOP, Administrative Plan, 24 CFR 960.259, and 24 CFR 982.516 require internal controls to be in place to ensure proper procedures are being followed in compliance with HUD requirements regarding timely, complete, and accurate tenant files. In addition, 24 CFR 5.705 requires each unit be periodically inspected. Context: The auditor randomly selected tenant files out of the population from each program as outlined, which we consider to be a statistically valid sample size. The auditor reviewed the tenant files and support to ensure that proper procedures are being followed and that the Commission is in compliance with HUD requirements regarding timely, complete, and accurate tenant files. Cause: The Authority does not have adequate systems and controls in place to ensure all eligibility requirements are being followed and units are being inspected timely Effect: The Authority is not in compliance with all of the HUD requirements regarding eligibility and tenant recertification which could result in incorrect amount of rental assistance being provided. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Auditor Recommendations: The Authority should reevaluate their established procedures and controls in place to ensure full compliance in regards to eligibility and inspections performed. The Authority needs to correct the deficiencies noted in the tested files and consider the impact to the rest of the population of tenant files that were not selected as part of the auditor’s sample. Management Response: See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Action Taken: The Management of the Authority agrees with the findings; we will implement improved internal controls to ensure consistent compliance with regulatory requirements. We plan to continue to conduct file audits, standardize electronic document management procedures, expand use of Yardi compliance tools, and enhance quality control reviews. Strengthened compliance through revised checklists, increased file auditing, targeted staff training, expanded access to procedures and resources, enhanced supervisory oversight, and quarterly monitoring of utility allowance anomalies to improve consistency, accuracy, and adherence to HUD requirements. The HCV Director is the responsible party, and controls will be in place by the end of the December 31, 2026 fiscal year.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.881 MOVING TO WORK DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM $38.10M
14.879 MAINSTREAM VOUCHERS $1.53M
21.023 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $1.18M
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $947,166
93.558 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES $877,202
14.155 MORTGAGE INSURANCE FOR THE PURCHASE OR REFINANCING OF EXISTING MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS $480,903
14.888 LEAD-BASED PAINT CAPITAL FUND PROGRAM $183,045
14.251 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING, AND MISCELLANEOUS GRANTS $121,647
14.856 LOWER INCOME HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SECTION 8 MODERATE REHABILITATION $80,844