Finding 2025-003: Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Program Titles: Housing Voucher Cluster Federal Catalog Numbers: 14.871 & 14.879 Noncompliance – N. Special Tests and Provisions – HQS Enforcement Non Compliance Material to the Financial Statements: Yes Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance for Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: HQS Enforcement. The PHA must inspect the unit leased to a family at least annually to determine if the unit meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the Authority must conduct quality control re-inspections. The PHA must prepare a unit inspection report (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b)). For units that fail inspection the PHA must correct all life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours and all other deficiencies within 30 days. Condition: Based upon inspection of the Authority’s files and on discussions with management, the Authority did not properly abate (6) housing assistance payments. Context: Of a sample size of twenty-five (25) failed inspections, the Authority did not properly abate six (6) out of twenty-five (25) housing assistance payments. As a result, the Authority was not in compliance with the HQS as required by 24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.405(b). Known Questioned Costs: $75,656. Cause: There is a material weakness in internal controls over compliance for the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS enforcement, due to high turnover. This, in addition to software limitations, has resulted in the Authority having a limited capacity to properly maintain and monitor a system of internal controls that reasonably assures program compliance. Effect: The Authority is in material non-compliance with the special tests and provisions type of compliance related to HQS enforcement in the Housing Voucher Cluster. Recommendation: We recommend that the Authority implement a process whereby Authority personnel are hired and trained on HQS enforcement that will reasonably assure compliance with the Uniform Guidance and the compliance supplement. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective action: The Authority has recognized the deficiencies in the administration of programs within the Housing Voucher Cluster and has implemented a process to prevent the same issues from occurring. The Authority will also continue to train staff on HQS enforcement and enhance its internal control procedures that will ensure compliance with federal regulations. Tonya Crawley, HCV Program Director is responsible for ensuring proper internal controls are in place to prevent material weaknesses from occurring and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.