Finding 1225991 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-08-06

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Corporation failed to demonstrate that its housing project meets the eligibility requirement of serving the required number of units for individuals defined as “homeless” under federal guidelines.
  • Impacted Requirements: The grant agreement lacks clarity on the number of units needed for compliance, leading to potential disciplinary actions from HUD, including possible repayment of funds.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should collaborate with HUD to clarify compliance requirements and establish a monitoring system to ensure the project meets the necessary occupancy standards for “homeless” individuals.

Finding Text

#2025-001 – Major Federal Award Finding – Eligibility and Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance This is a repeat of prior year finding #2024-001. Criteria: To be eligible to receive assistance under this program, an individual must meet the definition of “homeless,” under 24 CFR section 578.3. Condition: The Corporation has one housing project that received Continuum of Care funding for initial construction or rehabilitation. The respective grant agreements contains ongoing compliance requirements for a 20 year period. The grant agreement, by reference, incorporates the original grant application. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the sample of units selected for testing did contain evidence in the tenant file of prior homelessness. However the Corporation was unable to provide evidence that the Project was serving the required number of units occupied by individuals meeting the definition of “homeless”. The grant agreement for the Project with Continuum of Care funding does not provide an indication of the number of units required to house “homeless” individuals. Effect: The effect of the above condition could result in disciplinary action as determined by HUD, including possible repayment of a portion of the continuing compliance grant. Cause: The Continuum of Care grant agreement does not provide guidance on the number of units required to be “homeless” at the project under the definition provided by 24 CFR section 578.3. The Project is within the last 5 years of the compliance period, and the Corporation is unable to locate the original grant application which may indicate the number of units required to serve “homeless”. The grant agreement specifically incorporates the application by reference. In addition the Corporation made several contacts to HUD. The personnel at HUD were not able to specifically answer the inquiries regarding the number of units required to serve “homeless” under the initial construction or rehabilitation grant agreements. Recommendation: Management should continue to work with HUD personnel to determine the continuing compliance requirements of the Continuum of Care funding received for initial construction or rehabilitation. Upon resolution of the requirements, management should ensure that the project with continuing compliance requirements under the Continuum of Care program has the required amount of units filled by “homeless” individuals as defined by 24 CFR section 578.3. A system to monitor the required amount of units should be established by management and implemented to ensure compliance with the requirements. Questioned Costs: Unable to determine questioned costs, if any, due to the inability to determine the required amount of units that must serve the “homeless” for the year ended December 31, 2025. Views of Responsible Officials: The Corporation agrees with the recommendations put forth by the auditors. The Corporation has contacted the local Continuum of Care and regional U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) office in an effort to address the finding and will continue to work with HUD personnel to determine the continuing compliance requirements of the Continuum of Care funding received for the project. See also attached Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

The Corporation contacted the local Continuum of Care and regional HUD office in an effort to verify the required number of units occupied by individuals meeting the definition of "homeless". The local Continuum of Care had no record of the original grant agreement or required number of "homeless" to be served. The Corporation contacted three staff in the regional HUD office, including the staff that had been our representative for annually renewed operation and support service grants for the project. Regional HUD staff were not able to provide a copy of the original grant agreements which would indicate the number of persons to be served by each project. HUD staff stated that they do not keep copies of grant agreements longer than seven years. Corporation management will continue to work with HUD personnel to determine the continuing compliance requirements of the Continuum of Care funding received for initial construction or rehabilitation. Corporation management will continue to serve individuals meeting the definition of homelessness at its project and document evidence in the files.

Categories

Questioned Costs Eligibility HUD Housing Programs Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.019 CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND $1.14M
14.267 CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM $660,000
14.239 HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM $475,875